Source: https://www.ecode360.com/15253379
Timestamp: 2019-04-25 06:33:50+00:00

Document:
§ 179A-2 Taxi license required; number of taxicab licenses.
§ 179A-3 Taxicab license application.
§ 179A-4 Indemnity bond or liability insurance required amount.
§ 179A-5 Taxicab license application fee; annual license fee; amount.
§ 179A-6.1 Transfer of taxicab license; fee.
§ 179A-6.2 Transfer of taxicab vehicle; fee.
§ 179A-7 Taxicab operator's license required.
§ 179A-8 Taxicab operator's license application; requirements; content.
§ 179A-9 Investigation of taxicab operator's license applicants.
§ 179A-11 Application for taxicab operator's license; approval or rejection.
§ 179A-12 Transfer or sale of a taxicab operator's license.
§ 179A-13 Taxicab operator's license application fee.
§ 179A-14 Operation of noncertified taxicab within the City.
§ 179A-15 Violations; revocation or suspension of taxicab license or taxicab operator's license; reasons for; notice and hearing.
§ 179A-16 Taxicab operator's license and rate card; display.
§ 179A-17 Taxicab drivers to comply with federal and state laws and City ordinances.
§ 179A-18 Taxicab equipment and maintenance; inspection and inspection licenses.
§ 179A-19 Taxicab color scheme and insignia.
§ 179A-21 Receipt to be supplied on demand.
§ 179A-22 Refusal of passenger to pay legal fare.
§ 179A-23 Solicitation of passengers; acceptance and discharge of passengers; cruising.
§ 179A-24 Taxi stand; establishment and use.
§ 179A-25 Standards of service.
§ 179A-26 Requirement that daily trip sheets be maintained; contents.
§ 179A-27 Records and reports required.
§ 179A-29 Division of Taxi and Limousine Licensing is to enforce chapter.
§ 179A-30 Use of radios to dispatch taxicabs.
§ 179A-31 Violations and penalties.
§ 179A-32 Repeal of previous ordinance.
The Division of Taxi and Limousine Licensing is hereby created. The Division Head of this division shall be designated by the Director of Department of Transportation and Parking Utility of the City of Hoboken to serve at a commensurate salary. The Division Head of the Division of Taxi and Limousine Licensing shall be responsible for the enforcement of this section and Chapter 180A of the ordinances of the City of Hoboken pertaining to taxi and limousine service.
The driving of a taxicab on the streets, alleys or public places of the City of Hoboken in search of or soliciting prospective passengers for hire.
A sticker issued by the City of Hoboken evidencing licensing of a "for-hire" vehicle.
The Department of Transportation and Parking Utility.
The Director of the Department of Transportation and Parking Utility.
A person who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits a major life activity (e.g., caring for oneself, walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, etc.); a person who has a record of such impairment; or, a person who is regarded as having such impairment. Disabled person shall also mean a person with a physical impairment which confines a person to a wheelchair, causes a person to walk with difficulty or insecurity, affects sight or hearing to the extent that a person functioning in public areas is insecure or exposed to danger, causes impaired coordination or reduces mobility, flexibility, coordination or perceptiveness.
The individual designated by the Director of Hoboken's Department of Transportation and Parking Utility of the City of Hoboken to act as the authority for the Division of Taxi and Limousine Licensing.
A Division of the Department of Transportation and Parking Utility of the City of Hoboken which licenses taxicabs and liveries and enforces the rules and regulations of taxicabs and liveries within the City boundaries.
As a factory installed alternative fuel vehicle, which can either be a combination of gasoline with electric, ethanol fuel, hydrogen, electric, LPG or LNG. A diesel engine shall not be deemed as a "green" taxi. Any "green" taxi as a vehicle will be required to score eight or higher in the Air Pollution Score as measured by the Federal Environmental Protection Agency and the vehicle that attains city MPG of 25 miles per gallon or more in Fuel Economy as published annually by the EPA and DOE and listed online at www.fueleconomy.gov and meets safety requirements to make it fit for use as a taxi. The City reserves the right to set the safety requirements.
A taxicab which meets the federal ADA standards for wheelchair accessibility, including 49 CFR 37 and accompanying F.R. Vol. 76, No. 191 of September 19, 2011 (or as hereafter supplemented). Only vehicles meeting this definition shall be entitled to carry wheelchair-bound patrons.
