[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Commissioners
of the Town of West New York 3-16-1960 by Ord. No. 856. Amendments noted where
applicable.]
The following words and phrases when used in
this chapter have the meanings as set out herein:
A public place alongside the curb of a street or elsewhere
in the Town of West New York which place the Director of the Department
of Public Safety has authorized a holder of taxicab licenses to use
exclusively for the dispatching of company taxicabs.
The driving of a taxicab on the streets or public places
of the Town of West New York in search of or soliciting prospective
passengers for hire.
The permission granted by the Director of the Department
of Public Safety to a person to drive a taxicab upon the streets of
the Town of West New York.
A public hearing at which the licensee shall be given an
opportunity to appear personally and be represented, by his chosen
counsel, and be heard, and to present evidence on his behalf or otherwise
answer the charges against him.
A person to whom a taxicab license has been issued.
The Inspector of Licenses in the Department of Public Affairs.
Any individual, a corporation or other legal entity, a partnership
or any incorporated association, but does not include a child of less
than six years of age.
A card issued by the License Inspector for display in each
taxicab.
A motor vehicle regularly engaged in the business of carrying
passengers for hire, which is so constructed as to comfortably seat
not less than four passengers exclusive of the driver, and not operated
on a fixed route.
To sell, transfer or in any other manner dispose of a taxicab
license. Where the license is in the name of a corporation or other
legal entity, any change in the control of the holder shall constitute
a "transfer" of taxicab license held in the name of said corporation
or other legal entity. The Director of the Department of Public Safety
shall determine what constitutes a change in control.
The time when a taxicab is not in motion from the time of
acceptance of a passenger or passengers to the time of discharge,
but does not include any time that the taxicab is not in motion, if
due to any cause other than the request, action or fault of a passenger
or passengers.
[Amended 10-19-1977 by Ord. No. 1261; 12-30-1980 by Ord. No.
1438; 4-21-2004 by Ord. No. 3/04; 7-19-2006 by Ord. No. 13/06; 7-21-2010 by Ord. No. 16/10]
A.
In order to ensure the safety of the public, it shall be unlawful
for the holder to operate or cause to permit a taxicab to be operated,
nor shall any license be issued hereunder, until and unless the applicant
shall have complied with the provisions of N.J.S.A. 48:16-1 to 48:16-12
and the acts amendatory thereof or supplemental thereto, which require
an insurance policy of a company duly licensed to transact business
under the insurance laws of the state conditional for the payment
of a sum of not less than $10,000 to satisfy all claims for damages,
by reason of bodily injury to, or the death of, any one person, resulting
from an accident, and a sum of not less than $20,000 to satisfy all
claims for damages, by reason of the bodily injuries to, or the death
of, all persons, on account of any such accident, by reason of the
ownership, operation, maintenance, or use of such taxicab upon any
public street; and conditioned for the payment of a sum not less than
$5,000 to satisfy any claim for damages to property of any one person,
resulting from an accident, and a sum not less than $5,000 to satisfy
all claims for damages to property of all persons, on account of any
such accident, by reason of the ownership, operation, maintenance,
or use of such taxicab upon any public street.
(1)
Notwithstanding the foregoing, and in addition thereto, every owner,
registered owner or operator of a taxicab registered or principally
garaged in this state shall maintain the minimum level of coverages
that may otherwise be required pursuant to N.J.S.A. 17:1-1 et seq.,
or N.J.S.A. 39:1-1 et seq., and the regulations of the New Jersey
Department of Banking and Insurance.
(2)
The owner shall furnish the License Inspector with evidence that
the aforesaid provision has been complied with and that the premium
for the full period of the licensing year has been paid. Each policy
shall contain an endorsement providing for 20 days' written notice
from the insurance company to the Town of West New York in the event
of any change in the policy or cancellation of the policy. Each taxicab
license shall become effective and operation thereunder shall be permitted
only so long as the insurance policy shall remain in force to the
full and collectible amounts as aforesaid.
B.
