This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the "City of
Auburn Taxicab Ordinance."
As used in this chapter, unless the context or subject matter
otherwise requires, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
CHIEF OF POLICE
References herein shall also apply to any other member of
the Police Department so designated by the Chief of Police.
CLEAN, SANITARY AND SAFE
The vehicle is regularly cleaned and maintained in such a
manner as to render adequate and proper public service. For purpose
of clarification, this definition shall include, but shall not be
limited to, the following examples: clean and sanitary interiors of
a vehicle; interiors that are not littered with debris, ripped, soiled
or the like; and vehicles that are not otherwise unsanitary, unkempt
or poorly cleaned.
GOOD CONDITION AND APPEARANCE
The vehicle is maintained in good mechanical working condition
and meets all equipment requirements of the Vehicle and Traffic Law.
In addition thereto, the taxicab shall be free from disfiguring damage
to both the interior and exterior of the vehicle, including visible
rust holes through the body, as well as unrepaired damage or excessive
wear on the vehicle, which unduly detracts from the overall good appearance
or serviceability of the vehicle. This definition shall not be intended
to include minor dents, wear, scratches and the like on the vehicle.
All taxicab doors, lights and safety equipment shall be maintained
in operating condition.
OPERATOR
Any person owning or having control of the use of one or
more taxicabs used for hire upon the streets of the City, or a person
engaged in the business of operating a taxicab.
TAXICAB
Any motor vehicle engaged in the business of carrying persons
for hire, except vehicles subject to the provisions of the Transportation
Corporations Law, or those used by undertakers in carrying on their
business.
TAXICAB DRIVER
Any person who drives a taxicab, whether such a person is
the owner of such taxicab or is employed by a taxicab owner or operator.
TAXICAB DRIVER'S LICENSE
A license granted by the Chief of Police to any person to
operate any licensed taxicab upon the streets of the City.
TAXICAB LICENSE
A license granted by the Chief of Police to any person to
operate or keep for hire any taxicab in the City.
TAXICAB STAND
Any place alongside the curb of a street or elsewhere which
is exclusively reserved by the City for the use of taxicabs.
Each applicant for a taxicab driver's license shall be
given a copy of the above noted ordinance and it shall be the responsibility
of the applicant to become familiar with the provisions of this chapter,
the traffic regulations of the City, the Vehicle and Traffic Law and
the geography of the City, and to fully comply with said ordinance,
regulations and laws.
A complete record of each license issued to a driver, including
all renewals, suspensions and revocations thereof, shall be kept in
the Auburn Police Department Records Bureau, which record shall be
kept on file with the original application of the taxicab driver for
his or her license.
It is unlawful for any person to operate a taxicab upon the
streets of the City without a taxicab license and a taxicab business
license, both issued by the Chief of Police. Such licenses shall be
issued for the calendar year. The application for a taxicab license
and taxicab business license shall be made by the owner upon forms
furnished by the Chief, and such application shall contain:
A. The name, age and residence of the person, if a natural person or
persons, or the same information for officers, if a corporation (and
the place of business), applying for the license and what, if any,
previous experience he or she has had in the taxicab business.
B. The name, age and residence of the person to be in immediate charge
of any such taxicab or taxicabs.
C. The type of motor vehicle to be used, the type of motor, the factory
number, the state plate number and license number, the number of years
the vehicle has been driven and the seating capacity according to
its trade rating.
D. Whether previously licensed to operate a taxicab and, if so, where.
E. Whether a license to operate a taxicab has ever been revoked and,
if so, for what cause.
F. Proof of motor vehicle liability insurance in the minimum amount
established by the State of New York.
G. Such other information as the Chief of Police may deem necessary
to clarify or more fully explain the above information.
H. Investigation. After receipt of an application, the Chief of Police
shall institute an investigation of the applicant, and no license
shall be issued under the provisions of this article until the Chief
of Police has indicated, in writing, approval thereof after such investigation
has been completed.
It is the duty of each licensee to report to the Chief of Police
any change in the New York State plate or license number of any taxicab
during the period for which his or her license is issued under this
chapter.
The annual fee for a taxicab license shall be set forth in the
City of Auburn Fee Schedule, which is on file in the City offices.
No license fee shall be prorated for a period of less than three months.
The Chief of Police shall keep a register of the name of each
person owning or operating a taxicab licensed hereunder, together
with the license number, make and description of such vehicle, and
the date it was inspected, and such record shall be open to inspection
by the public at all reasonable times.
The Chief of Police may locate, change and designate taxicab
stands in such streets in the City as he or she shall deem to be in
the best interests of the general public.
Every taxicab shall have the name of the taxicab licensee and
the license number of such vehicle plainly painted in figures at least
two inches in height, with at least a one-fourth-inch stroke, in clear
and distinct colors on both sides of such taxicab so that they may
be easily legible in quickly identifying such taxicab.