NEWS

TAXI AND FOR-HIRE VEHICLE RELIEF STANDS

Taxi relief stands allow drivers to park their vehicles for up to one hour. This affords drivers the opportunity to leave their vehicles and take care of personal needs.

(last updated January 12, 2010) *Queens locations are currently being verified. Staten Island currently has no relief stands.

METER RATE CODE CHANGE ALERT

As announced this past Friday, March 12., the NYC Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC) is moving ahead with a short term technological solution to alert passengers in the event of a switch to the suburban rate code (Rate Code 4) during rides taking place within the five boroughs of New York City.

We are pleased to report progress in this area with over 5,100 taxicabs now equipped with a warning system that will activate a message alerting passengers that “the meter has been accelerated to reflect an out of town rate.” The message will also alert passengers to the fact that, if they are traveling within the five boroughs of New York City,and the higher rate is engaged, the driver is in violation of their passenger rights and the passenger should call 311 to report it.

The alert will remain on screen until the passenger changes the screen content.

It is anticipated that the remainder of the city’s 13,237 taxicabs will be equipped on a gradual phase in schedule over the next several days.

The TLC is also working with its contracted taxi technology providers to design an audio component to further complement the alert system.

As previously noted, the TLC is also working on a longer term technology based solution known as “Geo-Fencing”, which would automatically activate the appropriate rate codes based on the geographic location of the vehicle and prohibit any manual activation by the driver.

TLC Commissioner Matthew W. Daus………

“We are pleased that we were able to begin the phase in of the warning devices so quickly, and we will continue to move ahead aggressively on all measures to prevent fare related violations.”