A. 
No person shall knowingly operate, offer to operate or permit the operation for hire of any vehicle as a taxicab within the City unless a hack plate, issued pursuant to this chapter, is properly attached to such vehicle; provided, however, that this section shall not prevent any taxicab not having a hack plate attached from terminating a fare within the City when such fare commenced outside the City or from returning to pick up said fare at the request of the passenger or from answering a time call, as defined herein, in the City, as long as such taxicab has a valid Monroe County hack plate.
[Amended 8-4-1987 by Ord. No. 87-265; 2-15-1994 by Ord. No. 94-40]
B. 
A hack plate shall be issued by the City Clerk after compliance with the provisions set forth in this chapter, upon payment of the required license fee and upon approval by the Chief of Police.
[Amended 5-14-1996 by Ord. No. 96-155]
C. 
A hack plate shall expire on the 30th day of June after its issuing, unless revoked, surrendered or abandoned at an earlier time.
[Amended 5-14-1996 by Ord. No. 96-155; 6-18-2002 by Ord. No. 2002-201; 3-23-2004 by Ord. No. 2004-74]
A. 
The application for a hack plate shall contain the name, home and business address, date of birth, and home and business telephone number of the applicant. All new applications, and all renewals for the license year beginning July 1, 2004, as well as renewals thereafter if employment eligibility is temporary, shall be accompanied by employment eligibility verification for the applicant in the form of proof of citizenship or lawful permanent resident alien or alien authorized to work status. The applicant shall also provide a copy of the New York State registration for the motor vehicle upon which the hack plate will be placed and proof of insurance for said vehicle.
[Amended 9-19-2006 by Ord. No. 2006-293]
B. 
The Police Department shall conduct an investigation of each applicant for a hack plate, and the report of said investigation and a copy of the traffic and police record of the applicant, if any, shall be attached to the application for the consideration of the Chief of Police.
[Amended 2-15-1994 by Ord. No. 94-40; 3-23-2004 by Ord. No. 2004-74]
A. 
A hack plate holder shall be the person responsible for the operation of a taxicab bearing such hack plate.
B. 
The motor vehicle upon which the hack plate is placed must be registered and insured in the hack plate holder’s name throughout the term of the hack plate. The insurance for such vehicle shall not expire, nor be canceled, altered or amended except upon 10 days’ written notice to the City Clerk served personally or by certified mail.
C. 
A hack plate holder shall ensure that all drivers of the taxicab bearing such hack plate have valid taxicab driver’s licenses and valid New York State chauffeur’s licenses.
[Amended 11-29-1984 by Ord. No. 84-462; 12-17-1991 by Ord. No. 91-513; 2-15-1994 by Ord. No. 94-40; 3-23-2004 by Ord. No. 2004-74]
A hack plate shall be deemed abandoned whenever the holder of the hack plate no longer owns a taxicab or no longer possesses a New York State taxicab registration plate, whenever the hack plate expires without being renewed within the prescribed period or whenever a taxicab has not passed the City of Rochester vehicle inspection within the prescribed time period. The Chief of Police shall notify the holder, in writing, of the abandonment of a hack plate. A holder so notified shall be given 10 days to request a hearing to show why the hack plate should not be deemed abandoned. Upon a showing of serious illness or personal emergency or other good cause, the Chief of Police may waive the abandonment.
[Amended 5-12-1992 by Ord. No. 92-175; 6-14-1994 by Ord. No. 94-171; 5-14-1996 by Ord. No. 96-155; 6-18-2002 by Ord. No. 2002-201; 2-14-2006 by Ord. No. 2006-22; 6-17-2008 by Ord. No. 2008-205[1]]
If a hack plate is lost or stolen, the holder shall immediately report said loss or theft to the City Clerk who shall issue a replacement upon payment of a fee of $60 and upon the receipt of an affidavit from the holder stating the reason for such replacement. The City Clerk shall immediately notify the Chief of Police that replacement has been made and shall forward the affidavit to him or her.
[1]
Editor's Note: This ordinance provided an effective date of 7-1-2008.