A specialized City of Hoboken taxicab license which shall be subject to all the benefits and obligations of a City of Hoboken taxicab license found within this chapter, except where the benefits and obligations of the handicapped accessible taxicab license are herein described as divergent from that of a general City of Hoboken taxicab license.
The person or persons empowered or designated by the Department of Transportation and Parking Utility to perform inspections pursuant to this chapter.
A card issued by the City for display in each taxicab which contains the rate in force.
A guide dog, signal dog or any other animal trained specifically to work for or to perform tasks for an individual with a disability, including, but not limited to, guiding individuals with visual impairments, alerting individuals with hearing impairments, providing minimal protection or rescue work, pulling a wheelchair or retrieving dropped items.
A person in charge of queuing taxicabs and waiting patrons, and otherwise maintaining order at a taxi stand.
A motor vehicle regularly engaged in the business of carrying passengers for hire, having a seating capacity of four persons and not operated on a fixed route.
An official document of the City of Hoboken which permits the holder to operate a taxicab for hire within the City limits, subject to the restrictions found in the Division of Taxi and Limousine's Rules and Regulations, the Hoboken City Code, and state and federal laws.
An individual, partnership or corporation to whom a taxicab license has been issued by the City of Hoboken.
The official document of the City of Hoboken, conferred by the City Council, which grants the individual nontransferable permission to drive a taxicab upon the streets of the City. This term shall not be construed to mean a driver's license issued by the State of New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission. When used throughout this chapter, the term "operator's license" shall mean the definition as stated herein. The term "driver's license" shall mean a driver's license issued by the State of New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission.
An individual to whom a taxicab operator's license has been issued by the City of Hoboken.
A place alongside the curb of a street or elsewhere in the City reserved exclusively for use by taxicabs and distinctly marked by a metal sign or stanchion, or by painted markings on the surface of the streets or curbs.
To sell or in any other manner relinquish control of the taxicab license by the license holder or its majority shareholder(s), in cases where the license holder is a corporate entity. In cases of corporate license holders, the Division Head shall, in his or her discretion, determine whether a change of control has occurred, subject to the approval of the Director of the Department of Transportation and Parking Utility.
A daily record prepared by a taxicab driver of all trips made by the driver, showing time and place of origin, destination, number of passengers and the amount of fare of each trip. The trip sheet shall also contain the driver's name, and the time he or she reported on and off duty.
The time when a taxicab is not in motion following the time of acceptance of a passenger or passengers until the time of discharge, when that time not in motion is the result of the actions or request of the passenger or passengers.
No person shall operate, or cause to be operated, any vehicle for hire without first having obtained a taxi license and taxi operator's license from the City of Hoboken.
No person who owns or controls a taxicab or taxi license shall permit the taxicab to be driven, unless the driver of the taxicab shall have first obtained and is currently a holder of a valid taxicab operator's license issued by the City of Hoboken under the provisions of this chapter.
Number and types of taxicab licenses.
The number of outstanding taxi licenses shall be limited to a total of 70 taxicabs, of which five shall be handicapped accessible taxicab licenses.
Each year, commencing on January 1, 2009, the fleet of taxicab licenses in the City of Hoboken shall be modified to require that 20% of the then existing taxicab fleet shall be "green" taxicabs. Each licensee shall have an affirmative obligation to comply with this transition. If a licensee fails to comply with this requirement after 30 days' written notice to cure said default, the license shall be reduced by the required transition requirements of 20%, and the revoked license(s) shall be auctioned off to a new licensee, with the requirement that the successful bidder utilizes only "green" vehicles.
For each requirement listed in Subsection A(1) through (9) of this section, in any case where the taxicab license applicant is a corporate entity, any individual holding a 20% or greater share in the corporate entity will be required to provide their personal information in addition to the corporate information in order to satisfy this section.
The Division of Taxi and Limousine Licensing is hereby authorized and empowered to establish such rules and regulations governing the issuance of taxicab licenses and taxicab operator's licenses not inconsistent herewith, and as may be necessary and reasonable.
Not less than $30,000 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 on any public street.
The insurance policy shall provide for the payment of any final judgment recovered by any person on account of the ownership, maintenance, or use of the taxicab or fault in respect thereto, and shall be for the benefit of every person suffering loss, damage or injury as a result of the ownership, operation, maintenance or use of a taxicab. A list of all covered drivers must be included in the policy.
