(a) Vehicles generally.--
(1) A vehicle may not be operated as a taxicab with citywide call or demand rights in cities of the first class unless a certificate of public convenience is issued by the authority authorizing the operation of the taxicab and a medallion is attached to the hood of the vehicle. Prior to the issuance of a medallion, the certificate holder shall have its vehicle inspected by the authority.
(2) The authority shall require, by order or regulation, that each vehicle within its jurisdiction pursuant to this chapter submit to periodic inspections by authority personnel to ensure that the vehicle meets the requirements of this subchapter and authority regulations.
(3) Authority inspection requirements for vehicles within its jurisdiction pursuant to this chapter shall be in addition to the vehicle requirements set forth in Title 75 (relating to vehicles) and may include vehicle age and mileage limitations. Authority inspection and recording requirements shall be established by regulations.
(4) No vehicle which is more than eight years old shall continue in operation as a taxicab. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the authority may authorize the operation of antique vehicles in call or demand service in such circumstances as the authority may deem appropriate.
(5) Each taxicab certificate holder's tariff rates shall be clearly and visibly displayed in each taxicab.
(6) A medallion shall not be removed from a vehicle without prior notification to and permission of the authority.
(7) A medallion authorizes operation of a vehicle as a taxicab only for the fiscal year for which the medallion is issued.
(b) Driver security devices.--Each vehicle authorized to provide taxicab service shall be equipped with such security devices as the authority may, in its discretion, require by order or regulation.
(c) Service.--A vehicle authorized by a certificate to provide call or demand service within cities of the first class may transport persons and their baggage upon call or demand and parcels, packages and property at the same basic metered rates charged to passengers:
(1) between points in the city of the first class for which its certificate is issued;
(2) from any point in the city of the first class for which its certificate is issued to any point in this Commonwealth;
(3) from any point in this Commonwealth to any point in the city of the first class for which its certificate is issued if the request for service for such transportation is received by call to its centralized dispatch system; and
(4) from any point in the city of the first class for which its certificate is issued to any point outside this Commonwealth as a continuous part of a trip.
(d) Other vehicles.--
(1) A vehicle which is not authorized by a certificate to provide call or demand service within cities of the first class but which is operated by the holder of a certificate of public convenience from the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission authorizing call or demand service elsewhere in this Commonwealth may transport persons and property:
(i) to cities of the first class in accordance with the service authorized under its certificate of public convenience; and
(ii) from any point in a city of the first class to any point in this Commonwealth beyond that city of the first class if the request for service for such transportation is received by call to its radio dispatch service.
(2) Carriers authorized by the authority to provide taxicab service to designated areas within cities of the first class on a non-citywide basis pursuant to section 5711(c)(2.1) (relating to power of authority to issue certificates of public convenience) shall retain their authorization in those areas of a city of the first class subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the authority and orders and regulations of the authority issued under this chapter. The authority shall not grant additional rights to new or existing carriers to serve designated areas within cities of the first class on a non-citywide basis.
(e) Penalties involving certificated taxicabs.--Operating a certificated taxicab in violation of subsections (a) and (b) or authorizing or permitting such operation is a nontraffic summary offense. Offenders of subsections (a) and (b) may also be subject to civil penalties pursuant to section 5725 (relating to civil penalties).
(f) Unauthorized vehicles.--Operating an unauthorized vehicle as a taxicab, or giving the appearance of offering call or demand service with an unauthorized vehicle, without first having received a certificate of public convenience and a medallion is a nontraffic summary offense in the first instance and a misdemeanor of the third degree for each offense thereafter. The owner and the driver of a vehicle being operated as or appearing as a taxicab without a certificate of public convenience and a medallion are also subject to civil penalties pursuant to section 5725. Civil penalties which have been assessed and collected shall be deposited in the fund.
(g) Confiscation and impoundment of vehicles.--
(1) The authority is empowered to confiscate and impound vehicles, medallions and equipment which are utilized to provide call or demand service in cities of the first class without a proper certificate of public convenience issued by the authority or which are in violation of regulations of the authority. Upon satisfaction of all penalties imposed and all outstanding fines assessed against the owner or operator of the confiscated vehicle and payment of the costs of the authority associated with confiscation and impoundment, the vehicle, medallion and equipment shall be returned to its registered owner or registered lienholder.
(2) (i) If an owner or operator does not satisfy all penalties imposed and all outstanding fines assessed within 45 days of the date of impoundment, the authority may publicly auction all confiscated property.
(ii) The authority shall, at least 30 days before the date of the public auction, provide notice by regular mail to the registered owner and any registered lienholder of the public auction of confiscated vehicles and equipment. The notice required under this subparagraph may be provided within the period of 45 days of the date of impoundment.
(3) The authority shall apply the proceeds from the sale of all confiscated property in the following order:
(i) To the costs of the authority associated with the confiscation, impoundment and auction.
(ii) To all penalties imposed and all outstanding fines assessed against the owner and operator of the confiscated property.
(iii) Except as provided in subparagraph (v), to the lien of any registered lienholder of the confiscated property upon demand.
(iv) Except as provided in subparagraph (v), to the registered owner of the confiscated property upon demand.
(v) When not claimed by any registered lienholder or registered owner within one year of the auction date, remaining proceeds shall be deposited into the fund.
(g.1) Assessment.--After application of the proceeds from the sale of confiscated property under subsection (f), the uncompensated costs of the authority associated with the confiscation, impoundment and auction and all outstanding penalties imposed and all outstanding fines assessed against the registered owner or operator of the confiscated property may be assessed against the registered owner or operator of the confiscated property as the authority may prescribe by regulation.
(h) Counterfeit medallions.--The manufacture or possession of a counterfeit medallion is a misdemeanor of the third degree for each offense.