For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
ACTIVE ON THE TRANSPORTATION NETWORK COMPANY (TNC) DISPATCH SYSTEM.
Includes, but is not limited to:
(1) Whenever a TNC driver is logged onto a TNC’s digital network and shown as available for pickup and transport of passengers;
(2) When a TNC driver has accepted a ride request and is enroute to pick up a TNC passenger; and
(3) Whenever a TNC passenger is in a TNC vehicle.
AMBULANCE. A motor vehicle which is designed and intended to be used for providing transportation of a wounded, injured, sick, invalid or incapacitated human being, or an expectant mother.
AMBULANCE SERVICE. The transportation by ambulance for a wounded, injured, sick, invalid,
or incapacitated human being, or an expectant mother, which is regularly offered or provided to the public by any person.
APPLICANT. Any person making an application for a license under this chapter.
APPLICATION. A form with blanks or spaces thereon, to be filled in and completed by the applicant at his or her request for a license, furnished by the city and uniformly required as a prerequisite to the consideration of the issuance of a license for a business.
BOND. A corporate surety document in the form and with the provisions acceptable and specifically approved by the City Attorney.
BUSINESS. Any activity, occupation, sale of goods or services, or transaction that is either licensed or regulated, or both licensed and regulated, by the terms and conditions of this chapter.
FOR HIRE. For remuneration, compensation or consideration of any kind promised, paid, or given to or received by a person for the transportation of persons.
LICENSE. A document issued by the city to an applicant permitting him or her to carry on and transact a business.
LICENSE FEE. The money paid to the city pursuant to an application and prior to issuance of a license to transact and carry on a business.
LICENSEE. An applicant who, pursuant to his or her application, holds a valid, current, unexpired and unrevoked license from the city for carrying on a business.
LIMOUSINE SERVICE. The transportation of passengers for hire in a luxury passenger automobile that is not a van or station wagon and has a seating capacity of not more than 15 persons, excluding the driver, that is not provided on a regular route, that provides only prearranged pickup, and that charges more than a taxicab fare for a comparable trip.
MOTOR VEHICLE ON STREET OR HIGHWAY. As defined in § 7.13 of this code.
PREARRANGED RIDE. Transportation provided by a TNC driver to a TNC passenger beginning when the driver accepts a ride requested by the passenger through the TNC’s digital network and ending at the time the last requesting passenger departs from the TNC vehicle. The term does not include a shared expense carpool or vanpool arrangement or service; or transportation provided using a taxicab, limousine or other for-hire vehicle.
SALE, SELL and SOLD. All forms of and all manner or means of furnishing merchandise to persons.
TAXICAB. Any motor vehicle having a seating capacity of no more than seven persons, including the driver, used for the purpose of transporting any passengers for hire over and upon any street or highway in the city, except any of the following:
(1) Any motor carrier of passengers which is operated under a permit from the Department of Transportation of the state or special transportation service provider certified by the Department of Transportation of the state pursuant to M.S. §§ 174.29 et seq., as they may be amended from time to time, and using a driver who is qualified pursuant to Minnesota Rules Ch. 8840, as it may be amended from time to time, when transporting a person requiring an accessible vehicle for any purpose;
(2) Any ambulance, used for providing ambulance service and which is operated under authority of a license issued by the State Board of Health;
(3) Any motor vehicle operated by the Duluth Transit Authority under authority of M.S. Ch. 720, as it may be amended from time to time;
(4) Any limousine service as defined herein;
(5) A transportation vehicle operated by a federal, state, county, municipal or school district governmental unit in conjunction with a program sponsored or run by such governmental unit;
(6) Any motor vehicle providing transportation services to a federal, state, county, municipal or school district governmental unit pursuant to a written, extended term, contract between said transportation provider and the governmental unit;
(7) Any motor vehicle used for recreational or sightseeing rides under a license issued pursuant to § 6.43 of this chapter; and
(8) Any transportation network company endorsed vehicle or Transportation Network Company (TNC) vehicle providing prearranged rides under a license issued pursuant to § 6.44.
TRANSPORTATION NETWORK COMPANY or TNC. A corporation, partnership, sole proprietorship, or other entity operating in this state that uses a TNC digital network to connect a TNC passenger to a TNC driver for a prearranged ride. The term does not include an entity arranging nonemergency medical transportation under a contract with the state or a managed care organization for individuals qualifying for Medicaid or Medicare.
TRANSPORTATION NETWORK COMPANY AGENT. The person or persons authorized and designated by a TNC to:
(1) Receive service of process;
(2) File applications, rates, payments or charges on behalf of the TNC;
(3) Receive and accept all correspondence and notices from the city pertaining to the city, the TNC or any TNC driver operating within the city; and
(4) Forward any correspondence, notices or legal process received by the TNC and intended for any TNC driver operating within the city.
TRANSPORTATION NETWORK COMPANY DIGITAL NETWORK or DIGITAL NETWORK. Any online-enabled application, website, or system offered or used by a transportation network company that enables a prearranged ride with a TNC driver.
TRANSPORTATION NETWORK COMPANY ENDORSED DRIVER or TNC DRIVER. An individual:
(1) Screened and authorized by a TNC; and
(2) Satisfying all applicable requirements of this chapter to supply prearranged rides to TNC passengers using a personally owned, leased, or otherwise authorized for use TNC vehicle.
TRANSPORTATION NETWORK COMPANY PASSENGER or TNC PASSENGER. An individual using a TNC’s digital network to request and receive transportation via an authorized TNC vehicle.
TRANSPORTATION NETWORK COMPANY ENDORSED VEHICLE or TNC VEHICLE. A privately owned, leased, or otherwise authorized for use vehicle that satisfies all applicable requirements of this chapter, that is authorized by a TNC to supply prearranged rides to TNC passengers, and that is not a taxicab, limousine, or similar for-hire vehicle.