In the event that the aforementioned insurance is canceled, the license shall terminate on the date of the cancellation, unless the insurance has been reinstated and a withdrawal of the cancellation or a new policy of insurance has been submitted to the Clerk of the City and to the Division of Taxi and Limousine Licensing within two business days of any change. As a condition of obtaining a City of Hoboken taxicab license, the taxicab license holder agrees to provide the Division Head with the authority to communicate directly with the taxicab license holder's insurance companies.
The bond or bonds shall be filed with the City Clerk and shall have as surety thereupon a surety company authorized to do such business in the State of New Jersey.
This section shall not abrogate or relieve a license holder from any duty or requirement of the insurance laws of this state.
No taxicab license application shall be considered and no taxicab license shall be issued or renewed unless the applicant or holder thereof has paid the annual fee of $750 for each vehicle operated under a City taxi license, unless the vehicle is a "green" taxicab in which case the annual fee will be $500. The license fee shall be for the period of April 1 through March 31, of the succeeding year and be in addition to any other license fee or charges established by proper authority and applicable to the holder of the vehicle or vehicles under his operation and control.
For the 2019 license renewal period, the license fee will be due on May 1, 2019, and all licenses current as of the enactment of this chapter will be considered up-to-date and valid until that time.
No taxicab license may be transferred, assigned, sold or otherwise encumbered, in whole or in part, without the prior written consent of the City Council.
No transfer application may be forwarded to the City Council until the transferee has satisfied all other requirements of this chapter, including but not limited to all initial application requirements.
The holder of a taxicab license may not rent or hire out his or her taxicab or taxicab license to any person for the transportation of passengers for hire unless such agreement is provided to the Division in writing, signed by both the driver and owner prior to the renting or hiring out commencing.
The fee for a license transfer shall be $750, payable by the transferee to the City of Hoboken, unless the vehicle is a "green" taxicab in which case the transfer fee will be $500. This fee is in addition to any annual taxicab licensing fees applicable to the license. No transfers shall be permitted in the month of March.
No taxicab license shall be renewed or transferred until all outstanding tickets, summonses, judgments and tax liens of the City against the holder(s) are satisfied.
Such other documentation as the Division of Taxi and Limousine Licensing shall deem necessary to evidence the vehicle is no longer in service and/or under the power and control of the taxicab licensee.
A replacement fee of $50 to cover new decals for two doors or $25 to cover a new decal for one door.
Pay $25 to the City of Hoboken to reimburse the City for its administrative cost to issue a replacement license.
A reference from the applicant's last employer. This requirement may be waived at the option of the Division Head for good cause.
The successful completion of a 5 Panel Drug and Alcohol Test administered by a third party to be selected by the Division Head. The results shall indicate no positive test results for any substance, or the application will be summarily denied. The cost of this test shall be at the applicant's sole cost and expense.
Authorization to the Police Department of the City of Hoboken, to obtain a state and federal criminal background check of the applicant.
Such other information that the City may require.
The Division of Taxi and Limousine Licensing or his designee shall conduct an investigation of each applicant for a taxicab operator's license. A report of such investigation and a copy of the police criminal history background check and traffic record of the applicant, if any, shall be attached to the application for consideration. The procedure for compiling the application which shall be used by the Division to conduct the investigation shall be found in the Division's Rules and Regulations.
Authorization for fingerprinting based access to the Interstate Identification Index for the purpose of conducting noncriminal justice licensing is found in New Jersey State Annotated 40:48-1.4. All applicants seeking a license under this ordinance shall submit to a fingerprint criminal history record and background investigation by the Hoboken Police Department.
The Division of Taxi and Limousine Licensing shall consider the application, the police investigation report, any other documentation required to be attached thereto, and any other relevant facts whatsoever and shall approve or reject the application. No taxi operator's license shall be issued until a written police investigation report is received from the Hoboken Police Department's Bureau of Record and Identification showing the result of the investigation of the applicant's prior criminal history, if any, through an examination of the fingerprints.
The Bureau of Record and Identification shall conduct a criminal history background check investigation of the applicant by submitting necessary documents to the New Jersey State Police and any other appropriate law enforcement agency having the capability of determining whether a person has a criminal record by cross-referencing that person's name and fingerprints with those on file with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Identification Division, and the State Bureau of Identification of the New Jersey Division of State Police.
The Hoboken Police Department shall refer the applicant to the designated fingerprint vendor for processing. Upon receipt of the results of the criminal history background check the Bureau of Record and Identification shall provide the Division of Taxi and Limousine Licensing with the results of the criminal background check within five business days of receipt of same.
