Black Cars • Commuter Vans • Community Car Services • Luxury Limousines • Paratransit/Ambulettes

THE TAXI, LIMOUSINE & PARATRANSIT INDUSTRIES IN THE UNITED STATES

Taxicab Industry

In the United States, there are approximately 6,700 companies operating 190,000 taxicabs. More than 80% of these companies operate less than 50 vehicles while 6% of taxicab operations have more than 100 vehicles inservice.

Taxicab companies provide work for 350,000 vehicle operators in addition to hundreds of thousands support staff. Taxicab companies transport 2 billion passengers annually for purposes that primarily include business,travel, and community transportation.

The Limousine Industry

The limousine business is more complicated. There are an estimated 11,722 limousine companies in the US, operating an estimated 126,597 vehicles. The average fleet size is 11 vehicles per company (vs. 26-28 vehicles in the cab business). About 9% of these operations have fleets with more than 20 vehicles.

Limousine companies provide work for 124,000 vehicle operators, and, like the taxicab industry, hundreds of thousands support staff. Limousine companies transport 400 million passengers annually for a variety of purposes that include airport transfers, business and corporate travel, weddings, and social outings.

Limousine is also a misnomer. The industry fleet is quite diversified. Of the 126,597 vehicles:

• 40% (50,539) are executive sedans,
  
  
• 11,394 are limousines less than or equal to 85" in length;
  
  
• 25,319 are limousines exceeding 85" up to 130" in length;
  
  
• 3,798 are limousines exceeding 130" in length;
  
  
• 6,330 are stretch SUVs;
  
  
• 7,596 are regular SUVs;
  
  
• 5,064 are luxury buses;
  
  
• 16,557 are luxury vans, shuttle buses and other vehicle types.

The Paratransit and Contracting Industry

Primarily the result of public-private partnerships in transportation, this category of transportation includes private sedan, van, and minibus fleets that provide transportation service under contract to public or non-profit agencies. Social service fleets, non-emergency medical fleets and accessible transportation for the disabled provided through public agencies under Medicaid or ADA are all examples of this type of transportation.

In the United States, there are approximately 2,100 contract service fleets that operate 26,000 vehicles. These companies employ 71,000 vehicle operators in addition to hundreds of thousands support staff. The Paratransit and Contracting industry provides mobility for 150 million passengers annually.

The Taxi, Limousine & Paratransit Association (TLPA) September, 2006

THE TAXI, LIMOUSINE & PARATRANSIT INDUSTRIES IN NEW YORK CITY

The New York City metropolitan area contains over 60% of the passenger car service industry in North America and over 30% of the industry worldwide.The number of individuals entering the industry in New York City increases every day.

The total number of vehicles licensed and regulated by the New York City Taxi Limousine Commission including Taxis, Limousines (both "black cars" Lincoln Town cars and traditional [luxury] limousines), Paratransit Vehicles, Livery Vehicles, Commuter Vans and Car Service Vehicles is in excess of 60,000 vehicles.

When we consider the shifts involved in the operation of many of these vehicles as well as the management offices, lending brokers, medallion brokers, medallion lease agents, insurance brokers, garages and staffs required to maintain them, the number of individuals employed by the industry in New York City alone is in the hundreds of thousands.

A conclusion that can be drawn from these statistics is that the New York City taxi and for-hire industry is at the center of taxi and for-hire related issues worldwide. Indeed, the developing, sometimes conflicting interests of industry members in New York City leads to legislative challenges and compromises that are examined and tested by jurisdictions around the world.

TAXIS AND FOR-HIRE VEHICLES

Taxis are engaged by "hailing" a taxi vehicle on the street or by engaging one at a taxi stop. For-hire vehicles are pre-arranged or scheduled with a radio (or computer) dispatch car service base. In New York City for-hire vehicles are:

• Black Cars
  
  
• Commuter Vans
  
  
• Community Car Services
  
  
• Luxury Limousines
  
  
• Paratransit/Ambulettes

Depending on the jurisdiction, a taxi may be legally and operationally capable of serving both distinctions. That is, a taxi may solicit and pick up hailing passengers while "cruising" on a city street or await passengers at a taxi stop while waiting for a radio (computer) dispatched call for hire. In the latter instance, of course, the taxi vehicle would have to be equipped with a radio or computer and be afilliated with a "radio" (computer) dispatch taxi base.

New York City, as an example and exception to most taxi service options in North America, allows only for "hail" pick ups. New York City yellow medallion taxis are not permitted by law to be equipped with any radio or computer dispatch capability of any kind.

New York City for-hire vehicles are the only vehicles permitted to be solicited by a prospective passenger by contacting and pre-arranging or scheduling a pick up through an afilliated for-hire radio (computer) dispatch service base.

TLC MAGAZINE

• TLC MAGAZINE, the printed version, provides a monthly review of the Taxi, Limousine, Paratransit, Livery, Commuter Van and Car Service industry in New York City, New York State, nationally, and internationally.
  
