Regular Taxicab Rates. The regular rates to be charged by taxicab drivers are as follows: Three Dollars ($3.00) up to the first one-seventh (1/7) of a mile or part thereof traveled. In addition, a One Dollar ($1.00) per trip surcharge is imposed on any trip that originates between the hours of 8:00 P.M. and 6:00 A.M. Thirty cents ($.30) for each additional one-seventh (1/7) of a mile or part thereof, the first five cents ($.05) of which shall be paid directly and in its entirety to the driver, and shall not be subject to the provisions of any agreement between the driver and any Certificate Holder, Company or Association. One Dollar ($1.00) for each additional passenger traveling to any point; provided, however, that one child less than six (6) years old traveling with an adult, and senior citizens aged sixty (60) and over and attendants providing physical assistance to handicapped individuals shall not be charged. The driver shall have the right to require proof of age from senior citizens. In addition to the mileage charge, there shall be a time charge for any time that the vehicle is stopped or operating at a speed of under twelve (12) miles per hour at a rate of Twenty-five Cents ($.25) for each sixty (60) seconds. Pets may be transported at the discretion of the driver; provided, however, that the driver shall transport any assistance dog or any licensed guide dog for the handicapped free of charge. At the discretion of the driver, an appropriate fare can be demanded before departure. A service charge of One Dollar ($1.00) shall be levied by the taxicab driver for any personal service rendered by the driver. However, there shall be no personal service charge levied on any person who is confined to a wheelchair, or is aged sixty (60) and over, or physically handicapped. There shall be no personal service charge for the removal and carrying of luggage or the use of the trunk of the taxicab, provided the passenger is physically handicapped. The charge for the hiring of a taxicab and driver shall be Fifteen Dollars ($15.00) per hour plus mileage. No fee shall be charged for transporting hand-carried luggage or packages. The charge for using the trunk of the taxicab shall be One Dollar ($1.00) in addition to all other fares. During snow emergency conditions a Three Dollar ($3.00) per trip surcharge is imposed. Snow emergency conditions shall be determined by the County Executive. A One Dollar ($1.00) per trip surcharge may be imposed for trips originating from a Destination Attraction. The County Council may establish a fixed charge for trips by taxicabs that originate within the County to destination points within and outside of the County, notwithstanding federal or state laws or regulations. On or before July 1 of each year, the Director shall perform a rate survey and submit recommendations to the County Executive for taxicab rate adjustments. The Director's review shall take into account any information relative to proposed rate adjustments submitted by representatives of the taxicab industry on or before May 1 of each year. Information submitted by representatives of the taxicab industry should compare current cost of taxicab operations prior to the adoption of the last rate adjustment and shall contain information as to the current profitability of the taxicab industry. Prior to September 1 of each odd-numbered year, the County Executive shall transmit to the County Council his recommendations for any such taxicab rate adjustments.

If the County Executive finds that the average retail price of regular gasoline fuel in the region has exceeded the price of $3.00 per gallon, the County Executive may declare a Fuel Cost Emergency and may authorize the Director of Public Works and Transportation to establish a Fuel Cost Emergency Surcharge. During the emergency, the Director shall set an amount which shall be charged per trip in addition to the rates established in Section 20-160 of the Code. The fuel cost emergency surcharge shall be $1.00 for each fare. The fuel cost emergency surcharge may not be charged to any person who is sixty (60) years and over. The fuel cost emergency surcharge may not be charged for any fare pursuant to a County contract.

Except as provided in Section 20-159 of this Code for taxicabs from other jurisdictions, cash and credit cards shall be acceptable forms of payment for all taxicabs operating in Prince George's County by January 1, 2017. Rates for credit card usage are established under Sec. 20-160. No additional fees or surcharges shall be imposed on a passenger.

It shall be unlawful for any person to operate a taxicab, or to cause a taxicab to be operated for hire, or to accept any passenger for hire, or to carry any paying passenger within the County unless such vehicle shall be equipped with a taximeter which shall have been sealed by the County and which shall be in operation at all times while any paying passenger is riding in such taxicab. This Subsection shall not apply to a taxicab which displays a sign clearly visible from outside the vehicle, reading, "Not in Service" or "Out of Service" and which taxicab is in fact "Out of Service." The Board may recommend and the Director shall approve the types of taximeters to be used on taxicabs in conformity with specifications and tolerances as set by the National Bureau of Standards. The Director shall road test the taximeter for accuracy and conformity with approved rates at least once each calendar year. The meter shall be sealed after testing. Regulations concerning the use and maintenance of taximeters, not inconsistent with this Section, as may be necessary to promote the purpose hereof, shall be promulgated by the Director with recommendations from the Board. Taximeters must register the fare upon illuminated counters plainly visible to a passenger. It shall be unlawful for any person: To use any taximeter until the same shall have been inspected, found to be accurately set to operate at approved rates, and sealed by a County Inspector; To operate any vehicle with a taximeter unsealed or not having its access port intact; To carry passengers for hire except while operating the taximeter in accordance with the provisions of this Subtitle, provided, however, that the Director may grant a waiver to this provision for a contract with a government agency filed with the Department of Public Works and Transportation that permits discounted rates or rates lower than those computed by the taximeter upon a written determination by the Director that the contract provisions will not result in a significant reduction of service to the general public or impact a licensee's ability to earn a living while maintaining the integrity of the contractual services; To make any charge for the transportation of a passenger other than as provided under this Subtitle; or To make any change in the mechanical, electrical, or electronic condition of a taxicab or its meter with intent to cause false registration by the meter of the fare to be charged a passenger.

When more than one passenger enters a taxicab at the same time, bound for different destinations, the meter shall be reset whenever a passenger pays the fare and leaves the vehicle.

Any person or corporation who violates or fails to comply with any provision of this Subtitle or who makes any false statement in connection therewith or who gives false identification shall, upon conviction, be guilty of a misdemeanor and subject, for each such violation, to a fine not exceeding One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) or imprisonment not exceeding six (6) months, or both such fine and imprisonment.