§ 55.08. Categories of Vehicles-for-Hire.

(1)

Classification. Every Vehicle-for-Hire permitted pursuant to this Chapter shall be classified according to one of the following categories:

(a)

Taxicab;

(b)

Limousine;

(c)

Luxury Passenger Vehicle;

(d)

Luxury/Custom Van;

(e)

Shuttle Service;

(f)

Residential Shuttle; or

(g)

Livery vehicle.

(2)

Method of Classification. The applicant for a Vehicle Permit shall request the particular category on the application for a Vehicle Permit submitted pursuant to Part III, below. The classification shall be made by the Vehicle-for-Hire Administrator by descending from subparagraph (1)(a) to (g), above, until:

(a)

the first category definition contained in § 55.02 applies to the proposed Vehicle-for-Hire; and

(b)

the proposed Vehicle-for-Hire satisfies the applicable requirements contained in this Chapter.

The classification shall be consistent with the provisions of this Chapter.

(3)

Purpose of Classification. The purpose of the classification is to:

(a)

ensure that different forms of Vehicle-for-Hire Service are recognized;

(b)

avoid misleading or creating confusion among the traveling public; and

(c)

provide notice to the Vehicle Permit-Holder of the classification and the applicable limitations and regulations pertaining to the category.

(4)

Category Use Restrictions. Vehicle-for-Hire Permit-Holder shall only provide the service specified below:

(a)

Taxicab. A Taxicab Permit-Holder shall:

(i)

provide general transportation of persons not on regular schedules with the routes traveled or the destination determined by the passengers;

(ii)

provide good and reasonable service at all times to all parts of the City twenty-four (24) hours a day, each and every day of the year, unless prevented by a labor strike or an act of God;

(iii)

maintain a business office with sufficient employees to answer all calls twenty-four (24) hours a day, each and every day of the year;

(iv)

base the fare charged the passenger on the use of the vehicle without regard to the number of passengers carried;

(v)

determine the fare by a meter; and

(vi)

provide the Taxicab service in an automobile, station wagon or van that is capable of comfortably seating at least four adult passengers up to a maximum of nine adult passengers, including the driver.

(b)

Limousine. A Limousine shall provide the transportation of persons:

(i)

limited to a Limousine;

(ii)

leased, rented or charged upon for a minimum time period of one hour (60 minutes); and

(iii)

with the fare determined on a basis disclosed to and agreed upon by the passenger in advance of transportation, which fare may be calculated in any fashion, but shall not total less than the per mile fare established pursuant this part as the metered taxicab fare, multiplied by the number of miles travelled; or with the fare determined on an hourly basis set pursuant to this chapter and not by a meter for the use of the vehicle; and

(iv)

pre-arranged or arranged through a third party (e.g., guest service desk or concierge desk).

(c)

Luxury Passenger Vehicle. A Luxury Passenger Vehicle shall provide the transportation of persons:

(i)

limited to a Luxury Passenger Vehicle;

(ii)

leased, rented or charged upon for a minimum time period of one hour (60 minutes); and

(iii)

with the fare determined on a basis disclosed to and agreed upon by the passenger in advance of transportation, which fare may be calculated in any fashion, but shall not total less than the per mile fare established pursuant this part as the metered taxicab fare, multiplied by the number of miles travelled; or with the fare determined on an hourly basis set pursuant to this chapter and not by a meter for the use of the vehicle; and

(iv)

pre-arranged or arranged through a third party (e.g., guest service desk or concierge desk).

(d)

Luxury/Custom Van. A Luxury/Custom Van shall provide the transportation of persons:

(i)

limited to a Luxury/Custom Van;

(ii)

leased, rented or charged upon for a minimum time period of one hour (60 minutes); and

(iii)

with the fare determined on a basis disclosed to and agreed upon by the passenger in advance of transportation, which fare may be calculated in any fashion, but shall not total less than the per mile fare established pursuant this part as the metered taxicab fare, multiplied by the number of miles travelled; or with the fare determined on an hourly basis set pursuant to this chapter and not by a meter for the use of the vehicle; and

(iv)

pre-arranged or arranged through a third party (e.g., guest service desk or concierge desk).

(e)

Shuttle Service. A Shuttle Service shall provide the transportation of persons:

(i)

limited to a Van;

(ii)

on a scheduled service;

(iii)

with the fare determined on a per capita basis and not by a meter or mileage; and

(iv)

pre-arranged or arranged through a third party (e.g., guest service desk or concierge desk).

(f)

Residential Shuttle: A Residential Shuttle shall provide the transportation of persons:

(i)

limited to a low-speed vehicle;

(ii)

prohibited from operating on any street listed on the prohibited streets list established by the Vehicle-for-Hire Administrator or any street with a posted speed limit greater than thirty (30) mph;

(iii)

limited to operating in the area of Downtown Orlando defined as the area bordered by Colonial Drive to the North, Parramore Avenue to the West, East-West Expressway to the South and Summerlin Avenue to the East for pickup and drop off service, which boundaries may be temporarily adjusted by the Vehicle-for-Hire Administrator, applying the process provided in Section 55.101, Establishment of Prohibited Streets, which is hereby made applicable to Residential Shuttles. Any extension in excess of sixty (60) days must be approved by the City Council; and

(iv)

limited to residents or guests of the property operating the vehicles. In addition, each Vehicle Permit-Holder shall strictly comply with the regulations and requirements for the particular category of Vehicle-for-Hire as outlined in this Chapter.

(g)

Livery Vehicle. A Livery Vehicle shall provide the transportation of persons:

(i)

limited to a livery vehicle;

(ii)

with the fare determined on a basis disclosed to and agreed upon by the passenger in advance of transportation, which fare may be calculated in any fashion, but shall not total less than the per mile fare established pursuant this part as the metered taxicab fare, multiplied by the number of miles travelled; or with the fare determined on an hourly basis set pursuant to this chapter and not by a meter for the use of the vehicle; and

(iii)

pre-arranged or arranged through a third party (e.g., guest service desk or concierge desk).

(5)

The requirements in (4)(a)(iv) and (v), (4)(b)(ii) and (iii), (4)(c)(ii) and (iii), (4)(d)(ii) and (iii) and (4)(e)(iii), above, shall not apply if the transportation provided by the Vehicle-for-Hire is:

(a)

for an affinity group of eight persons or more;

(b)

a charter service; and

(c)

the rate charged and the name of the chartered service shall be retained by the Permit-Holder for not less than 90 days from the services provided date and shall be available for inspection and verification by the Vehicle-for-Hire Administrator and/or Officer(s).

(Ord. of 4-20-1998, Doc. #31157; Ord. of 1-11-2007, § 5, Doc. #0701111008; Ord. of 12-14-2009, § 2, Doc. #00912141105; Ord. No. 2013-6, § 3, 2-4-2013, Doc. #1302041203; Ord. No. 2014-64, § 2, 12-15-2014, Doc. #1412151203)