(a) Posting Requirements. Every taxicab operated shall display, in full view of passengers in both the front seat and the rear seat, in letters and figures which are clearly labeled and not less than one-quarter inch high: (1) a schedule of rates to be charged, and (2) a notice that a schedule of customary rates from La Puente to major points of interest is available on request. The schedule shall have printed thereon: the name of the taxicab operator under whose franchise the taxicab is permitted to operate, and the business address and telephone number where comments or complaints regarding the taxicab service may be directed.
(b) Taxicab Equipment. Every taxicab into which passengers are accepted for transportation within the city of La Puente shall have the following equipment:
(1) A taximeter, as defined in this chapter;
(2) A radio transmitter and receiver capable of two-way communication with a dispatcher;
(3) Legible signs posted inside and outside the taxicab to notify persons that the driver carries only five dollars in change on his or her person;
(4) A trunk device which will permit the opening of the trunk lid from the inside of the trunk;
(5) A permanent fixture to display the taxicab driver's permit in prominent view of the passengers;
(6) Prominent signs giving the name and telephone number of the taxicab operator and the taxicab number on the sides of the taxicab. The taxicab number shall also be conspicuously displayed on the rear portion and inside of the taxicab;
(7) No fewer than four working doors, except that a handicapped accessible mini-van may be used;
(8) A fire extinguisher;
(9) Four flares;
(10) At least two emergency reflectors;
(11) Spare tire and jack;
(12) Windows which customers can open from inside; and
(13) Working headlights, taillights, turn-signals, back-up lights, and brake lights, including the "cyclops" or third brake light, if the car has been manufactured in 1988 or later.
(c) Taximeter. Every taximeter shall be of such type and design as has been accepted by the California Department of Agriculture, and shall be maintained at all times in accordance with standards of accuracy established by such department. Every taximeter shall be placed so that the reading dial showing the amount to be charged shall be well lighted and readily discernible at all times by passengers riding in the taxicab. The taxicab operator shall have all taximeters tested by the county department of weights and measures for accuracy in accordance with the procedure of the department, and shall report the results in writing to the director within thirty days after such testing.
(d) Prohibited Equipment. No taxicab shall be equipped with scanners or other devices which can be used to intercept radio signals and dispatches sent to specific destinations.
(e) Misleading Documents. Receipts, cards, etc. issued by the driver to a customer shall match the taxicab and not mislead a customer to think that he or she patronized a taxi company other than the one actually patronized.
(f) Prohibited Advertising. It is illegal to direct advertisements primarily at La Puente residents, visitors, and businesses which represent that an operator is permitted to do business in La Puente, if the operator is not permitted in La Puente.
(g) Equipment Waiver Conditions. Notwithstanding the provisions of this article, the city manager may waive any equipment requirement, upon a showing of good cause by any applicant or franchisee. Such waiver shall be specified on the taxicab operator's franchise and any applicable vehicle permit.
(h) Vehicle Inspection. The taxicab operator shall perform a yearly inspection of all taxicabs operating as part of his or her taxicab service. Such inspection shall be made by a certified automotive repair dealer. Within ten days of the inspection, the taxicab operator shall provide the director with written confirmation, signed by that repair dealer, that the taxicabs have been inspected and are in good working order. Taxicabs which have been inspected pursuant to the requirements of another governmental entity may submit proof of such inspections in lieu of the inspection required herein.
(i) Record Keeping. The franchisee shall maintain the following records for each order of service:
(1) Location and time of pickup;
(2) Identification of order taker;
(3) Date and time of the order;
(4) Time delay quoted;
(5) Identification of dispatcher;
(6) Identification of taxicab dispatched;
(7) Time of dispatch; and
(8) Whether a handicapped accessible vehicle is requested.
Such records shall be available for inspection by the director and the sheriff for a period of at least six months.
(j) Information to Sheriff. Upon request, the franchisee shall inform the director or the Los Angeles County sheriff's department, or any duly authorized peace officer, of the names, addresses, and the source of all taxicab drivers' permits or vehicle licenses of all taxicab drivers employed, managed or otherwise connected to such taxicab operator.
(k) Changes in Members or Documents. An association, solely-owned partnership, stock corporation, franchise-type operation or cooperative stock-type operation issued an operator's franchise shall notify the director and the Los Angeles County sheriff's department immediately of any changes in membership, stock ownership, corporate officers, operating officers, or modification in operations, agreements, articles, bylaws or other memoranda of the franchisee, or in the operation of the taxicab service.
(l) Service Time Orders and Notice of Delays. Patrons shall be informed of the availability of taxi service. Orders for immediate service shall be dispatched within a five minute period, unless the patron is informed of a probable time delay. "Time orders" shall be dispatched so that the taxicab can arrive at the time promised.
(m) Taxicab Drivers—Permit Preconditions. A taxicab operator shall not permit any person to operate a taxicab authorized under his or her taxicab operator's franchise, unless such person has in his or her possession a valid driver's license issued by the state of California Department of Motor Vehicles, and a current taxicab driver's permit and taxicab driver's identification card obtained in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.
(n) Contracts and Agreements. Any taxicab under a taxicab operator's franchise may be operated pursuant to a driver's contract, agreement or understanding between either the taxicab operator or a taxicab driver operating under such taxicab operator's franchise. Such contract, agreement or understanding shall not relieve the taxicab operator or any taxicab driver from full and complete compliance with applicable provisions of this chapter.
(o) Operator Compliance Responsibility.
(1) The taxicab operator issued a franchise under this chapter is responsible for submitting a complete list of its permitted, duly qualified drivers every calendar month to the director, and shall notify the director within forty-eight hours of the termination of any employee employed as a taxicab driver.
(2) The taxicab operator issued a franchise under this chapter shall hire and contract with a professional manager to act as the operating officer of that taxicab operation, and that qualified manager shall be responsible for the oversight and management of that taxicab operation. The professional manager selected shall have no less than three years experience in the transportation industry, or the equivalent training in management.
(3) The taxicab operator issued a franchise under this article is responsible for complying with the provisions of this article, any rules or regulations adopted by the city council, or promulgated by the director, and for obtaining the compliance of its officers, employees, taxicab drivers, association members, agents or any other person connected with such taxicab operator in providing taxicab service.
(p) Insurance Requirements. Continuing compliance with Section 5.48.550 of this chapter.
(q) Presentment of Taxicab Driver's Permit. Every taxicab shall be required to affix its vehicle permit on the rear windshield of the taxicab so that it is clearly visible from outside the vehicle. If, because of the presence of other stickers required by law, the sticker cannot be placed on the rear windshield, the sticker shall be attached to the vehicle in a conspicuous location, as close as possible to the windshield and in a manner clearly visible from outside the vehicle. The taxicab operator may substitute one vehicle in place of another, if the substituted vehicle complies with the taxicab operator's franchise.
(r) Compliance by Taxicab Drivers. The taxicab operator shall not allow or encourage its taxicab drivers to violate any of the provisions in this chapter.
(Ord. 823 § 1 (part), 2004)