A. Types of Service to be Provided. A vehicle for hire is authorized to provide the following types of service:

B. Flag Loads Permitted When. Flag loads, meaning passengers soliciting a vehicle for hire at random points on the street, may be picked up at any location within the City except when it is apparent that the prospective fare has already phoned for a vehicle for hire operated by another person or firm and is waiting for such vehicle for hire to arrive.

C. Solicitation of Fares Permitted When. Solicitation of fares is permitted when located at an authorized taxicab stand and such other areas as may be declared open to solicitation by all properly permitted business owners or drivers. No driver of any vehicle for hire shall seek employment by repeatedly driving their vehicle to and fro in a short space in front of, or by otherwise interfering with the proper and orderly access to or egress from any theater, hall, hotel, railway or other place or public gathering; or by leaving their vehicle or otherwise, approach and solicit patronage by any pedestrian upon the sidewalk, in any theater, hall, hotel, railway, or street railway loading point.

D. Passengers not to Ride with Driver--Exceptions. All persons other than the driver shall ride in the passenger compartment of the vehicle for hire, except passengers who are physically disabled, are unable to get into the passenger compartment, or have extreme difficulty in doing so, and except where there are more passengers than can be accommodated in such compartment or where it is necessary to have someone seated with the driver in connection with the normal operation of the vehicle for hire.

E. Driver to Use Direct Route. The driver of a vehicle for hire employed to carry passengers to a definite point shall take the most direct route possible that will carry the passengers safely, lawfully and expeditiously to said destination, unless requested to take a different route by a passenger who wishes to avoid or enjoy certain routes or roadway conditions. Drivers shall carry a map of Berkeley and the immediately surrounding jurisdictions in the vehicle at all times.

F. Light Baggage to be Conveyed in Motor Vehicle Without Charge. Persons engaging a vehicle for hire shall be entitled to have such valises, small hand baggage, groceries and other similar purchases or wheel chairs as can be conveniently carried within the vehicle loaded, conveyed and unloaded at the point of deboarding without charge. If a driver carries or conveys any such objects to a point beyond the point of deboarding, the driver may leave the taximeter running and the passenger shall be obligated to pay for the time required to convey the items; provided that the driver informs the passenger that the taximeter will be kept running before providing this service.

G. Daily Operation Required. Every business owner approved to operate under the provisions of this chapter shall regularly and daily operate their business to the extent reasonably necessary to meet the public demand for service. Upon abandonment of such business for a period of 30 consecutive days by such business owner, approval to operate under this chapter may be revoked. (Ord. 6655-NS § 4, 2001: Ord. 6325-NS § 11, 1996)