Ramapo police enforce town taxi laws
Ramapo police were out enforcing town taxi laws on Tuesday along Route 59 and Route 306 in Monsey.
More Stories
Ramapo police were out enforcing town taxi laws on Tuesday along Route 59 and Route 306 in Monsey.
The police periodically conduct operations to ensure taxi drivers and their vehicles meet local safety and registration requirements since the local laws were passed a few years ago.
“Our goal is not to stop anyone from driving a cab, but we want it to be safe and legal,” Ramapo Supervisor Michael Specht said.
On Tuesday, the Ramapo Police Department’s Traffic Safety Unit conducted inspections to confirm that taxi drivers and their vehicles were properly registered with the town. During the enforcement effort, 14 taxis were found to be in violation for either failing to register with the town or displaying outdated town registration.
There are town-issued stickers placed on the backs of vehicles to help indicate that.
Specht noted that enforcement is limited to situations where officers observe a taxi actively picking up a passenger in unincorporated areas of Ramapo, so areas not already an established village.
“In order for them to be able to write a ticket, they have to see the taxi picking up a passenger in unincorporated Ramapo,” Specht explained. “Just driving through Ramapo, or dropping somebody off, is not a violation because they might have picked someone up from outside of town.”
Authorities did not identify the taxi companies associated with the drivers who received citations. Drivers issued tickets will be required to appear in town justice court.
If convicted, they could face fines of up to $500 and their town taxi license could also be suspended or revoked under local code.
Ramapo law requires taxi operators to renew their town registration every year.
Town officials say taxi operators in Rockland County who have questions about registration or would like to register are encouraged to contact the Town of Ramapo.