[Amended 2-15-1994 by Ord. No. 94-40; 5-14-1996 by Ord. No. 96-155]
The holder shall be permitted to renew a hack plate annually, provided that the holder complies with each and every provision of this chapter. Renewal applications shall be submitted personally by each hack plate holder. Powers of attorney shall not be accepted except in the case of temporary disability or temporary absence of the hack plate holder from the Rochester area or for other good cause as determined by the Chief of Police. The application for such renewal shall be filed with the City Clerk not later than the 30th day of June of each successive license year. If the application for renewal is not timely filed, the hack plate shall be deemed abandoned.
A. 
The fee for a hack plate shall be $350 annually, and $55 of said fee shall be a nonrefundable processing fee.
[Amended 2-15-1994 by Ord. No. 94-40; 6-14-1994 by Ord. No. 94-171; 3-23-2004 by Ord. No. 2004-74; 6-17-2008 by Ord. No. 2008-205; 5-15-2018 by Ord. No. 2018-114[1]]
[1]
Editor's Note: This ordinance provided an effective date of 7-1-2018.
B. 
Upon issuance of a hack plate, the City Clerk shall also issue a taxicab license certificate in a form prescribed by the Chief of Police. There shall be a fee of $10 for replacement of a lost taxicab license certificate.
[Amended 5-14-1996 by Ord. No. 96-155; 6-17-2008 by Ord. No. 2008-205[2]]
[2]
Editor's Note: This ordinance provided an effective date of 7-1-2008.
C. 
The City Clerk shall keep a record of each hack plate issued, of the holder, of the location of the office or place of business of the holder and of the hack plate number assigned to the holder.
[Amended 5-14-1996 by Ord. No. 96-155]
D. 
Hack plate holders shall immediately give written notice to the City Clerk, upon a form provided by the City Clerk, of any change in the New York State motor vehicle registration or inspection status or data, insurance or vehicle description information relating to the motor vehicle upon which the hack plate is attached.
[Amended 11-29-1984 by Ord. No. 84-462; 3-23-2004 by Ord. No. 2004-74]
[Amended 11-29-1984 by Ord. No. 84-462; 3-23-2004 by Ord. No. 2004-74]
A. 
No person shall assign, lease or transfer or otherwise dispose of any rights in a hack plate.
B. 
Upon the disability, death or retirement of a hack plate holder, the Chief of Police may reissue said hack plate to an immediate family member engaged in the use of said hack plate with the hack plate holder. Application for the issuance of the hack plate under such circumstances shall be made by the family member within 30 days after the disability, death or retirement of the hack plate holder. The family member seeking the issuance of a hack plate must meet all requirements of a hack plate holder.
C. 
A hack plate holder other than a natural person shall notify the City Clerk in writing within five business days of any changes in officers, principal stockholders or partners, or any other changes in the form of a business. The Chief of Police shall review all changes to ensure that all persons and entities involved meet the requirements of a hack plate holder. No consideration shall be given, nor shall any hack plate holder receive any consideration, for any hack plate rights.
A. 
No person shall operate a taxicab within the City unless such taxicab is equipped with a taximeter which is in good operating condition.
B. 
Taximeters shall be connected with and operated from the transmission of the taxicab to which they are attached. Taximeters shall be of a type which has been approved and certified by the New York State Bureau of Weights and Measures. When the taxicab is transporting passengers for hire, the taximeter shall be engaged at all times, unless otherwise provided by this chapter. Taximeters shall have a digital screen or a dial or dials which clearly register the tariff in accordance with the established rates of fare. The taximeter shall be placed so that the digital screen or dial is in plain view of all passengers while riding in the taxicab and upon alighting. Between sunset and sunrise, the face of every taximeter shall be suitably illuminated to render the figures of such taximeter readily discernible by all passengers. No person shall use or permit to be used a taximeter on which the seal placed by the County Director of Weights and Measures has been broken. If, for any reason, a seal is broken or removed from a taximeter, the taximeter shall be retested and resealed by the County Director of Weights and Measures before the meter is again used. It shall be unlawful to change a taximeter from one vehicle to another or to adjust the operation of the taximeter or to adjust the gears operating the taximeter without a reinspection and approval by the County Director of Weights and Measures.
