[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Board of the Town of Ramapo 3-22-2023 by L.L. No. 5-2023. Amendments noted where applicable.]
A.
This chapter shall be known as the "Taxicabs and Vehicles for Hire
Licensing Law of the Town of Ramapo."
B.
The Town Board of the Town of Ramapo hereby declares that the transportation
of persons by motor vehicles available for hire in the Town of Ramapo
is a vital service which must be licensed and regulated in order to
protect the health, safety and welfare of individuals using such services.
C.
The Town Board of the Town of Ramapo further finds that unregulated
use of the streets of Ramapo by present and future taxicab operators
contributes to traffic congestion in a manner not responsive to solution
by the general application of the vehicle and traffic laws of the
State of New York, and that the regulation of such use on behalf of
the Town by the Taxi and Limousine Commission is the most efficient
mechanism of enforcement available.
D.
The intent and intended scope of this taxicabs and vehicles for hire
licensing chapter is to:
(1)
Control and regulate the level of service of taxicabs picking up
passengers in the Town of Ramapo.
(2)
Prohibit the pickup of passengers within the Town of Ramapo for destinations
either within or without the Town of Ramapo by taxicabs and other
vehicles for hire not licensed to do business in the Town of Ramapo.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
following meanings indicated:
A person, firm, corporation or entity owning, controlling
the use of or engaged in the business of operating one or more taxicabs
for hire upon the streets of the Town.
A rigid white sheet of paper not less than 8 1/2 inches
by 11 inches, encased in a transparent wrapper to be securely affixed
to the vehicle as to be clearly visible to passengers in the vehicle
and clearly readable, containing information as required pursuant
to this chapter.
Any motor vehicle engaged in the business of carrying persons
for hire, whether the same is operated from a street stand, a garage
or otherwise operated for hire, except vehicles known as "jitneys,"
"buses," livery vehicles providing transportation to and from medical
providers such as doctors, hospitals, clinics and other providers
of medical services without charging a fee to those being transported
or subject to the provisions of the Transportation Corporations Law
or used by undertakers in carrying on their business. Notwithstanding
anything above written, "taxicabs" shall include a livery vehicle
or any vehicle for hire carrying passengers, unless specifically excluded
under any provision of this chapter.
A current, unexpired license granting permission by the Town
of Ramapo to any person to drive a licensed taxicab or vehicle for
hire upon the streets of the Town of Ramapo.
A current, unexpired license granted by the Town of Ramapo
to any person, firm, corporation or entity to operate or keep for
hire any taxicab in the Town of Ramapo.
The Town of Ramapo.
Any motor vehicle engaged in the business of carrying persons
for hire, which does not operate from a street stand and is not available
for hail, except vehicles known as "jitneys," "buses," livery vehicles
providing transportation to and from medical providers such as doctors,
hospitals, clinics and other providers of medical services without
charging a fee to those being transported or those used by undertakers.
A vehicle displaying a license plate designated by the New York State
Department of Motor Vehicles for use by vehicles for hire shall be
presumed to be so engaged.
A current, unexpired license granted by the Town of Ramapo
to any person, firm, corporation or entity to operate or keep a vehicle
for hire in the Town of Ramapo.
A Taxi and Limousine Commission is hereby established. The Taxi
and Limousine Commission shall consist of five persons, who shall
be appointed by the Supervisor and shall serve a one-year term. The
Taxi and Limousine Commission shall make recommendations regarding
the rules, regulations, and policies for the operation of taxicabs,
limousines and vehicles for hire in the Town of Ramapo. The Taxi and
Limousine Commission shall review and approve all applications for
operating licenses and driver's licenses for all taxicabs and
vehicles for hire. The Taxicab and Limousine Commission shall also
hear and decide upon revocations and suspensions of operating licenses
and driver's licenses for all taxicabs and vehicles for hire.
No taxicab or vehicle for hire may be kept for hire or pay nor
pick up passengers for hire or pay within the Town of Ramapo, unless
a taxicab or vehicle for hire operating license, together with an
inspection certificate and sticker for the same, has been duly issued
and is in full force and effect.
The fee for each taxicab license and the fee for the annual
renewal thereof shall be in accordance with the Standard Schedule
of Fees of the Town of Ramapo.
The fee for each vehicle for hire licensed and the fee for the
annual renewal thereof shall be in accordance with the Standard Schedule
of Fees of the Town of Ramapo.
An application for a taxicab or vehicle for hire operating license
shall be made by the owner to the Town Clerk upon forms furnished
by the Taxi and Limousine Commission. Said application shall contain
the following information:
A.
The name, date of birth and residence of the person applying for
the license.
B.
The type of motor vehicle to be licensed and the state license number.
C.
The location of the taxicab dispatch center or centers to be used
by the operator during the license year, the name of the owner of
such dispatch center, the name of the manager or other employees in
charge of each such dispatch center and the telephone number of each
such dispatch center.
D.
The experience of the applicant in the taxicab business.
E.
The financial status of the applicant, including the amounts of all
unpaid judgments against the applicant and the nature or transaction
of acts giving rise to said judgments.
