ARTICLE IX. FARES
30-22 Pre-agreement and disclosure on rates.
(a) For TNC operations, a TNC may charge a fare for the services provided to riders; provided, that if a fare is collected from a rider, the TNC shall disclose to the rider the fare or fare calculation method on its website or within the software application service. The TNC shall also provide riders with the applicable rates being charged and the option to receive an estimated fare before the rider enters the TNC driver’s vehicle.
(b) For non-TNC operations, prior to initiating a ride, except as provided in Section 30-23, each licensee shall disclose the estimated cost of the ride to the potential rider via a written rate sheet posted in the vehicle, over the telephone, on a website, on a smartphone app, or any other method of communication, and the passenger shall pre-agree to pay the rate posted or quoted.
(c) Effective January 1, 2025, all vehicles for hire, including taxicabs, shall be required to accept electronic means of payment for fares through at least two (2) major national credit card and/or debit card carriers. Upon passage and until this requirement becomes effective, vehicles for hire that do not accept such method of payment must clearly disclose the same to passengers verbally before the passenger(s) enters the vehicle and by prominent signage displayed in the vehicle and visible from the exterior. Such signage shall be of the form as determined and approved by the vehicle for hire administration office.
(d) Except as provided elsewhere in this chapter, no licensee may charge a rate that has not been disclosed prior to the passengers entering the vehicle.
(Ord. of 2-16-16; Ord. of 8-12-24)
30-23 Taxi rides.
(a) Notwithstanding Section 30-22, vehicles for hire operating as taxicabs and picking up street hails shall use a meter for setting fares, and shall charge no more than the meter rates set by the board.
(b) A driver or licensee operating as a taxicab and using a meter for determining fares shall not tamper with, alter, or connect any unauthorized device to the taximeter or make any change in the taximeter that would affect its operation.
(c) Any taximeter shall be subject to inspection by the city at any time. If any violation or any inaccuracy is discovered, the administration office shall notify the taxicab driver and/or licensee for whom the driver is operating to cease operation and shall order the vehicle out of service. The taxicab shall be kept out of service until the taximeter is repaired, the required working condition is restored, and the taximeter is resealed.
(Ord. of 2-16-16)
30-24 Dynamic market pricing.
(a) Licensees may utilize dynamic market or surge pricing in the city or at the airport; provided, that the licensee provides clear and visible indication that such pricing is in effect before a passenger requests a ride and includes a feature that requires riders to confirm that they understand such pricing will be applied in order for the ride request to be completed.
(b) Licensees shall establish and implement a written policy capping dynamic pricing during disasters and relevant states of emergency and shall make this policy available on its website or application.
(Ord. of 2-16-16)