[Amended 11-29-1984 by Ord. No. 84-462]
C. 
No person shall operate a taxicab within the City unless the taximeter shall have affixed a seal issued by the County Director of Weights and Measures within the previous six months, or as otherwise required herein, certifying that said meter is accurate. The taxicab operator shall submit his or her vehicle to the County Director of Weights and Measures for inspection and testing of the taximeter prior to its initial use, its use following the breaking of the taximeter seal and/or repair of the taximeter, upon adjusting the taximeter or moving the taximeter to a new vehicle, upon adjusting the gears operating the taximeter and at least once every six months thereafter. If a meter is found to be accurate, the County Director of Weights and Measures shall affix a dated seal certifying to such accuracy.
[Amended 11-29-1984 by Ord. No. 84-462; 2-14-2006 by Ord. No. 2006-22]
D. 
If there is reasonable cause to believe that a taximeter is not correctly calculating fares, a member of the Rochester Police Department or an official of the County Department of Weights and Measures may order an immediate inspection of such taximeter. Until said inspection is completed, the taxicab containing such taximeter shall not be available for hire.
[Amended 12-17-1991 by Ord. No. 91-513]
E. 
If the County Director of Weights and Measures finds that the taximeter is inaccurate or damaged, he or she shall notify the holder of the hack plate and the Chief of Police in writing of such fact. Upon receipt of notice from the County Director of Weights and Measures of an inaccurate or damaged taximeter, no person shall operate such taxicab for hire until the taximeter is repaired and sealed or a new taximeter is installed and sealed.
[Amended 2-14-2006 by Ord. No. 2006-22]
F. 
No person shall operate a motor vehicle that is equipped with a taximeter within the city unless said vehicle has a valid hack plate attached thereto. This subsection shall not apply to a motor vehicle with a valid Monroe County hack plate which is being operated in accordance with § 108-2A.
[Added 3-23-2004 by Ord. No. 2004-74]
[Amended 12-17-1991 by Ord. No. 91-513]
A. 
No person shall operate a taxicab within the City unless said vehicle has passed a standard New York State motor vehicle inspection during the preceding six months and has a properly affixed and current inspection sticker.
B. 
No person shall operate a taxicab within the City unless said vehicle has passed a City of Rochester vehicle inspection during the preceding six months and has a properly affixed and current City inspection sticker indicating compliance with the provisions of § 108-16A.
C. 
The Chief of Police or his or her designee is authorized to establish the schedule(s) for the inspections specified in §§ 108-10C and 108-11A and B of this Code.
D. 
Upon failure by a taxicab of the City of Rochester vehicle inspection, any prior City inspection sticker shall be removed from the vehicle immediately. The owner of the hack plate on the vehicle shall be notified of such failure and the removal of the inspection sticker. Unless such time period is extended by the Chief of Police or his or her designee for reason of serious illness or personal injury or other good cause, the taxicab operator shall have 30 days in which to make any necessary changes or repairs to the vehicle and pass a reinspection. Failure to make the changes and repairs required for passage of such reinspection within the prescribed time period shall constitute abandonment of the applicable hack plate.
[Amended 2-14-2006 by Ord. No. 2006-22]
E. 
The Chief of Police or his or her designee may make or cause to be made at any time a further inspection of any vehicle used as a taxicab in the City, and if said vehicle is found to be unsafe, unclean, unhealthful or unsuited for public patronage, the Chief may order the discontinuance of the use of said vehicle as a taxicab.
A. 
Except as otherwise provided in this section, no person shall operate a taxicab for hire in the City for a fee or charge unless such fee or charge is computed upon the distance traveled and the time waiting, and which fee or charge shall not exceed the rates determined by a taximeter as follows:
[Amended 2-12-1980 by Ord. No. 80-73]
(1) 
As an initial charge: $2.50 for the first passenger.
[Last amended 9-8-2004 by Ord. No. 2004-312[1]]
[1]
Editor's Note: This ordinance provided an effective date of 10-18-2004.
(2) 
For each 1/6 mile or fraction thereof thereafter: $0.50.
[Last amended 8-12-2008 by Ord. No. 2008-285[2]]
[2]
Editor's Note: This ordinance provided an effective date of 10-20-2008.