F.
Prior arrests and convictions, including the nature of the offense,
jurisdiction, date committed and sentence, if any.
G.
All accidents during the prior 36 months involving property damage
or personal injury, together will a full explanation of same.
H.
Convictions for moving violations within the last 36 months.
I.
Such other information as the Town Clerk, Taxi and Limousine Commission
or Chief of Police may deem necessary for the safety and convenience
of the public.
A.
No taxicab or vehicle for hire operating license shall be issued
to any person who has been convicted of a felony or any sex offense
or who has been found not to be of good moral character. Any applicant
refused a license by the Taxi and Limousine Commission may appeal
to the Town Board, which may direct, after investigation, that a license
shall be issued to operate a taxicab or vehicle for hire to a person
who has been convicted of a felony, other than a sex offense, upon
ample proof being submitted to the Town Board that the applicant has
been a person of good moral character for a period of three years
preceding the date of filing the application for a taxicab or vehicle
for hire operating license.
B.
Each taxicab and vehicle for hire operating license issued shall
be personal to the licensee and shall not be transferred by the licensee.
A.
A taxicab or vehicle for hire exterior and interior shall be kept
in a clean and good condition, and all parts of the taxicab and vehicle
for hire shall be in good working order and safe condition as evidenced
by the display of a duly issued and valid New York State inspection
certificate.
B.
The taxicab or vehicle for hire shall be inspected as to its exterior
and interior condition prior to issuance and renewal.
C.
The taxicab or vehicle for hire shall have a valid New York State
inspection sticker displayed in accordance with the New York State
Vehicle and Traffic Law.
D.
The following items on each vehicle shall be inspected prior to the
issuance of a license or renewal license:
(1)
Condition of paint on the vehicle.
(2)
Body
of the vehicle, including rust conditions.
(3)
Lettering
of said vehicle.
(4)
Interior
lights.
(5)
Illuminated
dome light which shall illuminate the word "taxi."
(6)
Cleanliness
of windows and glass. Windows shall not have any tinting and shall
be transparent.
(7)
Any
other items that the inspector shall deem necessary and proper.
E.
The Taxi and Limousine Commission is authorized to establish such
additional rules and regulations as are necessary to ensure the condition
of fitness for operation and use of taxicabs and vehicles for hire,
and it shall establish the form of certificate to be issued therefor.
Upon the issuance of a taxicab operating license, the Taxi and
Limousine Commission shall thereupon assign and designate a number
for such licensed taxicab, which shall be displayed on the exterior
rear doors, as well as the upper quarter panel of the said taxicab,
in numbers at least six inches in height and one inch in width in
a color that contrasts with the background color of the taxicab, so
that the same is legible at a distance of 50 feet during daylight
hours. Said number shall also be displayed in the interior of said
taxicab in numbers at least two inches in height, so that the same
is visible to passengers in the front and rear of the taxicab. Such
requirements as to display do not apply to vehicles for hire.
All taxicabs shall be clearly identified or marked on the exteriors
as follows:
The Clerk shall not issue a taxicab or vehicle for hire operating
license until the applicant provides a certificate of insurance, identifying
the Town of Ramapo as the certificate holder, demonstrating that every
vehicle which will be operated in the Town is insured in the amount
of $100,000 for bodily injury to any person, $300,000 for injuries
to more than one person which are sustained in the same accident and
$50,000 for property damages resulting from one accident, by an insurance
company licensed to do business in the State of New York. The licensee
shall also provide a certificate demonstrating that a policy of workers'
compensation is in full force and effect. The applicant must keep
said policies of insurance in effect at all times, and the licensee
shall provide a current certificate of insurance to the Town Clerk
prior to the end of the policy period specified in the certificate
of insurance. Said certificate of insurance shall provide for 20 days'
notice of cancellation to the Town.
A.
Each taxicab shall display at all times a rate card which shall contain
the name and address of the owner of the taxicab and the number assigned
to said taxicab. The rate card shall also contain the schedule of
fares charged by the operator.
B.
Each taxicab and vehicle for hire shall display at all times the
driver's license of the driver of the taxicab or vehicle for
hire or a current photo of the driver with the driver's full
name.
C.
The required card or cards shall be placed on the dashboard inside
said taxicab or vehicle for hire and shall be illuminated after sundown
so they are clearly readable from the rear seat by the passenger.
D.
There shall be no additional charges for handling packages or baggage.
E.
Each taxicab shall have displayed on the rear doors thereof the maximum
fare rate currently being charged by the operator.
A taxicab or vehicle for hire operating license shall be issued
for a one-year period, unless sooner suspended or revoked.
A.
A taxicab operating license or vehicle for hire operating license
may be suspended by the Chief of Police or the Town Supervisor for
good and proper reasons and in the interest of the Town until the
next regular meeting of the Taxi and Limousine Commission, at which
time the Taxi and Limousine Commission shall review and determine
the question of revocation, suspension or reinstatement of the license.
B.
