Explanation
In April of 2024, the License Section was transferred from the Department of Public Safety to the Department of Building and Zoning Services ("BZS"). Pursuant to City Code Chapter 591, owners and drivers of taxicabs in the City are required to be licensed by the License Section. It has been brought to the City's attention that the fare rates for taxis has not been updated for over ten years. Therefore, it is necessary to amend the travel and waiting time fare rates to allow for an increase, from $0.45 to $0.50, which requires a change to City Code Section 591.04.
No fiscal impact.
Title
To amend City Code Section 591.04 to allow for an increase in the fare rate schedule for licensed taxicabs for travel and waiting times from $0.45 to $0.50. ($0.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the License Section was transferred from the Department of Public Safety to the Department of Building and Zoning Services ("BZS") in April, 2024; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to City Code Chapter 591, owners and drivers of taxicabs in the City are required to be licensed by the License Section; and
WHEREAS, it has been brought to the City's attention that the fare rates for taxis has not been updated for over ten years; and
WHEREAS, BZS agreed to make an increase to the fares which requires a change to City Code Section 591.04; and
WHEREAS, it has become necessary in the usual daily operation of the Department of Building and Zoning Services to amend City Code Section 591.04 in order to allow for an increase in the travel and wait time fare rates from $0.45 to $0.50; now, therefore
BE IT ORDAINED BY THIS COUNCIL:
SECTION 1. That City Code Section 591.04 is hereby amended as follows:
591.04 - Fare rate schedule.
All fares, charges, or fees for the use of taxicabs shall be determined by one (1) of the following:
(a) Taximeter rate which shall be computed by a taximeter and such rate shall not be more than the maximum rate in the following schedule:
(1) For the first one-ninth (1/9) mile or fraction thereof: .....$3.00
(2) For each additional two-ninths (2/9) mile: .....$0.45 $0.50
(3) Waiting time: For each appropriate period of one (1) minute waiting time as registered by the taximeter clock: .....$0.45 $0.50
(b) Hourly rate which shall be computed at twenty-seven dollars ($27.00) per hour or meter fare, whichever is greater. .....
(c) Special trip rate which is established for special trips as defined in C.C.C. 585.01(hh) by being submitted to the Board, approved by the Board, and filed with the Director. Such rate may exceed the maximum meter rate. The Board may require prior to the approval of the special trip rate written evidence that the fare-paying passenger or organization sponsoring the passenger has been notified of the lower taximeter rate and agrees to the special trip rate.
(d) Charges on trips to destinations outside the county shall not be limited by the taximeter rate but shall be mutually agreed upon by the driver and the passenger. The charge shall not exceed two dollars and twenty-five cents ($2.25) per one-way mile.
(e) Whenever two (2) or more passengers agree to share a taxicab, the charge to each passenger shall be subject to mutual arrangement among the passengers and driver. The driver may not provide service to the passengers until the driver explains to all passengers the manner in which the fare will be calculated and obtains the oral consent of all passengers. In no event shall the mutually agreed upon charge for all the passengers exceed three-quarters (¾) of the total of all the charges based on the maximum taximeter rate that would have been charged to each passenger if they had been traveling separately. Two (2) or more passengers traveling together to the same destination shall be charged no more than the meter rate plus any applicable surcharges.
SECTION 2. That previous City Code Section 591.04 is hereby repealed.
SECTION 3. That this ordinance shall take effect in and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.