Unless otherwise expressly provided, the following
words, for the purpose of this chapter, shall have the meanings herein
indicated:
BUSINESS
A single act of transporting a passenger or passengers for
hire.
DRIVER
A person operating a taxicab or limousine upon the public
highway of the Incorporated Village of Valley Stream.
DRIVER'S LICENSE
A license issued by the Village Clerk for the operation of
a taxicab or limousine by an applicant therefor.
LIMOUSINE
A motor vehicle other than a taxicab, as defined herein,
used in the business of transporting passengers for hire in the Incorporated
Village of Valley Stream, not operated on a fixed route or from a
depot and licensed by the State of New York Motor Vehicle Bureau,
with a number plate having the letter "Z" or such other designation
as the Motor Vehicle Bureau may issue. However, the classification
"limousine" does not apply to any motor vehicle which is:
A.
Stationed at or for hire from a railroad, bus
or gasoline station, club, stand, hotel, parking lot, street, highway
or other public place; or
B.
Used to transport persons for a hotel, transportation
company or similar organization; or
C.
Used under agreement with a club to provide
a regular transportation service for its members and guests; or
D.
Operated at fares determined by zone or taximeter.
OPERATE
The picking up of a passenger for hire within the Incorporated
Village of Valley Stream, and shall be synonymous with the word "drive."
OWNER
A person owning or controlling one or more taxicabs or limousines
and driving or causing any such vehicle to be driven upon the public
highway for hire.
PASSENGER
A person, other than the driver, who is an occupant of a
taxicab or limousine, and, for the purpose of this chapter, such person
or persons shall be presumed to be a passenger or passengers for hire.
PERSON
An individual, a partnership, any unincorporated association,
a corporation or any other legal entity.
TAXICAB
A motor vehicle having a seating capacity for not more than
seven passengers in addition to the driver, used in the business of
transporting passengers for compensation in the Incorporated Village
of Valley Stream, not operated on a fixed route and licensed by the
State of New York Motor Vehicle Bureau, with a license number bearing
the letter "O" or such other designation as the Motor Vehicle Bureau
may issue.
TAXI STAND
A public place alongside the curb of a street or elsewhere
which has been so designated as reserved exclusively for the use of
all taxicabs assigned to that area and designated as such by the Board
of Trustees of the Incorporated Village of Valley Stream.
TERMINAL
The fixed base of operations located in the area for which
the applicant proposes to conduct his taxicab business.
VILLAGE
The incorporated area of the Village of Valley Stream, either
on private property or on the highways of the Incorporated Village
of Valley Stream.
ZONE
An area within the Village established by the Village Board
for the purpose of determining the rates to be charged for the hiring
of taxicabs.
Whenever it shall be provided herein that a
hearing shall or may be held with respect to any matter:
A. Such hearing shall be held on a date, at a place and
hour designated by the Mayor.
B. The Village Clerk shall give notice thereof, stating
the name and address of the applicant or license holder concerned,
the subject matter of the hearing and the date, place and hour thereof
designated therefor, by mailing a copy thereof to the applicant or
license holder concerned at the address shown upon the most recent
application of such applicant or licensee at least 10 days before
such hearing.
C. At such hearing, a Review Board of two or more Trustees
appointed by the Mayor shall consider the file before the Village
Clerk in connection with the Village Clerk's consideration thereof
and, in its discretion, may receive new or additional evidence in
support thereof or in opposition thereto.
D. The applicant or license holder involved shall be
entitled to be represented by legal counsel and to present such competent
and material testimony or other evidence in his own behalf as may
be relevant to the subject matter of the hearing.
E. All witnesses shall be sworn and examined under oath.
F. The Review Board, after such hearing, may affirm the
action of the Village Clerk or direct the Village Clerk to issue a
proper license pursuant to this chapter.
The following regulations shall be observed
in the operation and driving of every taxicab upon the public highways
of the Village:
A. Each taxicab operated hereunder shall have one securely
affixed roof light with only the word "taxicab" or "cab," and in addition,
the telephone number or name of licensee may be printed thereon in
such manner as to be visible at all times, but no roof signs shall
be permitted.
B. No person shall drive any taxicab upon the streets
of the Village unless there are displayed in such taxicab, in a manner
in which they are clearly visible and can be readily observed by all
passengers therein, the license of the driver and a schedule of the
maximum fares applicable within the Village in accordance with a fee
schedule of maximum rates previously filed with the Village Clerk.
C. At the time a taxicab owner submits his application
and on all succeeding renewal applications, a schedule of rates for
that license period shall be filed.
D. No rate may be increased until approved by the Village
Board, after notice thereof advertised in a local newspaper for two
successive weeks, and then only upon proof of such publication with
the Village Clerk.
E. On the outside of each front door shall be the trade
name of the licensee or corporation in letters not less than two inches
and not more than four inches in height, together with the location
of the terminal. In addition, there shall also be affixed to the left
front door or immediately adjacent thereto a medallion issued by the
Village Clerk as herein provided. In addition, on both rear doors
in letters not more than two inches in height shall be the full name
of the owner.
F. No taxicab driver shall solicit passengers except
while parked or standing at a taxi stand and except when sitting in
the driver's compartment of such taxicab or while standing immediately
adjacent thereto nor in a loud or annoying tone of voice nor by sign
nor in any manner annoy, obstruct the movement of or follow any person
for the purpose of soliciting patronage.
G. No taxicab driver shall cruise in search of passengers.
H. No taxicab driver shall stop to pick up any additional
passengers while proceeding to the destination of any passengers then
occupying the taxicab without the consent of all such passengers.
I. No taxicab driver shall permit more persons to be
carried in his taxicab than the number for which he has seating facilities.
Any person or persons, firm, association or
corporation violating this chapter or any part thereof shall be liable
for and forfeit and pay a penalty not exceeding $50 for each violation
thereof for the use of the Village, and any violation of this chapter
or any part thereof shall constitute disorderly conduct, and any person
or persons, firm, association or corporation violating this chapter
or any part thereof shall be and is hereby declared a disorderly person.
No person or persons shall drive or operate
an automobile, taxicab, public carriage, hack, stage, public wagon
or vehicle of any sort for the transportation for hire of persons
within the Village of Valley Stream without obtaining a license therefor.