Each insurance policy shall provide for payment of any final judgment
recovered by any person on account of the ownership, maintenance or
use of the taxi or any fault in respect thereto and shall be for the
benefit of every person suffering loss, damage or injury as aforesaid.
C.
If an owner operates more than one taxi, he may file with the Licensing
Officer a bond or insurance policy of a company duly licensed to transact
business under the insurance laws of this state, in the sum of $50,000,
which shall be a blanket insurance covering all cabs operated by such
owner which shall provide for the payment of any final judgment recovered
by any person on account of the ownership, maintenance and use of
any such taxicab or any fault in respect thereto, and shall be for
the benefit of every person suffering loss, damage or injury as aforesaid.
(1)
The filing of such bond or insurance shall not excuse every owner,
registered owner or operator of a taxicab registered or principally
garaged in this state from maintaining the minimum level of coverages
that may otherwise be required pursuant to N.J.S.A. 17:1-1 et seq.,
et seq., N.J.S.A. 39:1-1 et seq., and the regulations of the New Jersey
Department of Banking and Insurance.
D.
In addition to the insurance requirements as aforesaid, the owner
of every taxi vehicle shall execute and deliver to the Licensing Officer,
concurrent with the filing of the insurance policy referred to in
this section, a power of attorney wherein the owner shall appoint
the Town Clerk of the Town of West New York as his true and lawful
attorney for the purpose of acknowledging service of process from
a court of competent jurisdiction to be served against the insured
by virtue of the indemnity granted under the insurance policy filed.
A.
No person shall operate or permit a taxicab owned
or controlled by him to be operated as a vehicle for hire upon the
streets of the Town of West New York, without having first obtained
a taxicab license from the License Inspector.
B.
No license shall be issued or renewed unless the holder
thereof has paid an annual license fee of $350 for each taxicab to
be operated under that license. Said license shall be for the year
ending on December 31 and shall be in addition to any other fee or
charges established by proper authorities and applicable to said holder
for the vehicle or vehicles under his operation and control.
[Amended 12-30-1980 by Ord. No. 1438; 6-15-1994 by Ord. No.
46/94; 6-16-2010 by Ord. No. 13/10]
C.
Each person issued a taxicab operator's license by
the Town of West New York shall, as a condition to continued maintenance
of such license, submit each of his taxi vehicles for a full mechanical
and vehicle inspection once each three months during the one-year
period of his license pursuant to a schedule established by the Town
of West New York. Such inspection shall be conducted by a garage licensed
by the State of New Jersey who shall certify that the vehicle is in
good working order and is not in need of repair as that term is defined
below. In the event that said vehicle is in need of repair, the licensee
shall repair the same within 30 days of the inspection and shall resubmit
the vehicle for inspection by a licensed garage, plus submit a written
report or invoice specifying the services performed and parts furnished
to correct the condition noted in the prior inspection report. The
term "in need of repair" shall include but is not limited to the following:
[Added 12-30-1980 by Ord. No. 1438;
amended 4-20-1994 by Ord. No. 25/94]
(1)
That the glass (windows and/or windshield) is cracked,
chipped or scratched or that the glass in the mirrors is cracked.
(2)
That the horn does not function properly so as to
produce a sound audible for 200 feet.
(3)
That the emergency brake does not hold the vehicle
when parked on a grade.
(4)
That the foot brake does not hold the vehicle when
parked on a grade and that it does not have sufficient reserve pedal.
(5)
That the headlights, taillights, stoplights and directional
lights do not turn on and off when operated by the controls in the
vehicle or are otherwise broken or defective.
(6)
That the windshield wipers do not rotate back and
forth with sufficient pressure when turned on and do not stop when
turned off by the controls in the vehicle.
(7)
That the tires have damage, ply separation, breaks
or cuts and do not have at least 2/32 inch of tire tread.
(8)
That a defroster does not function properly so as
to produce a temperature in excess of 50° F.
A.
Applications for a license shall be filed with the
License Inspector upon forms provided by the Town of West New York;
and said application shall be verified under oath and shall furnish
the following information:
(1)
Name and address of applicant; where the applicant
is not a natural person, the name and address of all owners or participants
in the ownership of the legal entity and all officers, directors or
others of like position whatever be their title.
