§ 11-22-118 — Regulation of taxicabs - Specific requirements.

The municipal governing body is vested with full police powers, for the purpose of preserving public health, safety and welfare, over the operation, regulation and control of taxicabs within the limits of the municipality. The municipal governing body may prescribe regulations for the operation of taxicabs, which regulations may include, and shall be limited to the following specific powers and subjects: 1. Requirement of minimum insurance, bond or other indemnity for public liability upon each taxicab; and if other than standard insurance be permitted, requirement and specifications of terms and conditions under which such other indemnity shall be accumulated, held, maintained, managed, and disposed of to secure persons in whose favor any liability shall arise out of the operation of taxicabs; 2. Requirement of minimum standards of mechanical condition and efficiency of any vehicle used as a taxicab, together with the power to require inspections to insure compliance therewith; 3. Restriction of the loading of taxicabs to specified zones or localities; including the power to prohibit and punish "cruising" and the making of such other rules governing the manner of operation of taxicabs as the public safety may require; 4. Determination, establishing, and enforcement of maximum and/or minimum rates and charges to be made by taxicabs for the transportation of passengers; including, but not requiring, the establishment of zones as the basis of such rates, or the requirement of taximeters as the basis of calculating such charges; 5. Requirement of municipal license for the operation of each taxicab; together with the right to levy and exact an annual fee therefor, and the right to revoke, cancel and thereafter refuse to reissue such license for failure to comply with or for infractions of regulations promulgated pursuant to this section. The granting of any license may be made dependent upon the holding of a certificate of convenience and necessity issued by the municipality, if such certificates are provided as authorized by paragraph 6 of this section; and 6. Requirement for the holding of a certificate of convenience and necessity as a condition precedent to the issuance and holding of a municipal license for the operation of a taxicab; including the power to issue, deny, suspend and revoke such certificates.

Legislative History

Added by Laws 1977, c. 256, § 22-118, eff. July 1, 1978.