(3) 
For each additional passenger: $2.00 per passenger.
[Last amended 8-12-2008 by Ord. No. 2008-285[3]]
[3]
Editor's Note: This ordinance provided an effective date of 10-20-2008.
(4) 
For each time call: a minimum fare of $5.
[Last amended 9-8-2004 by Ord. No. 2004-312[4]]
[4]
Editor's Note: This ordinance provided an effective date of 10-18-2004.
(5) 
No charge shall be made for children under six years of age when accompanied by a person paying an adult fare.
(6) 
The driver of a taxicab shall take the most direct possible route in proceeding to the passenger's desired destination, except that a taxicab driver proceeding between the airport and a downtown location may take the most direct expressway route.
[Amended 11-29-1984 by Ord. No. 84-462]
B. 
Minimum zone rates.
[Amended 2-12-1980 by Ord. No. 80-73]
(1) 
On all trips originating or terminating north of Riverside Cemetery, the following minimum zone rates may be charged for distances north of said cemetery, which portion of the City is hereby divided into three zones as follows:
(a) 
Zone A, from Riverside Cemetery to and including Boxart Street: $2.50, plus $1 for each additional passenger.
(b) 
Zone B, from Boxart Street to and including Denise Road: $3.50, plus $1 for each additional passenger.
(c) 
Zone C, from Denise Road to and including Beach Avenue: $4, plus $1 for each additional passenger.
(2) 
Each zone shall include all areas lying between the lines of its boundary streets extended to the easterly and westerly limits of the City. The minimum rates provided for the prescribed zones shall not be added together in traveling from one zone to or through another zone, nor shall such minimum rates be added to any metered rate on any trip within the City. If a trip originates in one zone and terminates in another, the higher or highest of such zone rates may be charged. Taxicabs traveling from points originating south of Riverside Cemetery to points north of Riverside Cemetery within the zone areas shall continue to be meter-operated, and the fare charged may be either the metered fare or the minimum rate prescribed for the zone where the trip terminates, whichever fare is greater. Wherever taxicabs travel from points north of Riverside Cemetery to points of destination south of Riverside Cemetery, the metered fare or the minimum rate for the zoned area where such trip originated may be charged, whichever fare is greater. The area and rate for each zone shall be posted on the license/rate card in such taxicab.
[Amended 12-17-1991 by Ord. No. 91-513]
C. 
Airport rates. Except as provided herein, all trips to or from the Rochester-Monroe County Airport and any point within the City shall be metered, except that if the fare at the point of destination is less than $10, a minimum fare of $10 may be charged. For each additional passenger, an additional $2.50 may be charged.
[Last amended 9-8-2004 by Ord. No. 2004-312[5]]
[5]
Editor's Note: This ordinance provided an effective date of 10-18-2004.
D. 
Ferry terminal. For all trips between the ferry terminal and downtown (which shall include all locations within the Inner Loop and the train station), there shall be a flat rate of $20 for up to two passengers. For all trips between the ferry terminal and the airport, there shall be a flat rate of $30 for up to two passengers.
[Added 6-22-2004 by Ord. No. 2004-174[6]]
[6]
Editor's Note: This ordinance also provided for the renumbering of former Subsections D through I as E through J, respectively, and provided an effective date of 7-1-2004.
E. 
Waiting time. Waiting time shall include the time during which a taxicab is not in action beginning with its arrival at the place of its call, or the time consumed while standing at the direction of the passenger, but no charge shall be made for the first five minutes after arrival or for the time lost by inefficiency of the taxicab driver or time consumed by the premature arrival in response to a call. A fare shall not be considered to be terminated until a taxicab is available for service to another customer. The meter charge for waiting time shall not exceed a rate of $21 per hour.
[Amended 2-12-1980 by Ord. No. 80-73; 3-20-1990 by Ord. No. 90-67; 2-15-1994 by Ord. No. 94-39; 2-15-1994 by Ord. No. 94-40; 4-18-2000 by Ord. No. 2000-97]
F. 
