State Law Reference: Authority of City to license and regulate taxicabs, § 94.110, RSMo.
[R.O. 1992 § 640.010; Ord. No. 7230, 6-15-1992]
For the purpose of this Chapter, the following words shall have the meanings respectively ascribed to them by this Section:
TAXICAB
Any motor vehicle performing a bona fide for hire taxicab service having a capacity of not more than seven (7) passengers, exclusive of the driver, and not operated on a regular route or between fixed termini.
[R.O. 1992 § 640.020; Ord. No. 2249 § 1, 7-14-1958; CC 1970 § 25-1]
No person shall engage in, operate or conduct a public taxicab business within this City without first having secured a license therefor as provided in this Chapter.
[1]
Cross Reference: As to license generally, Ch. 605.
[R.O. 1992 § 640.030; Ord. No. 2249 § 2, 7-14-1958; CC 1970 § 25-2]
An applicant for a license of a public taxicab business within this City shall file a written application therefor with the City Clerk, setting forth the name of the applicant and the ownership of such proposed business, the number of taxicabs applicant proposes to operate, a description of each such taxicab, by whom such cabs are owned and a statement of all indebtedness of such applicant upon such taxicabs, if any, a description of any and all other equipment to be used in the business, the hours during which the taxicabs will be operated, and the charges to be made for such service and evidence of having complied with the public liability insurance requirement set forth in this Chapter.
[R.O. 1992 § 640.050; Ord. No. 2249 § 5, 7-14-1958; CC 1970 § 25-4]
All licenses to operate a public taxicab business in the City shall terminate on June 30 of each year, and such licenses shall be issued annually.
[R.O. 1992 § 640.060; Ord. No. 2249 § 3, 7-14-1958; CC 1970 § 25-5]
It shall be unlawful to operate a taxicab for hire or for the transportation of passengers within the City without procuring and maintaining in full force a policy of liability insurance upon each such taxicab for injuries to person or property in sums of not less than that required by the Missouri Motor Vehicle Safety Responsibility Law, with some insurance company to be approved by the Mayor or providing a surety bond or cash deposit against such liability, either of which are to be approved by the Mayor and in the amounts aforesaid.
[R.O. 1992 § 640.070; Ord. No. 05-9861 § 1, 9-19-2005]
A. 
Vehicle Equipment And Inspections.
1. 
Required Equipment. Every vehicle governed by this Chapter shall have and maintain the following equipment:
a. 
Two (2) doors affording direct entrance and exit to and from both the front and rear seats; provided, however, minivans may have one (1) side door, which may be on the non-driver's side, as a means of direct entrance and exit from rear seats.
b. 
An adequate light in the passenger compartment.
c. 
Cards containing the following:
(1) 
A card located in the passenger compartment, not less than four (4) inches by six (6) inches in size, which shall have plainly printed thereon the name of the taxicab company, its business address and telephone number and the current schedule of fares on file with the City Clerk to be charged for the conveyance of passengers.
(2) 
A separate card provided by the City Clerk to be located in the passenger compartment, not less than four (4) inches by six (6) inches in size, which shall have plainly printed thereon the address and telephone number where the customer may register complaints and comments about the taxicab service.
d. 
A copy of the license issued by the City Clerk.
B. 
Cleanliness And Condition Of Vehicles. Every taxicab governed by this Chapter shall be kept in a clean and sanitary condition and shall be swept and dusted at least once a day. Every taxicab shall be kept in such condition of repair as may be reasonably necessary to provide for the safety of the public and for continuous and satisfactory operation. Every taxicab shall be comfortable for the passengers and free from debris. If the vehicle has a trunk, it shall be kept clear of articles to allow for storage of passenger items, except that the taxicab may store adequate tools, first aid kit, blanket and spare tire. Every taxicab shall have no offensive odors. Smoking shall not be permitted in any taxicab.
C. 
Refusal Of Service. It shall be unlawful for a driver of a taxicab to refuse service to a member of the general public except when such person is intoxicated, has an open container of intoxicating liquor or non-intoxicating beer, uses profanity, is abusive, desires to use the service for an illegal purpose, presents an unreasonable risk of harm or injury to the driver, has an outstanding amount due for past fares or is unable to pay the legal fare. However, a driver of a taxicab shall not be required to provide service to an individual under the age of twelve (12) without an adult passenger accompanying him/her.
D. 
Use Or Possession Of Intoxicating Beverages Or Controlled Substances By Owner, Driver Or Employees. No taxicab owner, driver or employee, while on duty, shall have in his/her possession an open container of intoxicating liquor or non-intoxicating beer or controlled substances, nor shall he/she drink or consume such items while on duty. No driver shall knowingly purchase, carry or transport controlled substances. A passenger may have in his/her possession unopened containers of intoxicating liquor or non-intoxicating beer.
E. 
Use Of Vehicle For Unlawful Purpose. No person shall use a vehicle governed by this Chapter for any unlawful purpose, nor shall any owner or driver knowingly permit such unlawful use. When such unlawful use has occurred with the knowledge of the owner or driver of such vehicle and he/she shall be duly convicted thereof, the City Clerk shall revoke the license to operate such vehicle.
F. 
Refusal To Pay Fare. No person shall hire or permit himself/herself to be carried as a passenger for hire in any taxicab in the City of Washington, Missouri, and refuse to pay the fare for such trip.
G. 
Disposition Of Property Found In Vehicles. A driver shall deliver all lost or misplaced property found in the vehicle to the holder of the taxicab license for such vehicle at the end of the driver's tour of duty. The taxicab company shall keep such property for one (1) week, or a shorter time if the rightful owner of such property requests the release of such property. At the end of one (1) week, the taxicab company shall deliver such property or the name and address of the owner of and description of such property to the Police Department. The Police Department shall provide a receipt for all such property delivered to it.
H. 
Number Of Passengers In Taxicab. There shall not be more passengers than that recommended by the manufacturer of the vehicle, including the driver, carried in a taxicab at one time. The front seat of a taxicab shall only be occupied by the driver and one (1) passenger.
I. 
Driver Appearance. Drivers shall present a neat and orderly appearance and shall be clean in dress and in person. Drivers shall not use cell phones or other portable phones while passengers are in the taxicab except for conducting taxicab business.