For the purpose of this subchapter the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
ADVISORY COMMITTEE.
See § 115.270.
AIRPORT SHUTTLE.
A vehicle authorized and used for the exclusive transportation of passengers and/or baggage for hire over regular routes approved by the Department between points within Louisville Metro and the airport. All trips must originate or terminate at an airport. Airport shuttles shall be vehicles designed or constructed to transport not more than 15 passengers plus the driver. Airport Shuttles will not be equipped with top lights, top signs, or taximeters.
APPROVED MECHANIC.
A mechanic on a list maintained by the Department. The list shall contain the name of each mechanic that has applied to the Director for inclusion and who (a) has met all requirements of the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence, (b) does not own, lease or drive a vehicle for hire, (c) has no financial interest in any vehicle for hire, ground transportation service carrier, or taximeter installation/repair service, and (d) is not employed by any taximeter business.
CERTIFICATE.
A certificate issued by the Department authorizing the holder thereof to provide a specific type of ground transportation service within Louisville Metro.
CERTIFICATE HOLDER.
A person who has, owns, or controls a certificate issued by the Department to provide a specific type of ground transportation service.
CHARTER BUS.
Any vehicle having a charter bus certificate pursuant to KRS 281.637, which operates over an irregular route and is authorized to transport a group of persons who, pursuant to a common purpose and under a single contract, was entered into at least 48 hours prior to the departure of the vehicle from its point of origin, and for a fixed charge for the vehicle have acquired the exclusive use of a passenger carrying motor vehicle to travel together as a group to a specific destination or for a particular itinerary. The vehicle will hold not less than 15 passengers or more than 25 passengers not including the driver. All carriers subject to this definition shall be prohibited from providing service to any person(s) who is not a member of the group, which entered into the contract for carriage. No pickup, drop-off or delivery service will be allowed at any intermediate points.
COURTESY VEHICLE.
Any motor vehicle operated by a hotel or motel for the purpose of providing basic transportation to or from the hotel/motel for its customers and/or clientele at no charge, fare, or fee.
CRUISE.
To drive a vehicle for hire on the streets or public places in Louisville Metro in search of soliciting prospective passengers for hire.
DEPARTMENT.
The Louisville/Jefferson County Metro Department of Inspections, Permits, and Licenses.
DIRECTOR.
The Director of the Department or his or her designee unless otherwise specifically provided.
DISABLED PERSONS VEHICLE.
A motor vehicle, licensed by the state as the same and used, but not necessarily exclusively, for the transportation of persons with disabilities and designed and constructed to transport not more than 15 passengers plus the driver. A
DISABLED PERSONS VEHICLE
may contain a taximeter, top light or other identifying items that give it the appearance of a taxicab.
DOWNTOWN/AIRPORT FLAT-RATE ZONE.
The geographical area bounded by the Ohio River to the north, the south side of Broadway to the south, by the east side of Clay Street to the east, and the west side of Eighth Street to the west.
DRIVER'S PERMIT, ANNUAL.
The permit, excluding the temporary and special driver's permits, issued annually pursuant to this subchapter by the Director to a person 18 years of age or older to operate or drive a specific type of vehicle for hire in Louisville Metro.
DRIVER'S PERMIT, TEMPORARY.
The status of a permit issued by the Director to an applicant for an annual driver's permit until the applicant complies with all training requirements for an annual permit.
FIXED RATE VEHICLE.
Any vehicle authorized by the State of Kentucky to transport passengers for a fixed fare (not determined by a taximeter) and whose driver is employed by the certificate holder. (Examples include, but are not limited to, limousines, charter busses and airport shuttles.
GROUND TRANSPORTATION SERVICE CARRIER.
A business that offers the service of transporting a person or persons within a vehicle for hire upon the streets of Louisville Metro in return for compensation which is given either at the time of transportation or at some other prearranged time or method.
HEARING OFFICER.
Person(s) assigned by the Director to hear appeals regarding permit denials, revocations, suspensions or administrative penalties imposed regarding violations of this subchapter or the associated rules and regulations as promulgated by the Director.
INSPECTION STICKER.
A sticker or emblem issued pursuant to this subchapter by the Director to the certificate holder or driver of a vehicle for hire evidencing that the vehicle for hire has been inspected as provided by this subchapter and is authorized to be operated on the streets of Louisville Metro.
INSPECTOR.
A person designated by the Director to enforce the Code of Ordinances, and rules and regulations concerning ground transportation.
LICENSE.
An authorization issued pursuant to this subchapter by the Director to the certificate holder or driver of a vehicle for hire evidencing that the vehicle for hire has been licensed as provided by this subchapter and is authorized to be operated on the streets of Louisville Metro.
LICENSED.
To have a current Department license and a current inspection sticker as provided in this subchapter.
LIMOUSINE.
