“Operator” means any person, firm, partnership, corporation or other association, whether or not he or it be the owner or owners of a taxi, that will profit financially by the operation of a taxi, but does not include a person hired to drive a taxi.

“Taxi” means any motor vehicle that is used on the streets of the city for the purpose of carrying passengers for hire, and that follows no regular route or time schedule. [Code 1975 § 7-4.02.]