Editor's Note: Ordinance 93-23 amended the title of Chapter 9 to include Autocabs.
[Ord. #20-78, § 1; Ord. #86-1, § 1]
No person, partnership or corporation shall as owner, lessee,
purchaser or otherwise use for hire, cause or permit to be used for
hire any taxicab, or similar vehicle within the City of Ocean City,
New Jersey without first having obtained a license for such vehicle
from the City Clerk.
[Ord. #20-78, § 2; Ord. #86-1, § 2; Ord.
#93-23, § 2]
The City Clerk is hereby authorized to issue such licenses to
all persons, partnerships or corporations qualified hereunder who
have the vehicles available for service in the City of Ocean City
and who comply with the laws of New Jersey and the provisions of this
Chapter. The number of taxi licenses issued shall be unlimited. Each
licensee shall publish its taxicab service number in the Ocean City
telephone directory and provide a special emergency number to the
Ocean City Police Department.
[Ord. #20-78, § 3; Ord. #86-1, § 3]
All licenses now or hereafter issued shall be subject to the
provisions of this Chapter immediately after the effective date of
this Chapter. Any existing license may be renewed, subject to the
provisions of the laws of the State of New Jersey and this Chapter
upon expiration, provided that a license fee is paid.
[Ord. #20-78, § 4; Ord. #86-1, § 4; Ord.
#86-18, § 1; Ord. #93-23, § 2]
Beginning on June 1, 1993, all taxicab licenses shall be issued for a term of one (1) year upon payment of an annual license fee as established in Chapter 30, Schedule B of the Revised General Ordinances.
[Ord. #20-78, § 5; Ord. #86-1, § 5]
The fact that a separate license shall be required for each
vehicle shall not prohibit any person, partnership or corporation
from holding more than one (1) such license, provided that the total
number of licenses to be issued by the City Clerk to such licensee
shall not exceed the number of vehicles available for service in the
City of Ocean City, by said licensee.
[Ord. #20-78, §§ 6, 7; Ord. #23-80, § 1;
Ord. #86-1, § 6; Ord. #86-18, § 2]
All persons to whom licenses may be issued shall be citizens
of the United States who shall have attained the age of eighteen (18),
and shall be persons of good moral character and reputation. The Ocean
City Police Department shall check and determine that licensees shall
have a valid New Jersey driver's license at the time of the application.
The police department may further conduct background investigation
on said licensees.
[Ord. #20-78, § 8; Ord. #86-1, § 7]
It shall be unlawful to transfer any such license.
[Ord. #20-78, § 9; Ord. #86-1, § 8]
Each vehicle licensed shall at all times be covered by public
liability insurance including automobile liability insurance in the
amount of three hundred thousand ($300,000.00) dollars per occurrence
for bodily injury and property damage and further include any other
insurances for which the need may later appear, as are now or may
hereafter be required by the laws of the State of New Jersey. All
such vehicles must meet the safety requirements of the State of New
Jersey.
[Ord. #20-78, § 10; Ord. #86-1, § 9]
A licensed card issued by the City Clerk shall be posted in
the vehicles licensed within the full view of the occupants, the Chief
of Police or other head of the Police Department must approve of the
location of the posted license card and he shall, if possible, choose
a uniform location for such posted license cards.
[Ord. #20-78, § 11; Ord. #86-1, § 10]
Each license shall be numbered and the number shall appear on
the license card. The number so assigned to each vehicle shall be
painted on both sides and/or the rear of each vehicle. The lettering
and numerals shall be three (3") inches high and of a color to clearly
distinguish the same from the background color on which they are painted.
The City shall supply two (2) twelve (12") inch diameter decals with
the beginning and ending license dates and the licensee shall place
same on the right and left front door of each licensed vehicle.
[Ord. #20-78, § 12; Ord. #86-1, § 11]
With respect to taxicabs, each licensed vehicle shall be equipped
with a fare meter which shall be in operation in order that the same
will correctly register results of operation at all times when the
vehicle is being operated to carry any person or persons for hire.
Each meter shall be accompanied by a certificate issued by a reputable
testing firm approved by the City attesting to its operational accuracy.
