Sec. 220.102. - Legislative findings and determinations.

The Council finds and determines that: (a) Taxicabs, shuttle vehicles and other vehicles for hire exist and are being offered for service in the City. (b) These vehicles for hire use the public streets and highways to provide their services. (c) Except for taxicabs, which have been regulated for many years, these vehicles for hire are not subject to any law regulating service to the public, the safety of the vehicles and the fitness of their drivers. (d) The public constantly use these vehicles for hire and are entitled to be able to ride in them with assurance that they meet minimum standards of service and safety. (e) Regulation, however, should involve as little governmental influence as is consistent with the public health, safety and welfare, leaving to the play of free enterprise and market forces such matters as the number of vehicles for hire, the fares they charge and the business organization and identification they use. (f) In order to provide for this minimal governmental regulation and to restore and encourage free enterprise in the vehicle-for-hire industry, it is determined that free market with limited government oversight of insurance and driver background check is the most effective method. (Ord. 2019-183-E , § 2)