[HISTORY: Adopted by the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Raritan 6-26-2012 by Ord. No. 12-08.[1] Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Vehicles and traffic — See Ch. 82.
Vehicles on sidewalks — See Ch. 320, Art. I.
Towers and towing — See Ch. 339.
[1]
Editor's Note: This ordinance also repealed former Ch. 349, Vehicles for Hire, adopted 4-17-1950; amended in its entirety 12-13-1994 (Ch. 83 of the 1966 Code), as amended.
A. 
Purposes. The purposes of this chapter are as follows:
(1) 
To establish a uniform policy for the licensing and operation of taxicabs within the Borough.
(2) 
To protect the public health, safety and welfare and to assure that the public receives the best possible service from only qualified taxicab companies and taxicab drivers.
(3) 
To establish a requirement and procedure for licensing of taxicabs and taxicab drivers.
B. 
Scope. This chapter shall apply to all taxicab service that originates within the Borough. The requirements of this chapter do not apply to taxicabs or drivers duly licensed in another municipality when conveying passengers from a point or place outside of the Borough into or through the Borough.
C. 
Definitions. When used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
CHIEF OF POLICE
The Chief of Police or the designee of the Chief of Police.
PERSON
Any individual, sole proprietorship, firm, partnership, association, business entity, corporation, company or organization.
STATE
The State of New Jersey.
TAXICAB
A motor vehicle used to transport passengers for hire within the scope of this chapter which does not operate over a fixed route and is not hired by the day or hour.
TAXICAB DRIVER
An individual licensed to operate a taxicab in the Borough.
TAXICAB DRIVER'S LICENSE
A license issued pursuant to this chapter that entitles the holder to operate within the Borough any taxicab licensed by the Borough.
TAXICAB VEHICLE LICENSE
A license issued for a specific taxicab.
A. 
Taxicab vehicle license. Each taxicab operating in the Borough shall be licensed. A person who wishes to obtain a taxicab vehicle license may request an application from the Borough Clerk. The completed application shall be submitted, in duplicate, to the Borough Clerk. The application shall be accompanied by a fee of $150 to defray the Borough's administrative costs in processing the application, and shall include the following:
(1) 
The full name and address of the applicant. If the application is made for a business entity, it shall state the name and address of the partners or officers and directors, and its registered office and agent, and the names and residential addresses of every person owning more than 10% of the business;
(2) 
For each taxicab, the year, make and type, the serial number, state registration numbers and, for leased vehicles, the titled owner;
(3) 
The address where the taxicab shall be regularly garaged, the applicant's telephone number and the names of all drivers of the taxicab, their addresses and their state motor vehicle driver license numbers;
(4) 
A certification of insurance from an insurer authorized to do business in the state and a schedule of the insured taxicabs that are to be utilized by the applicant to meet the requirements of this chapter;
(5) 
An indemnification, in a form approved by the Borough Attorney, that the applicant shall hold harmless and indemnify the Borough, its officers, employees and agents, from any and all liability claims, losses or damage arising or alleged to arise from the taxicab business;
(6) 
A consent, in a form approved by the Borough Attorney, that the Chief of Police may, at any reasonable time, conduct an inspection of the taxicabs of any applicant or licensee for the purpose of determining compliance with this chapter.
B. 
Taxicab driver's license. Every person driving a taxicab in the Borough shall be licensed. A person who wishes to drive a taxicab in the Borough may obtain an application for a taxicab driver's license from the Borough Clerk. The completed application shall be submitted, in duplicate, to the Borough Clerk. The application shall be accompanied by a fee of $150 to defray the Borough's administrative costs in processing the application, and shall include the following:
(1) 
The full name and address of the applicant;
(2) 
The applicant's state motor vehicle license number;
(3) 
A criminal history record obtained by the applicant as prescribed by the New Jersey State Police. Forms and instructions can be obtained from the Borough Clerk or from www.njsp.org;
(4) 
Two photographs, three inches square, one of which shall be attached to the application and one of which shall be attached to the license once issued.
(5) 
A driver history abstract from any jurisdiction in which the applicant has had a driver's license in the past five years.
C. 
Investigation.
(1) 
The Clerk shall refer each application for a taxicab vehicle license or a taxicab driver's license to the Chief of Police within five business days after receipt. The Chief of Police shall conduct an investigation to determine the following:
(a) 
The truth and accuracy of all information contained in the application;
(b) 
Whether all taxicab drivers hold valid state licenses;
(c) 
Whether the taxicabs are in safe and sound condition and comply with the standards of this chapter, as well as any applicable state statutes and regulations.
(2) 
Applications for taxi vehicle licenses shall be investigated and reviewed by the Chief of Police and approved or disapproved within 30 days of receipt of the application from the Borough Clerk.
(3) 
As a part of the investigation of taxicab driver's licenses, a completed SBI-212A form for each applicant shall be submitted by the Chief of Police to the New Jersey State Police, State Bureau of Identification, for a criminal history name check for noncriminal justice purposes within five business days of receipt from the Clerk. The Chief of Police shall review the investigation results, and approve or disapprove the application within 30 days of receipt of the results of the criminal history name check from the state.