Luggage rates. Charges may be made for luggage, footlockers, trunks and other baggage handling as follows:
[Amended 12-12-1980 by Ord. No. 80-73; 11-29-1984 by Ord. No. 84-462]
(1) 
For each piece of luggage or baggage, including grocery bags, exceeding two per passenger, provided that the driver assists with such items: $0.25.
(2) 
For footlockers and trunks or their equivalent, bicycles or animals (except Seeing Eye dogs): $3 each.
[Amended 3-20-1990 by Ord. No. 90-67]
(3) 
For skis and golf bags: $2 each.
[Added 3-20-1990 by Ord. No. 90-67]
(4) 
A wheelchair shall not be considered baggage for which an extra charge may be made.
[Added 2-15-1994 by Ord. No. 94-40]
G. 
Flat and minimum rates. Except as specifically provided in this section, no minimum or flat rate shall be charged, or attempted to be charged, for any trip between two points within the City. These rules shall apply even though a portion of such trip may be outside the City.
H. 
Party fares.
(1) 
No driver of a taxicab shall carry any person other than the passenger first employing the taxicab without the consent of such passenger. In no event shall a driver pick up or carry any other person after such driver has begun to transport the passenger first employing the taxicab unless such passenger directs the driver to pick up the other person or persons.
(2) 
Where a party of passengers for hire engages a taxicab, the members of such party shall all be entitled to be carried to the same or to different destinations for the taximeter rate, including additional passenger fare where applicable, and the taximeter shall not be reset nor a fare charged after the trip starts until the last member of such party has been delivered to his or her destination, and such passenger shall be responsible for the total fare then shown on the taximeter plus any additional passenger fare.
[Amended 2-14-2006 by Ord. No. 2006-22]
(3) 
Where two or more passengers are permitted to be carried who are not members of a party, but who agree to be carried together, the taximeter shall be inactivated and placed on a "hold" position when the passenger first dropped reaches his or her destination and while he or she is being unloaded. The fare for such passenger shall be the amount then showing on the meter; the meter shall again be activated for the second passenger and the fare will be the amount then showing on the meter when his or her destination is reached; for a third or fourth passenger, the meter shall be inactivated or placed in a "hold" position and then reactivated as provided for the first and second passenger. In no event, however, shall a party traveling with others pursuant to this subsection be required to pay a fare greater than the amount he or she would have been charged if he or she were the sole passenger.
[Amended 2-14-2006 by Ord. No. 2006-22]
I. 
Charter and personal use. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this section, the taximeter need not be in operation and shall be covered whenever a taxicab is being driven for the personal use of the taxicab operator or for the transportation of passengers for hire under the terms of a written charter agreement fixing a fee for a period of at least 20 days of service. Signs indicating use of the taxicab for such purpose shall be affixed to the front window of the right side of the taxicab. Each sign shall be at least three inches in height and 12 inches in length, with the same words and lettering at least two inches high on each side of said signs. Signs used to indicate personal use of a taxicab by the taxicab operator shall contain the words "not in service"; signs indicating transportation of passengers for hire pursuant to a contractual agreement shall contain the word "charter."
J. 
Discounts and reduced fares; senior citizen fares. The minimum rates of fare established herein shall not prevent the charging of any lesser rate of fare, nor shall the foregoing provisions prevent the granting of discounts and reduced rates of fare to senior citizens and others. A senior citizen discount of $1 per person 65 years of age or older shall apply for each trip.
[Added 2-12-1980 by Ord. No. 80-73; Last amended 9-8-2004 by Ord. No. 2004-312[7]]
[7]
Editor's Note: This ordinance provided an effective date of 10-18-2004.
A. 
A driver of a taxicab shall, upon request of a passenger paying for hire of such taxicab, deliver a receipt, upon a preprinted form containing a space for all information required under this section, to such passenger at the time of payment. Such receipts shall contain at least the following information:
[Amended 11-29-1984 by Ord. No. 84-462]
(1) 
The name and City taxicab driver's license number of the driver of such taxicab.
(2) 
The hack plate number.
(3) 
The date, time and place where such trip originated.
(4) 
The date, time and place where such trip terminated.
(5) 
The number of passengers for which the paying party paid a fare.
(6) 
The total fare charged.