(2)
The year, type and model of the vehicle for which
the license is desired.
(3)
The number of persons the vehicle is capable of carrying.
(4)
Such further information as the License Inspector
of the Town of West New York may require.
B.
The annual application for renewal of taxicab licenses
shall be filed not later than 30 days prior to the expiration date.
[Amended 6-15-1988 by Ord. No. 1812]
If the Director of the Department of Public
Safety finds that the applicant is fit, willing and able to perform
such public transportation and in accordance with the provisions of
this chapter and the rules promulgated by the Director of the Department
of Public Safety, then the Director of the Department of Public Safety
shall order the issuance of a license stating the name and address
of the applicant, the date of issuance and the year, type and model
of the vehicle; otherwise, the application shall be denied. In making
the above findings, the Director of the Department of Public Safety
shall take into consideration the character, experience and responsibility
of the applicant. The number of taxicab licenses issued and in use
in the Town of West New York at any one time shall not exceed 35.
[Amended 6-15-1994 by Ord. No. 46/94]
No taxicab license may be sold, assigned or otherwise transferred without the consent of the Director of the Department of Public Safety. Any license may be transferred to another to be used in the bona fide operation of a taxicab business, with the consent of the Director of the Department of Public Safety, upon the filing of an application as provided in § 367-4 and upon payment of a transfer fee of $15; provided, however, that no transfer may be made in the month of December. No taxicab license shall be assigned, mortgaged, pledged or otherwise transferred to secure a debt, loan, advance or other financing transaction.
A.
Licenses issued under the provisions of this chapter
may be suspended or, after hearing, revoked by the Director of the
Department of Public Safety if the holder thereof had:
(1)
Violated any of the provisions of this chapter.
(2)
Discontinued operation for more than 60 consecutive
days.
(3)
Violated any ordinance of the Town of West New York
or the laws of New Jersey, the violation of which reflects unfavorably
on the fitness of the holder to offer public transportation.
B.
Prior to revocation, the holder shall be given written
notice of the proposed action to be taken and the charges against
him and shall be given a hearing. Notwithstanding the use of the words
"suspended or, after hearing, revoked" in this chapter, the Director
of the Department of Public Safety may suspend and, after hearing,
revoke such licenses.
A.
No person shall operate a taxicab for hire upon the
streets of the Town of West New York, and no person who owns or controls
a taxicab shall permit it to be so driven, and no taxicab licensed
by the Town of West New York shall be so driven at any time for hire,
unless the driver of said taxicab shall have first obtained and shall
have then in force the taxicab driver's license under the provisions
of this chapter and provided, further, that said driver shall be a
holder or servant, employee or agent of such holder.
B.
Every person applying for a license to drive a taxicab
must furnish satisfactory evidence as follows:
[Amended 11-24-2003 by Ord. No. 22/03]
(1)
That he or she has received a driver's license under
the New Jersey State Motor Vehicle law.
(2)
That he or she has no prior criminal history or has
ever been convicted of driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol.
The applicant shall furnish fingerprints at the applicant's cost;
said fingerprints shall be submitted to the appropriate authorities
to verify the applicant's criminal history. If an application is approved
before confirmation of the applicant's representation of no criminal
history and the appropriate authority determines that there is a criminal
history, the License Inspector can rescind said taxicab driver's license.
C.
Each applicant for a driver's license under the terms
of this chapter must conform to the following regulations:
A.
An application for a driver's license shall be filed
with the License Inspector on forms provided by the Town of West New
York. The application shall contain the following:
(1)
The full name and address of the applicant.
(2)
Places of residence for the preceding five years.
(3)
Age, height, color of eyes and hair.
(4)
Place of birth, whether married or single.
(6)
Whether a driver's license, issued by any state or
political subdivision thereof, ever held by him has been suspended
or revoked, and for what cause.
B.
The applicant shall furnish four passport-type photographs
of himself taken within 30 days of the application, front view, two
inches by two inches in size.
C.
