[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Committee of the Township
of Morris 12-30-1965 by Ord. No. 29-65 (Ch. 90 of the 1969 Code). Amendments
noted where applicable.]
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
Includes any vehicle which is made available for public hire
in the Township of Morris.
Includes any person, either owner or otherwise, who operates
any vehicle made available for public hire.
As distinguished from hack, cab, livery, or limousine, a
motor vehicle engaged in the business of carrying passengers for hire
which is operated or run over any of the streets of the Township of
Morris and particularly accepts and discharges such persons as may
offer themselves for transportation from points or places within the
Township of Morris and which does not have a regular run and which
does not have to be engaged by appointment and which is publicly offered
on the streets of the Township.
[Added 3-10-1971 by Ord. No. 7-71]
The Township Committee of the Township of Morris is hereby authorized
to grant licenses, under the Seal of the Township, to such persons
as it shall determine to be proper and duly qualified, according to
the provisions of this chapter, to keep and use for hire hacks, cabs,
taxis and liveries for the transportation of passengers within the
Township of Morris, and also to hackmen or drivers of licensed vehicles
other than the owners thereof.
All licenses granted under the provisions of this chapter shall
expire on the first day of January next after the same shall be granted
and shall respectively state the purpose for which the same shall
be granted, the number of the license and the name of the person licensed.
[Amended 1-23-1980 by Ord. No. 3-80]
There shall be a fee charged for each license as aforesaid on
the issuance of the license, as follows:
Every license granted under the provisions of this chapter may
be suspended or revoked by the Township Committee of the Township
of Morris on satisfactory cause to it for so doing, and during such
suspension or after such license shall be revoked, such license shall
be inoperative and of no effect.
The Township Clerk shall keep a register of all licenses granted
under this chapter, showing the number and date of each license and
the name of the person licensed.
A.
Applications for a license either as an owner or operator under the
provisions of this chapter must be made in writing to the Township
Committee of the Township of Morris, and before such license shall
be issued by said Township Committee, the following requirements must
be satisfied:
(1)
The applicant has complied with all state laws pertaining to taxicabs.
(2)
The applicant is a citizen of the United States.
(3)
The applicant is a person of good moral character.
(5)
The vehicle shall be in good repair and in a safe condition.
(6)
There shall be required, irrespective of state statutes, a minimum
combined single limit policy covering bodily injury and property damage
in the minimum amount of $50,000 for each person with $50,000 coverage
for each occurrence. A certificate of insurance attesting to these
coverages shall be filed with the Municipal Clerk of the Township
of Morris.
[Amended 12-8-1966 by Ord. No. 31-66; 9-22-2004 by Ord. No. 13-04; 12-21-2005 by Ord. No. 34-05]
(7)
The applicant has not been convicted of a crime.
(8)
A copy of the rates established by the owners shall be posted in
the cabs.
B.
In addition thereto, before any such license shall be issued, the
Township Committee shall cause the Police Department of the Township
of Morris to make a background check, including fingerprints, of the
person, which said report shall be submitted to the Township Committee.
No person shall hire out, keep or use for hire or wages, or
cause to be kept or used for hire or wages, any hack, cab, taxi or
livery for the transportation of passengers from any point within
the Township of Morris, without first being licensed as hereinbefore
provided.
No vehicle licensed under the terms of this chapter shall be
driven or used within the limits of the Township of Morris except
by the owner thereof or by a duly licensed driver as provided herein.
It is hereby established by the Township of Morris that there
shall be a limit of 25 hacks, cabs, taxis or liveries operating and
licensed in the Township of Morris.
A.
There shall be fixed in every hack, cab, taxi, or livery, in such
a manner that the same may be easily and conveniently read by any
person therein, a card containing the following:
B.
In addition, there shall be displayed in every hack, cab, taxi or
livery, in such a manner that same may be easily and conveniently
read by any person therein, a recent photograph of the operator thereof.
Such photograph shall measure not less than two inches wide and three
inches high, being taken from the shoulders up. This photograph shall
contain, in letters not less than 1/4 inch high, the name of the person
and the number of his license.
C.
Every taxicab shall have affixed thereto a sign on the top of the
roof, which said sign shall contain the word "TAXI" in letters of
at least three inches in height, which shall be visible from the front
and rear and which said sign shall be lighted at all times while the
said hack or cab is in use.
[Amended 3-10-1971 by Ord. No. 7-71]
No owner or driver of any hack or cab shall refuse or neglect
to convey any person or persons to any place or places within the
Township limits without just cause, and no owner or driver, as aforesaid,
shall ask, demand or extort any larger sum than he or they may be
entitled to receive under the terms of this chapter. Any vehicle shall
be kept in good repair and safe condition at all times.
The Township Committee is hereby authorized to designate such
places within the Township of Morris as public stands for hacks or
cabs as it may deem expedient and proper and to make such regulations
as may be necessary to preserve order and promote public convenience.