A.
Findings.
(1)
It is hereby determined that the taxicab business is an integral
and vital element which is necessary to assure adequate and safe public
transportation for our residents and visitors.
(2)
It is found that a spirit of mutual cooperation and public pride
exists between these industries and other governmental and civic organizations
and that it is essential that goodwill be maintained amongst all.
(3)
It is also found that reasonable standards and regulations relating
to the number of taxicabs, the number and location of taxicab stands
and the condition and appearance of the vehicles and drivers are needed
to assure fairness and to promote the public health, safety and welfare.
(4)
A study and survey of the business points to the conclusion that
the public cannot properly be served and the business itself cannot
operate in an orderly and appropriate manner without regulation of
the business and the limitation by the City of the number of taxicabs
using the streets.
B.
Number
of licenses.
(1)
Taxicabs now in use and licensed are operated principally by fleet
owners and by owners of single or comparatively few taxicabs. To preserve
an equitable ratio of taxicabs operated by the two classes of owners
and to prevent a monopoly of the business by a limited number of owners,
the number of taxicab licenses which may be issued is hereby fixed
as follows:
(2)
If a fleet operator sells any of his licensed taxicabs to an individual
operator, the number of licensed taxicabs assigned hereinbefore to
fleet operators shall be deemed reduced accordingly and the number
of licensed taxicabs hereinbefore assigned to individual operators
shall be increased accordingly. However, no such sale shall be permitted
unless such sale is recommended by the City Clerk and approved by
the Common Council.
Unless otherwise expressly stated, the following words, whenever
used in this chapter, shall have the meanings given to them by this
section:
Any person who drives a taxicab whether such person is the
owner of such taxicab or employed by a taxicab owner or operator.
A person, firm or corporation owning and operating five or
more taxicabs.
A person, firm or corporation owning and operating fewer
than five taxicabs.
Includes any person, firm, corporation or association owning
and operating one or more taxicabs.
A person who owns a taxicab and drives his own vehicle exclusively.
Includes one or more persons of either sex, natural persons,
corporations, partnerships, associations, joint-stock companies, societies
and all other entities or any kind capable of being sued.
Means and includes any street, alley, avenue, court, bridge
or public thoroughfare in the City of North Tonawanda.
Includes any motor vehicle engaged in the business of carrying
persons for hire, whether the same is operated from a street stand
or subject to calls from a garage or otherwise operated for hire,
except vehicles subject to the provisions of the Transportation Corporations
Law or used by undertakers in carrying on their business.
Means and includes permission granted by the City of North
Tonawanda to the person holding such license to operate and drive
upon the streets of such City any licensed taxicab.
Includes any place in any public street which is designated
and exclusively reserved for the use of taxicabs.
A mechanical instrument or device by which the charge for
hire of a taxicab may be mechanically calculated either for the distance
traveled or waiting time, or both, and upon which such charge is indicated
by means of figures.
Such time as may be consumed or lost for any reason whatsoever
unless it is occasioned by the mechanical breakdown of the taxicab.
