Every taxicab driver and owner/operator will be jointly and severally responsible for all of the following requirements. Each owner and driver shall:
A. Maintain, at all times in full force and effect, insurance as required by subsection 5.64.030F of this chapter;
B. Maintain, at all times, valid business licenses for the city;
C. Display at all times on each taxicab operating within the city a valid taxicab identification decal issued by the chief. The identification decal shall be permanently affixed to the lower left corner of the rear windshield of the vehicle so that it is clearly visible from the outside of the vehicle. If, because of the presence of other stickers or decals required by law, the decal cannot be affixed on the lower left corner of the rear windshield, the decal shall be attached to the vehicle in a conspicuous location, as close as possible to the lower left corner of the rear windshield;
D. Keep an accurate, legible record of all passengers carried, the pick up and drop off points, and the date and time carried. This record shall be available for up to one year for review by the chief;
E. Not, when otherwise available for hire, refuse to transport anyone requesting a ride except under the following circumstances:
1. The transportation requested is such that the driver may not legally accept such passenger,
2. The driver has reasonable cause to believe that the proposed passenger will refuse to pay or cannot pay the fare,
3. The proposed passenger is disorderly, engaged in the commission of any crime, or is otherwise unfit to be transported as a passenger;
F. Display a photo I.D. badge identifying the driver's association with permitted taxicab service;
G. Keep the taxicab in good mechanical condition and in compliance with any and all applicable rules and regulations;
H. Charge only those rates as submitted on the application or such rates as have been approved by the chief;
I. Display in full view of passengers in both the front and the rear seat, in letters and figures which are clearly legible and not less than one-fourth inch (1/4") high: 1) a schedule of rates to be charged, and 2) a notice that a schedule of customary rates from the city's major points of interest are available upon request. The schedules shall have printed thereon the name of the owner/operator under which the taxicab is permitted to operate and the business address and telephone number where comments or complaints regarding the taxicab service may be directed;
J. Keep the taxicab in a clean and sanitary condition;
K. Participate in periodic testing for controlled substances and alcohol, and shall report the results thereof, as specified in Government Code section 53075.5(b)(3), and shall test negative for drugs and/or alcohol as required in said code section, and shall carry in his or her vehicle a certificate of compliance with the provisions described in this subsection;
L. Not permit any person to operate a taxicab unless such person is authorized to operate a taxicab pursuant to this chapter;
M. Not stop for or accept any passenger except at such areas as may be authorized by the city; or where the taxicab driver has driven a passenger to a particular location and is waiting for that passenger; or when picking up a passenger who has contacted the driver's owner operator and requested taxicab service;
N. Drive passengers to their point of destination by the most direct practical route, unless specifically directed otherwise by such passengers;
O. When engaged, provide current passengers with exclusive right to use of the passenger compartment, without picking up additional passengers, unless otherwise expressly permitted by the city;
P. Immediately report the fact of any revocation of any permit required to operate a taxicab within the city;
Q. The owner/operator shall notify the chief upon the termination of employment of a taxicab driver;
R. Surrender the taxicab driver's permit to the city if no longer employed by a city permitted owner/operator;
S. Ensure that each driver operating within the city maintains a valid California driver's license at all times;
T. Perform a yearly inspection of each vehicle operating within the city as part of owner/operator's taxicab service. The inspection shall be made by a certified mechanic or automotive repair dealer. Inspection records, signed by the mechanic or repair dealer, shall be maintained in the business office of the owner/operator attesting that the vehicle has been inspected and is in good working order. (Ord. 2434 § 1, 2000)