Each application must be accompanied by a certificate
from a licensed and practicing physician of the State of New Jersey,
certifying that the applicant has been examined on a certain date
and that, in his opinion, the applicant is of sound physique, with
good eyesight, not subject to epilepsy, vertigo, heart trouble or
any other infirmity of body or mind which might make him unfit for
the safe operation of a taxicab. The examination shall be within 30
days prior to the filing of the application. At the time the application
is filed, the applicant shall pay to the License Inspector the sum
of $30.
[Amended 6-15-1994 by Ord. No. 46/94; 6-16-2010 by Ord. No. 13/10]
The Police Department shall conduct an investigation
of each applicant for a driver's license, and a report of such investigation
and a copy of the traffic and police record of the applicant, if any,
shall be attached to the application for the consideration of the
Director of the Department of Public Safety.
The Director of the Department of Public Safety,
upon consideration of the application and the reports and certificate
required to be attached thereto, shall approve or reject the application.
If the application is rejected, the applicant may request a hearing
to offer evidence why his application should be reconsidered.
A.
Upon approval of the application for a driver's license
by the Director of the Department of Public Safety, the License Inspector
shall issue a license to the applicant which shall bear the name,
signature and photograph of the applicant.
B.
Such license shall be in effect for the remainder
of the fiscal year ending December 31. The fee for such license shall
be $15, and the license for every year thereafter shall be issued
upon the payment of $15.
[Amended 6-15-1994 by Ord. No. 46/94]
C.
The license shall also contain the Town license number
and a notice that, in case of any complaint, the Department shall
be notified of the license number of the taxicab driver. The license
shall bear the signature of the License Inspector.
Every driver licensed under this chapter shall
post his driver's license, together with a rate card, as hereinafter
provided, in such a place as to be in full view of all passengers
while such driver is operating a taxicab. The display of the license
and rate card shall be on the right side of the dashboard or affixed
to the back of the front seat and shall be properly illuminated so
that they are clearly visible at all times.
The Director of the Department of Public Safety
is hereby given the authority to suspend any driver's license issued
under this chapter upon justified complaint of any person, including
a holder, for a driver failing or refusing to comply with the provisions
of this chapter; provided, however, that such suspension shall not
exceed 20 days. The Director of the Department of Public Safety is
also given the authority to revoke any driver's license for failure
to comply with the provisions of this chapter; provided, however,
that a license may not be revoked unless the driver has received notice
and a copy of the charges against him and has been given a hearing.
Notwithstanding the use of the words "suspend or, after hearing, revoke"
in this chapter, the Director of the Department of Public Safety may
suspend and, after hearing, revoke any such license.
Every driver licensed under this chapter shall
comply with all Town, state and federal laws the violation of which
reflects unfavorably on the fitness of such driver to engage in public
transportation; failure to do so will justify the Director of the
Department of Public Safety in suspending or, after hearing, revoking
the license. If, at any time within the licensed year, a taxicab driver
has been found guilty of a high misdemeanor, misdemeanor or has permitted
his cab to be used for any illegal or immoral purpose, the Director
of the Department of Public Safety may immediately suspend or, after
hearing, revoke the driver's license.
A.
No license shall be issued until said taxicab has
been thoroughly inspected and found to be in a safe condition for
the transportation of passengers and of good appearance.
B.
Every vehicle operating under this chapter shall be
periodically inspected, at such intervals as the License Inspector
may direct, to ensure the continued maintenance of safe operating
conditions.
C.
Every vehicle operating under this chapter shall be
kept in a clean and sanitary condition in accordance with the rules
and regulations promulgated by the License Inspector.
D.
Any vehicle on the streets of the Town of West New
York in violation of this section may be removed from the streets
by the Police Department. If the vehicle is not returned to service
in accordance with the provisions of this section within 90 days,
the Director of the Department of Public Safety may suspend or, after
hearing, revoke the taxicab license.
A.