Said certificate shall be presented to the City Clerk at the time
each taxicab license is renewed, and shall remain valid through the
period for which the license is issued. Each meter shall be placed
in order that fare paying passengers in the rear of the vehicle can
see the registration results of operation of this meter which shall
register the fare in dollars and cents based upon mileage distance
covered for each new trip undertaken with any one (1) or more fare
paying passengers
Each licensed taxicab shall have conspicuously posted within
it a list of tariffs setting forth the charges per person for transportation
between given points and/or hourly rates. Additionally, the driver
or operator of such vehicle shall have available sufficient copies
of the aforesaid tariff schedule to provide to passengers upon request.
A log showing the time at each trip start and end, and the pickup
and destination point shall be maintained by the driver or operator
of such vehicle and a copy of same supplied to the City when an application
is made for taxicab license renewal.
[Ord. #20-78, §§ 13, 14; Ord. #86-1, § 12]
a.
Before any such vehicle can be operated the fares or tariffs intended
to be charged shall be filed with the City Clerk and any changes in
fare or tariff structure shall be filed with the Clerk at least fifteen
(15) days prior to the proposed effective date thereof, and the proposed
effective date shall be stated in writing at the time such fare change
is filed.
b.
No fares or tariffs shall be charged except those which have become
effective by proper filing and as herein required.
[Ord. #20-78, § 15; Ord. #86-1, § 14]
Each fare structure or change therein, proposed to be charged
shall contain a complete statement of fares or tariffs and shall contain
with respect to taxicabs:
a.
The first or minimum charge from the beginning of each trip and distance
covered thereby;
b.
Each additional fare charge for each additional mileage distance;
c.
The specific additional charges, if any, when more than one (1) fare
paying passenger rides at the same time, to the same point of destination;
d.
The specific charges to each passenger when more than one (1) such
passenger rides at the same time to different points of destination;
e.
Any special rates to children based upon ages thereof;
f.
Any special rates from any point or points within Ocean City to a
point or points beyond the limits of Ocean City, which shall be based
upon mileage or upon a municipality basis;
g.
Any special rates in obtaining a passenger or passengers at a point
or points beyond Ocean City for transportation to Ocean City, which
shall be based upon mileage or upon a municipality to municipality
basis and provided that such transportation is not in violation of
any law of New Jersey or contrary to the regulations of any other
affected municipality;
h.
Rates for baggage, luggage or other articles to be transported.
[Ord. #20-78, § 15; Ord. #86-1, § 15]
There shall be posted in each licensed vehicle, in a suitable
place in view of passengers, a rate card which shall contain the rates
applicable to transportation charges within Ocean City. Said rate
card shall contain a statement that other rate charges can be obtained
from the driver of the vehicle and each driver shall maintain a supply
of rate cards which shall contain all rates as filed with the City
Clerk. When a driver, office manager or other authorized person quotes
rates to any actual or prospective passenger, a rate card shall also
be supplied.
[Ord. #20-78, § 16; Ord. #86-1, § 16]
All rates filed, posted, quoted and printed for each licensee
shall be the same as filed by said licensee and shall be coordinated
with the meter operation where applicable.
[Ord. #20-78, § 18; Ord. #86-1, § 17]
No person shall operate or drive a licensed taxicab or similar
vehicle without having first obtained a taxicab driver's license from
the City Clerk.
[Ord. #20-78, § 19; Ord. #86-1, § 18;
Ord. #93-23, § 2]
The City Clerk is authorized to issue a taxicab driver's license to any person who qualifies in the manner hereafter required and who pays the annual license fee as listed in Chapter 30, Schedule B of the Revised General Ordinances.
[Ord. #20-78, § 20; Ord. #86-1, § 19]
There shall be issued to each licensee a license card which
shall contain a photograph of the licensed driver, license number,
place of residence and any other information as may be required. Such
card shall be posted in the same manner and subject to the same requirements
as pertain to the license covering the vehicle as hereinbefore provided,
and said license must be in the particular vehicle being operated
by said licensed driver.
[Ord. #20-78, § 21; Ord. #86-1, § 20]
No licensed taxicab, or similar vehicle shall be operated by
any person other than a driver as licensed herein and this requirement
shall apply to all persons including holders of licenses covering
a licensed vehicle or vehicles.
