For the purpose of this chapter the words and phrases defined as follows shall have the meaning therein respectively ascribed to them, unless a different meaning is plainly required by the context.
(a) "Public vehicle" means a vehicle furnishing individual service for compensation in the transportation of persons on public streets. Public vehicles are classified as taxicabs, autos for hire and driverless autos for hire.
(b) "Taxicab" means any public vehicle whose owner or driver secures or accepts a passenger for hire on the public streets or on public places, or accepts a passenger for hire upon hail or request made in the public streets or on public places.
(c) "Auto for hire" means any public vehicle other than a taxicab and driverless auto for hire. An auto for hire shall be driven by the owner or his employee and shall not secure or accept a passenger for hire on the public streets or on public places, or accept a passenger for hire on hail or request made in a public street or on public places.
(d) "Driverless auto for hire" means any public vehicle which is rented or hired out to a person other than the owner and operated by the person renting or hiring the same for his own use and not for the purpose of transporting persons for compensation.
(e) "Owner of a public vehicle" means the person who has good title thereto by lawful bill of sale or certificate of title and who in the conduct of his business of operates or rents such public vehicle.
(f) "Rentee" means the person to whom a driverless auto for hire is rented by the owner. (Ord. 16-1945. Passed 10-26-45.)
(g) "Taxicab company" means any business organization whether a corporation, partnership, joint venture or proprietorship which is engaged in the business of operating taxicabs. (Ord. 30-1962. Passed 9-24-62.)