5.44.250 Taximeters.
A. Required in Taxicabs. No person shall operate any taxicab in the city until such taxicab is equipped with a taximeter of a type and design which has been approved by the regional taxi authority.
All taxicabs operated under the authority of this chapter shall be equipped with taximeters which conform to all applicable state of California laws and regulations and shall be inspected, sealed, and certified by the county department of weights and measures.
B. Inspection Required—Removal of Vehicle with Inaccurate Meter.
1. Every taximeter shall be inspected and tested for accuracy by the owner at least annually. Taximeters shall be subject to inspection at any time by the regional taxi authority or any other authorized persons. Upon discovery of any inaccuracy of such taximeter, the operator thereof shall remove, or cause to be removed, from service any vehicle equipped with such taximeter until such taximeter has been repaired and accurately adjusted.
2. Records and evidence of inspection by the county department of weights and measures shall be submitted for verification at the time of each taxicab’s annual vehicle inspection.
C. Manner of Placement in Taxicabs. The taximeter required by this chapter shall be placed in each taxicab so that the reading dial showing the amount to be charged is well lighted and readily discernible to a passenger riding in any such taxicab.
D. Accurate Operation Required. It shall be the duty of each person operating a taxicab, and the driver thereof, to keep the taximeter therein operating at all times within the accuracy and requirements of this chapter and such additional requirements as may be prescribed from time to time by the regional taxi authority.
E. Use Required for All Passenger Services. No passenger shall be carried in any taxicab for hire unless the taximeter in such taxicab is in operation. This section shall apply regardless of whether the taxicab is engaged for a trip entirely within the regional taxi authority area or partially outside thereof, and such meter shall be kept operating continuously during the entire time that it is engaged in the transportation of passengers for compensation, regardless of the point of destination; except, that when the trip is in excess of fifteen miles a flat rate may be used for any part of the trip over the first fifteen miles.
F. All Charges to Be in Accordance with Meters. All charges for taxicab service shall be calculated and indicated by a taximeter, except as described in this chapter, and at all times while the taxicab is engaged the “flag” of the taximeter shall be thrown into a position to register charges for mileage and time. No taximeter shall be so operated as to cause any charge to be registered thereon, except during the time while the taxicab is engaged by a passenger.
G. Splitting of Fares by Two or More Passengers. If two or more persons going in the same direction share a taxicab the first party that is discharged from the taxicab shall pay the charge on the meter, and the meter shall then be “flagged” and a new fare started; except and unless, if the driver agrees at the inception of the hire to drop the first fare without “reflagging” and starting a new fare.
H. Proper Use of “Flag” Required. No driver of any taxicab, while carrying passengers, shall display the “flag” attached to the taximeter in such a position as to denote that such vehicle is not employed, or fail to throw the “flag” of the taximeter to a position indicating such vehicle is unemployed at the termination of each service. (Ord. 2015-04 § 2 (Exh. C), 2015)