As used in this chapter, the following words
shall have the meanings indicated:
OPERATION OF A TAXICAB
Consists of transporting in a taxicab one or more persons
for hire. Accepting a passenger to be transported for hire from a
point of departure within the Township to a destination within or
without the Township shall be considered "operation of a taxicab"
within the Township. The operation of a taxicab by one other than
the owner shall be deemed operation by the owner as well as by the
person actually driving the taxi. The transportation of any person
other than the owner or driver in any motor vehicle bearing a sign
using the words "taxi," "taxicab," "cab" or "hack" shall be prima
facie evidence of operation.
OWNER
Any person in whose name title to any taxicab is registered
with the New Jersey Division of Motor Vehicles, who appears in the
Division's records to be a conditional vendee or lessee or has any
other proprietary interest in a taxicab.
TAXICAB or TAXI
A motor vehicle used to transport passengers for hire which
does not operate over a fixed route and is not hired by the day or
hour.
[Amended 9-21-1993 by Ord. No. 923-93]
A. Driver's license. The holder of a Hazlet Township
taxicab driver's license shall be entitled to operate within the Township
any taxicab whose owner has been licensed with the Township under
this chapter.
B. Owner's license. The holder of a Hazlet Township taxicab
owner's license shall be entitled to operate a taxicab owned by him
or her within the Township, provided that the person driving the cab
holds a valid Hazlet Township taxicab driver's license.
[Amended 9-21-1993 by Ord. No. 923-93]
A. Application information.
[Amended 9-3-2002 by Ord. No. 1235-02]
(1) Application for a taxicab owner's license shall be
made to the licensing agent on the forms provided by him or her.
(2) Applications shall be verified by oath or affirmation.
Applications by a partnership shall give the information required
for each partner and shall be verified by all partners. Applications
by a corporation shall give the information required for and be verified
by all officers and directors and all persons holding more than 10%
of the corporation's common stock, as well as by the corporation itself.
B. Investigation. The Chief of Police or a police officer
designated by him or her shall investigate the application. A report
containing the results of the investigation or evaluation, a recommendation
by the Chief of Police that the license be granted or denied and the
reasons for his or her recommendation shall be forwarded to the licensing
agent.
[Amended 9-3-2002 by Ord. No. 1235-02]
C. Factors considered. In determining whether to grant
or deny the license, the licensing agent shall take into consideration
the following factors:
[Amended 9-3-2002 by Ord. No. 1235-02]
(1) The character, business and financial responsibility
and experience of the applicant and the probability that, if granted
a license, the applicant will operate his or her taxicab in accordance
with the provisions of this chapter.
(2) Any other factors directly related to the granting
or denial of the license which would substantially affect the public
safety or convenience.
D. Issuance of license. The licensing agent shall grant
or deny the license. If the application is approved, the licensing
agent shall issue the license upon the forms established by the Township.
[Amended 9-3-2002 by Ord. No. 1235-02]
E. License term; fees.
(1) A taxicab owner's license shall expire on the first
day of July succeeding the date of issue.
(2) The license fee shall be $50 per year or portion thereof
per vehicle, payable upon the filing of the application for the issuance
or renewal of the license.
(3) The license provided shall bear a number and shall
state the name of the person licensed. It shall briefly describe the
vehicle licensed and contain the motor vehicle license number and
the manufacturer's number of the motor vehicle.
F. Transfer of owner's license; fee. A taxicab owner's
license may be altered or amended after the initial issuance or renewal
to reflect a change of vehicle by submission of a written request
and the filing of an amended certificate of insurance. A fee of $20
shall accompany each request.
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.
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.
No driver or other person interested in or connected
with any vehicle licensed hereunder shall solicit customers in a noisy
or offensive manner, nor at any place other than public taxi stands
in any manner whatsoever.
No driver of any licensed vehicle which is disengaged
shall refuse to carry any orderly person upon the payment of the rate
of fare herein fixed.
No driver of any vehicle licensed hereunder
shall permit such vehicle, when disengaged, to stand in any public
street or place other than at a public taxi stand, provided that nothing
herein shall prevent the driver from waiting for a passenger in front
of any building or place.
[Amended 5-21-1990 by Ord. No. 790-97; 9-21-1993 by Ord. No.
923-93; 8-2-2005 by Ord. No. 1337-05]
Before a taxi owner's license shall be issued,
the applicant must file with the Township Clerk, a policy of insurance
with the premium prepaid thereon from a company duly licensed to transact
business under the insurance laws of the State of New Jersey, in the
amount of not less than $10,000 to satisfy all claims for damages,
by reason of bodily injury to, or the death of, any one person, resulting
from an accident, and a sum of not less than $20,000 to satisfy all
claims for damages, by reason of the bodily injuries to, or the death
of, all persons, on account of any such accident, by reason of the
ownership, operation, maintenance, or use of such autocab upon any
public street; and conditioned for the payment of a sum not less than
$5,000 to satisfy any claim for damages to property of any one person,
resulting from an accident, and a sum not less than $5,000 to satisfy
all claims for damages to property of all persons, on account of any
such accident, by reason of the ownership, operation, maintenance,
or use of such autocab upon any public street. The permit shall continue
effective and operative only as long as the insurance policy shall
remain in force and effect, and the full amounts thereunder shall
remain collectible.
[Added 9-21-1993 by Ord. No. 923-93]
For violation of any provision of this chapter, the maximum penalty, upon conviction, shall not exceed the maximum penalties set forth in Chapter
1, General Provisions, Article
III. Each and every violation of any provision of this chapter shall be considered a separate violation and shall subject the person so charged to the maximum penalty.