(7) 
The telephone number of the office where complaints may be directed.
B. 
The Chief of Police may establish additional requirements for such receipts and may prescribe the form upon which a receipt shall be written.
A. 
The driver of a taxicab shall keep a daily manifest. The manifest shall contain the following information, which shall be recorded at the time specified:
(1) 
The hour and date at which the vehicle becomes available for use as a taxicab, the name of the driver and the make, hack plate number and registration number of such vehicle shall be recorded before the driver proceeds to pick up his or her first passenger or package delivery.
[Amended 2-14-2006 by Ord. No. 2006-22]
(2) 
The time and place of commencement and the number of passengers or packages shall be recorded when such passengers or packages are picked up.
(3) 
The name, time and place of delivery of the passengers or packages and the amount of the fare charged shall be recorded immediately after each trip is terminated.
[Amended 3-23-2004 by Ord. No. 2004-74]
(4) 
The time and place shall be recorded immediately after the driver ceases to operate the taxicab for hire for the day.
(5) 
When a driver makes a package delivery, he or she shall also list the name of the sender and the name of the recipient of such package.
[Amended 2-14-2006 by Ord. No. 2006-22]
B. 
The driver and the holder of a hack plate shall keep the manifest for each taxicab for a one-hundred-twenty-day period, and such manifest shall be produced on demand by the Chief of Police.
[Amended 3-23-2004 by Ord. No. 2004-74]
The Traffic Control Board may set aside certain areas to be designated as working taxicab stands for the use of taxicabs to wait for employment and may set aside certain areas to be designated as taxicab parking zones for the use of taxicabs to park for periods up to 45 minutes while waiting for employment. The Traffic Control Board may also promulgate such rules and regulations as they may deem necessary to allow taxicabs to park in no-parking zones for periods of up to 10 minutes while delivering packages. Such rules and regulations shall designate the areas in which parking is to be permitted and the time limitations for each area and shall provide that a sign at least three inches by 12 inches, bearing the words "package delivery," be displayed during such delivery. The Traffic Control Board may promulgate such other rules and regulations as it may deem necessary to adequately prevent traffic congestion during passenger or package deliveries.
A. 
No person shall operate a taxicab for hire in the City unless such taxicab meets all of the following requirements:
(1) 
All taxicabs shall have windows in the rear and side of the taxicab sufficient in number and of such size, dimensions and clarity that passengers may be readily seen and identified through the windows.
(2) 
All taxicabs shall be equipped with hubcaps, spoked covers or other equivalent covering on all wheels. All taxicabs shall be furnished with snow tires or radial tires on both drive wheels from November 1 through April 15.
[Amended 12-17-1991 by Ord. No. 91-513]
(3) 
All taxicabs shall be free from disfiguring damage to the interior and exterior of the vehicle, including significant rust. All taxicab doors, lights, seat belts and safety equipment shall be maintained in good operating condition. All seat belts shall be visible and available for use by passengers in both the front and rear seats for each and every fare.
[Amended 3-20-1990 by Ord. No. 90-67; 12-17-1991 by Ord. No. 91-513]
(4) 
All taxicabs shall have affixed to the outside rear, by means of nuts and bolts, screws or bumper brackets, a hack plate which is unobstructed and clearly visible to vehicular traffic.
[Amended 11-29-1984 by Ord. No. 84-462]
(5) 
All taxicabs shall be equipped with doors which fasten in a manner so that they may be readily opened from the inside by a passenger.
(6) 
All taxicabs shall have printed lettering on both the left and right front doors at least three inches high in a color contrasting to that of the cab, setting forth the name of the person owning or dispatching said taxicab. The number of the hack plate which is affixed to the vehicle shall be printed upon the left and right front doors in lettering at least five inches high in a color contrasting to that of the cab. The top of such lettering and numbering shall be no less than four inches nor more than 10 inches from the bottom of the window area so as to be conspicuous, legible and free from obstruction. In addition, the number of the hack plate shall be printed in lettering at least five inches high on the rear of the cab. Such number shall be in a color contrasting to that of the vehicle and shall be clearly visible to vehicular traffic. Upon a showing of good cause, the Chief of Police may allow a vehicle to be temporarily used as a taxicab without identification printed on the exterior of such vehicle. No numbers other than the number of the hack plate shall appear on the side or rear of a taxicab, except the telephone number of the livery or operator of the taxicab.
