2013 Maryland Code
PUBLIC UTILITIES
§ 10-209 - Taxicab operation

§10-209.

(a) A taxicab driver shall make maximum use of service communications with the driver’s switchboard operator or dispatcher in order to keep the driver’s taxicab available for response to calls.

(b) (1) A taxicab driver may not solicit the patronage of a person who is at the terminal of another common carrier or at an intermediate point along an established route of that carrier to use that common carrier’s service.

(2) Paragraph (1) of this subsection does not prohibit or interfere with a response to a call for a taxicab whether the call is made by telephone or by signal from a pedestrian.

(3) Taxicabs being operated in Baltimore City:

(i) may transport a passenger from Baltimore City into Baltimore County and return to Baltimore County for the same passenger; but

(ii) may not solicit a passenger within Baltimore County at any time.

(4) This subtitle may not impede the operation of taxicabs between Baltimore City and Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport in the manner allowed by law.

(c) (1) A taxicab may not carry more than the number of passengers designated on the rate card.

(2) A child in a passenger’s arms is not counted as a passenger.

(3) Only one person may occupy the front seat with the driver.

(d) (1) A taxicab may be used from a railroad station or other public place of special assembly to serve jointly not more than four passengers who are bound for the same, or approximately the same, location.

(2) A passenger who has engaged a taxicab may not be compelled to share the taxicab with another person.

(3) A taxicab driver may not refuse service in order to group passengers more profitably.

(4) (i) Except as provided in subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph, if a taxicab is occupied by several passengers bound for different destinations, each passenger or party shall be charged the fare recorded on the meter at the time of arrival at the passenger’s or party’s destination.

(ii) A party or individual passenger may not be charged more than the fare applicable at the established rate for transportation over the shortest and most direct route.

(5) A taxicab driver may not solicit another passenger while en route to the destination of passengers or parties initially occupying the cab.

(e) A driver of a taxicab may not operate the taxicab:

(1) recklessly;

(2) in an unsafe manner; or

(3) in disregard of the public general or local laws or municipal ordinances governing the operation of motor vehicles.