A conviction for any crime or offense less than 10 years prior to the date of application, in any other state or jurisdiction, the conduct of which, if committed in New Jersey, would constitute any of the crimes or offenses listed in Subsection F(1) through (4) of this section.
Each applicant for an initial taxicab operator's license shall be examined by an Inspector of the Division of Taxi and Limousine as to his or her knowledge of the provisions of this chapter, the laws regarding motor vehicles within this state, traffic regulations, and geography of the City. The examination shall require the applicant to demonstrate his or her skills and ability to safely and efficiently operate a taxicab. If the applicant cannot demonstrate his or her abilities satisfactorily he or she shall be denied a taxicab operator's license. Driver examinations shall be required for renewal applicants at the discretion of the Director.
If an applicant fails to meet the criteria of any section of Chapter 179A where such failure expressly requires summary denial, the Division Head must summarily deny the application.
In all instances other than § 179A-11A, if the Division Head of the Division of Taxi and Limousine Licensing after examination of the completed application finds that the applicant is fit, willing and able to perform such public transportation in accordance with the provisions of this chapter, the Division of Taxi and Limousine Licensing shall issue 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 Division of Taxi and Limousine Licensing shall take into consideration the character, experience and responsibility of the applicant.
If the Division Head of the Division of Taxi and Limousine Licensing upon consideration of the application determines that the applicant is unfit or unable to perform the duties of a taxicab driver, or if the applicant demonstrates behavior that is abusive, hostile or otherwise inconsistent with the manner in which a person with regular contact with the public should act, the Division of Taxi and Limousine Licensing may deny or reject the application.
If the application is denied or rejected, the applicant may, within 10 days of the date of denial, request a personal appearance before the Division of Taxi and Limousine Licensing to offer evidence in support of a request to reconsider his/her application. Such personal appearance shall occur within 30 days of the date of request by the applicant.
No taxicab operator's license shall be transferred, assigned or sold to any other person in whole or in part, nor shall the license be defaced, obliterated or mutilated.
No taxicab operator's license shall be renewed unless all outstanding tickets, summonses, judgments or tax liens of the holder are satisfied in full.
A nonrefundable taxicab operator's license application fee of $75 must be paid directly to the Division of Taxi and Limousine Licensing before any application documents will be distributed or considered by the Division of Taxi and Limousine Licensing.
It shall be unlawful for a non-licensed taxicab to pick up or accept a passenger within the City for a destination within the City limits.
Taxicabs licensed in other jurisdictions may discharge passengers at a destination within the City provided that any passenger has been picked up by the taxicab outside the City limits.
Taxicabs licensed in other jurisdictions shall not cruise within the City limits to seek non-prearranged passengers. Taxicabs, livery cars, and limousines may only pick up a passenger within the City to be taken to a place or destination outside the City provided the passenger had personally, or through an agent, previously arranged by telephone or other means with the owner or driver of the noncertified taxicab for such a trip to the destination outside the City. Taxicabs not licensed by the City shall be specifically prohibited from picking up fares unless they have been prearranged.
Any person found to be guilty of violating any provisions of § 179A-14 shall be subject to a fine of not less than $1,000 and/or 180 days imprisonment to be determined by the Municipal Court and notice of the offense shall be sent to the owner of the taxicab license for the first offense; and not less than $1500 and/or 180 days imprisonment to be determined by the Municipal Court and notice of the offense shall be sent to the owner of the taxicab license for the second offense; and not more than $2000 and/or one-year imprisonment to be determined by the Municipal Court and notice of the offense shall be sent to the owner of the taxicab license for the third or subsequent offense(s).
Violation of any rule or regulation provided for by Articles II and III of this chapter.
A holder of a license shall be entitled to notice and a hearing before a hearing officer selected by the Corporation Counsel, if requested in writing within five business days after receipt of notice of alleged violations. The license holder shall be entitled to representation by counsel and may present evidence in defense of the charges. The Division of Taxi and Limousine Licensing shall present evidence in support of the charges. At the conclusion of a hearing, the hearing officer may either revoke or suspend the license, or dismiss the charges. Any appeal of the decision of the hearing officer shall be made to a court of competent jurisdiction.
Any notice from the Division of Taxi and Limousine Licensing shall be deemed sufficient if sent via certified and regular mail to the mailing address furnished by the license holder to the Division of Taxi and Limousine Licensing pursuant to this chapter. In the event a licensee changes its mailing address, it is the licensee's responsibility to notify the Division of Taxi and Limousine Licensing.
