Whenever any words and phrases are used in this article, the meaning respectively ascribed to them in N.J.S.A. 39:1-1 shall be deemed to apply to such words and phrases used herein. In addition, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
CRUISING
The driving of an empty taxicab along a public street at a slow rate of speed for the obvious purpose of soliciting passengers.
TAXICAB or TAXI or CAB
A motor vehicle used to transport passengers for hire or compensation which does not operate over a fixed route and is not hired by the day or hour.
TAXI STAND
A section of a public street or of a public place, or a section of private property with the express written consent of the property owner or other authorized representative, set apart for the exclusive use of a taxicab or a limited number of taxicabs when such section is distinctly marked as such by an appropriate sign attached to a stanchion on the curb or other conspicuous place, or by clearly visible marks upon the surface of the street or other public or private place, or by other clearly visible markings that are approved by the Howell Township Police Department and identified in Schedule XI of § 7-8 of the Revised General Ordinances of the Township of Howell.
A. 
Identification required. All taxicabs shall display on the body of the vehicle the taxi license number issued to that vehicle pursuant to this chapter along with a listing of each municipality that has issued a taxi license to that taxicab. The taxi license number shall be three inches in height and must be located in the center of the rear quarter panels on the driver and passenger sides as well as the rear center line of the trunk of the vehicle. The list of each municipality shall be displayed on each rear door in letters three inches in height.
B. 
Imitation of color scheme or insignia. No taxicab operated in the Township shall imitate the color scheme or any identifying design or insignia of another taxicab lawfully operating in the Township, nor shall one taxicab have a color scheme or identifying design or insignia which is so similar to that of another taxicab as to be likely to have a tendency to mislead the public. The person first using a particular color scheme or identifying design or insignia for his taxicab shall have the prior right to it.
A. 
Fares shall be conspicuously displayed in each taxicab.
B. 
The driver of a taxicab, upon request, shall give the passenger a receipt for the amount charged. The receipt shall show the name of the owner, the license number of the taxicab, the amount of the fare and the date of the transaction.
C. 
No person, after hiring a taxicab, shall refuse to pay the legal fare, nor shall any person hire a taxicab with the intent not to pay the legal fare.
A. 
All taxicab owners and drivers shall be licensed pursuant to this chapter of the Township Code.
B. 
No taxicab shall stop, stand or remain idle on a public roadway or other public property within the Township for a period of time in excess of 15 consecutive minutes without the prior approval of the Township, unless said location has been properly designated as a taxi stand pursuant to Schedule XI of § 7-8. Taxicabs while out of service (with an appropriate sign posted), or while parked by the owner or driver at his or her place of residence, shall be exempt from this regulation.
C. 
No taxicab shall be parked or shall remain standing idle on any commercial property for the purpose of utilizing said property as a taxi stand without the express written consent of the property owner or other authorized representative, and the proper designation of said property as a taxi stand by the Township pursuant to Schedule XI of § 7-8.
D. 
No taxicab shall remain "idling" with the engine running for more than three consecutive minutes on any public roadway or other public property within the Township, or on any private property within the Township.
E. 
Cruising is prohibited within the Township.
F. 
No person, while operating or attending a taxicab for hire, shall:
(1) 
Obstruct any sidewalk; or
(2) 
Knowingly misinform or mislead any person as to the location of a destination.
G. 
Any motor vehicle accident involving a taxicab and causing injury to a person or damage to property in excess of $500 shall be reported immediately to the Howell Township Police Department and a copy of the police report for such accident must be given to the Howell Township Police Department within 14 days of the accident. Such information shall be placed in the Township's records regarding the taxicab owner and taxicab driver.
H. 
All taxicab owners shall keep trip records and receipt books for six months, which shall be kept current and shall be displayed when so requested by authorized Township officials or Township of Howell police officials. Trip records shall show, at a minimum, the date, time, pickup location, destination, number of passengers and fare charged.
I. 
All taxicab vehicles shall be kept clean and free of debris.
J. 
Each licensed taxicab driver shall be clean in person and fully dressed while on duty, including shirt, pants and shoes.
K. 
Taxicab drivers and passengers shall refrain from smoking within the taxicab vehicle while a hired trip is in progress. This prohibition shall be conspicuously posted in each Township-licensed taxicab vehicle.
L. 
No driver shall operate a taxicab after 14 consecutive working hours without an eight-hour rest period.
M. 
Taxicab drivers shall, immediately after the conclusion of their on-duty time, carefully search the taxicab for any property lost or left therein, and shall, within 24 hours after finding any such property, advise the Howell Township Police Department of the nature of the property and where it may be collected.
N. 
Taxicabs shall be used exclusively for purposes of transportation of passengers and their baggage.
O. 
No owner or driver of a taxicab shall be obliged to transport any person who is not orderly.
P. 
Taxicab drivers who are on duty and available for hire shall not refuse to offer their services to potential patrons who are disabled, on the basis of said disability.