(a) The maximum rates of fare of taxicabs for conveying persons with the usual hand baggage shall be as follows:

Plus any charges that the Metropolitan Airport Authority, its successors or assigns, may charge to the cab company as a loading, unloading or trip charge, or any other charges that may be assessed, may be charged to the passenger on such trip and shall be in addition to the above rates; provided, that no additional charge shall be made for the conveyance of more than one passenger. When the charge is made for waiting time, no charge shall be made for stops occasioned by the driver or by reason of any defective or improper working conditions of the taxicab nor shall a charge be made because of premature arrival upon a call. All charges in this section are to be based upon the most direct route.

(b) The owner, driver or other person in charge or control of a taxicab may upon request of passengers accept employment whereby the fare to be asked may be computed by an hourly rental. When a taxicab is so employed, the maximum fare to be charged shall not exceed $18.00 per hour. This rate shall not be effective unless employment by the hour is arranged for in advance of the trip.

(c) A fuel surcharge shall be added to the total fare. The surcharge shall depend on the average price of regular, unleaded gasoline in Topeka as determined by AAA of Kansas. If the average cost of regular, unleaded gasoline is $3.00 or more per gallon, but less than $4.00, a surcharge of $1.00 shall be added, per trip.

The surcharge shall be $1.50 per trip when the average price of regular, unleaded gasoline is $4.00 or more per gallon. (Ord. 19145 § 1, 8-19-08. Code 1995 § 154-121.)