For a fourth offense, a minimum fine of $1,000, with a maximum fine of $2,000, and mandatory revocation of the driver's taxicab operator's license for a period of not less than five years; and a minimum fine of $750, with a maximum fine of $1,000, upon the owner of the taxicab license and mandatory permanent revocation of the taxicab license.
Every taxicab driver licensed under this chapter shall post his or her taxicab operator's license and a rate book in a glass or plastic enclosed bracket within eye level of seated rear passengers and in a manner as to be readily identifiable and legible. A passenger and/or potential passenger has a right to view the driver's rate book at any time upon verbal request.
Every taxicab driver licensed under provisions of this chapter shall comply with all federal and state laws and regulations and all City ordinances relating to the use, operation and occupancy of motor vehicles and taxicabs. The failure to do so will be cause for suspension, revocation, or other penalty as the Director determines.
These rules and regulations shall be promulgated to ensure the provision of safe transportation and shall specify such safety equipment and regulatory devices as the Director deems necessary.
When a vehicle has met the standards established by the Division of Taxi and Limousine Licensing, the Division of Taxi and Limousine Licensing shall issue an inspection license to that effect. The inspection license shall be conspicuously displayed in each taxicab as to be readily seen by the passenger.
The exterior of every vehicle operating under this chapter shall be kept in safe and clean conditions.
Every vehicle operating under this chapter shall be free from dents, missing parts and other exterior damage or wear which creates an unsightly appearance.
Every vehicle operating under this chapter shall have interior and upholstery which is kept safe and clean and free from broken, missing or worn parts.
Every taxicab shall be equipped with interior light of sufficient candlepower to illuminate its interior after sundown. In no case shall the bulb be less than six candlepower.
Taxicabs shall be equipped with roof lights which shall be in operation whenever the taxicabs are in operation. The roof lights shall be lighted when the taxicabs are vacant and extinguished when occupied. Roof lights shall have a dark background so as to be distinguished in the daylight hours.
Vehicles used as taxicabs need not be new, but they shall be required to pass inspection by the New Jersey State Motor Vehicle Commission and shall also be required to pass an annual inspection by the Division of Taxi and Limousine Licensing.
Replacement vehicles used as taxicabs shall be of a four-door model.
Any taxicab vehicles licensed by the City of Hoboken at the time of adoption of this amendment, and any vehicle which is handicapped-accessible regardless of when first licensed by the City of Hoboken, shall be no greater than 11 model years old.
Any taxicab vehicle not licensed by the City of Hoboken at the time of adoption of this amendment, except handicapped vehicles which are subject to Subsection C(8)(a) regardless of when first licensed by the City of Hoboken, may be up to nine model years old if hybrid/green. The City shall not license any nonhybrid/nongreen taxicab vehicles never before licensed by the City.
Any taxicab vehicle operated in the City of Hoboken which is six model years old or greater shall be inspected annually at the time of license renewal and may be inspected by order of the Director upon any written complaint regarding the maintenance of the vehicle, both of which inspections shall be conducted by and at the cost of the City of Hoboken.
In any event when a taxicab vehicle fails the initial inspection, the license owner shall be entitled to a thirty-day opportunity to cure, during which period the vehicle may continue to be operated under the City of Hoboken license; except that, in cases where the inspector determines in writing that the reason(s) for failure create(s) a substantial risk to the public health and safety, the vehicle may not be operated under the City of Hoboken license until/unless the health and safety issue is cured.
At the expiration of the cure period, or at any time during the cure period upon written request of the license owner, the vehicle shall be reinspected by the City of Hoboken at the sole cost and expense of the license owner.
If the license owner fails to provide the vehicle for reinspection at the expiration of the cure period, or by the close of City business the next business day following the expiration of the cure period when such day falls on a weekend or holiday, the license shall be automatically revoked and the vehicle shall be listed as a vehicle not approved for use under any City of Hoboken license in the future. Under such circumstances, all City of Hoboken insignia shall be returned to the City of Hoboken within 48 hours of the expiration of the cure period, or the license owner shall be charged a penalty of $100 per violation, with each day constituting a new and separate violation.
