TLC MAGAZINE FEATURE ARTICLES • May, 2017
ENTER
TLPA’s Mid-Year Conference: Taking on the Last Frontier - Anchorage, Alaska
Governor Cuomo Announces Crackdown on Distracted Driving
NYS Excelsior Scholarship Program Provides Tuition Free College to Middle Class Families
Common Communication Mistakes Small Businesses Need to Stop Making
People Running Small Businesses:
What Do They Mean to the Economy?
Wheelchair Securement and Occupant Restraint:
Driver Training Key For Safe Passenger Transportation
Don McCurdy: Got Some Lipstick?
Passenger Side Protection Lacking in Small Overlap Crashes
IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety)
Recommended Used Vehicles for Teens
TLC NEWS
COVER ILLUSTRATIONS & CREDITS
REAL TIME TRAFFIC INFORMATION
CAMERA LIST & MIDTOWN MAP |
WORLD TRADE CENTER CAMS |
INTRODUCTION: A brief summary of the taxi and for-hire industry in the United States and New York City:
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:
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:
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.
What are TLC Magazine and TLC Magazine Online?
TLC MAGAZINE
TLC MAGAZINE ONLINE
In addition,TLC MAGAZINE ONLINE provides:
TLC Magazine Online contains the most comprehensive collection of travel, convention, and tourism links available for:
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.
New York City Taxi & Limousine Commission
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
Definitions & Complete Current Lists Of New York City Taxi & Limousine Commission Licensed For-Hire:
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 And Management Of Medallion Taxicab Ownership
List Of New York City Licensed Taxi Agents And Fleets
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:
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
National & International Industry Trade Associations
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
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
Airline and Airport National and International Arrival and Departures Schedules and Contacts
NATIONAL, INTERNATIONAL, AIRLINE LOCATIONS & CONTACTS
ARRIVALS, DEPARTURES, AIRLINE LOCATIONS, PHONE NUMBERS & LINKS
Philadelphia Interntional Airport (PHL)
Real Time Airport Flight Monitor - NYC, Newark, Philadelphia
Travel, Tourism, Hotels, Cruises, Golf, Skiing, Casinos, Conventions, Airlines and More
Current National and International Weather Reports
Currency Converter
Online Calculators for Mortgate Rate, Interest Related, Financial and All General Calculation
Links to every national and international sports organization. Up to the minute reporting of all games and other sporting events, sporting schedules, promotions and news items.
SPORTS–NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL LEAGUES & ASSOCIATIONS
United States Golf Association (USGA)
Ladies Professional Golf Association
National Basketball Association (NBA)
Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)
National Football League (NFL)
Canadian Football League (CFL)
International Soccer Federation (FIFA)
United States Soccer Federation
International Tennis Federation (ITF)
United States Tennis Association (USTA)
Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP)
Women's Tennnis Association (WTA)
National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) SPORTS
National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) ASSOCIATION NEWS
Media News Links
National and international media news links. Print, television and cable station directories providing instant links to every major news organization in North America.
United States Government Agencies
UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SOURCES
Federal Government Information
Federal Government Information
Social Security Administration (SSA)
Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
Energy Information Agency (EIA)
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
