[Amended 11-24-1982 by Ord. No. MC-1910]
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
A section of a public street or public place set apart for
the exclusive use of a limited number of taxicabs when such section
is distinctly marked as such by a sign attached to a stanchion, on
the curb or other conspicuous place or by clearly visible marks upon
the surface of the street or public place.
Includes any automobile or motorcar, commonly called "taxi,"
"autocab," "omnibus" or by whatever name or designation it may now
or hereafter be known or designated, engaging in the business of carrying
passengers for hire, which is held out, announced or advertised to
operate or run or which is operated or run over any of the streets
of the City, and particularly accepts and discharges such persons
as may offer themselves for transportation from points or places within
the City upon the terms, provisions or conditions prescribed in this
chapter, or which is hired by charter or for a particular contract
or by the day or hour or other fixed period to transport passengers
to a specified place or places or which charges a fare or price agreed
upon, in advance, between the operator and the passenger. Nothing
contained in this section shall be construed to include any motor
vehicle, by whatever name or designation, used and employed solely
in transporting school children or teachers or autobuses which are
subject to the jurisdiction of the New Jersey State Public Utility
Commissioners of the Interstate Commerce Commission.
This article shall apply to all owners of taxicabs to be operated
in the City of Camden as well as all vehicles to be so operated.
[Amended 12-8-1983 by Ord. No. MC-1994; 4-9-1987 by Ord. No. MC-2289]
No taxicab license shall be granted by the Division of Inspections if the existing taxicab licenses are rendering adequate services and meet the needs of the public for taxicab service under normal traffic conditions, if additional taxicabs are not necessary and proper for the public convenience or to properly conserve and protect the public interest, if the applicant for the license is disqualified for the reasons set forth in § 485-24 or if said applicant has not complied with other requirements of this chapter which are made prerequisite for the granting or issuance of the license.
[Amended 9-27-1984 by Ord. No. MC-2060; 2-28-2002 by Ord. No.
MC-3727]
The number of taxicab licenses granted, issued and outstanding
shall not exceed 120.
[Amended 12-8-1983 by Ord. No. MC-1994]
If making the finding or determination to approve an application
for a taxicab license, the Division of Inspections shall take into
consideration:
A.
The number of taxicabs already in operation.
B.
Whether existing transportation is adequate to meet the public needs.
C.
Whether the probable effect of increased service would result in
excessive competition, resulting in peril and injury to the public
and higher insurance rates.
D.
The probable effect of increased service on local traffic conditions.
E.
The character, experience and responsibility of the applicant.
F.
Whether the applicant has complied with the requirements of Chapter 485 of this Code concerning applications.
[Amended 12-8-1983 by Ord. No. MC-1994]
In order to aid the Division of Inspections to determine whether to approve or disapprove the application for a taxicab license or to make any other findings or determinations in connection therewith, the Division of Inspections shall provide for a public hearing, as provided by § 485-26 of this Code. Notice of such hearing shall be given to the applicant and to any other holders of any taxicab licenses issued pursuant to this article.
A.
Renewal taxicab licenses may be issued by the Division of Inspections
where the applicant therefor was a taxicab licensee in the year immediately
preceding the year in which he makes application for such renewal
license.
[Amended 12-8-1983 by Ord. No. MC-1994]
C.
The taxicab owner's renewal period for the year 2011 shall commence
on January 1, 2011, and end on March 31, 2012. Thereafter, the license
period shall commence on April 1 and end March 31 the following year.
[Added 7-13-2010 by Ord. No. MC-4555]
[Amended 12-8-1983 by Ord. No. MC-1994]
A.
No taxicab shall be licensed until it has been thoroughly and carefully
inspected and examined by the Division of Inspections and found to
be in a thoroughly safe condition for the transportation of passengers.
Such licensed taxicabs shall be clean and fit and of good appearance
and well painted. Side curtains and shades shall not be permitted
on any such licensed vehicles.
B.
The Division of Inspections shall refuse a license to any applicant
or, if already issued, revoke or suspend the license of any vehicle
found to be unsafe for the transportation of passengers.
C.
The Division of Inspections is authorized and empowered to establish
such additional rules and regulations for the inspection of taxicabs
and their appurtenances, construction and condition of fitness for
the safe and adequate transportation of passengers as it may deem
necessary and reasonable.
D.
The Division of Inspections shall maintain a constant vigilance over
all taxicabs to see that they are kept in a condition of safety for
the transportation of passengers and, to this end, shall have the
right, at any and all times, to inspect any and all licensed vehicles
and shall maintain a record, in writing, of the report of all such
inspections.
E.
All reports of such inspections and examinations, after being submitted
and filed with the Division of Inspections, shall become a part of
the application filed for the licensing of such vehicles, as provided
in this article.
[Amended 12-8-1983 by Ord. No. MC-1994]
A.
