For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
DIGITAL NETWORK. Any online-enabled application, software, website, or system offered or utilized by TNC or taxicabs that enables the prearrangement of rides with a driver.
DRIVER. One who actually engages in driving a vehicle-for-hire.
OPERATOR. A person, organization, company, or other entity engaged in operating a vehicle- for-hire business.
PREARRANGED RIDE. The provision of transportation by a driver to a rider, beginning when a driver accepts a rider’s request for a ride through a digital network controlled by a TNC, continuing while the driver transports a requesting rider, and ending when the last requesting rider departs from the TNC personal vehicle.
TAXICAB. A motor vehicle for carrying passengers for hire, along nonprescribed routes, with a seating capacity of 9 or less persons. The term TAXICAB shall not include funeral cars, ambulances, limousines, buses, wheelchair transport vehicles, paratransit, and stretcher transport.
TNC. Transportation Network Company means an entity that uses a digital network to connect passengers to TNC service and the drivers that use their TNC personal vehicle to provide vehicle-for- hire services. The TNC does not manage, own, or lease the personal vehicles of the drivers.
TNC DRIVER. A person who receives connections to TNC riders and related services from a TNC in exchange for payment of a fee to the TNC and who uses a TNC personal vehicle to provide a prearranged ride to riders upon connection through a digital network controlled by TNC in return for compensation or payment of a fee.
TNC PERSONAL VEHICLE. A vehicle that is used by a TNC driver to provide a prearranged ride and is owned, leased, or otherwise authorized for use by the TNC driver.
TNC RIDER. A person who uses a TNC’s digital network to connect with a TNC driver who provides a prearranged ride to the person in the driver’s TNC personal vehicle between points chosen by the person.
VEHICLE FOR HIRE. Means any vehicle licensed under this chapter as taxicab or TNC personal vehicle.
WHEELCHAIR TRANSPORT VEHICLES, PARATRANSIT, AND STRETCHER TRANSPORT. Means a motor vehicle-for-hire which carries wheelchairs, conducts paratransit, and transports stretcher passengers and their accompanying guests or care givers, with a seating capacity for 12 persons or less, not including the driver, not traveling any definite or prescribed route, operated by a driver, and carrying or accepting wheelchair, paratransit, or stretcher passengers and their accompanying guests or care givers, but shall not include licensed ambulance services. Such vehicle shall be equipped with straps to secure wheelchairs and stretchers and in the case of stretchers arranged so that the head of the passenger is visible to the driver.
(1975 Code, § 24.5-16) (Ord. 640, passed 1-6-1975; Am. Ord. 1358, passed 8-7-2017; Am. Ord. 1389, passed 12-3-2018; Am. Ord. 1398, passed 2-19-2019)