[Ord. #20-78, § 22; Ord. #86-1, § 21;
Ord. #00-15, § 1]
Any person to be licensed as a driver shall be a citizen of
the United States and shall have attained eighteen (18) years of age.
Such person shall be of good moral character and reputation and shall
be a licensed operator of a motor vehicle under the laws of New Jersey.
Any such person shall be physically able to operate a licensed vehicle.
Before the City Clerk issues any such license, each applicant shall
file with the City Clerk a certificate issued by a physician licensed
to practice medicine and who shall cover such subjects in the examination
as may from time to time be prescribed by the Chief of Police. A new
physical examination certificate shall be filed at the time of each
license renewal, or may be required at any time within the reasonable
discretion of the Chief of Police. Drivers' licenses to operate a
taxicab may be issued at any time during the calendar year, but all
such licenses shall expire on May 31.
[Ord. #20-78, § 23; Ord. #86-1, § 22]
All applications for licenses required by this Chapter shall
be in writing on forms provided by the City Clerk. All fees required
must be paid at the time the application is filed. All information
required by said application form shall be supplied and any false
information shall constitute a violation of this Chapter. Applicants
for drivers' licenses shall supply the Clerk three (3) photographs
size three inches by five inches (3" x 5") and shall be fingerprinted
by the Police Department. One (1) photographic print shall be pasted
on the application and one (1) shall be pasted on the license. The
fingerprints and one (1) copy of the photograph shall be filed with
the Police Department. Upon issuance, said license shall be prominently
displayed at all times while the licensee is operating the taxicab.
Upon request the licensee may give out the phone number of the
taxicab service; no phone number other than that of the taxicab service
shall be given to customers by the licensee.
[Ord. #20-78, § 24; Ord. #86-1, § 23]
The holder of a license covering a licensed vehicle and the
licensed driver thereof shall be responsible for any violation hereof
and of the laws of the State of New Jersey. Every licensed driver
is the agent, servant and employee of the holder of the license of
the vehicle being operated by said licensed driver.
[Ord. #20-78, § 25; Ord. #86-1, § 24;
Ord. #86-18, § 3]
Every holder of a vehicle license shall have a minimum of one
(1) vehicle operated or ready for operation within the City limits
at the call of any public passenger during the summer period from
May 15 to October 15, seven (7) days each week and for twenty (20)
hours each day during the hours of 6:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m. Every holder
of a vehicle license shall have a minimum of one (1) vehicle operated
or ready for operation within the City limits at the call of any public
passenger during the off season from October 16 to May 14 of the year
following, seven (7) days each week, during the hours of 7:00 a.m.
and ending at 11:00 p.m.
[Ord. #20-78, §§ 26, 27; Ord. #86-1, §§ 25,
26; Ord. #86-18, § 4]
a.
Any vehicle under this Chapter licensed shall not be used contrary
to the laws of the State of New Jersey and/or the ordinance of the
city of Ocean City. Such vehicles are subject to such parking regulations,
station requirements and other provisions and regulations which may
from time to time be imposed. The applicant for vehicle licenses shall
conduct the taxicab service from a fixed base station equipped with
an operation telephone, with a twenty (20) hour dispatch capability
during the summer months and a sixteen (16) hour dispatch capability
during the off season. Additionally, the applicant shall:
1.
Establish a minimum of one (1) posted taxicab stand, which shall
be appropriately marked by the Police Department subject to passage
of an amendment to the City Traffic Ordinance;
2.
Install a light on the roof of each licensed taxicab which shall
be lit when the taxicab is vacant and available for service;
3.
Paint the phone number of the base station on the back and/or sides
of the taxicab;
4.
Keep the taxicab in good running order so that it makes a presentable
appearance and affords comfortable and safe rides to passengers and
remains free from mechanical defects or other defects which would
affect the safety of the passengers;
5.
Paint and maintain all licensed taxicabs with an identical color
scheme to facilitate its identification as a licensed taxicab;
6.
Have each taxicab presented to the Traffic Safety Unit of the Police
Department for inspection prior to the issuance or renewal of the
taxicab owner's license;
7.
Agree to submit each licensed taxicab vehicle for subsequent inspections
upon request by the Traffic Safety Unit of the Police Department to
determine whether it complies with the provisions of this Chapter
and is kept interiorly clean.
b.