If the vehicle is reinspected within the cure period and the vehicle fails reinspection, the license shall be revoked, subject to a hearing as provided for in this chapter, and the vehicle shall be listed as a vehicle not approved for use under any City of Hoboken license in the future. Under such circumstances, all City of Hoboken insignia shall be returned to the City of Hoboken within 48 hours of the expiration of the cure period, or the license owner shall be charged a penalty of $100 per violation, with each day constituting a new and separate violation.
If the vehicle is reinspected within the cure period and the vehicle passes reinspection, the license shall remain in good standing, subject to compliance with all other rules and regulations, and the vehicle shall remain in good standing to be used under any City of Hoboken license, subject to compliance with all other rules and regulations.
The color scheme of taxicabs shall be at the sound discretion of the Division of Taxi and Limousine Licensing. The Division of Taxi and Limousine Licensing may adopt a uniform color scheme for all taxis licensed by the City.
The City of Hoboken taxicab logo with assigned number cannot be duplicated without the Director's consent. Any person found to be guilty of violating any provisions of this section shall be punishable to a minimum fine of $1,000 and/or 90 day's imprisonment, to be determined by the Municipal Court.
No vehicle covered by this chapter shall be licensed whose identifying design, monogram, or insignia shall, in the opinion of the Division of Taxi and Limousine Licensing, conflict with or imitate any other vehicle or vehicles already licensed and operating under the provisions of this chapter in such a manner as to be misleading or tend to deceive or defraud the public.
The company's business name with the company's telephone number shall appear in a conspicuous area of the taxi vehicle in lettering not less than six inches in height and in a contrasting color.
If a taxicab operator accepts credit card payments, such shall be indicated on both sides of the rear doors by way of logos for each type of credit card which is accepted.
If, after a license has been issued for a taxicab, any of the provisions of this section are violated, the Division of Taxi and Limousine Licensing shall suspend and/or revoke the license of such taxi or taxicabs in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.
Handicapped accessible taxicabs licensed by the City with a handicapped accessible taxicab license shall include insignia, as provided by the Division of Taxi and Limousine, which indicates that said taxicab is licensed by the City of Hoboken as a handicapped accessible taxicab. No other taxicabs licensed by the City, which do not hold a handicapped accessible taxicab license, may provide for any insignia or signage on the taxicab which indicates handicapped accessibility.
Maximum allowable intra-City fares. The maximum allowable fare for intra-City taxi service shall be $6, except for taxi service initiating from the taxi stand at the New Jersey Transit/PATH station, which shall have a maximum intra-City fare of $5.
If cab rides are shared with the consent of the first rider(s), the fee may be increased by $5 so long as the second rider(s) is not going to the same exact destination. There shall be no more than two paying passengers per shared ride. The right of the taxicab operator to transport shared rides applies only at taxi stands designated by the City of Hoboken if there are more passengers than available taxis. The first rider must be taken to his or her destination first.
If a taxi picks up a party of more than one person at the taxi stand at the New Jersey Transit/PATH station for intra-City travel, the taxi driver may charge an additional fee of $1 for each additional person, which fee shall be in addition to the allowable fare of $5, except that there shall be no additional charge for children under the age of 13 years old.
Allowable baggage fees. In addition to the aforesaid rates, there shall be a charge of $0.50 for each bag exceeding two, with which a driver assists a passenger, except that senior citizens shall not be subject to this fee.
Maximum allowable non-intra-City fares. Every driver must have a City-approved rate book in the vehicle at all times and must use the rates included in the book.
The driver of a taxicab shall, upon request by the passenger, provide him or her a receipt for the amount charged, either by a mechanically printed receipt or by a specially prepared receipt on which shall be the name of the owner, driver's name, license number of the taxicab, date and the amount paid for fare. Only one receipt per fare shall be provided.
No person shall refuse to pay the legal fare of any taxicab or vehicle mentioned in this chapter after having hired same. No person shall hire any such taxicab or vehicle with intent to defraud the person from whom it was hired of the value of such service.
No driver shall solicit passengers for a taxicab except when sitting in the driver's seat of such taxicab or while standing immediately adjacent to the curbside thereof. The driver of any such taxicab shall remain in the driver's compartment or immediately adjacent to his vehicle at all times when such vehicle is upon the public street.
No driver shall solicit patronage in a loud or annoying tone of voice, by sign, voice amplification device or in any manner so as to annoy any person, obstruct the movement of any person, or follow any person for the purpose of soliciting patronage. No driver, starter, assistant, or associate, shall induce any prospective passenger to employ him by misinforming or misleading any such prospective passenger as to the location of any hotel, public place or private residence within the City or as to the distance between any two points, nor shall any driver, starter, assistant, or associate deceive any prospective passenger or make any false or misleading representations to him or her or convey any passenger to any place or over any route other than that which such passenger has instructed the driver to go.
