AN ORDINANCE relating to taxicabs, amending Seattle Municipal Code Chapter 6.310 to allow taxicab associations to approve costumes for taxi drivers and for taxi drivers to wear costumes.

WHEREAS, the taxicab industry is an integral part of the City's transportation system; and

WHEREAS, the City is continually making efforts to improve the appearance and quality of the taxicab industry while maintaining high standards for customer safety and security; and

WHEREAS, the taxicab industry provides an important part of the City's image for tourists;

WHEREAS, the City wishes to allow creativity in taxi driver customer relations,

BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY OF SEATTLE AS FOLLOWS:

Section 1. A new section SMC 6.310.225 is added as follows:

SMC 6.310.225 Taxicab association --

Notwithstanding the uniform requirements of SMC 6.310.200A4, a taxicab association may permit a driver to wear a costume, which may include several color and style variations, upon a written request of a driver and if each of the following requirements is met:

1. The costume depicts a readily identifiable and generally well known public figure, personality or fictional character.

2. The costume covers the body at least to the same extent as the regular uniform of the association.

3. The costume does not include a full or partial mask.

4. The costume does not include facial make-up or other feature that obscures facial characteristics in such a way as to impair matching the driver's face with the picture on the for-hire driver license.

5. The costume does not depict a police officer, fire officer or any other public safety officer.

6. The costume will not interfere with the driver's ability to provide professional, safe and secure transportation to customers.

7. Other than not being a uniform, the costume will not interfere with the driver's responsibilities to comply with for-hire driver standards set forth in Sections SMC 6.310.450 through 475.

8. The association has provided the Director a brief description of the costume along with a photograph of the driver wearing the costume.

The Director shall provide a report to the Council Transportation Committee by August 1, 2004 regarding the number and types of costumes allowed pursuant to this section and the impact of the use of costumes upon the taxicab industry.

Section 2. A new section SMC 6.310.480 is added as follows:

SMC 6.310.480 For-hire driver - Wearing Costume

A driver shall not wear a costume unless all provisions of SMC 6.310.225 have been met. When wearing a costume, the driver shall display a photograph of the driver dressed in the costume along with the driver's for-hire license.

Section 3. SMC 6.310.465 is amended as follows:

SMC 6.310.465 For-hire driver - passenger relations standards.

A. A taxicab driver shall wear only the uniform adopted by the association and approved by the Director or a costume meeting all requirements of SMC 6.310.225 and SMC 6.310.480. (Class A).

B. When wearing a costume a driver shall display a photograph of the driver dressed in the costume along with the driver's for-hire license. (Class A).

C. A for-hire driver's clothes shall be neat and clean at all times that the driver is on the driver's shift. The term "neat and clean" as it relates to clothes shall mean that all clothing is clean, free from soil, grease and dirt and without unrepaired rips or tears. Drivers shall not wear as an outer garment any of the following: undershirt or underwear, tank tops, body shirts (seethrough mesh), swimwear, jogging or warm-up suits or sweatshirts or similar attire, shorts or trunks (jogging or bathing), sandals, or any similar clothing. Summer uniforms can include Bermuda shorts (hemmed slack material) that extend down to within two (2) inches of the top of the knee cap (Class A).

D. A for-hire driver shall be clean and well groomed at all times while on duty. "Clean" means that state of personal hygiene, body and hair cleanliness and absence of offensive body odor normally associated with frequent clothes laundering and bathing or showering. "Well groomed" means beards and mustaches are groomed and neatly trimmed, and scalp and facial hair is neatly trimmed, and combed or brushed (Class A).

E. A for-hire driver shall provide customers with professional and courteous service at all times (Class A).

F. A for-hire driver shall not refuse a request for service because of the driver's position in line at a taxicab zone; a passenger may select any taxicab in line (Class B).

G. A for-hire driver shall at all times assist a passenger by placing luggage or packages (under fifty (50) pounds) in and out of the taxicab or for-hire vehicle (Class A).

H. A for-hire driver shall not refuse to transport in the taxicab or for-hire vehicle any passenger's wheelchair which can be folded and placed in either the passenger, driver, or trunk compartment of the taxicab or for-hire vehicle, an assist dog or guide dog to assist the disabled or handicapped, groceries, packages or luggage when accompanied by a passenger (Class B).

I. A for-hire driver shall provide each passenger a receipt upon payment of the fare. The receipt shall accurately show the date and time, place of pickup and delivery, the amount of the fare, the

taxicab name, number and association, and the printed name and forhire driver's license number of the for-hire driver (Class A).

J. A for-hire driver shall use the most direct available route on all trips unless the passenger specifically requests to change the route (Class B).

K. A for-hire driver shall not permit any person or pet to ride in the taxicab or for-hire vehicle unless that person or pet accompanies, or is in the vehicle at the request of, a fare-paying individual. This requirement shall not apply to uniformed driver trainees (Class A).

L. A for-hire driver shall not refuse to transport any person except when:

1. The for-hire driver has already been dispatched on another call;

2. The passenger is acting in a disorderly or threatening manner, or otherwise causes the for-hire driver to reasonably believe that the for-hire driver's health or safety, or that of others, may be endangered;

3. The passenger cannot, upon request, show ability to pay the fare (Class B).

M. A for-hire driver shall not smoke while the taxicab or forhire vehicle is occupied without the consent of all passengers. If the taxicab is designated as a "nonsmoking" taxicab, no-smoking signs must be posted within, and outside, the taxicab or for-hire vehicle, so as to be highly visible to the passenger. The Director shall promulgate rules concerning the placement of the no-smoking signs (Class A).

N. A for-hire driver shall be able to provide a reasonable amount of change, and if correct change is not available, no additional charge will be made to the passenger in attempting to secure the change (Class A).

O. A for-hire driver shall not make any discriminatory charges to any person, or make any rebate or in any manner reduce the charge to any person unless such is in conformity with the discounts or surcharges contained in the filed rates (Class B).

Section 4. This ordinance shall take effect and be in force thirty (30) days from and after its approval by the Mayor, but if not approved and returned by the Mayor within ten (10) days after presentation, it shall take effect as provided by Municipal Code Section 1.04.020.

Passed by the City Council the _____ day of ____________, 2003, and signed by me in open session in authentication of its passage this _____ day of _________________, 2003. _____________________________________ President _______ of the City Council

Approved by me this _____ day of _________________, 2003. ___________________________________________ Mayor

Filed by me this _____ day of ____________________, 2003. ___________________________________________ City Clerk

12/08/03 (Ver. 8 ) ta