The Board of Public Safety is hereby empowered to promulgate the rules and regulations consistent with the provisions of this chapter as may be necessary or desirable to aid in attaining compliance with the provisions and purposes of this chapter. The rules and regulations shall include, but shall not be limited to, the following minimum standards:
(A) Taximeter.
(1) Every taxicab shall be equipped with a taximeter of a make satisfactory to the Board of Public Safety. The use of any inaccurate taximeter or other measuring instrument for the purpose of gauging or indicating distance traveled or waiting time, for the purpose of fixing rates to be collected from the public is hereby prohibited; it shall be the duty of the owner or operator using any taximeter to keep said taximeter accurate.
(2) Every taximeter used for the purpose of gauging or indicating distance traveled or waiting time, or for the purpose of collection of fares for the public shall be inspected by the city Bureau of Weights and Measures or his designee once every six months. If any meter is found to be inaccurate, the taxicab to which it is attached shall not be operated until such meter is properly approved and adjusted on reinspection. When any inspection shows that a taximeter accurately records the proper fare it shall be sealed under the direction of the inspector of Weights and Measures of the City, or his designee, and a written certificate of inspection shall be issued to the owner of any such taxicab. It shall be unlawful for any unauthorized person to tamper with, break or mutilate any taximeter or the seal thereon, with the purpose of causing such taximeter to register any fare incorrectly or for any other purpose whatsoever. It shall be unlawful for any person to operate a taxicab without an operating taximeter in compliance herewith.
(3) Every taximeter shall be so placed in said taxicab that the reading dial showing the amount to be charged shall be well lighted and readily discernible by the passenger riding in such taxicab.
(B) Display of names and rates.
(1) Rate structure. The Board of Public Safety shall promulgate rules and regulations requiring the external display of the fare structure of the permittee's taxicabs. The display shall include:
(a) The distance for which the original flag drop pays;
(b) The rate per mile thereafter;
(c) The charge per minute of waiting time;
(d) Any surcharges added to the fare for fuel costs, service to specific locations or during specific hours.
(2) Exterior information. There shall be on the outside of each taxicab, signs, cards or plates of a durable or permanent structure, showing the permittee's taxicab business name, taxicab permit number and current telephone number. The taxicab business name and telephone number shall be displayed prominently on both sides of the taxicab in accordance with the Board of Public Safety regulations.
(C) Exterior conditions.
(1) All taxicab vehicle bodies shall conform to the general specifications of the manufacturer.
(2) All exterior paint work shall be maintained in good conditions, free of substantial scratches, chips and abrasions.
(3) All doors must have operating handles that allow opening from both the inside and outside. Handles, knobs and arm rests are to be free of breaks and must be securely mounted.
(4) All suspension components affecting the ride and safety of vehicles shall be maintained such that they comply with the manufacturer's specifications.
(5) All windshield and window glass shall be maintained free from cracks, scratches, pitting, abrasions or any other condition that reduces clarity of vision.
(D) Interior conditions.
(1) Seat covers shall be permanently attached or fixed to the seats of the vehicle and have no exposed wire or sharp edges either from metal or hardened vinyl. No broken springs, sagging or horizontal slippage is allowable in either seat.
(2) Seat belts are to be in operating condition and easily accessible by all passengers.
(3) Every operating permit holder shall ensure that the interior of his taxicab is maintained at all times in a reasonable, clean condition.
(E) Radio. All taxicabs shall be equipped with two-way radios or comparable communication devices such that office dispatchers may immediately and effectively notify drivers of requests for service. No taxicab permit holder shall possess in the place of business or dispatch operation any device used for the monitoring of a competitor's radio frequency.
(F) Safety equipment. All taxicabs shall be equipped with a fire extinguisher, flares and a first aid kit. No owner shall permit the operation of a vehicle without said safety equipment, violation of which shall subject owner to a fine.
('74 Code, § 28-16) (Ord. S-201- 85, passed 10-22-85; Am. Ord. G- 30-90, passed 12-18-90; Am. Ord. G-20-10, As Amended, passed 12- 14-10; Am. Ord. G-37-11, passed 9-13-11; Am. Ord. G-9-16, passed 7-12-16)