The following rules and regulations shall be observed by all persons operating taxicabs:
A. Clothing. Any person driving a taxicab shall be clothed in a shirt with sleeves, a full pair of pants or shorts with no less than a ten-inch inseam, and shoes which cover the feet. They shall wear a name badge bearing the driver's first initial and last name visibly displayed on their shirt. The name and lettering shall be at least 1/2-inch in height. The taxi company logo may also be displayed on the shirt.
B. Insurance. No taxicabs shall be operated in the city unless the undertaking provided for in Section 10.60.130 is in full force and effect.
C. Standing on Streets. No taxicab shall remain standing upon any public street except for active loading and unloading passengers, and then not for a period of more than five minutes, excepting at such stand as may be designated by the chief of police, or his or her designee. This subsection shall not apply to any taxicab while the same is engaged by and being paid for by a passenger.
D. Soliciting Passengers—Exclusive Use of Taxicab by Passengers. No operator, driver or owner of any taxicab shall solicit or carry any passenger after such taxicab shall have been engaged or while in use for another passenger, without the consent of the passenger first engaging the same having been first obtained. A passenger engaging such taxicab shall have the exclusive right to full and free use of the passenger compartment and the whole thereof if he or she desires the same.
E. Direct Route. The driver of any taxicab shall carry any passengers engaging the same safely and expeditiously to his or her destination by the most direct and accessible route unless specifically directed otherwise by the hiring passenger.
F. Business License. No person shall operate any taxicab without prepaying any license and/or permit fee required by the city for the transaction of such business.
G. Mechanical Condition. All taxicabs shall be kept in good mechanical condition.
H. Class C or Better License and Driver's Permit. No person shall drive a taxicab in the city without a valid Class C or better license from the California department of motor vehicles and also a city taxicab driver's permit issued in writing by the chief of police in his or her possession.
I. Unfair Competition. No automobile for hire or taxicab shall be equipped with scanners or other devices which can be used to intercept radio signals and dispatches sent to specific destinations. No driver, owner or operator of any taxicab shall indulge in unfair competition with competitors, or shall commit any fraud upon the public or other persons engaged in the same business, and the business license officer shall be the sole judge of what constitutes fraud or unfair competition under the provisions of this section. Any complaints to the city council of violation of this section shall only be heard upon written complaint specifying the act complained of and sworn to by the complainant before a notary public or other officer authorized to administer oaths or brought by the business licensing officer.
J. Information to be Posted in Taxicabs. In every taxicab there shall be a sign of heavy material, not smaller than six inches by four inches (or such other specified by the chief of police, or his or her designee), securely attached and clearly displayed in view of the passenger at all times, providing in letters as large as the size of the sign will reasonably allow, all of the following information:
1. The name, address, and telephone number of the city business licensing officer;
2. The name, address, and telephone number of the taxicab business permit holder under this chapter;
3. The name or trade name of the permit holder;
4. The taxicab number;
5. A schedule of rates and charges;
6. The taxicab driver's permit in prominent view of the passengers;
7. A “No Smoking” sign posted in prominent view of the passengers.
K. Remaining Near Cab. The driver of a taxicab shall remain within ten feet of his or her taxicab while parked at any stand designated by the chief of police, except while actively assisting passengers to load or unload.
L. Excessive Charges. No charge shall be made by any operator or owner of a taxicab or in excess of the rates approved by the city and posted in the passenger compartment of the car.
M. Sanitary Condition. No taxicab shall be operated unless the passenger compartment is kept clean, free of debris, and in sanitary condition.
N. Fire Extinguisher. Every taxicab shall be equipped at all times with a standard type of fire extinguisher in good working condition.
O. Baggage; Canceling Calls. Persons served with a taxicab hereunder shall be entitled to have such valises or small hand baggage as can be conveniently carried when the vehicle is loaded, conveyed and unloaded without charge. Persons canceling service for taxicabs or for-hire cars after the meter or flag drop has been activated may be charged the same rate as if the taxicab was in service, up to the amount of time the passenger communicated the cancellation of the service to the driver.
P. Refusal to Carry Passengers. It is unlawful for any driver operating under a permit issued pursuant to the terms of this chapter to refuse when the vehicle is in service and not otherwise engaged to transport any passengers who present themselves for carriage in a sober and orderly manner and for a lawful purpose.
Q. Trip Record. The driver or the dispatcher shall maintain a current log of all pick-ups and drop- offs, listing times and dates, fares, number of passengers per trips, start and stop locations and mileage.
R. Maximum Driving Hours. The driver shall not be in service or operate a taxicab in excess of sixteen (16) hours in any twenty-four (24)-hour period.
S. No Smoking. There shall be no smoking of tobacco or any other combustible material by the driver or any passenger inside the taxicab while the taxicab is in service.
(Ord. 344 § 20, 2005)