A. Direct route. Any driver employed to transport passengers to a definite point shall take the most direct route possible which will carry the passenger to the destination safely and expeditiously.
B. Receipts. Every driver, upon request, shall give a correct receipt upon payment of the correct fare. Receipts shall be given with or without request where programmable or multirate taximeters are used as required in § 11.10.300 A.
C. Refusal to pay fare. It shall be unlawful for any person to refuse to pay the lawful fare of any of the vehicles regulated by this Chapter after employing or hiring such vehicle, and any person who shall hire such vehicle with the intent to defraud the person from whom it is hired shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
D. Service. It shall be unlawful for any person operating a taxi pursuant to this Chapter to refuse service to any person seeking to employ such taxi for the reason that the distance to be traveled is considered a “short haul.” No permittee shall establish or impose upon any customer or prospective customer a minimum number of miles of travel or a minimum fare unrelated to the number of miles actually traveled nor shall service be refused to any person on the basis of such minimums. Any permittee who refuses service to any person on the basis of any “short haul” restrictions or the imposition of any minimums as set forth herein shall be guilty of a misdemeanor. In addition to any other penalties, a refusal of service for the reasons set forth in this Subchapter shall be grounds for the revocation of any permit obtained pursuant to this Chapter. All drivers shall observe the following rules when rendering service:
1. Driver shall not refuse a request for service because of driver's position in line at a taxicab zone. A passenger may select any cab in line.
2. Driver shall not refer or attempt to refer a potential patron to another taxicab or alternate means of transportation except where such referral is for an alternate fee transportation service available to the requested destination and provided the passenger willingly accepts the referral.
3. Driver shall not dismiss or discharge any passenger at a point other than the requested destination without adequate cause. If a passenger is discharged for a cause, such shall be done at a safe well-lighted place convenient to public transportation. Driver shall immediately notify dispatcher of any such incident. The permittee shall conduct an investigation into the circumstances and promptly provide a written report to the City Attorney.
4. Driver shall not attempt to influence the destination of a passenger and shall not accept fees or gratuities from anyone other than passenger or his/her agent.
5. Driver shall not refuse to transport in the taxicab any passenger's personal luggage, possessions, wheelchairs which can be folded and placed in either the passenger, driver or trunk compartments of the taxicab, groceries or packages when accompanied by a passenger, small pets in carriers or a guide dog for a blind passenger. The driver shall not be required to transport any article which would cause the taxicab to become damaged, stained or foul smelling.
6. Driver shall place passenger's luggage or packages in and out of the taxicab when requested.
7. Driver shall assist a passenger in and out of a taxicab when requested, provided the driver is not required to lift the passenger.
8. Driver shall not engage in unwanted conversation with passenger.
9. Driver shall not smoke while the taxicab is occupied, without the consent of all passengers.
10. Driver shall not permit anyone who is not a passenger to sit in the taxicab while driver is on duty except where driver is receiving training from the permittee.
E. Number of passengers. No driver of any taxicab shall accept, take into his or her vehicle, or transport any larger number of passengers than the rated seating capacity of the vehicle. The Police Department shall, at the time of inspection, determine the seating capacity of the vehicle and the maximum seating capacity shall be displayed on the permit issued by the Police Department.
F. Unattended or standing taxicabs. No taxi driver shall stand or park on any public street while awaiting employment, at any place other than at a duly designated taxi stand, nor shall the driver of any taxi leave the taxi unattended in a taxi stand for a period of time longer than five (5) minutes.
G. Exclusive use by passenger. Any person engaging a taxicab shall have the exclusive right to the full use of the taxicab. While so engaged, the driver shall not solicit or carry additional passengers without obtaining the consent of the person first engaging the taxicab.
('65 Code, § 34-12(f)) (Ord. No. 83-020 § 1; Ord. No. 83-031 §§ 2-3; Ord. No. 84-003 § 1)