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Welcome to TLC Magazine's Online Edition
May 2017 • Vol. XXVI, No. 5

TLC MAGAZINE FEATURE ARTICLES • May, 2017ENTER


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

IN FOCUS:


Commissioner's Letter:

Medallion Prices

 

COVER ILLUSTRATIONS & CREDITS

New York State Passes a "Big Ugly UBER TNC Law" – Where Do We Go From Here?
Photo: https://www.nysenate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/
john-defrancisco/state-budget-paves-way-ridesharing-companies-upstates
WHEELCHAIR SECUREMENT AND OCCUPANT RESTRAINT:
DRIVER TRAINING KEY FOR SAFE PASSENGER TRANSPORTATION
Photo: http://www.amfbrunsamerica.com/
NYS EXCELSIOR SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM PROVIDES
TUITION FREE COLLEGE TO MIDDLE CLASS FAMILIES
Photo: https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/governor-cuomo-announces-
first-nation-excelsior-scholarship-program-will-provide-tuition-free

 

 

Highlights:

 

From the New York City Taxi & Limousine Commission

In Focus:

 

 

Commissioner letter:

  • FHV Bases to Allow Passengers to Tip Drivers of Traditional
    and App-Based Companies
  • TLC to Ensure Greater Driver Earning Protections

  • The Separate Category of Corporate and Independent
    Medallions Has Been Eliminated

  • TLC Has Extended Vehicle Retirements

  • Taxicab Owners to Lease to Drivers on a Commission Basis

  • TLC Recognized as Most Responsive to Foil (Freedom of Information Law) Requests

  • To Prevent Fatigued Driving, Beginning in June, FHV Bases Must Record Both Pick-up and Drop-off Information for all Trips Dispatched
  •  

     

    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:

    • 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.

     

    What are TLC Magazine and TLC Magazine Online?


    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.

     

    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

    New York City Taxi Medallion Prices

    New York City Traffic Webcams

     

    Definitions & Complete Current Lists Of New York City Taxi & Limousine Commission Licensed For-Hire:

    • 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 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:

    • 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


     

    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

    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)

     

    Airline and Airport National and International Arrival and Departures Schedules and Contacts

     

    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

     

     

    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.

    ABC News

    ABC Sports

    CBS News

    CNN

    CNNfn (Financial)

    CNNsi (CNN/Sports Illustrated)

    ESPN

    Fox News

    MSNBC

    NBC

    Reuters

    USA Today

    BBC

     

     

     

     

     

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