Each taxicab shall bear on the outside of each rear
or front door painted letters, not less than three inches nor more
than four inches in height, in contrasting colors, indicating the
name of the owner, association of which the owner is a member or registered
trade name by which the owner conducts his business; in addition,
the taxicab may bear an identifying design approved by the Director
of the Department of Public Safety. The assigned number of each taxicab
shall appear on each taxicab and in the rear in numerals not less
than two inches in height and in clear view. No vehicle covered by
the terms of this chapter shall be licensed, whose color scheme, identifying
design, monogram or insignia to be used thereon shall, in the opinion
of the License Inspector, conflict with or imitate any color scheme,
identifying design, monogram or insignia used on a vehicle, or vehicles
already operated under this chapter, in such a manner as to be misleading
or tend to deceive or defraud the public; and provided, further, that
if, after a license has been issued for a taxicab hereunder, the color
scheme, identifying design, monogram or insignia thereof is changed
so as to be, in the opinion of the Director of the Department of Public
Safety, in conflict with or in imitation of any color scheme, identifying
design, monogram or insignia used by any other person, owner or operator,
in such a manner as to be misleading or tend to deceive the public,
the license covering such taxicab may be suspended or, after hearing,
revoked.
B.
It shall be unlawful and a violation of this chapter
for any person to operate any vehicle not licensed under this chapter
in such a manner as to be misleading or tending to deceive or defraud
the public into believing said vehicle is a taxicab or is being operated
as a taxicab.
[Amended 5-3-1961 by Ord. No. 887; 2-4-1970 by Ord. No. 1028; 2-20-1974 by Ord. No. 1133; 8-15-1979 by Ord. No. 1355]
A.
Schedule generally. It shall be unlawful for an owner
or driver of a taxicab to charge or cause to be charged, except as
hereinafter provided, a greater or lesser sum for the use of a taxicab
than in accordance with the following rates:
(1)
For conveying one or more persons for the first mile
or part thereof: $1.50.
(2)
For each additional half mile or any part thereof
after $1.50 for the first mile: $0.50.
(3)
For each additional drop-off or stop of five minutes
requested by the customer in addition to the charge to the final destination:
$0.50.
(4)
For each minute of waiting time: $0.20.
(5)
For all trunks, footlockers or their equivalent: $1.50.
(6)
For all hand luggage in excess of two pieces: $0.50.
(7)
For all supermarket calls where the driver has to
handle packages: $0.50.
B.
The above rates cover one to five passengers for a
single destination.
A.
It shall be unlawful for the owner of any taxicab
to hire out or rent such taxicab to a taxicab driver or any other
person for use within the Town for a stipulated sum over a definite
period of time.
B.
The method by which the compensation is paid to the
driver, whether by percentage of receipts, salary or fixed rate, shall
not be construed to be a hiring or a renting.
The driver of any taxicab shall, upon demand
by the passenger, render to such passenger a receipt for the amount
charged on which shall be the name of the owner, driver, the taxicab
license number, the amount of the charge, and date and time of the
transaction.
All disputes as to the local rate of fare shall,
upon request of the driver or passenger, be determined by the police
officer in charge of the police station. Failure to comply with such
determination shall subject the offender to a charge of disorderly
conduct.
Side curtains or shades shall not be permitted
on any taxicab licensed in the Town of West New York.
No person, other than the licensed driver of
the taxicab, shall ride or sit in the front seat of the taxicab unless
the rear is fully occupied by the passengers, except when, for physical
or health reasons, a passenger must sit in the front seat.
No holder or driver shall knowingly permit his
taxicab to be used for any illegal or immoral purposes, under penalty
of suspension or, after hearing, revocation of holder or driver's
license, or both, and such other penalty as may be provided.
A.
Soliciting patronage by the driver. No driver shall
solicit passengers for a taxicab except when sitting in the driver's
compartment of such taxicab or while standing immediately adjacent
to the curbside thereof at any legal taxi stand.
B.
Prohibited solicitation. No driver shall solicit patronage
in a loud tone of voice or in any manner annoy any person or obstruct
the movement of any person or follow any person for the purpose of
soliciting patronage.
C.
Receipt and discharge of passengers on a sidewalk.
