§ 443.34 Violations by Owners

   Any owner or driver of a vehicle, not licensed in accordance with the provisions of this chapter, or of a vehicle, the license of which has been suspended or revoked, who engages in the business of a public hack as defined herein or attempts to engage in such business, or solicits for hire passengers upon the streets shall be guilty of a violation of this section.

(Ord. No. 1684-76. Passed 6-29-76, eff. 7-6-76)

§ 443.35 Violations by Drivers

   Any person, not having been duly licensed as a public hack driver, or any person whose license as such driver has been revoked or any person whose license has been suspended, and who, during the time of such suspension, drives for hire a public hack upon the streets, shall be guilty of a violation of this section.

(Ord. No. 1684-76. Passed 6-29-76, eff. 7-6-76)

§ 443.36 Suspension or Revocation of License

   In addition to any penalty imposed, any licensee shall be subject to the suspension or revocation of his or her license upon conviction for any violation of this chapter or upon conviction of any offense set forth in Section 443.131. The Commissioner of Assessments and Licenses may in his or her discretion and shall upon the recommendation of the Chief of Police suspend or revoke a license granted under any provision of this chapter, pending or in advance of the criminal prosecution of the licensee for any offense set forth in Section 443.131. In case of the refusal to issue a license or the revocation of a license by the Commissioner the applicant or licensee may appeal from such order in the manner provided by Section 403.09.

(Ord. No. 1828-77. Passed 6-8-78, eff. 6-12-78)

§ 443.37 Taxicab Passenger Bill of Rights

   (a)   No owner or driver shall operate or permit to be operated his or her taxicab unless a Taxicab Passenger Bill of Rights, rate card, and other information required to be posted by regulations are securely affixed to the rear passenger windows of every taxicab in operation. The Taxicab Passenger Bill of Rights shall be in a form provided by the Commissioner, which form shall state that all taxicab passengers have a right to:

      (1)   Ride with a driver, who:

         A.   is well-groomed and appropriately dressed;

         B.   is courteous;

         C.   speaks English;

         D.   is knowledgeable about the metropolitan area;

         E.   obeys all traffic laws;

         F.   does not use a cell phone for calls and/or texting while driving, including hand-held or hands-free devices;

      (2)   Ride in a safe, clean, and well-maintained taxi that has:

         A.   working air conditioning and heat, as appropriate;

         B.   clean cabin air that is smoke and chemical free;

         C.   reasonable silence;

         D.   working seatbelts for all passengers;

         E.   a clean cabin, exterior, and trunk;

      (3)   Take the most direct or shortest route to your destination, or to direct the route of your choice;

      (4)   Receive a receipt with information identifying the taxicab;

      (5)   Pay for your ride with a credit/debit card;

      (6)   Be accompanied by a service animal; and

      (7)   Eliminate or reduce your tip for poor service.

   (b)   The Taxicab Passenger Bill of Rights shall display in plain view of every passenger the phone number for registering complaints.

   (c)   A driver or owner who fails to display a Taxicab Passenger Bill of Rights as set forth in this section shall be fined one hundred dollars ($100.00) for each such failure to display said Taxicab Passenger Bill of Rights.

(Ord. No. 598-13. Passed 5-20-13, eff. 5-23-13)

§ 443.38 Fines for Violating Rules and Regulations

   (a)   The Commissioner of Assessments and Licenses shall have the authority to set and assess fines to taxicab owners, taxicab drivers, and/or and taxicab companies for violations of the Rules and Regulations governing their conduct as published in the City Record.

   (b)   The authority to assess fines under this section does not limit or affect any criminal offense, or the authority of the Commissioner to suspend or revoke a license under Section 443.36, or any other means of enforcement of this chapter provided for in these Codified Ordinances.

   (c)   Any fine levied under division (a) of this section, or a regulation promulgated thereunder, for a conviction of a non-moving violation of the traffic laws of this State, or any political subdivision thereof, shall result in a fine issued exclusively to the taxicab owner. For purposes of this division, a taxicab owner is the person holding legal title to the motor vehicle used as a taxicab, regardless of any lease or other contract governing to possession and use of such vehicle for use as a taxicab.

(Ord. No. 598-13. Passed 5-20-13, eff. 5-23-13)