The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-11-07
METERS ON TAXIS
Ordinance for Lower Fares Be-
fore City Hall.
Plan Also to Require Liability
Insurance Here.
MINIMUM OF IS CENTS
Charge 10 Cents for Every AID
ditiOnaI Half Mile.
Protection for Passenger in In
jury and Costs.

There has been drawn and presented
to the city commissioners for intro
duction into the city ordinances, an
ordinance which will make the install
lation of taxi meters on the taXicabs
of Topeka, a requirement before a
license for the operation of the cab
is issued.
The ordinance is planned to take
effect January 1, 1922, the date. of the
issuance of the new taxicab licenses
by the city.
One of the striking features of the
ordinance which is under considera-
ton is the fact that no license shall
be issued until the applicant shall
have filed with the city officials in
surance policies protecting the driver
of the cab against injuries received in
any accident, and protecting the driver
against damages incurred in an &C
cident, or the depositing by the ap-
plicant of a bond of surety company
protecting the passengers against in
jury. The ordinance provides that the
license of the applicant shall be with
drawn, automatically, if the insurance
is permitted to lapse or the bond is
cancelled.
One of the effects of the ordinance
as now drawn up is to lower taxicab
fares in Topeka to a point less than
the fares charged in Kansas City and
other cities in the United States.
Minimum of 35 Cents.
The schedule, as mapped out pro-
vides for a thirty-five cent minimum
fare which will cover trips from the
railroad stations to the down town
district and to the nearer residence
district, with an extra fare of ten
cents for every additional half mile.
The rates quoted are for one passen-
ger, and with thirty-five cents addi-
ton for the entire trip for each addi-
tional passenger.
Under the schedule which has been
worked out, the thirty-five cent charge
will reach the business and near resi-
dence district over which 60 per cent
of the hauls are made at the present
time. A forty-five cent rate will
cover rs per cent of the present num-
Der of hauls. a fifty-five cent rate will
cover 90 per cent of the present hauls
and only 10 per cent of the hauls now
made would cost more than 80 cents.
All but one of the measures of the
ordinance are designed for the protec-
ton of the passenger. One clause
provides that a person who rides in
the cab and refuses to pay the DILL
is guilty of a misdemeanor and may
be arrested and fined therefor.
The psychology of the. taximeter is
one of the projections which it az
fords the passenger, friends OF the
ordinance contend. They assert that
the taximeter, which is in plain slght
operation during the trip, and which
is almost unbeatable" by the taxi
driver who wishes to over charge his
fare will act as a check on the &C
Invites of a would-be dishonest driver
Name of Owner on Cab.
The taxi drivers Will be required TO
give each passenger a receipt for the
fare paid. when demanded, and must
have the name of the owner of the
cab painted on the side OF the car, in
DIain sight. This feature of the ordi-
nance makes for ease of identification
of any driver when dispute over the
amount of the fare or any other ques-
ton arises.
The ordinance further provides that
the meters on the taXicabs shall be
inspected by the city weight inspector
not less frequently than every six
months, or on complaint of some per-
son considering himself defrauded by
an incorrect meter!
The requirements as to the putting
up of the insurance policies or surety
bond, the purchase or rental of a me-
ter. and the Identification features of
the ordinance are strict enough to
guarantee the integrity and ability of
the taxi driver for the protection of
the public, and are not expensive
enough to drive the bona ide oper-
ator out of the running, according to
the statement of the men who are
backing the ordinance.
There will be a preliminary confer
ence of the city commissioners on the
ordinance before it is formally intro
duced Mayor Corwine stated this
Cided when the ordinance will be in