A luxury motor vehicle passenger car, which has either a standard or an extended wheelbase. The vehicle shall have additional rear seating capacity, area, and comforts, but shall be designed or constructed to transport not more than 15 passengers plus the driver.
LOUISVILLE METRO.
The geographic area of Jefferson County, Kentucky.
MANIFEST.
A daily record prepared by a vehicle for hire driver of all trips made by such driver, showing time and place of origin, destination, number of passengers and the amount of fare of each trip.
MECHANICAL INSPECTION.
An inspection performed by an approved mechanic that has met all requirements of the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence. The inspection will include, but is not limited to, all engine and body parts, hoses, fluids, exhaust system, braking system including associate lights, headlights, turning signals, backup lights and any other parts of the vehicle that would make the vehicle unsafe or not road worthy.
METRO GOVERNMENT.
The Louisville/Jefferson County Metro Government.
NEW DRIVER.
A person who:
(1) Has never held a driver's permit;
(2) One who has allowed an issued driver's permit to expire for a period longer than 60 days; or
(3) One who has had a driver's permit revoked or suspended for longer than 60 days.
OWNER.
Any certificate holder, driver, or any other person(s) who actually own or controls the vehicle, which is being operated as a vehicle for hire as defined under this subchapter. The
OWNER
shall be the person(s) to whom the vehicle is registered by the State of Kentucky, Department of Transportation.
PARA-TRANSIT VEHICLE.
A vehicle designed and equipped to only allow the transportation of a person(s) confined to a wheelchair without requiring that person(s) to be removed from the wheelchair exclusive of the driver.
PERSON.
Includes an individual, firm, partnership, corporation, company, association, or joint stock association, and includes any trustee, assignee, or personal representative thereof.
RATE CARD.
A card approved by the Director for display in each vehicle for hire that contains the rates of fare, fees, and other approved charges.
SAFETY CERTIFICATE.
An affidavit from an approved mechanic certifying that a particular vehicle for hire meets all vehicle safety standards set forth by the State of Kentucky and/or Metro Government pursuant to this subchapter as well as any regulations adopted pursuant to this subchapter.
SPECIAL DRIVER'S PERMIT.
A permit issued by the Director for special events, with the approval of the certificate holder and the Department.
STATE CERTIFICATE.
A certificate issued by the State of Kentucky Department of Transportation, granting authority for the operation of a given number of specific types of vehicles for hire to transport passengers in or from the corporate limits of Louisville Metro in a manner prescribed in the certificate.
STREETS.
Every public road, avenue, alley, boulevard, way, bridge, viaduct, or trestle and the approaches to them, including off-street parking facilities and access ways offered for public use whether publicly or privately owned, except for-hire parking facilities described in KRS 189.700.
TAXICAB.
A motor vehicle operated under one or more state-issued taxicab or disabled persons vehicle certificates, is designed or constructed to transport no more than 15 passengers exclusive of the driver, has a top light or top sign and a taximeter.
TAXICAB STAND.
A public place alongside the curb of a street or elsewhere in Louisville Metro, which has been designated pursuant to all ordinances regulating the same as reserved exclusively for the use of taxicabs. A taxicab stand may be temporary or permanent.
TAXIMETER.
A meter instrument or device attached to a taxicab that electronically or mechanically measures the distance driven and the waiting time on which the fare is based.
TEMPORARY AUTHORITY.
An authority granted by the Director to a certificate holder to place a vehicle for hire into service for 90 days conditional upon the State of Kentucky Department of Transportation's approval.
VEHICLE FOR HIRE.
Any public conveyance operated to transport passengers for compensation by meter, by contract or fixed rate that shall include limousines, taxicabs, charter buses, wheelchair accessible taxicabs, disabled person vehicles, and airport shuttles, but excludes courtesy and para-transit vehicles. A vehicle for hire must be affiliated with a certificate holder in order to operate in Louisville Metro.
WAITING TIME.
The time when a taxicab is not in motion from the time of acceptance of a passenger to the time of discharge, but such term does not include any time that the taxicab is not in motion if due to any cause other than the request, acts or fault of a passenger.
WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE TAXICAB.
A taxicab designed and equipped to allow the transportation of a person(s) confined to a wheelchair without requiring that person(s) to be removed from the wheelchair, but such taxicab is not restricted to transporting only wheelchair-bound persons.
(1999 Lou. Code, § 111.550) (Lou. Ord. No. 115-1979, approved 8-17-1979; Lou. Am. Ord. No. 218-1983, approved 8-30-1983; Lou. Am. Ord. No. 60-1986, approved 2-27-1986; Lou. Am. Ord. No. 370-1987, approved 12-28-1987; Lou. Am. Ord. No. 172-1996, approved 8-28-1996; Lou. Am. Ord. No. 0045-2002, § 1, approved 3-29-2002; Lou. Metro Am. Ord. No. 223-2005, approved 12-27-2005)