CHAPTER 113
TAXICABS
Section
General Provisions
113.03 Articles found in taxicabs
113.05 Light baggage to be transported free of extra charge
113.06 Ejection of passenger from taxicab
113.07 Condition of taxicabs; riding outside body of cab prohibited
113.10 Council may amend or repeal regulations
Operator Requirements
Driver Regulations
113.35 Persons convicted of public intoxication not to operate taxi
GENERAL PROVISIONS
113.01 DEFINITION.
For the purpose of this chapter, the following definition shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
TAXICABS. Every vehicle used within the limits of the city for public hire and carrying passengers along or over the public streets and highways in the city. This term shall not be taken to mean any ambulance, funeral car, or school bus.
(’73 Code, § 23-1) (Ord. 10-51, passed - -51)
113.02 TAXICAB STANDS.
The City Council may establish bus stop zones and taxicab stands.
(’73 Code, § 23-2) (Ord. 341, passed - - )
113.03 ARTICLES FOUND IN TAXICABS.
It shall be the duty of every person operating a taxicab to promptly notify the Police Department of the city of all articles found in any such, motor vehicles operated by him, and a description thereof, and where they are kept and may be found, so also be returned to the owner.
(’73 Code, § 23-4) (Ord. 10-51, passed - -51) Penalty, see § 10.99
113.04 RATES.
(A) Before any owner or operator shall operate under this chapter, a schedule of proposed rates for such taxicab operator shall be submitted to and approved by the Common Council, and any changes thereafter shall be made only after prior approval by the Common Council. (’73 Code, § 23-5)
(B) Every license under this chapter shall have printed on a card the prevailing schedule of rates for such taxicab, which card shall be prominently displayed in each taxicab so that the same can readily be read by all passengers. (’73 Code, § 23-6)
(Ord. 10-51, passed - -51) Penalty, see § 10.99
113.05 LIGHT BAGGAGE TO BE TRANSPORTED FREE OF EXTRA CHARGE.
Every person who is a passenger in any taxicab, shall be allowed to have conveyed with him in such vehicle without charge therefor his ordinary light travelling baggage, in amount not to exceed 100 pounds in weight.
(’73 Code, § 23-7) (Ord. 10-51, passed - -51)
113.06 EJECTION OF PASSENGER FROM TAXICAB.
Any person who, while being a passenger in any taxicab, shall violate any state law or city ordinance, may be ejected from such vehicle by the driver thereof.
(’73 Code, § 23-8) (Ord. 10-51, passed - -51)
113.07 CONDITION OF TAXICABS; RIDING OUTSIDE BODY OF CAB PROHIBITED.
Every taxicab shall be kept in good repair and in clean and sanitary condition so as to be capable of safely and comfortably transporting passengers therein. No person shall be allowed to ride upon the running board or outside of the body of any taxicab and it shall be the duty of the licensee to compel the observance by passengers of this section.
(’73 Code, § 23-9) (Ord. 10-51, passed - -51) Penalty, see § 10.99
113.08 SUSPENSION OF SERVICE.
Taxicab owners shall not discontinue their services to the public on holidays or other occasions without giving due notice to the press at least 48 hours in advance.
(’73 Code, § 23-10) (Ord. 10-51, passed - -51) Penalty, see § 10.99
113.09 FIRE EXTINGUISHERS.
Every licensee under this chapter shall at all times provide an approved fire extinguisher for each taxicab, and shall see that such extinguisher is installed in the taxicab and is in proper working condition.
(’73 Code, § 23-11) (Ord. 10-51, passed - -51) Penalty, see § 10.99
113.10 COUNCIL MAY AMEND OR REPEAL REGULATIONS.
Any license issued under the terms of this chapter shall be issued subject to the right that is the Common Council’s by law, to amend, supplement or repeal this chapter or any part thereof.
(’73 Code, § 23-12) (Ord. 10-51, passed - -51)
OPERATOR REQUIREMENTS
113.25 LICENSING PROCEDURE.
(A) No person or persons, firm or corporation shall operate a taxicab upon or along any street or other public highway in the city, without first having secured a license to do so as provided by this chapter, and except in accordance with the regulation and terms established by this chapter. (’73 Code, § 23-13)
(B) Any person or persons, firm or corporation desiring to operate a taxicab service upon public highways in the city shall, before undertaking to do so, file a signed application form in writing for a license, duly sworn to by the applicant or applicants, with the Common Council, such application shall furnish such information as the Common Council shall from time to time prescribe. (’73 Code, § 23-14)
(C) Upon the filing of the application, the Common Council shall then pass upon such application, and if the Common Council finds that it is in the best interests of the city and the citizens thereof that such applicant be issued a license to operate a taxicab line, it shall instruct the Clerk-Treasurer to issue a license upon the compliance by such applicant with all other provisions of this chapter. The Clerk-Treasurer shall issue to such applicant, after the approval by the Common Council as above, a license upon the payment of a fee of $25 dollars for the first taxicab so operated, permitting the operation of the motor vehicle or vehicles described in the application for one year, commencing January 1 and ending with December 31 of each year, subject to revocation as hereinafter provided. At the time, the Clerk-Treasurer shall issue to such application a separate license card for each vehicle covered by such application, such license card to be framed and prominently displayed in the vehicle for which issued. (’73 Code, § 23-15)
(D) The license cards shall be kept corrected to date as to motor number, model, factory number, state license number and name of the owner, and when a change is made, the old license shall be cancelled, a new license card issued in its place and necessary corrections made in the original license. (’73 Code, § 23-16)
(E) No license shall be granted under this section unless the applicant has a permanent office from which to control and regulate the operation of such taxicabs. (’73 Code, § 23-17)
(Ord. 10-51, passed - -51) Penalty, see § 10.99
DRIVER REGULATIONS
113.35 PERSONS CONVICTED OF PUBLIC INTOXICATION NOT TO OPERATE TAXIS.
Any licensee under this chapter shall not permit any person to drive, run or operate any taxicab in his, their, or its service, who has been convicted of public intoxication or who is known to use intoxicating liquor.
(’73 Code, § 23-3) (Ord. 10-51, passed - -51) Penalty, see § 10.99
113.36 LICENSING PROCEDURE.
(A) It shall be unlawful for any person to operate a taxicab, as a driver thereof, within the city, without first having secured a license to do so from the city. (’73 Code, § 23-18)
(B) Every person desiring to drive a taxicab in the city shall, before undertaking to do so, file a written application for a taxicab driver’s license, which application shall furnish such information as the City Council may from time to time desire, and also shall be certified by the Chief of Police of the city that such applicant has been duly examined concerning the traffic ordinances of the city and the traffic laws of the state of Indiana, and has been examined as to conviction of any crime or misdemeanor, and that in the opinion of the Chief of Police such applicant is a fit and proper person to receive a taxicab driver’s license. (’73 Code, § 23-19)
(Ord. 10-51, passed - -51) Penalty, see § 10.99