The following terms, when used in this article, shall have the meanings respectively ascribed to them by this section:
CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT. The area of Fort Worth bounded on the east by I-35W; on the south by a line one-half block south of Vickery Boulevard and extending west to the centerline of I-30; on the west by a line extending north and south with the east property line of the City of Fort Worth Water Treatment Plant to West Tenth Street and along West Tenth Street to the Clear Fork of the Trinity River and along the Clear Fork to the Trinity River; on the north by the center of the Trinity River to the extension of Jones Street and thereafter by Bluff Street, as set forth in Appendix A, to the City Code, Zoning Regulations.
CITY. The City of Fort Worth.
CITY COUNCIL. The governing body of the City of Fort Worth.
COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATION. A sworn and notarized certification signed by an applicant for an operating license or a licensee.
DIRECTOR. The director of the city's transportation and public works department.
DRIVER. Any individual who drives or operates a vehicle for hire in the corporate limits of the city to provide vehicle for hire services.
GROUND TRANSPORTATION COORDINATOR or COORDINATOR. An employee of the ground transportation office designated by the director to administer and enforce the ground transportation program.
GROUP CYCLE. A non-motorized vehicle with the carrying capacity of 16 passengers operating on a pre-arranged and predetermined schedule with fixed pickup and destination points.
HAILABLE SERVICE. A motorized vehicle for hire service that can be immediately summoned by a passenger communicating in person with the driver of the vehicle.
HORSE-DRAWN CARRIAGE. A chauffeured non-motorized vehicle drawn by a horse and used to transport persons for hire that typically operates in designated areas or on approved routes.
LICENSEE. A person, association or corporation that is licensed to operate a vehicle for hire service under this article.
MOTORIZED VEHICLE FOR HIRE. Every vehicle for hire that is self-propelled.
NON-MOTORIZED VEHICLE FOR HIRE. Every vehicle for hire that is propelled by a human or an animal, including but not limited to group cycles, horse-drawn carriages, and pedicabs.
OPERATING LICENSE. A license issued by the city authorizing a vehicle for hire service to operate within the corporate limits of the city.
PEDICAB. A non-motorized vehicle with three or more wheels propelled by human power or human-assisted power with seating for one or more passengers.
PERSON. An individual, corporation, government or governmental subdivision, agency, trust, partnership, or two or more persons having joint or common economic interest.
STREET. Any street, alley, lane, right-of-way or highway within the corporate limits of the city.
SUBSTANTIALLY SIMILAR OWNERSHIP. Any business entity that is owned or controlled by 51% or more of the same persons who own or control another business entity.
TAXIMETER. A device that mechanically or electronically computes and registers in dollars and cents for viewing by the passenger, the fare based upon the distance traveled, the time the vehicle for hire is engaged, or any other basis for charges which are specified in the rates of fares set by the city council for hailable vehicle for hire services.
VEHICLE. A device that can be used to transport or draw persons or property on a public street within the corporate limits of the city.
VEHICLE FOR HIRE. Every motorized or non-motorized vehicle that is chauffeured that transports passengers over city streets for a fare or compensation. The term VEHICLE FOR HIRE shall not include:
(1) Vehicles operated by a transportation authority or transit authority in accordance with state or federal law;
(2) Vehicles involved in an organized car pool not available to the general public;
(3) A vehicle being operated pursuant to a franchise, grant of privilege or permit issued by the city under its authority outside of this article; or pursuant to permission duly granted by proper authority of the city under its authority outside of this article for a vehicle to operate over a regular route upon a set schedule; a vehicle being operated as a chartered bus not available to the general public and under a contract to carry 12 or more passengers; or any vehicle that is not available to the general public;
(4) Vehicles being used as ambulances; or
(5) Vehicles rented or leased for self-operation by the person who drives the vehicle, unless such a vehicle is transporting persons for compensation.
VEHICLE FOR HIRE SERVICE. The business of offering transportation to customers in one or more vehicles for hire in exchange for a fee or compensation.
(Ord. 22308-06-2016, § 1, passed 6-28-2016, eff. 10-1-2016)