Taxicab fares and baggage charges

A. No driver, owner, licensee, or operator of a taxicab while operating the taxicab within the County may charge, cause to be charged, demand, collect, or receive a fare other than as provided in this section. No driver, owner, licensee, or operator of a taxicab may use or cause to be used for purposes of hire a taxicab installed with a taximeter not reflecting the current rates as provided in this section. B. Initial meter actuation must equal $5 and will entitle a passenger to one-eighth of a mile or less, or forty-five seconds waiting time or less; thereafter, for each additional one-eighth of a mile or fraction thereof, 50 cents; and for each additional forty-five seconds of waiting time or fraction thereof, 50 cents. Nothing contained in this subsection may be construed to permit charging mileage or waiting time rates of fare that are different. C. Whenever, by a request, it is necessary for a taxicab driver to pick up a passenger, the distance traveled to the point of pickup must not be added to the distance over which the passenger is actually transported when computing the total amount of fare that may be charged under this section, nor may the distance a taxicab must travel to return after discharging a passenger be included in the mileage for which any fare may be charged. D. For each piece of equipment or baggage, other than wheelchairs, large pet crates, bicycles, and surfboards handled by the driver in loading, unloading, or both, a charge of 50 cents may be added per trip. For each large pet crate, surfboard, or bicycle transported, a charge of $10 may be added. Motorized and non-motorized wheelchairs will be transported at no charge. E. An airport pick-up fee of $5 may be added to the fare. F. Notwithstanding subsection B, a flat rate of $20 will be charged when the distance traveled is three miles or less. G. Passengers not traveling together but agreeing to share the taxicab to the same destination or along the same route will each pay the metered rate and receive a 20 percent discount to the fare. ( Ord. No. 5725 , § 1, 2024; Ord. 3347 § 1, 2006; Ord. 2912 § 1, 2000: Ord. 2242 § 1, 1993: Ord. 2076 § 1, 1991: Ord. 1869 § 1, 1989: Ord. 1571, 1986: Ord. 1280 § 1, 1982: Ord. 1025 § 1, 1980: Ord. 970 § 2, 1979: Ord. 822 § 1(d), 1975; prior code § 17-1.6)