Drivers of taxicabs shall not receive or discharge passengers in the roadways, but shall pull up to the right hand sidewalk as nearly as possible. In the absence of a sidewalk, the driver should pull over to the extreme right hand side of the road and there receive and discharge passengers, except upon one way streets, where passengers may be discharged on either the right or left hand sidewalk or side of the road in the absence of a sidewalk.
No person, other than the licensed driver or a person with a disability, shall ride or sit in the front seat unless the rear seat is fully occupied by passengers or passenger luggage. No driver shall permit any other person to occupy or ride in the taxicab, other than the person or persons employing the taxicab. The practice of sharing of taxicabs, whereby the driver is paid more than one fare for the same travel or portion thereof shall be permitted only with the first passenger's consent and charged pursuant to § 179A-20A. Any violation of this subsection shall subject the driver to an immediate five day suspension as well as those penalties provided for by § 179A-15D of this Code.
No driver shall permit more than four persons to be carried in his or her taxicab as passengers. Upon written application to the Division of Taxi and Limousine Licensing requesting an inspection of a particular vehicle, the Division of Taxi and Limousine Licensing may rate particular vehicles, or classes of vehicles, at a higher occupancy level. Children under seven years of age seated in the lap of an adult passenger in the rear of the vehicle shall not be counted as a passenger.
No driver shall refuse or neglect to convey any orderly person or persons upon request, unless previously engaged or unable or forbidden by the provisions of this chapter to do so. Any such refusal or neglect shall be punishable by a license suspension for a period not to exceed five days, as well as those penalties provided for by § 179A-15D of this Code.
Drivers shall not: (i) allow the consumption of any alcoholic beverages in their vehicle; (ii) engage in the selling of intoxicating liquors or drugs; (iii) solicit patronage for any house of ill repute; or (iv) use vehicles for any other purpose other than the transportation of passengers.
Taxicabs, upon discharging their passengers, shall either return to the taxi stand assigned to that particular taxicab or shall be permitted to cruise in search of passengers. No taxicab shall remain parked at any place within the City except at a taxi stand assigned to it or unless it is waiting for a passenger. No taxicab shall be parked at any place other than its taxi stand awaiting a call from its dispatcher or other person for a new assignment.
The pick up or discharge of passengers may not cause a dangerous traffic situation nor may it cause a disruption or stoppage in traffic flow.
Cruising shall not be allowed within 500 feet of a taxi stand. Cruising is prohibited within 50 feet of a bus stop, unless hailed by a prospective passenger.
Cruising shall at all times remain at the discretion of the Director, who may regulate, modify, or abolish the practice.
This subsection shall not be construed as to allow any practice otherwise prohibited by this chapter or any law or regulation of this State or of the United States.
In accordance with N.J.S.A. 39:4-197(3)(a), the Division of Taxi and Limousine Licensing is authorized to regulate the use of taxi stands, and to establish and regulate temporary taxi stands, within the City of Hoboken, as provided by law.
Editor’s Note: Former Subsection B(2) and (3), pertaining to taxi stands on 14th Street and Adams Street, respectively, were repealed 3-2-2016 by Ord. No. Z-400.
It shall be unlawful for any taxicab driver not to abide by the direction of the taxicab "starter."
The Director may establish temporary taxi stands as necessary.
Private or off-duty taxis and unauthorized vehicles shall not at any time occupy the space upon the streets which have been provided and established as either a taxi stand or temporary taxi stand. Any such vehicles shall be removed at the owner's expense. No private or off-duty taxi shall be parked at a taxi stand unless authorized by the Division of Taxi and Limousine Licensing or on any City street.
All persons engaged in the taxicab business in the City operating under provisions of this chapter shall render an overall acceptable service to the public desiring to use taxicabs. They shall answer all calls received by them for service inside the City as soon as practical and, if the service cannot be rendered within a reasonable time, they shall notify the prospective passenger how long it will be before the call can be answered and give the reason thereof. Any holder who shall refuse to accept a call anywhere in the City at any time when such holder has available taxicabs on duty, or who shall fail or refuse to give overall acceptable service, shall be deemed a violator of this chapter. The license granted to such holder shall be revoked at the discretion of the Division of Taxi and Limousine Licensing after notice of charges and hearing.
