A.Â
No person shall operate a taxicab unless and until the
taxicab has been equipped with a taximeter of a type and design approved by
the Township Committee.
[Amended 7-15-1992 by Ord.
No. 1992-3]
B.Â
The taximeter shall be located in the cab so as to be
visible to the passengers at all times, and it shall be the duty of the person
operating the cab to keep the meter operating at all times within such standard
of accuracy as may be prescribed from time to time by the Township Committee.
[Amended 7-15-1992 by Ord.
No. 1992-3]
C.Â
No passenger shall be carried in any cab unless the taximeter
is in operation. This provision shall apply regardless of whether the taxicab
is engaged for a trip entirely within the boundaries of the Township or partially
outside the Township. The meter shall be kept operating continuously during
the entire time that the taxicab is engaged in the transportation of passengers
for compensation at all times that the point of origin or the point of return
for the passengers is within the limits of the Township.
All taximeters shall be equipped with a flag. The flag shall be kept
up or at a vertical position when the taxicab is for hire and shall be kept
down or at a horizontal position when the taxicab is engaged. Any taxicab
transporting a person with the flag in the upward position shall be known
as "high flag." Any driver transporting a person for hire with the flag in
the above position shall, upon hearing before the Township Committee, have
his license suspended for a period not to exceed six months.
Taximeters shall have a dial or dials which register the tariff in accordance
with established rates of fare. The taximeter shall be so placed that the
dial is in plain view of the passenger while riding in the taxicab or upon
alighting. Taxicabs shall be equipped with a light which, during the period
between sunset and sunrise, shall reflect upon the dial of the taximeter so
as to enable the passenger to read the figures.
Each taximeter shall be furnished with a tamperproof switch within the
system of electrical distribution so that when the taximeter flag is in the
vacant or nonearning position, the roof light will be lit, and when the meter
flag is thrown to an earning position, the top light will go off.
The rates to be charged by any person owning or operating a taxicab
shall be as approved from time to time by resolution of the Township Committee.
Any person violating any of the provisions of this chapter shall, upon
conviction thereof, be punishable by a fine of not more than $500 or by imprisonment
for not more than 90 days, or both.