  
• TLC MAGAZINE ONLINE, www.tlcmag.com, is designed, in addition, to provide the taxi and for-hire industry member with every available resource link necessary to support of the traveling passenger.
  
  
• Included monthly in TLC MAGAZINE and TLC MAGAZINE ONLINE are:
  
  
  • Political and legislative discussions concerning issues affecting the taxi and for-hire industry in New York City, New York State, nationally and internationally,
    
    
  • The New York City Taxi Limousine Commissioner monthly industry letter,
    
    
  • New York City Taxi Limousine Commission news updates,
    
    
  • Medallion prices:
    
    
  • Monthly medallion transaction prices for both medallion brokers (last transfer of the preceding month), andThe Taxi Limousine Commission (average transaction price of the preceding month),
    
    
  • TLPA column (Taxi, Limousine and Paratransit Association), the leading information, education, and legislative resource for the passenger transportation industry in the world,
    
    
  • Business, finanancial and other professional articles.

TLC MAGAZINE ONLINE

In addition,TLC MAGAZINE ONLINE provides:

• Types and management of medallion taxicab ownership,
  
  
• Lists of New York City licensed taxi agents and fleets
  
  
• Definitions and complete current lists of New York City Taxi & Limousine Commission Licensed For-Hire:
  
  
  • Black Cars,
    
    
  • Commuter Vans,
    
    
  • Community Car Services,
    
    
  • Luxury Limousines,
    
    
  • Paratransit/Ambulettes.

TLC Magazine Online contains the most comprehensive collection of travel, convention, and tourism links available for:

• Airline and Airport arrival and departure schedules and contacts,
  
  
• Travel and conference agencies and organizations,
  
  
• Hotels, Lodging,
  
  
• National and international weather reports,
  
  
• National and International media news links,
  
  
• Currency Converter,
  
  
• Online calculators for mortgage rate, interest related and other investment calculations,
  
  
• Sports Links,
  
  
• National and international Taxi, Limousine, Paratransit, Car Service industry associations,
  
  
• United States Government agencies and their services.
  
  
• Webcams; virtual display of major New York City and London, England thoroughfares.
  

These links, of course, can be invaluable to any traveler or individual requiring instant up to the minute weather condition reporting, international currency values, airline contact information, hotels, or
immediate print or internet news flashes.

And, especially, TLC MAGAZINE ONLINE can be accessed internationally 24 hours a day, every day.

TLC MAGAZINE and TLC MAGAZINE ONLINE also contain marketing resources and marketing links to industry service members, taxi and for-hire management companies, lending organizations, insurance brokers, medallion lease agents, medallion brokers and other products and services.

TLC MAGAZINE ONLINE maintains an active archive of every monthly TLC MAGAZINE issue produced in the online format.

TLC MAGAZINE is distributed monthly free of charge to Taxi, Limousine, Paratransit and car service organizations throughout the New York City metropolitan area and nationally by UPS and U.S. mail. Every Taxi, Black Car Base, industry broker, lending institution and Taxi Limousine Commission office and inspection station in New York City receives issues of TLC MAGAZINE monthly.

A complete link to the New York City Taxi Limousine Commission offering instant connections to every department in the agency servicing general information inquiries, inquiries involving complaints, lost property, location and hours of operation for all Taxi Limousine Commission facilities. The Taxi Limousine Commission monthly medallion average transaction report is also available.

NEW YORK CITY TAXI & LIMOUSINE COMMISSION

Complaints, Lost Property & Other Inquiries

Industry, Passenger, Public, Vehicle Information

Locations & Hours of Taxi Limousine Commission Facilities

New York City Taxi Medallion Prices

New York City Traffic Webcams

• Black Cars
  
  
• Commuter Vans
  
  
• Community Car Services
  
  
• Luxury Limousines
  
  
• Paratransit/Ambulettes
  

BLACK CARS

Black Car bases provide pre-arranged transportation to clients usually based on contracts. Services are paid largely through the use of vouchers. Licensed Black Cars are francise owned for-hire vehicles that accept radio dispatched calls and charge fares set by their affiliated bases and filed with the New York City Taxi Limousine Commission.

Black Car Companies

http://nyc.gov/html/tlc/downloads/excel/current_black_car_bases.xls

COMMUTER VAN COMPANIES

Commuter Van Authorizations provide pre-arranged transportation to passengers throughout New York City on a regular daily basis. They are authorized to operate (accept passengers) within specific geographic areas. Licensed Commuter Van Vehicles are motor vehicles with a seating capacity of up to 20 passengers.

Commuter Van Companies

http://nyc.gov/html/tlc/downloads/excel/current_commuter_van_authorizations.xls

COMMUNITY CAR SERVICES

Community Car Service bases provide pre-arranged transportation throughout New York City. These bases range in size from small, neighborhood based operations to large fleet type companies that provide citywide services. Licensed Community Car Service motor vehicles are for-hire vehicles that accept radio dispatched calls and charge fares set by their affiliated bases and filed with the New York City Taxi Limousine Commission.

