§ 10:218. Rules governing operation of taxicabs at Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport, Ryan Field.

(a)

Specific rules. The following rules and regulations shall govern the operation of taxicabs at Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport, Ryan Field.

(1)

Taxicabs operating at or on all airport premises shall follow all state laws, parish ordinances, and all rules adopted by and promulgated by the director of the Greater Baton Rouge Airport District. By submitting application to operate at the Greater Baton Rouge Airport District, the applicant consents and agrees to be bound by all state laws, parish ordinances, and these and all future rules as promulgated by the director of the Greater Baton Rouge Airport District.

(2)

Operators of the taxicabs who intend to use the loading zone and/or holding zone at the metro airport shall be required to make application to the director of aviation for permission to operate. Such application shall be approved upon submission of adequate proof that the operator has the required credentials under state law and parish ordinances for operation of taxicabs. Upon approval the operators shall be issued an identification card with the operator's picture thereon. Such card shall be worn by the operator at all times while on the premises of the Greater Baton Rouge Airport District. The applicant shall be required to pay the fee as set forth by the director of aviation to cover the cost of application and issuance of the identification card prior to being authorized by the director of aviation to operate on the premises of the Greater Baton Rouge Airport District.

(3)

While in the loading zone, taxicabs will be manned at all times. The term "manned" as used herein means that the taxicab operator is either in his taxicab or immediately next to it, or in the designated area inside or outside the terminal building.

(4)

Taxicabs in the holding zone need not be manned.

(5)

All cabs will enter the cab holdings zone by the designated entrance. Other cabs will not cruise in front of the terminal, but will hold in the designated holding zone. Passengers have the right to choose among the commercial transportation that is available. Cab operators may exit the cab holding and loading zone when necessary.

(6)

All operators may use the no-parking tow-away zone on the terminal front for immediate loading/unloading. All operators will normally operate from their designated zones.

(7)

All regulations will be posted on the airport bulletin board located inside the terminal building on the north end in the vicinity of the baggage claim area. Additionally, copies of rules and regulations promulgated by the director of aviation will be available to all drivers during the regular hours of business at the office of the director of aviation.

(8)

All cabs will have a professional identification on their front doors of their respective vehicles in the form of a magnetic sign or other professional designation.

(9)

Taxicab operators in the performance of their duties shall not block the pedestrian walk at any time.

(10)

All taxicab operators shall be required to use the trash cans for disposal of all trash. Operators shall not litter the area by emptying ashtrays on the ground or any other similar act.

(11)

All cabs entering the holding zone will be required to pay the fee for entering as set forth from time to time by the director of aviation.

(12)

Pedicabs and LSV taxis are not allowed to pick up or drop off passengers at Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport, Ryan Field.

(b)

Identification procedure.

(1)

The director of aviation is hereby authorized to issue to all qualified taxi operators a picture identification in a form to be determined by the director. Such identification shall contain the picture of the taxicab operator thereon. The director may charge an appropriate fee to cover the cost of application and issuance of the identification card for both the initial issuance of the identification and for any replacement of the same.

(2)

All authorized taxicab operators shall have their identification card visibly displayed on their person at all times while on the premises of the Greater Baton Rouge Airport District and in addition thereto shall have in their cab at all times copies of these rules and regulations.

(c)

Enforcement procedure.

(1)

Upon violation of any of these rules, any law enforcement officer as authorized by the taxicab control board shall issue to any taxicab operator a notice, to be in such form as the taxicab control board chairman may from time to time determine. This notice shall set forth the violation of these rules as alleged by the person issuing the notice.

(2)

Upon receipt of the notice of violation, the taxicab operator shall have fifteen (15) days to pay the fine as set forth herein, or in lieu thereof request a hearing before the taxicab control board. Payment of the fine and/or request for hearing shall be made in writing at the office of the taxicab control board during normal business hours or, if made by mail a request for hearing shall be postmarked within the fifteen-day period.

(3)

The taxicab control board, upon receipt of a request for a hearing, shall notify the taxicab operator ten (10) days prior to hearing of a time and place for the hearing. At that hearing, the taxicab operator and the law enforcement officer shall each have a maximum of twenty (20) minutes within which to present any evidence or testimony to the board. The board shall, from time to time, have the authority to adopt any rules or procedures that it deems necessary to ensure a fair and orderly hearing. The board shall endeavor to conduct the hearings in an informal manner and to conduct the hearings in such a manner that each side has an opportunity to be fully heard.

(4)

Following the hearing, the board shall make a determination as to whether in fact the rules have been violation. If the board determines that no rule has been violated, no penalty shall attach to the taxicab operator. If the board, after consideration, determines that a rule has been violated, the board shall order that the appropriate action be taken as defined hereinbelow.

(d)

Fines and suspensions.

(1)

The penalty for a first offense for violation of any of these rules shall be a fine of fifteen dollars ($15.00).

(2)

If within a twelve-month period from the first offense as set forth above a taxicab operator is noticed for violation of these rules, which notice results either in the taxicab operator's paying the fine or a determination of the board that a rule has been violated pursuant to the notice, the fine for that offense shall be fifty dollars ($50.00).

(3)

If within any twelve-month period from the date of first offense as defined above a taxicab operator has been found in violation of the rules for a second offense, and within that twelve-month period a notice of a third offense occurs, the board shall order that taxicab operator suspended from operating on the Greater Baton Rouge Airport District for a period of up to one (1) year upon a finding that, in fact, the violation of these rules has occurred.

(4)

Failure of a taxicab operator to either pay the appropriate fine or file for a hearing following the procedure set forth above shall be considered an admission that the rules were violated, and the board may impose that appropriate penalty as set forth above.

(5)

Payment of the appropriate fine shall be considered to be an admission that the rules were violated for all purposes herein.

(Ord. No. 9152, § 1, 9-26-90; Ord. No. 9286, § 1, 6-12-91; Ord. No. 10584, § 1, 2-28-96; Ord. No. 15001, § 2, 10-13-10; Ord. No. 15538, § 8, 8-14-13)