(4) 
The Chief of Police shall provide a written explanation of the reasons for disapproving any application.
(5) 
The investigation shall be conducted within the limits of the resources available to the Borough Police Department.
D. 
Issuance or denial of license; renewal of license; transferability.
(1) 
A taxicab driver's license will not be granted if a criminal history record background check of the applicant reveals a record of conviction for any of the following crimes in New Jersey or elsewhere, or any comparable crimes in any other jurisdiction:
(a) 
Aggravated assault;
(b) 
Arson;
(c) 
Burglary;
(d) 
Escape;
(e) 
Extortion;
(f) 
Homicide;
(g) 
Kidnapping;
(h) 
Robbery;
(i) 
Aggravated sexual assault;
(j) 
Sexual assault or endangering the welfare of a child;
(k) 
Unlawful possession of a weapon;
(l) 
Anything other than a disorderly persons or petty disorderly persons offense for the unlawful use, possession or sale of a controlled dangerous substance as defined in N.J.S.A. 2C:35-2.
(2) 
A taxicab driver's license will not be granted if the applicant has a history of persistent Title 39 violations, such as having more than three moving violations during the preceding two years.
(3) 
If an application is disapproved by the Chief of Police, the Borough Clerk shall notify the applicant by mail that the application is disapproved and shall deny the issuance of the license. Notice shall be mailed within three business days following the endorsement of disapproval by the Chief of Police.
(4) 
If the Chief of Police approves the application, the Borough Clerk shall issue a taxicab vehicle license or taxicab driver's license, as applicable, to the applicant.
(5) 
Each license shall contain the name and address of the licensee, the number of the license, the date of issuance and expiration date, and the signature of the Borough Clerk and the seal of the Borough. The Borough Clerk shall send a copy of each license to the Borough Police Department for filing and shall keep a permanent record of all licenses issued.
(6) 
All licenses shall expire on December 31 of the year of issue. A renewal application shall be submitted no later than 30 days prior to the expiration date. Renewal applications shall be obtained from the Borough Clerk. The fee for a renewal application shall be $150 to defray the Borough's administrative costs.
(7) 
A license issued under this chapter shall not be transferable.
(8) 
If any of the information provided by an applicant pursuant to this chapter changes after the license is granted, the applicant shall notify the Borough Clerk of those changes within 10 business days.
(9) 
Suspension of any driving privileges of any taxicab driver after a taxicab driver's license is granted shall be immediately reported to the Borough Clerk.
E. 
Suspension or revocation of license.
(1) 
A taxicab vehicle license or taxicab driver's license may be suspended or revoked by the Borough Clerk, upon the recommendation of the Chief of Police, under the following circumstances:
(a) 
If it is found that the license was secured by fraud, misrepresentation or false statement, or by the concealment of a material fact by the applicant.
(b) 
If the licensee has violated any of the requirements of this chapter, any additional regulations established by the Chief of Police, any federal or state law, any Borough ordinance relating to the operation of a motor vehicle, or any ordinance enacted in another municipality relating to the provision of taxi services.
(c) 
Unsatisfactory service which, in the reasonable opinion of the Chief of Police, has, does or will jeopardize the public safety, health and welfare.
(d) 
Unethical or fraudulent business practices in connection with taxicab services.
(e) 
The loss of, or a material change in, insurance coverage required by this chapter.
(2) 
Notice of suspension or revocation shall be communicated to the licensee and, thereafter, it shall be unlawful for the licensee to use the taxicab or to drive a taxicab.
F. 
Hearing upon denial, suspension or revocation.
(1) 
Any person aggrieved by the action of the Borough Clerk in the denial of an application for a license, or the suspension or revocation of a license, shall have the right to appeal to the Borough Council. The appeal shall be taken by filing a written request for a hearing with the Borough Clerk within 10 business days after notice of the action complained of has been communicated to the applicant or licensee. If an appeal is taken, the applicant or licensee shall be provided with a notice of a hearing before the Borough Council, which notice shall be in writing setting forth the grounds of the complaint and the time and place of the hearing. The notice of a hearing shall be mailed to the applicant's or licensee's address as listed in the license application at least five business days prior to the date set for the hearing, and no more than five business days after receipt by the Borough Clerk of the written request for a hearing. The decision of the Borough Council on an appeal shall be final and conclusive and shall be rendered, in writing, no later than 10 business days after the completion of the hearing. In the case of a licensee, the license shall remain suspended during the appeal process. If the decision on appeal requires revocation of a license, failure to surrender the license within one business day of delivery of the final written decision to the licensee shall constitute a violation of this chapter.
(2) 
Nothing contained herein shall prevent or limit the right of any person to commence or maintain a cause of action for damages or any other relief directly against a licensee in a court of competent jurisdiction.
The number of taxicab vehicle licenses that may be issued under this chapter shall not exceed one to every 500 residents, or fraction thereof, as determined by the last census. No more than three taxicab vehicle licenses shall be granted to one person, firm or corporation.