Community Car Service Companies

http://nyc.gov/html/tlc/downloads/excel/current_community_car_service_bases.xls

LUXURY LIMOUSINES

Luxury Limousine bases provide pre-arranged premium transportation to clients througout New York City. Licensed Luxury Limousine Vehicles seat up to 20 passengers and charge an hourly or a milage rate.

Luxury Limousine Companies

http://nyc.gov/html/tlc/downloads/excel/current_luxury_limousine_bases.xls

PARATRANSIT/AMBULETTES

Paratransit/Ambulette bases provide pre-arranged transportation for passengers with disabilities. Most of the service provided takes individuals to and from health care facilities. Paratransit vehicles provide demand-responsive transportation to persons with disabilities.

Paratransit/Ambulette Companies

http://nyc.gov/html/tlc/downloads/excel/current_paratransit_bases.xls

TYPES OF NEW YORK CITY TAXI MEDALLION OWNERSHIP

Minifleet Medallion Owners: Fleet and Non-Fleet.

Fleet

A fleet is a business that owns or operates 25 or more vehicles. The vehicles are dispatched from a single location with a dispatcher on the premises for at least 18 hours per day. All minifleet medallions are required to be operated for a minimum of two nine-hour shifts per day. Please see the Definitions in Chapter 1, P.4 & 5 (fleet & mini-fleet) of the TLC Rules for additional information.

http://www.nyc.gov/html/tlc/downloads/pdf/ownrules.pdf

Non-Fleet

Non-fleet minifleet owners typically lease their taxicabs through TLC licensed Taxicab Agents. All minifleet medallions are required to be operated for a minimum of two nine-hour shifts per day. Please see Chapter 1, P.4 (agents) of the TLC Rules for additional information.

http://www.nyc.gov/html/tlc/downloads/pdf/ownrules.pdf

Agent

An Agent is someone who may lease a medallion(s) to drivers on behalf of medallion owners. All agents are licensed by the Taxi and Limousine Commission. Please see Chapter 1, P.4 of the TLC Rules for additional information.

http://www.nyc.gov/html/tlc/downloads/pdf/ownrules.pdf

Independent (Individual) Medallion Owners

Owner-Operators

Independent (individual) owner operators can own only one medallion, and if they have purchased their medallion after January 7, 1990, they must operate their taxicabs a minimum of 210 nine-hour shifts per year. Please see Chapter 1, P.5 & 6 of the TLC Rules for additional information ("independent taxicab owner" & "owner")

http://www.nyc.gov/html/tlc/downloads/pdf/ownrules.pdf

TAXICAB OWNERSHIP

Qualifications for Ownership of a Taxicab Medallion: An individual, partner or corporate officer must:

• be 18 years of age for corporate ownership and be 19 years of age for individual ownership.
  
  
• be a citizen or permanent resident of the United States (subject to a background investigation).
  
  
• comply with all TLC rules and pay all required fees. (How to get a TLC License). An owner must comply with all TLC rules and pay all required fees. Once a year they will also be required to file an annual financial disclosure report with the TLC. However, financial disclosure reports will not be required when applying for a license.
  
  

TAXICAB TRANSFERABILITY

An independent taxicab owner may sell his/her interest only to another independent taxicab owner. An independent taxicab owner may not be a shareholder or owner of another taxicab. Transfers of ownership must be approved by the TLC. All outstanding liens, judgments, claims and fines must be paid from the proceeds of a sale.

TAXICAB OPERATION

An independent owner must personally operate the taxicab 210 9-hour shifts per year. All other owners must operate their vehicles twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. Taxicabs may only charge fares authorized by the TLC, may only accept street hails, and may not refuse passengers. All vehicles and any equipment used in a taxicab must meet TLC specifications and be approved in advance by the Commission. If an agent is used, the owner is also personally responsible, along with the agent for compliance with all TLC rules. The TLC sets the maximum rate that may be charged to lease a taxicab.

LIST OF NEW YORK CITY LICENSED TAXI AGENTS AND FLEETS

http://www.nyc.gov/html/tlc/downloads/pdf/lic_agents_and_fleets.pdf

The most complete collection of national and international trade associations and their individual members including the TLPA (Taxi, Limousine and Paratransit Association) the leading information, education,and legislative resource in the passenger transportation industry in the world. Instant link to the Transportation Research Board and the independent transportation studies it is conducting, in addition to research already distributed throughout the transportation industry. The Transportation Board offers, in addition to research, research management services, advice on transportation policy and programs.

NORTH AMERICAN INDUSTRY TRADE ASSOCIATIONS & WEB MEDIA

National Limousine Association

North American Limousine Associations

North American Paratransit Associations

Transportation Research Board

INTERNATIONAL INDUSTRY TRADE ASSOCIATIONS & WEB MEDIA

Austrailian For Hire Trade Associations & Web Media

International Association of Transportation Regulators (IATR)

London, England For Hire Trade Associations & Web Media

London Taxi Publications

Montreal, Canada For Hire Trade Associations & Web Media

Taxicab, Limousine & Paratransit Association (TLPA)

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