Drivers of taxicabs shall not receive or discharge passengers in the
roadway but shall pull up to the right-hand side as nearly as possible,
or, in the absence of a sidewalk, to the extreme right-hand side of
the road, and there receive or discharge passengers, except upon one-way
streets, where passengers may be discharged at either the right- of
left-hand sidewalk or side of the roadway in the absence of a sidewalk.
D.
Cruising. No driver shall cruise in search of passengers
except in such areas and at such times as may be designated by the
Director of the Department of Public Safety. Such areas and times
shall only be designated when the Director of the Department of Public
Safety finds that taxicab cruising would not congest traffic or be
dangerous to pedestrians and other vehicles.
E.
Additional passengers. No driver shall permit any
other person to occupy or ride said taxicab unless the person or persons
first employing a taxicab shall consent to, the acceptance of an additional
passenger or passengers; provided, however, than an additional passenger
or passengers shall not be accepted if they are of a different sex
than the passenger first employing the taxicab. No charge shall be
made for an additional passenger, except when the additional passenger
rides beyond the previous passenger's destination, and then for only
the additional distance so traveled. Upon reaching the original passenger's
destination, the driver shall collect his fare and the passenger shall
be charged as if the additional distance traveled were a new trip.
F.
Restrictions on the number of passengers. No driver
can permit more than five persons to be carried in a taxicab as passengers.
A child under six years of age shall not be counted as a passenger.
G.
Refusal to carry orderly passengers prohibited. No
driver shall refuse or neglect to carry any person or persons, upon
their request, unless previously engaged or unable or forbidden by
the provisions of this chapter to do so.
H.
Prohibition of drivers. It shall be a violation of
this chapter for any driver of a taxicab to solicit business for any
hotels, motels, rooming houses, bars, taverns, restaurants, theaters
and the like, or to attempt to divert patronage from one such place
to another. Neither shall such driver engage in selling intoxicating
liquors or solicit business for any house of ill repute or use his
vehicle for any purposes other than the transporting of passengers.
A.
The Mayor and Board of Commissioners, upon the recommendation
of the Director of the Department of Public Safety, are empowered
to authorize company stands at locations to be selected for convenience
and safety. The company stand shall be used solely by the company
to whom the same is granted and by its agents and servants. No other
company or holder of a taxicab license shall be permitted to use the
same.
[Amended 12-27-1991 by Ord. No. 1965]
B.
Company stands shall be used by the different drivers
on a first-come, first-serve basis. The driver shall pull to the company
stand from the rear and shall advance forward as the cabs pull off.
The drivers shall stay within five feet of their cabs, and shall not
engage in loud or boisterous talk while at a company stand. Nothing
in this chapter shall be construed as preventing a passenger from
boarding the cab of his choice that is parked at a company stand.
C.
The parking of any vehicle other than licensed taxicabs
shall be prohibited on taxi stands legally authorized by the Director
of the Department of Public Safety of the Town of West New York, and
such stands shall be considered tow-away zones for any vehicles illegally
parked at said stands for the purpose of the enforcement of this chapter.
A.
The Director of the Department of Public Safety is
hereby authorized and empowered to establish open stands in such place
or places upon the streets of the Town of West New York as he deems
necessary for the use of taxicabs operating in the Town. Said Director
of the Department of Public Safety shall not create an open stand
without taking into consideration the need for such stand by the companies,
convenience to the general public and the recommendation of the Police
and Fire Departments of the Town of West New York. The Director of
the Department of Public Safety shall prescribe the number of cabs
that shall occupy such open stands.
B.
Open stands shall be used by the different drivers
on a first-come, first-serve basis. The driver shall pull to the open
stand from the rear and shall advance forward as the cabs ahead pull
off. The drivers shall stay within five feet of their cabs, and shall
not engage in loud or boisterous talk while at an open stand. Nothing
in this chapter shall be construed as preventing a passenger from
boarding the cab of his choice that is parked at an open stand.
All persons engaged in the taxicab business
in the Town of West New York operating under the provisions of this
chapter shall render an overall service to the public desiring to
use taxicabs. They shall answer all calls received by them for service
inside the corporate limits of the Town of West New York as soon as
they can do so and, if said services cannot be rendered within a reasonable
time, they shall then notify the prospective passenger how long it
will be before the said call can be answered and give the reason therefor.
