§ 46-2. 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:

Certificate of public convenience and necessity means the certificate of public convenience and necessity, hereafter referred to as "certificate," is issued by the town upon approval of an application from a business or individual owner providing vehicle for hire service. This certificate is required before a medallion may be issued for placement on any vehicle operating as a vehicle for hire within the town.

Cruising means the movement of a vehicle for hire over public streets or public vehicular areas in search of passengers or for the purpose of attracting passengers. No passenger vehicle for hire, other than a taxicab, shall engage in cruising or be operated on call or demand.

Exclusive-ride service means a taxi service in which the first passenger or party requests exclusive use of the taxicab.

For hire business means (as defined in G.S. 20-86) any person, firm or corporation engaged in the business of transporting persons or property for compensation.

Limousine means any "for hire" chauffeur-driven vehicle that meets the manufacturer's specifications for a luxury limousine, that provides transportation to passengers for compensation by prearrangement and that does not accept passengers indiscriminately between points or along roads or highways. Limousine service compensation may not be computed by means of a meter. Limousines must carry an appropriate registration plate to distinguish them from taxicabs and other vehicles for hire. Every limousine shall have a minimum of four seats or one continuous sofa-styled seating area located behind the operator of the vehicle. No limousine shall engage in cruising or be operated on call or on demand.

Manifest means a daily record, prepared by the driver, of all trips made by vehicles for hire which he operates, showing the time and place of origin and destination of each trip and the amount of fare or fee.

Medallion means a nontransferable numbered insignia provided by the town issued to a particular vehicle for hire that has a valid operating certificate and permit associated with it. Only after inspection of the vehicle will a medallion be assigned.

On call or on demand means the immediate availability of vehicle for hire service in response to public need throughout a 24-hour period.

Permit means a permit issued by the town to any person who drives as an owner or employee of a vehicle for hire service in a certificate-approved and medallion assigned vehicle for hire within the town.

Rate card means the card issued by the town for display in each taxicab for which an operating permit and medallion has been issued, describing the schedule of fares charged by such taxicab.

Reciprocity means a mutual exchange of special privileges between two entities that is advantageous to both. Hereafter, the two entities to benefit from this relationship are the town and any other Dare County municipality adopting a substantially similar taxicab ordinance, as well as those approved taxi services that transport passengers between the two municipalities.

Shared-ride service means a taxi service in which two or more persons, with either different origins or with different destinations, or both, occupy a taxicab at one time.

Taxicab means any vehicle for hire, with a maximum capacity of nine or fewer passengers and driver which is operated within the town in a manner that is on call or on demand and/or via cruising. This definition shall exclude common carriers regulated pursuant to G.S. ch. 62, public utilities.

Taximeter means a mechanical device, approved by the town, which is installed in a taxicab for the purpose of computing the fare for a trip upon the basis distance traveled, waiting time, or both.

Vehicle for hire means any vehicle used in a for hire business, including but not limited to taxicabs and limousines. Any vehicle for hire operating within the town shall be subject to the provisions of this chapter.

(Ord. No. 10-09-027, Art. III, Pt. I, 9-1-2010; Ord. No. 10-11-036, Pt. I, 11-3-2010)