[Amended 11-29-1984 by Ord. No. 84-462]
(7) 
All taxicabs shall be equipped with a roof light of a minimum size of 12 inches in length and three inches in height which shall contain the word "taxi" and/or the name of the applicable livery company. The light shall be illuminated when the taxicab is vacant or is for hire and shall be kept unlighted when the taxicab is occupied by a paying passenger.
[Amended 11-29-1984 by Ord. No. 84-462; 12-17-1991 by Ord. No. 91-513]
(8) 
All taxicabs shall have the license/rate card issued by the City Clerk posted on the back of the front seat of said taxicab. The license/rate card shall not be defaced, torn or mutilated and shall be visible to all passengers at all times.
[Amended 2-12-1980 by Ord. No. 80-73; 11-29-1984 by Ord. No. 84-462; 12-17-1991 by Ord. No. 91-513; 5-14-1996 by Ord. No. 96-155]
(9) 
All taxicabs shall be painted in a color pattern so as not to be confused with any federal, state or local law enforcement vehicle which normally operates or may be found within Monroe County.
[Amended 3-20-1990 by Ord. No. 90-67; 12-17-1991 by Ord. No. 91-513; 2-25-2014 by Ord. No. 2014-29[1]; 8-15-2017 by Ord. No. 2017-253]
[1]
Editor’s Note: This ordinance provided an effective date of 7-1-2014.
(10) 
All taxicabs shall be designed and constructed so as to seat nine persons or fewer, not including the driver, and shall have no more than five nor fewer than four doors.
[Amended 3-23-2004 by Ord. No. 2004-74]
(11) 
All taxicabs shall have attached a New York State taxicab registration plate.
(12) 
A taxicab license certificate issued by the City shall be carried in the taxicab at all times.
(13) 
A trailer shall not be attached to a taxicab carrying passengers.
(14) 
[2]Taxicabs may equipped with a button that can be activated by the taxicab driver in case of an emergency, which activation shall cause a panic light to flash on the rear of the taxicab, at the option of the taxicab owner.
[Added 12-17-1991 by Ord. No. 91-513; amended 2-25-2014 by Ord. No. 2014-29[3]; 8-15-2017 by Ord. No. 2017-253]
[2]
Editor’s Note: Former Subsection A(14), added 2-25-2014 by Ord. No. 2014-29 and concerning the age of taxicabs, was repealed 8-15-2017 by Ord. No. 2017-253, which ordinance also redesignated former Subsection A(15) as Subsection A(14).
[3]
Editor’s Note: This ordinance also repealed former Subsection A(15), concerning taxicab color, added 12-17-1991 by Ord. No. 91-513; see now Subsection A(9). The ordinance provided an effective date of 7-1-2014.
B. 
A driver shall not permit any nonpaying passenger to enter or to remain in a taxicab during the time such taxicab is available for hire, except a new driver who is being trained. A new driver who is being trained shall have in his or her possession a valid taxicab driver’s license or a temporary permit and a valid New York State chauffeur's license, and shall produce the same upon the request of any police officer. A taxicab driver who is training a new driver shall ensure that the new driver has a valid taxicab driver’s license or temporary permit and a valid New York State chauffeur's license.
[Amended 3-23-2004 by Ord. No. 2004-74]
C. 
No person shall smoke or carry a lighted cigar, cigarette or pipe or any other form of smoking object or device in a taxicab while such taxicab is in service.
[Added 3-20-1990 by Ord. No. 90-67]
[Added 8-19-1997 by Ord. No. 97-329[1]]
Pursuant to Subdivision 50 of § 375 of the Vehicle and Traffic Law, a taxicab shall not be required to be equipped with partitions or shields or distress lights. The City shall not be liable for the provision of or failure to provide such equipment on any taxicab.
[1]
Editor's Note: This ordinance also provided that nothing in the ordinance shall be deemed to prevent the subsequent amendment of this ordinance to require distress lights and/or partitions.