Sec. 41-50. - Rates of fare prescribed.

(a)

Generally. Unless otherwise provided in this article, the rates prescribed by this section shall be charged and collected for the transportation of passengers by a taxicab, and no different rate shall at any time be charged or collected for such service.

(b)

Meter rates. Except as otherwise provided in this division, the rates used to calculate the charge for service by taxicabs shall be determined exclusively by taximeters, regardless of the destination, whether within or beyond the corporate limits of the city, and shall be as follows:

For the first one-seventh (1/7) of a mile the rate shall be two dollars and seventy-five cents ($2.75), and for each additional one-seventh (1/7) of a mile the rate shall be thirty cents ($0.30).

(c)

Additional charges. Additional charges based upon the meter mileage may also be levied for such destinations outside the city so long as the taxicab driver provides the passenger(s) with a written rate sheet prior to engagement of the taximeter which clearly identifies the additional charges and the passenger(s) sign(s) the rate sheet agreeing to pay the additional charges. In lieu of using the taximeter and charging an additional fare, taxicab drivers may charge a flat rate for discharges outside the city so long as the driver provides the passenger(s) with a written rate sheet prior to hire which clearly identifies the flat rate charge and the passenger(s) sign(s) the rate sheet agreeing to pay the flat rate.

(d)

Waiting time charges. Taxicabs may charge twenty-five cents ($0.25) for each one (1) minute of waiting time. Waiting time shall include (i) the time when the taxicab is stopped or moving at a speed less than twelve (12) miles per hour; (ii) the time when the taxicab is not in motion beginning five (5) minutes after its time of arrival at the place to which it has been initially called; and (iii) the time consumed while it is standing or waiting at the direction of the passenger. No charge shall be made for time lost on account of inefficiency of the taxicab or its operation or time consumed by premature response to a call.

(e)

Baggage, parcels, etc. Taxicabs may charge an additional total sum of fifty cents ($0.50) for transportation of up to five (5) parcels or baggage, other than ordinary handbags. A charge of an additional total sum of seventy-five cents ($0.75) may be made for the transportation of more than five (5) parcels or baggage, other than ordinary handbags. A charge of five dollars ($5.00) may be made for the transportation of non-pedestrian carried items, or the driver may refuse to transport such items.

(f)

Elderly and handicapped discounts. The certificate holder of a taxicab may authorize his taxicab drivers to offer transportation and services to passengers at a reduced fare upon receipt of satisfactory proof that such passenger is sixty (60) years of age or older, or is qualified for the Handi-Ride program operated by the Transportation District Commission of Hampton Roads or successor. Proof of entitlement to such a discount may be by presentment of a Medicare card or a Handi-Ride card, and satisfactory proof of the identity of the holder of such card, or by any other proof that may be deemed satisfactory in lieu thereof. The size of such discounts shall be predetermined and filed by the certificate holder with the chief of police prior to offering such discounts to qualified passengers. Such discounts shall be applied to all qualifying passengers equally.

(g)

Receipt. A taxicab driver shall provide a receipt indicating the driver's name, the time, date, place of origin and destination of the trip, taxicab company name and vehicle number, and the amount of the final fare and charges when requested to do so by a passenger.

(h)

Intercity rates. Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, taxicabs operating under a certificate, or the equivalent, from another locality which are transporting passengers from outside the city to a destination within the city may charge the rates of fare prescribed by such other locality in lieu of the rates prescribed herein.

(i)

Airport flat rate. A minimum fare of ten dollars ($10.00) will apply to all taxicab rides originating or ending at the Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport.

(j)

Toll charges. Taxicabs may charge an additional fee to cover toll charges, as permitted by section 41-137 of this Code.

(Ord. No. 6428-07, § 1; Ord. No. 6851-12, § 1)

Sec. 41-51. - Rate card generally; display of rates of fare on outside of taxicab.

(a)

Upon approval of a certificate pursuant to this article, the chief of police shall cause two (2) rate cards to be issued for each vehicle covered by the certificate. The rate cards shall have printed thereon the name, business address and telephone number of the certificate holder, together with the approved rates of fare.

(b)

The rate cards issued by the chief of police shall be displayed in the interior of the taxicab by affixing one (1) card to the right front sun visor area and the other card within the rear passenger compartment. The rate cards shall be enclosed in a clear plastic shield through which its contents may be fully discernible and clearly legible to passengers within the taxicab.

(c)

There shall be displayed, on the outside surface of both rear doors of every taxicab the same rates of fare as displayed on the rate cards in easily readable letters and figures at least one-half (½) inch in height.

(Ord. No. 6428-07, § 1)

Sec. 41-52. - Issuance of replacement rate card.

Should it become necessary for a certificate holder to obtain another rate card due to loss or defacement of the original, the chief of police shall issue the certificate holder replacement cards upon payment of a re-issuance fee in the amount of ten dollars ($10.00) for each replacement card.

(Ord. No. 6428-07, § 1; Ord. No. 6851-12, § 1)

Sec. 41-53. - Carrying more than one passenger; division of fare among passengers.

(a)

Not more than one (1) passenger shall be transported at one (1) time by a taxicab without the consent of the person first engaging the taxicab.

(b)

If the hirer of a taxicab consents to another passenger occupying the taxicab with him or her, the passenger first arriving at his or her destination shall pay in accordance with the meter charge, whereupon the taxicab driver shall immediately clear the taximeter and set the same for immediate operation for the next passenger who shall pay the meter charge upon arrival at his or her destination. The same method shall be followed for each succeeding passenger.

(c)

When two (2) or more passengers are bona fide traveling together to the same destination, the charge shall be made as if the taxicab were hired by one (1) passenger.

(Ord. No. 6428-07, § 1)

Sec. 41-54. - Failure to pay fare; advance payments; receipts.

(a)

It shall be unlawful for any person to refuse to pay the lawful fare and charges of a taxicab after having hired same for transportation.

(b)

Taxicab drivers may require the estimated lawful fare and charges to be paid in advance before undertaking the transportation of a passenger; however, if the final total fare and charges are less than the advance payment, the taxicab driver shall return the unearned portion of the advance payment. If the final total fare and charges are more than the advance payment, the passenger or passengers shall be responsible for payment of the balance of the final total fare and charges.

(Ord. No. 6428-07, § 1)

Secs. 41-55—41-59. - Reserved.