No taxicab vehicle license shall be issued until the following provisions are satisfied:
A. 
The owner of the taxicab has filed with the Borough Clerk an insurance policy issued by a company duly licensed by the state providing for motor vehicle liability coverage of not less than $35,000 to satisfy all claims for damages, by reason of bodily injury to, or the death of any person or persons, resulting from an accident, by reason of ownership, operation, maintenance, or use of the taxicab upon any public street; and to satisfy any claims for damages to property of any person, on account of an accident, by reason of the ownership, operation, maintenance, or use of the taxicab upon any public street.
B. 
If a taxicab owner operates more than one taxicab licensed in the Borough, in lieu of the policy required in Subsection A, the owner may file a bond or insurance policy of a company duly licensed to transact business under the insurance laws of the state in the sum of $50,000, which shall be a blanket insurance covering all cabs operated by that owner.
C. 
Any policy issued pursuant to Subsection A or B shall provide for the payment of any final judgment recovered by any person on account of the ownership, maintenance and use of any taxicabs or any fault in respect thereto, and shall be for the benefit of every person suffering loss, damage or injury as aforesaid.
D. 
Copies of the actual insurance policies, with all required endorsements, are provided to the Clerk if requested.
E. 
The owner of the taxicab has executed and delivered to the Borough Clerk a power of attorney, wherein and whereby the owner shall appoint the Borough Clerk as his or its true and lawful attorney for the purpose of acknowledging service of any process out of a court of competent jurisdiction to be served against the insured by virtue of the indemnity granted under the insurance policy or bond filed.
A. 
Upon filing of the required insurance or bond, the Borough Clerk shall issue a certificate, in duplicate, showing that the owner of the taxicab is in compliance with the insurance requirements of this chapter.
B. 
The certificate shall recite the name of the insurance company, the number and date of expiration of the policy or bond, a description of the taxicab insured thereunder, and the vehicle registration number.
C. 
The duplicate certificate shall be filed by the Borough Clerk with the State Department of Motor Vehicles before the vehicle is licensed as a taxicab.
D. 
The original certificate shall be posted in a conspicuous place within the taxicab.
A. 
Each taxicab shall have the taxicab vehicle license number issued by the Borough displayed at the center of both rear quarter panels of the vehicle and on the rear center line of the trunk. The numbers shall be three inches in height. Both rear doors of the taxicab shall display the name of each municipality that has issued that vehicle a taxicab vehicle license. The letters shall be three inches in height.
B. 
Each taxicab driver shall display the driver's taxicab driver's license in a manner so that it can be easily seen by all passengers. No license shall be displayed in a taxicab which does not belong to the person actually driving the taxicab at the time.
Each taxicab licensed in the Borough shall prominently display the fares for hire and shall not charge more than the displayed fares. Each taxicab owner shall provide a schedule of fares to the Borough Clerk for posting on the Borough website. Any changes in fares shall be communicated in writing to the Borough Clerk at least 30 days prior to the effective date of the changes.
The owner of each vehicle for which a taxicab vehicle license is issued shall at all times keep an accurate record showing the names of the drivers operating the taxicab and the hours during which the drivers operated the taxicab. These records shall at all times be promptly made available for inspection, upon request, by any Borough police officer.
No taxicab may be occupied by any person other than the person or persons who have hired or employed the use thereof and the duly licensed driver.
Every taxicab shall be subject to every ordinance of the Borough, and every regulation of the Police Department, touching upon or regulating street traffic or the standing and moving of vehicles in public streets or highways and to such rules for taxicab drivers as may be adopted from time to time by the Borough Council, and all taxicabs shall be subject to inspection at any time by any Borough Police officer.
Every owner of a taxicab licensed pursuant to this chapter is required to give Borough residents reasonable service, and, in order to do so, shall operate the taxicab at least eight hours in each and every day, and, if unable to do so, shall report the reason of such failure to the Chief of Police.
Any person wishing to complain about the compliance with this chapter by any licensee may do so by letter to the Borough Clerk setting forth the name of the licensee, the date of the incident(s), and the details of the act(s) giving rise to the complaint. The Borough Clerk shall forward each complaint to the Chief of Police, who shall investigate and make a recommendation as to any action to be taken against the licensee, including, but not limited to, temporarily suspending or revoking taxicab vehicle licenses or taxicab driver's licenses. The Borough Clerk shall suspend or revoke a license in accordance with the provisions of this chapter. After three temporary suspensions, the Borough Clerk, upon the recommendation of the Chief of Police, shall permanently revoke a license.
A. 
Enforcement. This chapter shall be enforced by the Borough Police Department.
B. 
Penalties. Any person who violates any of the provisions of this chapter, or has an employee who violates any provision of this chapter, shall be subject to license application rejection or license revocation. Any person who violates any provision of this chapter shall be subject to a fine not to exceed $500 and the provisions of the New Jersey Consumer Fraud Act (N.J.S.A. 56:8-1 et seq.) may apply.