Every taxicab operated within the limits of the town and for which a certificate is issued under this chapter shall comply with the following requirements:
(A) It shall be enclosed, or sedan type, with four doors, at least two seats and of not less than five-passenger capacity.
(B) It shall be at all times in good repair when in operation and shall be subject to inspection by any law enforcement officer at any time.
(C) It shall bear on the outside and on at least two sides the name of the owner in letters not less than two inches high and plainly visible at a distance of 100 feet.
(D) The name and address of the operator, the license of the driver and the rates and fares in effect shall be kept posted inside of the taxicab at all times when it is in operation, and shall be exhibited to any person demanding it. The rates and fares in effect shall be posted in letters not less than one-half-inch high.
(E) No driver shall operate a radio in any taxicab while the same is being used to transport passengers for hire in the town, provided that this division shall not prohibit the use in any taxicab operating under the provisions of this chapter of a radio device for the purpose of receiving instructions for the carrying of passengers directed through the radio device from the office or headquarters of the person or company under whom the taxicab is being operated;
(F) Every taxicab shall have affixed thereto and must use a taximeter which conforms substantially to the following specifications:
(1) A taximeter is a mechanical instrument or device by which the charge for hire of a taxicab is mechanically calculated either for distance traveled or for waiting time or both, and upon which the charge shall be indicated by means of legible figures which are electrically lighted each time the taximeter flag is thrown from non-earning to earning position.
(2) The taximeters must register upon visual counters the following items:
(a) Total miles;
(b) Paid miles;
(c) Number of units;
(d) Number of trips; and
(e) Number of extras.
(3) Each taximeter must be driver direct from the taxicab transmission, instead of merely connecting with the speedometer driving shaft, to the taximeter head itself, using a flexible shaft and a flexible housing so connected and sealed as to be non-tamperable.
(4) (a) No person shall use or permit to be used upon any taxicab a taximeter which shall be in a condition so as to be over 5% incorrect to the prejudice of any passenger.
(b) No person shall use or permit to be used or driven for hire a taxicab equipped with a taximeter having a case which is unsealed and not having its cover and gear intact.
(c) If demanded by the passenger, the driver in charge of a taxicab shall deliver to the person paying for the hiring of the same at the time of the payment a receipt therefor in legible type or writing containing the name of the owner, the town license number of the driver's town license or the taximeter number, and any items for which a charge is made, the total amount paid, and the day of payment.
(d) No person shall drive a taxicab to which is attached a taximeter that has not been duly inspected and approved. It shall be unlawful to change the size of the wheels or tires of a taxicab or the gears operating the taximeter or to change a taximeter from one taxicab to another unless the taximeter is retested and approved before using.
(G) The Senior Union County Deputy Sheriff assigned to the town shall have the right to inspect, check and ascertain the accuracy of any meter placed on any taxicab operating under the franchise granted by the Town Council.
(Ord. passed 2-1-99) Penalty, see § 10.99