A taxicab operating license or vehicle for hire operating license
may be suspended or revoked by the Taxi and Limousine Commission after
a hearing if it is found that the vehicle licensed as a taxicab or
vehicle for hire has been used:
The Town Clerk shall keep a register of the name of each person
owning or operating a taxicab or vehicle for hire licensed under this
chapter, together with the license number and description, make and
color marking of such vehicle. Such record, subject to limitations
set forth in the Public Officers Law of the State of New York, shall
be open to the public at all reasonable times.
No person shall drive, nor shall any person permit a taxicab
or vehicle for hire to be driven on the streets in the Town of Ramapo
unless the driver thereof has been duly licensed and unless there
is in full force and effect a Town of Ramapo driver's license
to drive such a taxicab or vehicle for hire.
The fee for a taxicab and/or vehicles for hire driver's
license and renewal shall be in accordance with the Standard Schedule
of Fees of the Town of Ramapo. No license fee shall be charged for
owners of duly licensed taxicabs or vehicles for hire and for stockholders
of corporations licensed to operate taxicabs and vehicles for hire
in the Town unless they drive such motor vehicles.
A.
An application for a Town taxicab driver's license shall be
made to the Town Clerk on forms designated by the Taxi and Limousine
Commission. No license shall be issued or renewed unless it appears
from said application and from any investigation that the applicant:
(1)
Has been issued and maintains a valid and current New York State
chauffeur's license.
(2)
Is
of sound mind and body and of good health and eyesight and is not
subject to any physical or emotional disability which might render
him/her unfit for safe operation of the taxicab.
(3)
Is
a person of good moral character.
(4)
Has
not been convicted of a crime, misdemeanor or any moving traffic violation
offense, which violation is indicative of unsafe driving.
(5)
Applicants
shall provide a full-face picture, passport size.
(6)
Applicants
shall provide the Taxi and Limousine Commission with a certified copy
of the applicant's driving abstract from the Department of Motor
Vehicles dated within 60 days of the date of the application, and
such other information and the payment of such other fees as the Taxi
and Limousine Commission, Town Clerk or Chief of Police may deem necessary
for the safety and convenience of the public, including but not limited
to any forms or application authorizing a background screening of
the applicant.
B.
Any person denied a driver's license by the Taxi and Limousine
Commission may appeal said determination to the Town Board within
30 days after receiving the notification thereof. The Town Board may
grant a license if it finds that the applicant has met the standards
of this chapter or that the provisions of this chapter should be waived
because of undue hardship, and that the safety of the public will
not be diminished thereby.
A.
Upon satisfactory fulfillment of the requirements set forth in accordance
with this chapter, there shall be issued to the applicant a Town taxicab
driver's license which shall be in such form as to contain the
signature of the licensee and the blank spaces for such additional
information as the Taxi and Limousine Commission, Town Clerk or Chief
of Police may require in the interest of public safety and convenience.
Each license shall be stamped with the seal of the Town. All licenses
shall be numbered in the order in which they are issued and shall
contain the name and place of residence of the licensee and the date
of issuance.
B.
A Town taxicab driver's license shall be valid for one year,
unless sooner suspended or revoked.
A record of applications and Town taxicab drivers' licenses
issued, and all renewals, suspensions and revocations thereof, shall
be kept on file at the Town Clerk's office.
A.
A taxicab driver's license may be suspended by the Town Supervisor,
the Chief of Police, or any person so designated for good and proper
reasons and in the interest of the Town until the next regular meeting
of the Taxi and Limousine Commission, at which time the Taxi and Limousine
Commission shall review and determine the question of revocation,
suspension or reinstatement of the license.
B.
A taxicab operating license or vehicle for hire operating license
may be suspended or revoked by the Taxi and Limousine Commission or
persons so designated after a hearing if it is found that the vehicle
licensed as a taxicab or vehicle for hire has been used:
Any taxicab driver's license issued pursuant to this chapter
shall be carried by the licensee at all times when such licensee is
operating or in charge of any taxicab.
A license issued hereunder shall not be assignable or transferable
to any other person. Any licensee who permits his license to be used
by any other person and any person who uses such license granted or
given to any other person shall be guilty of a violation of this chapter.
No taxicab or vehicle for hire may refuse to provide service
to any person, nor may the driver refuse to provide service to any
person for transportation from the Town of Ramapo to any point within
the County of Rockland. No person shall be required to pay for any
trip in advance.
A trip record shall be kept by each licensed taxicab driver
showing the time dispatched, the destination, the time of arrival
at the destination, the number of passengers and the total fare. Such
trip record shall be submitted to the Taxi and Limousine Commission
upon request.
A.
An appearance ticket shall be issued for a violation of any section
of this chapter and shall be returnable before a Justice of the Town
of Ramapo Justice Court.
B.
Upon the conviction of any section of this chapter, the penalty shall
not exceed $500 for each section violated and suspension or revocation
of the Town taxicab driver's license, taxicab operating license
or vehicle for hire operating license.
This chapter shall take effect immediately upon filing with
the Secretary of State.
