For the purposes of this article, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings respectively ascribed to them by this section:
TAXI CAB DRIVER
A person who drives a taxicab.
[Ord. of 11-28-2023]
TAXI CAB BUSINESS OPERATOR
A person who owns and maintains a taxicab business, that may operate a single taxi vehicle or may operate a fleet of taxicab vehicles. A taxicab business operator must be a licensed taxi driver in the City of North Adams.
[Ord. of 11-28-2023]
TAXICAB
Every motor vehicle used or to be used for the conveyance of persons for hire shall be deemed to be a taxicab within the meaning of this section, except a motor vehicle operated for the purposes stated in Chapter 159A of the General Laws.
[Ord. of 11-28-2023]
All operators and drivers of taxicabs licensed under the provisions of this article shall be subject, in addition to the provisions of this article, to such further rules, orders and regulations, including passenger fares and fare zones as may from time to time be promulgated by the City Council. A list of fare zones is listed in the city ordinance section titled “Fees."
[Ord. of 6-8-1999; Ord. of 4-12-2005; Ord. of 4-10-2007]
In addition to the taxi license plate issued by the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles, every taxicab operated within the City of North Adams shall have a sign affixed to its roof or a sign on the driver's door and a sign on the front passenger door identifying the motor vehicle as a taxicab. The lettering shall be a minimum of two inches in height. In addition, every taxicab operated within the City of North Adams shall have numbers centered and attached to the driver's side front, the passenger side front, and in a conspicuous position on the rear of the vehicle. Each number shall be a minimum of four inches in height and shall be white in color on a dark-colored vehicle and black in color on a light-colored vehicle. The numbers for each taxicab shall be assigned by the City Clerk.
[Ord. of 11-28-2023]
Any taxi vehicle that has been taken out of service for maintenance, repairs, or transportation of vehicle, may not carry fares under any circumstances. A mechanic or repair technician may operate the vehicle for road testing purposes or for the proper repair and maintenance of the vehicle. Such vehicles that are out of service shall be marked with a sign that designates that the vehicle is out of service. Such sign shall be a temporary sign on a yellow background with letters no less than 4” tall, that displays the words “Cab Out of Service” or “Cab Not in Service”. Such sign shall be placed in a prominent location visible inside or outside the vehicle.
[Ord. of 6-27-1995; Ord. of 11-28-2023]
The Chief of Police of their designated alternate shall have charge of the enforcement of the provisions of this article.
[Ord. of 11-28-2023]
Any taxi cab business operator who has incurred three or more violations of this ordinance within a 30-day period may suffer suspension of their operator's license. Chronic violations (more than 12 violations in 12 months) may result in the revocation of the operator's license. Such revocation or suspension shall be the decision of the City Council upon review of the relevant facts.
[Ord. of 11-28-2023]
Any licensed cab driver who has incurred three or more violations of this article and/or moving traffic violations, within a six-month period shall suffer suspension of their taxi driver's license. Each additional violation after the third, shall result in an additional suspension. Likewise, any driver that has had more than six violations of this article and/or moving traffic violations within a 12-month period may suffer a revocation of their taxi driver's license. Traffic violations shall include those incurred while driving any vehicle. Suspension of taxi drivers license shall be immediate. Revocation shall be the decision of the City Council upon review of the relevant facts.
[Ord. of 11-28-2023]
An operator found to be in violation of the ordinances in this section by an officer of the Police Department must be reported to the Chief of Police or their designated alternate. The violation shall be reported to the office of the Mayor within ten working days of the occurrence of the violation. The Mayor or their designated alternate shall request a public hearing of the City Council to review the relevant facts from both the operator of the taxi company and a representative from the Police Department. The City Council shall decide if the violation can be upheld or dismissed and may prescribe an appropriate suspension or revocation of the operator's license.
[Ord. of 11-28-2023]
A taxi driver found to be in violation of the ordinances in this section by an officer of the Police Department must be reported to the Chief of Police or their designated alternate. Such driver that has suffered a revocation may file an appeal under Section 23-3.6. Suspension of a taxi driver's license shall not exceed ten days per suspension. The length of the suspension shall be determined by the Chief of Police or their designated alternate. Furthermore, a Taxi Business Operator may keep the suspended driver in their employ during the suspension period for duties other than driving.
[Ord. of 11-28-2023]
Any cab operator who has suffered a suspension or revocation of their operator's license may file an appeal before the City Council no greater than 15 business days from the issue date of the suspension or revocation, by sending a written notification addressed to the City Council via the City Clerk. The City Council, at their next available regular meeting shall schedule on their agenda a review of the penalty. The City Council shall hear relevant facts, regarding the violation(s) from both the operator and a representative of the Police Department, and if any relevant witnesses specific to this incident, discuss and vote on whether the penalty shall be removed or upheld.
[Ord. of 11-28-2023]
Any taxi driver who has suffered a revocation of their taxi driver's license may file an appeal before the City Council, no greater than 15 business days from the issue date of the revocation by sending a written notification addressed to the City Council via the City Clerk. The City Council, at their next available regular meeting shall schedule on their agenda a review of the penalty. The City Council shall hear relevant facts regarding the violation(s) from both the taxicab driver, the taxicab operator, and a representative of the Police Department, and if any, relevant witnesses specific to this incident, discuss and vote on whether the penalty should be upheld or dismissed.
[Ord. of 6-27-1995; Ord. of 11-28-2023]
Before a license is granted to operate a vehicle as a taxicab, such vehicle shall be thoroughly inspected and examined by the Police Chief or their designated alternate or by some one designated by him, for the purpose of ascertaining whether the same is in a safe condition for the transportation of passengers, clean and of good appearance. All taxicabs, licensed under this article, shall be inspected semi-annually to meet the above requirements upon placing a vehicle into service and every January and June of each year thereafter, using a standardized check list.
[Ord. of 6-27-1995; Ord. of 11-28-2023]
Every person operating a taxicab regulated by the provisions of this article shall deliver any property or articles left in such taxicab by any passenger to the Police Department. Such article or property shall be delivered to the Police Department not more than 24 hours after finding the same, and the licensee shall receive a receipt therefor from the Police Department who shall provide for the return of such article or property to the owner upon proper identification and proof of ownership. All such property or articles turned in to the Police Department and not claimed within 60 days of such delivery shall be returned to the licensee.