Under the direction of the Division of Inspections, a register shall
be kept of the name of each person to whom a taxicab license has been
granted, together with the license number and the description, make
and other identifying data of such vehicles, with the date and complete
record of inspections made of them. All applications shall be carefully
preserved for reference. All licenses issued shall be recorded in
books provided for that purpose, which shall be in such form as the
Division of Inspections shall prescribe.
B.
All such records shall be open to the inspection of the public at
all reasonable times and shall be deemed the office records of the
Division of Inspections.
[Amended 12-8-1983 by Ord. No. MC-1994]
Each taxicab licensee shall receive a license card of such size
and form as may be prescribed by the Division of Inspections. Such
card shall designate the stand or stands to be occupied and shall
contain the name of the applicant, the official license number of
the taxicab, the name of the owner, the state license number thereof,
the make, model, manufacturer's number and motor power of the
taxicab, together with the date of the inspection of the same and
a notice that, in case of any complaint, said Division shall be notified,
the license number of the taxicab being given. Such card shall have
attached thereto the signature of the Supervisor of License Inspections
of the Division of Inspections. Such card shall contain blank spaces
upon which an entry shall be made of the date of every inspection
of the vehicle by the person making the inspection.
[Amended 12-8-1983 by Ord. No. MC-1994; 5-27-2008 by Ord. No.
MC-4392]
A.
Any taxicab license may be transferred, as provided in § 758-20B below, upon the payment of a transfer fee of $100 for each and every such transfer and upon obtaining the approval, in writing, of the Division of Inspections.
B.
Subject to the provisions of § 758-20A above, nothing herein and in the City of Camden Code shall prevent a taxicab licensee's transfer of any taxicab license to a corporation: (1) duly organized and authorized under law to engage in the taxicab business; and (2) in which the licensee retains continuous and uninterrupted ownership of a majority of shares in said corporation during the term of the license. After any taxicab license transfer to a corporation pursuant to this section, the taxicab license shall continue to remain in the name of the original taxicab licensee of record who is the majority shareholder of the corporation.
C.
Any person who at any time holds or acquires 10% or more ownership
interest in a corporation holding a taxicab license shall immediately
report this status to the Chief License Inspector and shall provide
to the Bureau of License and Inspections the information required
of all applicants for a taxicab license.
D.
Subject to the provisions of § 758-20A above, if a person who is the named taxicab licensee of record and majority shareholder of the corporation holding a taxicab license shall become deceased, the duly appointed executor or administrator of that person's estate may cause the transfer of the taxicab license within one year after the licensee's death into the name of any officer of said corporation who is qualified to hold the taxicab license and is the majority shareholder of the corporation holding the taxicab license.
E.
Any taxicab license not transferred into the name of a qualified
officer and majority shareholder of the aforesaid corporation within
one year of the taxicab licensee's date of death shall lapse;
provided, however, the Director of the Department of Code Enforcement
may reasonably extend this period for good cause as presented by affidavit
or sworn testimony at a hearing conducted by the Director. If a taxicab
license is extended by the Director, the license holder shall pay
all current fees, including any renewal fees then due.
[Amended 12-8-1983 by Ord. No. MC-1994]
The holder of the taxicab license shall record, in a book kept
solely for such purpose, the time of departure from the garage or
stand 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 stand of each such vehicle.
Such book, and every other record of the acceptance and discharge
of passengers, kept by any licensed owner or driver, shall be kept
open for inspection at all times by a duly authorized representative
of the Division of Inspections.
In order to ensure the safety of the public, it shall be unlawful
for the owner, lessee or bailee of any taxicab to operate or cause
or permit such taxicab to be operated, nor shall any license be issued
hereunder, until and unless the applicant shall have complied with
the applicable provisions and requirements of state law as set forth
in N.J.S.A. 48:16-1 et seq., as amended and supplemented, relating
to the filing of an insurance policy or blanket insurance policy and
the amount, coverage and form thereof. All such insurance policies
shall be issued to expire December 31 next succeeding the date of
issuance.
[Amended 12-8-1983 by Ord. No. MC-1994]
No vehicle covered by the terms of this chapter shall be licensed
if the color scheme, name, monogram or insignia to be used thereon
shall be in conflict with or, in the opinion of the Division of Inspections,
shall imitate, any color scheme or name or monogram or insignia used
by any other persons, firm or corporation operating a taxicab or taxicabs
in such manner as to be misleading or tend to deceive or defraud the
public. The license of such taxicab or taxicabs shall be suspended
or revoked by said Division of Inspections.
[Amended 12-8-1983 by Ord. No. MC-1994]
Any change of address of any taxicab licensee or taxicab driver
licensed under this chapter shall be reported, in writing, to the
Division of Inspections office within 72 hours of such change.
[Amended 12-8-1983 by Ord. No. MC-1994]
The loss of the taxicab license or taxicab driver's license
shall be reported, in writing, by the licensee thereof to the Division
of Inspections office within 24 hours of such loss.