Every taxicab driver shall maintain a daily trip sheet upon which is recorded all trips made each day, showing time and place of origin, destination of each trip, amount of fare, name of driver, and the times he or she reported on and off duty. All such completed trip sheets shall be returned to the owner of the taxicab by the driver at the conclusion of his tour of duty. The form of each trip sheet shall be furnished to the driver by the owner and shall be of a character approved by the Division of Taxi and Limousine Licensing. Copies of all daily trip sheets for each vehicle shall be maintained in an accessible format by the owner for a period of at least one license year.
Every license holder shall keep accurate records of receipts from operation, operating and other expenses, capital expenditures and other such operating information as may be required by the Division of Taxi and Limousine Licensing. Every holder shall maintain the records containing such information accessible for examination by the Division of Taxi and Limousine Licensing.
All accidents arising from or in connection with the operation of taxicabs which result in death or injury to any person or in damage to any vehicle, or to any property in an amount exceeding $500 shall be reported to the Division of Taxi and Limousine Licensing within 48 hours from the time of occurrence in a form to be furnished by the Division of Taxi and Limousine Licensing. Copies of any police report filed or prepared as a result of the accident must also be provided to the Division of Taxi and Limousine Licensing within 48 hours. Such reports are to be used by the Department in developing useful information in the prevention of transportation accidents.
All license holders shall file with the Division of Taxi and Limousine Licensing copies of all contracts, agreements, arrangements, memorandums or other writing, relating to the furnishing of taxicab service to any hotel, theater, hall, public resort, railway station or other place of public gathering, indicating whether such agreement is made with any corporation, firm or association with which the holder may be interested or connected. Failure to file such copies within seven days shall be sufficient cause for the revocation of a license of any offending holder or the cancellation of any taxi stand privilege.
Whenever a taxicab registered to a City of Hoboken taxicab license is out of service for five or more days, the taxicab license holder shall report the same in writing to the Division of Taxi and Limousine Licensing with the reason therefor, the date of decommission, and the expected date of return. Prior to returning the taxicab to service, the taxicab license holder shall provide the Division with a written letter from a mechanic, on the mechanics official letterhead, stating the vehicle is safe for operation as a taxicab, and the date the vehicle may return to operation.
Whenever the registration and/or license plates for a taxicab licensed by the City of Hoboken shall change the taxicab license holder shall provide the City of Hoboken with written verification, from the State of New Jersey Department Motor Vehicle Commission, indicating the change of license plate and/or change of registration for the vehicle prior to use of the vehicle under the City of Hoboken taxicab license.
Subject to the provision of this chapter and the rules and regulations of the Division of Taxi and Limousine Licensing, taxicabs may display advertising on or above the rear bumper of the cab provided that such advertising is properly framed and does not obstruct rear vision.
Taxicab companies not properly licensed to provide taxi service within the City shall not cause to be displayed any type of placard, poster, sign, sticker or card advertising its transportation services in public telephone booths, taverns, restaurants or other public places in this City.
The Division of Taxi and Limousine Licensing is hereby given the authority and is instructed to watch and observe the conduct of holders and drivers operating under this chapter. Upon discovering a violation of this chapter, the Division of Taxi and Limousine Licensing shall file a complaint with the Municipal Court and take any other action consistent with this chapter.
A vehicle owner who has been issued a taxi license shall be responsible for having said vehicle inspected at a State of New Jersey inspection station pursuant to the laws of this state. Authorized personnel of the City of Hoboken under the Division of Taxi and Limousine Licensing may conduct on street inspections of such vehicles. The inspector may order the vehicle owner to repair or take the vehicle out of service until such vehicle is repaired.
Subject to required licensing and approval by appropriate authorities, including the Director and the Division of Taxi and Limousine Licensing, owners may use radios to dispatch taxicabs.
Unless otherwise specified herein, any person violating any provision of this chapter shall, upon conviction thereof before the Municipal Court, be subject to a fine not exceeding $1,000 or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding one year, or both, the amount of such fine and imprisonment subject to the above limitation, to be determined by the sound discretion of the Municipal Judge. In addition to the aforementioned penalties, and as provided for herein, violations of this chapter may subject the license to suspension or revocation as provided for herein.
Any ordinances adopted concerning taxicabs and taxicab drivers previously adopted by the City of Hoboken are hereby specifically repealed.
Should any part of this chapter be declared invalid all other parts shall remain in full force and effect.

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