§ 94-31. Definitions.

The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this article, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:

Cruise and cruising mean the movement of unoccupied taxicabs over the public streets of the city in search of or soliciting, prospective passengers for hire. Unoccupied taxicabs proceeding to answer a call for a taxicab service from an intended passenger and taxicabs returning to a taxi terminal or subtaxi terminal, by the most direct route, after having discharged a passenger or passengers, shall not be considered to be cruising.

Driver and chauffeur mean every person in actual charge of the operation of a taxicab, as defined in this section, whether as owner or agent, servant or employee of the owner, as defined in this section.

Owner and taxicab operator mean any person who has the control, direction, maintenance and the benefit of the collection of revenue derived from the operation of taxicabs on or over the streets or public ways of the city, whether as owner or otherwise, except "driver" as that term is defined in this section.

Permit to operate means authority granted by the city council, upon a finding that public convenience and necessity require it, to operate a taxicab and such permit shall authorize an operator of a taxicab to engage in the business of transportation by taxicab. It shall include the term "permit."

Public convenience and necessity means a public convenience which is fitting and suited to public need, and a public necessity which embraces a great and urgent public convenience. This term, as applied to a proposed service by an applicant, shall mean that the applicant is fit, able and willing to perform transportation by taxicabs in accordance with the requirements of this article and that public convenience and necessity require the services proposed by such applicant.

Taxi subterminal means any place, other than a taxi terminal, in which the drivers or chauffeurs of taxicabs shall receive calls from a dispatcher and such calls are relayed from a taxi terminal, and shall include the space and area used by taxicabs while waiting for passengers.

Taxicab means every automobile or motor-propelled vehicle used for transportation of passengers for hire over the public streets of the city, and not over a defined or fixed route, irrespective of whether or not the operations extend beyond the city limits, at rates for distance travelled or for wait time, or for both, or at rates per hour, per day, per week, or per month, if such vehicle is routed to its destination under the direction of the passenger hiring the vehicle. The term "taxicab" shall not apply to motor buses operated within the city under a franchise from the city, over a fixed or definite route, nor shall such term apply to motor vehicles operated under a permit or certificate from the railroad commission of the state or the interstate commerce commission.

Taximeter means a machine adapted automatically to calculate, at a predetermined rate, and to register the charge for hire of a taxicab, indicating such charges by means of figures.

Terminal means the taxi depot at which place taxicabs shall be housed or parked, and at which place the telephone calls and requests for service shall be made, and at which place a dispatcher shall control the movements of the taxicabs to points of request for taxicab service. The term "terminal" shall be synonymous with the term "taxi terminal" and shall mean and embrace that space and area of land and buildings off the streets of the city, and upon private property, that shall constitute the main office of the owner and taxicab operator.

(Code 1970, § 24-16)

Cross reference

Definitions generally, § 1-3.