It shall be unlawful for any person to solicit, offer to transport, or transport a passenger or passengers for hire in Baltimore City unless said person offering to transport shall be operating a vehicle duly authorized to perform taxicab services in Baltimore City under the authority of the Public Service Commission of Maryland. This section is intended to include as illegal:the operation of a licensed taxicab in Baltimore City from a jurisdiction other than Baltimore City, unless such transportation is a fare or the continuation of a fare originating in said other jurisdiction; and any use of a private vehicle to transport passengers for hire in performing taxicab services. A police officer shall issue a citation to any violator of this section and said charge shall be deemed a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, said person shall be subject to a fine of not greater than $500 or to imprisonment for a period of not longer than 6 months, or to both such fine and imprisonment in the discretion of the Court. City Code, 1976/83, art. 19, §187A Ord. 79-956