A. “Bus” means a regulated vehicle designated by its manufacturer as a bus used to transport passengers for hire and having a capacity of eight (8) or more passengers, except that any vehicle engaged exclusively in the transport by motor vehicle of students to and from school is not a “bus” for purposes of this chapter or Chapters 5.30 through 5.50 BMC.

B. “Chauffeur” means a person authorized by the transportation inspector through the issuance of a chauffeur’s license to operate a vehicle regulated in accordance with this chapter or Chapters 5.30 through 5.50 BMC.

C. “Commission” means the Bethel public safety and transportation commission.

D. “Dispatch service” means a business authorized pursuant to Chapter 5.50 BMC to engage in the dispatch of taxicabs or river taxis to persons desiring to hire them.

E. “Interest” means any share in or right to a permit issued in accordance with this chapter or Chapters 5.30 through 5.50 BMC.

F. “Lease operator” means a person who has entered into an agreement with a taxicab permittee which allows that person to provide taxicab services pursuant to the permittee’s authority under this code, only if such an arrangement is approved in advance by the transportation inspector, and only if such an arrangement is operated in accordance with conditions placed upon it by the transportation inspector.

G. “Licensee” means a person authorized by the transportation inspector to operate a regulated vehicle while it is in service.

H. “Limousine” means a regulated vehicle designated by its manufacturer as a limousine used to transport passengers for hire with a chauffeur over unfixed or undefined routes at rates greater than those charged for taxicabs and buses. Curbside and flag stop service are prohibited for limousine chauffeurs; all service must be prearranged.

I. “Operate” means to drive, pick up, transport or discharge passengers.

J. “Permit” means a written authorization issued by the transportation inspector allowing the operation of a vehicle regulated in accordance with this chapter or Chapters 5.30 through 5.50 BMC. A permit to operate may be separate from ownership or lease of the vehicle or service operated. A permit to operate does not include a chauffeur’s license. Such a permit is separate and distinct from a chauffeur’s license.

K. “Permittee” means a person authorized by the transportation inspector to put a regulated vehicle in service.

L. “Rate” means every rate, toll, fare, rental charge or other form of compensation demanded, charged or collected by a permittee or chauffeur for its services.

M. “Regulated vehicle” means any vehicle regulated by this chapter or Chapters 5.30 through 5.50 BMC.

N. “River taxi” means any motor vehicle used to transport passengers for hire on a river which operates within the city limits of the city of Bethel.

O. “Taxicab” means a chauffeured motor vehicle used to transport passengers for hire having a manufacturer’s rated seating capacity of nine (9) or fewer persons, which capacity includes the driver and which is not operated over fixed or defined routes.

P. “Transfer” (with respect to an interest in a permit issued under this chapter or Chapters 5.30 though 5.50 BMC) means to sell, lease, convey, give, exchange, or otherwise transfer an interest in a permit issued in accordance with this chapter or Chapters 5.30 through 5.50 BMC to another person or entity, including but not limited to a transfer of interest through power of attorney.

Q. “Transportation inspector” means the Bethel chief of police or their designee. [Ord. 21-21 § 2, 2021; Ord. 08-17 § 2; Ord. 01-02 § 3.]