For the purposes of this chapter, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings respectively ascribed to them by this section:
TAXICAB OR PUBLIC HACK
A vehicle operated upon the streets of the City as a carrier of passengers for hire, to such destination as directed by them.
TAXICAB STAND OR PUBLIC HACK STAND
A section of a public street or public place set apart for the exclusive use of a limited number of public hacks or taxicabs, when such section is distinctly marked as such by a metal sign attached to a stanchion on the curb or other conspicuous place or by clearly visible marks upon the surface of the street or public place.
[Amended 3-7-2025 by Ord. No. 4-2025]
A. 
The licensing of taxicabs, public hacks and drivers as provided in this chapter shall be administered by the Planning Department. The inspecting of taxicabs and public hacks and examining of applicants for licenses to drive taxicabs and public hacks shall be under the supervision and control of the Police Department.
B. 
The Police Department shall maintain constant vigilance over all taxicabs and public hacks and see that they are kept in a condition of continued fitness for public use; and to this end, its officers and inspectors shall inspect all taxicabs and public hacks on the complaint of any citizens or from time to time as it may deem necessary or convenient.
C. 
Taxicabs shall be assigned to taxi stands, pursuant to Chapter 200, Vehicles and Traffic.
A. 
The driver of a taxicab or public hack shall not seek employment by repeatedly and persistently driving his vehicle to and from in a short space before, or by otherwise interfering with the proper and orderly access to or egress from, any theater, hall, hotel, public resort or railway station or other place of public gathering; but any such driver may solicit employment by driving through any public street or place without stops, other than those due to obstruction of traffic, and at such speed as not to interfere with or impede traffic, and may pass and repass before any theater, hall, hotel, public resort or railway station or other place of public gathering, provided that after passing such public place he shall not turn and repass until he shall have gone a distance of one (1) block upon the streets and highways of the City. No person shall solicit passengers for a taxicab or public hack, except the driver thereof, when sitting upon the driver's seat of his vehicle.
B. 
No person shall be allowed to ride on the front seat with the driver.
C. 
No washing or repairing of taxicabs or public hacks shall take place upon the public streets, avenues or thoroughfares within the City.
Every driver of taxicab or public hack shall have the right to demand payment of the legal fare in advance and may refuse employment unless it be prepaid, but no driver of a public hack shall otherwise refuse or neglect to convey any orderly person upon request anywhere in the City, unless previously engaged or unable to do so. No driver shall carry any other person than the passenger first employing the taxicab or hack without the consent of the passenger.
All disputes as to fares for taxicabs or public hacks shall be determined by the officer in charge of the police station, and both passenger and driver shall comply with such determination.
A. 
Licenses issued pursuant to the provisions of this chapter may be revoked or suspended by action of the Director of the Planning Department whenever he shall find that the licensee or any agent, servant or employee of such licensee has violated the provisions of this chapter or permitted the same to be violated, provided that no such license shall be revoked or suspended unless charges, in writing, have first been filed with the City Clerk, setting forth with reasonable certainty the nature of such charges against the licensee. Upon the filing of charges, the Director shall fix a time and place for the hearing of such charges, and a copy of the charges, as filed, together with notice of the time and place of hearing, shall be served upon the licensee at least five (5) days prior to the date fixed by the Director for the hearing, provided that any vehicle licensed pursuant to the provisions of this chapter shall be banned and prohibited from operating upon the streets of the City in the event that the insurance policy required under the provisions of N.J.S.A. 48:16-3 has lapsed or expired, in which case it shall not be necessary to have charges preferred, in writing, against the licensee in accordance with the provisions of this section.
B. 
Every license issued under the provisions of this chapter shall state in substance that such license is issued in consideration of the fees paid therefor and the right of the Director of the Finance Department to revoke or suspend such license, pursuant to the provisions of this chapter.
C. 
Upon revocation of any license for cause, the unearned portion of the license fee shall be retained by the City and shall not be returned to the licensee.
D. 
Any notice provided for in this section shall be served, either by delivering a copy personally to the licensee or by leaving a copy with some person of suitable age and discretion at the place of business of the licensee or, if no such person is found at the place of business of the licensee, by leaving such notice in a conspicuous place on the premises and mailing a copy of the notice to the licensee at his place of business as set forth in his application for a license. At the hearing on such charges, the licensee shall have the right to appear and defend the charges and, if he so desires, to be represented by counsel.