Title
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING TITLE XXXIV, TRANSPORTATION, CHAPTER 1, TAXICABS, OF THE REVISED GENERAL ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF NEWARK, NEW JERSEY (2000) AS AMENDED AND SUPPLEMENTED, BY ADDING THERETO A NEW ARTICLE DESIGNATED AS "ARTICLE 18 TAXICAB MONITORING AT NEWARK LIBERTY AIRPORT".
Deferred/ PHC 6PSF-d 062012
Deferred 6SF-b 070312
Tabled RB/CG 6SF-b 080112
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WHEREAS, there is a need to eradicate illegal passenger pick-up by individuals who have not been properly screened and approved by the Manager of the Division of Taxicabs; and
WHEREAS, the safety of passengers is paramount and requires diligent protection from solicitation by unlicensed taxicab drivers within the terminals in areas surrounding arrivals and baggage claims; and
WHEREAS, it is imperative that drivers and dispatchers are not engaging in illegal monetary transactions; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to create and maintain a fair work environment where taxicab rides are equitably disbursed based on a driver's position on line; and
WHEREAS, there must be a fair distribution of taxicabs at each terminal and that measures be taken to maintain the integrity in the positioning within taxicab lines between the overflow station and the terminals; and
WHEREAS, remedies are available and necessary to improve the quality of service and the quality of experience by the taxicab riding public and visitors to the City of Newark.
For the foregoing reasons, the Newark City Council hereby proposes a "TAXI MONITORING PROGRAM" to be initiated at Newark Liberty International Airport. Now, therefore be it
ORDAINED BY THE MUNICIPAL COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NEWARK, NEW JERSEY THAT THE REVISED GENERAL ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF NEWARK, NEW JERSEY (2000) AS AMENDED AND SUPPLEMENTED IS HEREBY FURTHER AMENDED AND SUPPLEMENTED AS FOLLOWS TO ADD A NEW ARTICLE 18 AND A NEW SECTION 64 TO TITLE XXXIV DESIGNATED AS FOLLOWS:
ARTICLE 18, TAXICAB MONITORING AT NEWARK LIBERTY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
34:1-64. TAXICAB MONITORING PROGRAM
a. Purpose. The overall purpose of the Taxi Monitoring Program is to improve the quality of service and the quality of experience by the taxicab riding public, visitors to the City of Newark and the lawfully licensed taxicab drivers. The goal of the Program is:
1. To eradicate illegal passenger pick-up by individuals who have not been properly screened and approved by the Manager of the Division of Taxicabs;
2. To protect passengers from illegal solicitation by unlicensed taxicab drivers within the terminals in areas surrounding arrivals and baggage claims;
3. To prevent illegal monetary transactions by taxicab drivers and dispatchers;
4. To maintain a fair work environment wherein taxicab rides are equitably disbursed based on a driver's position in line;
5. To maintain a fair distribution of taxicabs at each terminal;
6. To maintain the integrity of positioning of taxicab lines between the overflow station and terminals.
b. Monitors. The Manager of the Taxicab Division may designate and appoint an employee of the City of Newark, upon recommendation of the Taxicab Commission, to be a monitor at Newark Liberty International Airport and at such other public places as the Municipal Council shall, by Ordinance, determine.
c. Taxi Monitor Rules. Monitors shall conduct themselves as follows:
1. Must be identified by a badge duly authorized by the Manager of the Taxicab Division which shall be easily visible at all times;
2. Must adhere to a strict dress code in accordance with 34:1-39 of this Chapter.
3. Must remain at least five (5) feet away from the dispatcher booth.
4. May listen to ascertain the customer's destination.
5. May view any transaction between dispatcher and drivers.
6. May assist any customer or driver with luggage.
7. May request to review any driver's short slip for accuracy.
8. May verify the order of the taxicab line to ensure cabs are lined-up on a first-come, first-served basis for passenger pick-up.
9. Shall notify the appropriate person(s) if any dispatching line is empty.
10. Shall diligently observe the terminal arrival and baggage claim areas to prevent and/or report solicitation by unauthorized drivers, i.e., "Gypsy Cabs".
11. Shall warn and advise passengers of illegal solicitations by unauthorized drivers.
d. Penalties. Civil penalties for violations shall be the same as delineated in 34:1-54 of this Chapter. Criminal penalties for violations shall be the same as delineated in 34:1-56 of this Chapter.
e. IMPLEMENTATION; DURATION; REPORTING AND EVALUATION OF THE TAXICAB MONITORING PROGRAM.
1. The Taxicab Monitoring Program shall take effective immediately upon passage by the Municipal Council and duly advertised according to law.
2. This shall be a six (6) month pilot program that will allow the Manager of the Taxicab Division to gather information about the strengths, weaknesses and issues surrounding the operation of the Program; to test the viability and workability of the Program; and to ensure the successful operation of the Program.
3. During the pilot program, on a schedule to be determined by the Manager, the Manager will report to the Taxi Commission on the Program's performance. This will include, but is not limited to, qualitative evaluations, such as surveys or interviews from taxicab drivers, monitors and passengers. However, the Manager will update members of the Commission on early observations from the Pilot Program no later than three (3) months after the Program has been initiated.
4. The Manager will submit any additional information or reports related to the Program that the Manager reasonably determines useful to his formulation of recommendations for Commission action.
5. Taxicab license owners are required to respond to reasonable requests from the Manager to complete user surveys, participate in focus groups or interviews, and keep records of their experiences with the Program.
6. Upon completion of the six (6) month pilot program, an assessment and recommendation shall be made by the Manager of the Taxicab Division and the Taxicab Commission, to determine whether the program is viable and should continue.