Any holder who shall refuse to accept a call anywhere in the corporate
limits of the Town of West New York at any time when such holder has
available cab or cabs, or who shall fail or refuse to give overall
service, shall be deemed a violator of this chapter and any license
granted to such holder may, after a hearing, be revoked.
A.
Every holder shall require the driver to keep a daily
record, identified by the cab number of the cab used that day and
the license number of the driver, of the time and place when and where
the passenger was accepted as well as the time and place of the discharge
of the passenger, together with the fare received for the trip, which
record the holder shall keep intact for 180 days from the date thereof
and shall be kept open at all times for inspection by a duly authorized
representative of the Police Department or the License Inspector.
B.
Every holder shall record in a book kept solely for
such purpose the time of departure from the garage or cabstand of
every licensed vehicle, giving the name and address of the driver
thereof, his license number and the license number of the vehicle
and the time of the return to the garage or cabstand of each such
vehicle, which book shall be kept open for inspection at all times
to a duly authorized representative of the Police Department or the
License Inspector.
Subject to the rules and regulations of the
Director of the Department of Public Safety, it shall be lawful for
any person owning or operating a taxicab to permit advertising matter
to be affixed or installed on the outside of such taxicab, provided
that such advertising matter shall not be of a lewd, lascivious or
obscene nature, nor shall the location in the cab interfere with the
comfort of the passengers or the operation of the vehicle.
The License Inspector shall keep a register
of the name of each holder licensed under this chapter, together with
the license number and the make and description of the vehicle licensed,
with the date and record of inspections made of it.
Subject to the rules and regulations of the
Director of the Department of Public Safety, it shall be unlawful
for any taxicab to stand in any restricted area, or any area which
is controlled by parking meters, or at the curb within 15 feet of
the entrance to any theater, hotel, restaurant or other public place.
The driver, while engaged in the operation of
a taxicab, shall behave himself in a gentlemanly manner, and he shall
not use any indecent, profane or insulting language while engaged
in such operation.
It shall be unlawful for any person owning or
operating any taxicab in the Town of West New York, licensed under
the provisions of this chapter, to permit such taxicab to be operated
by any person who does not hold a valid driver's license as required
by this chapter.
A.
No taxicab, while waiting for employment by passengers,
shall stand on any public street or space other than at or upon a
taxicab stand designated or established in accordance with this chapter,
nor shall any driver of such taxicab seek employment by repeatedly
and persistently driving his taxicab to and fro 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 other place
of gathering, and no driver shall solicit passengers for a taxicab
except when standing at his vehicle or sitting upon the driver's seat
thereof.
B.
Every holder shall be responsible for the operation
of the vehicle for which the license has been granted regardless of
the legal relationship between such holder and the driver of said
vehicle.
Every driver of a taxicab, immediately after
the termination of any hiring or employment, must carefully search
such taxicab for any property lost or left therein, and any such property,
unless sooner claimed or delivered to the owners, must be reported,
in writing, by the driver or holder, to the License Inspector with
brief particulars and a description of the property, within 24 hours
after the finding thereof.
The Police Department of the Town of West New
York is hereby given the authority and is instructed to watch and
observe the condition of holders and drivers operating under this
chapter. Upon discovering a violation of the provisions of this chapter,
the Police Department shall report the same to the Director of the
Department of Public Safety, who shall order or take appropriate action.
All hearings under this chapter shall be conducted
by the Director of the Department of Public Safety.
The Director of the Department of Public Safety
shall promulgate reasonable rules and regulations to implement this
chapter and to carry out its intendments which shall be filed with
the Town Clerk of the Town of West New York. The Director of the Department
of Public Safety shall cause the rules and regulations as promulgated,
together with this chapter, and any amendments or additions thereto,
to be printed and distributed to the holders of taxicab licenses and
taxicab drivers' licenses, and to all those who in the future shall
obtain such license or licenses.
[Amended 10-19-1977 by Ord. No. 1261]
