As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings
indicated:
Includes any automobile or motor vehicle, commonly called "taxi,"
engaged in the business of carrying passengers for hire, which is held out,
announced or advertised to operate on and over the public streets or highways
of the Township and, particularly, accepts persons who may offer themselves
for transportation from a place within the Township.
No taxicab shall be operated along any street in the Township for the
purpose of accepting passengers within the Township unless and until the owner,
lessee or bailee of the vehicle shall first obtain a license therefor, commonly
known as a "taxicab license," granted by the Council and issued by the Township
Clerk. Only such duly authorized taxicabs are authorized to accept passengers
within the Township limits.
No taxicab license shall be granted authorizing the operation of any
vehicle as a taxicab unless said vehicle conforms with all the provisions
of this chapter.
The Council hereby finds and determines that the number of taxicabs
necessary for the convenience of residents of the Township shall not exceed
15 in number. Taxicab licenses shall not be issued and outstanding for more
than 15 taxicabs unless the Council, by resolution, from time to time shall
find and determine that the public convenience and necessity require a greater
or lesser number than 15 and fixes said maximum number.
All applications for taxicab licenses shall be made in writing under oath upon forms furnished by the Township Clerk and approved by the Council. The applicant shall set forth completely the information therein requested and file said application with the Township Clerk. The application shall be accompanied by the license fee prescribed in § 242-9.
Upon the filing of the application for a taxicab license, the Township
Clerk shall refer the same to the Chief of Police, who shall conduct an investigation
of the applicant and make a report of such investigation. The report and a
copy of the traffic and police record of the applicant, if any, shall be attached
to the application, which shall be returned to the Township Clerk for presentation
to the Council.
A.
If the Council finds that the applicant is fit, willing
and able to provide such public transportation and to conform to the provisions
of this chapter, the Council shall approve the issuance of a taxicab license.
No taxicab licensee shall operate, cause or permit to be operated any taxicab unless the provisions of Article I of Chapter 16 of Title 48 of the Annotated Statutes of New Jersey, as amended and supplemented (N.J.S.A. 48:16-1 et seq.), relating to liability and property damage insurance and power of attorney, have been and continue to be complied with, unless otherwise required by state law.
No taxicab license may be sold, assigned, mortgaged or otherwise transferred.
Vehicles listed on the license may be substituted or replaced by other
vehicles only after the vehicle sought to be substituted shall have been inspected
and written approval given by the Chief of Police that such vehicle complies
with the provisions of this chapter.
A.
The Council shall have the authority to suspend or revoke
any taxicab license issued under this chapter whenever, for just cause and
in the public interest, the Township Council deems suspension or revocation
is warranted including, but not by way of limitation, where the licensee has:
(1)
Discontinued operations for more than 30 days.
(2)
Violated any ordinance of the Township or the laws of
the United States or the State of New Jersey, the violation of which reflects
unfavorably on the fitness of the licensee to offer public transportation.
(3)
Violated any of the provisions of this chapter.
(4)
Performed any act which would be a basis for a denial
of the application.
B.
Prior to suspension or revocation, the licensee shall
be given written notice of the action proposed to be taken and the reasons
therefor and shall have an opportunity to be heard.