A licensed vehicle shall not be used directly or indirectly to participate
or assist in the violation of any law or ordinance of the City of
Ocean City, including the transportation of any person in the act,
or as an accessory before or after the fact, of the commission of
any crime or unlawful act; without limitation, but by explanation
only, including the transportation of any number of horse racing slips,
memorandum bets, gambling transaction data or gambling paraphernalia,
equipment or devices; also including the transportation and delivery
by the licensed driver, or any agent, servant or employee of said
driver or of the licensee of the vehicle, of any intoxicating malt,
vinous or alcoholic beverages within the City of Ocean City, New Jersey.
[Ord. #20-78, § 28; Ord. #86-1, § 27;
Ord. #93-23, § 2]
As used in this Article, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
Shall mean any person who drives a taxicab with-in this City.
Shall mean any automobile or motorcar, commonly called "taxi",
or "cab", engaged in the business of carrying passengers for hire,
which is held out, announced or advertised to operate or run or which
is operated or run over any of the streets within the City and which
accepts passengers for transportation from points or places to points
or places within or without the City, provided that nothing herein
contained shall include auto-buses or buses on designated routes,
public deliveries or jitneys, or such public conveyances as are by
law exclusively subject to State and/or Federal regulation.
[Ord. #86-1, § 28]
Any person, firm or corporation who shall violate any pro-vision
hereof shall, upon conviction in a Court of appropriate jurisdiction,
be subject to a fine not exceeding five hundred ($500.00) dollars.
Any person who shall violate any provision hereof shall, upon conviction
in a Court of appropriate jurisdiction, and in the discretion of the
sentencing official, be subject to a term of imprisonment not to exceed
sixty (60) days, which sentence may be imposed in lieu of or in addition
to any fine contained herein.
[Ord. #93-23, § 3]
As used in this Article the following terms shall have the meanings
indicated:
Shall mean and include any automobile or motor car with a
carrying capacity of not more than nine (9) passengers, not including
the driver, used in the business of carrying passengers for hire which
is held out, announced or advertised to operate or run or which is
operated or run over any of the streets or public highways of this
State and which is hired by charter or for a particular contract or
by the day or hour of other fixed period or to transport passengers
to a specified place or places or which charges a fare or price agreed
upon in advance between the operator and the passenger. Nothing in
this definition shall be construed to include taxicabs, or any form
of public transportation operations regulated by the State of New
Jersey or an authorized agency thereof.
Shall mean and include the business of carrying passengers
for hire by autocabs.
[Ord. #93-23, § 3]
No person, partnership or corporation shall hire out, keep or
use for hire or pay, any autocab within the City without first having
obtained a license for such vehicle from the City Clerk.
An autocab license shall entitle the owner and/or driver to
operate anywhere within this City by a driver duly licensed hereunder,
until such license either expires or is surrendered, suspended or
revoked and shall not be transferable. There shall be no limit to
the number of autocab licenses is-sued.
[Ord. #93-23, § 3]
Beginning on June 1, 1993 all autocab licenses shall be is-sued for a term of one (1) year upon payment of an annual license fee as listed in Chapter 30, Schedule B of the Revised General Ordinances.
[Ord. #93-23, § 3]
Each autocab licensed in the City shall file with the City Clerk
an insurance policy in the sum of fifty thousand ($50,000.00) dollars
against loss by reason of liability for damages of bodily injury or
death as the result of an accident by reason of ownership, maintenance,
or use of limousine or livery service as required by the laws of the
State of New Jersey.
[Ord. #93-23, § 3]
An autocab license shall not be issued until the applicant shall
deliver to the City Clerk, concurrently with the filing of the application
and insurance policy referred to herein a power of attorney executed
by the applicant wherein and whereby the applicant shall appoint the
Chief Fiscal Officer of the municipality his/her true and lawful attorney
for the purpose of acknowledging service of any court.
[Ord. #93-23, § 3]
The City Clerk shall issue a certificate in duplicate showing
that the owner has complied with the provisions of N.J.S.A. 48:16-14
and 48:16-16.
The certificate shall include the name of the insurance company;
the number and date of expiration of the policy; a description of
the limousine and the registration number of same. The duplicate certificate
must be filed with the Division of Motor Vehicles. The original certificate
must be posted conspicuously within the autocab.
