NEW YORK & PHILADELPHIA APPROVE WORLD'S FIRST FACTORY BUILT HANDICAP TAXI
NEW YORK CITY’S TAXI & LIMOUSINE COMMISSION APPROVES THE MV‐1®
MIAMI, Fla., October 21, 2011 — The Vehicle Production Group LLC (VPG) announced the approval of VPG’s MV‐1 motor vehicle by the NYC Taxi & Limousine Commission for use as a New York City taxicab. The MV‐1 is the first and only factory built and assembled vehicle that meets or exceeds the vehicle guidelines of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Community advocates, taxi owners and VPG representatives made a joint presentation yesterday to the TLC prior to its unanimous approval of the MV‐1 to operate in the city as a taxicab. This is the first time since the fabled “Checker Cab” that a purpose‐built vehicle has been approved for operation.
The approval allows the owners of the more than 13,000 taxis currently operating in the city to begin replacing their vehicles with the fully accessible MV‐1 allowing them to not only provide a better quality of comfort and safety to customers but to make it possible for New York residents and visitors with disabilities to more easily get around the city.
“This is a great day for accessible transportation for the disabled, “said VPG Chairman Fred Drasner. “We have spent five years developing what we believe will be the best vehicle ever put into taxi service for all New Yorkers – especially those with disabilities. I am confident that the MV‐1 will soon be regarded with the fondness reserved for the iconic Checker Cab of the bygone era in New York City.”
The MV‐1 is built from the ground up to address the needs of over 14 million Americans who must use wheelchairs, crutches, canes, walkers or other mobility devices. Routine activities such as traveling in a vehicle present a significant obstacle in their daily lives.
Proudly assembled in the USA, the MV‐1 is not a converted van or other aftermarket product. Unlike such aftermarket or converted products, the MV‐1, carries a factory warranty and has passed all relevant Federal safety and crash test requirements.
The MV‐1 is also the only ADA compliant vehicle with an Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) engineered and assembled Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) fuel system option. Since the system is factory installed, the MV‐1 with the CNG option meets all government safety and crash test requirements and maintains the same durability, reliability and quality as the gasoline powered vehicle. Fleet operators and consumers can reduce expenses by utilizing the less expensive CNG fuel.
“Compared to the city’s more than 8,000 gasoline powered taxis, the MV‐1 virtually eliminates the lung choking particulate (soot) emissions and cuts nitrogen oxide emissions by 60 to 80 percent,” said Joanna D. Underwood, president of New York City based Energy Vision, a national environmental organization that promotes sustainable transportation. “A fleet of MV‐1’s will reduce the city’s dependence on foreign oil by five million gallons a year and will reap fuel cost savings of $5 million.”
The MV‐1 features a 56 inch high by 36 inch wide side door opening for easy wheelchair or scooter entry and exit via a wide deployable ramp with an accommodating 1200 pound weight capacity that quickly and easily stores within the floor inside the vehicle. The vehicle’s ramp is available in either a manual or powered version. The MV‐1 can accommodate a passenger in a wheelchair and another five occupants when equipped with an optional rear facing jump seat.
About The Vehicle Production Group LLC
Headquartered in Miami, Florida, The Vehicle Production Group LLC (VPG) designs, manufactures, markets and distributes the MV‐1, the first mobility vehicle engineered from the ground up for accessibility. Additional details regarding the company or the MV‐1 including its pricing, specifications and available options can be found at the company’s website at www.vpgautos.com or call 1‐877‐MV1‐FORU (1‐877‐681‐3678).
TAXI AND LIMOUSINE COMMISSION JOINS GREATER JAMAICA DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION IN CELEBRATING “RIDE SAFE” LIVERY STAND’S SUCCESS
The New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC) joined leaders from the Greater Jamaica Development Corporation (GJDC) and other officials in celebrating the success of the RIDE SAFE Livery Stand pilot program located near the Jamaica Long Island Rail Road station at Sutphin Boulevard and Archer Avenue. The stand, which has been operating at full capacity since September, has provided almost 3,000 safe, convenient livery rides to passengers since its inception.
The dispatch booth features an on site dispatcher 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and electronically records passengers' trip information and offers them the ability to pay by credit card. Two Queens Village Car Service vehicles are always queued up and ready for dispatch at a moment‟s notice. New, boldly designed signage has been installed to assist LIRR riders in finding the dispatch booth.
Another key aspect of the Stand's success story is the effective collaboration between the Long Island Rail Road, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority Police Department, and the 103rd Precinct who, alongside the TLC's Enforcement Division, have drastically reduced the illegal livery activity in the vicinity of the Sutphin Boulevard, Archer Avenue intersection and on 91st Street which helped to pave the way for the pilot program livery stand.
“This station is a key transportation hub serving the core of Jamaica's vital commercial district,” said TLC Commissioner/Chair David Yassky, “and the ability to offer passengers the high quality, safe and convenient taxi like service they need and deserve in an area that is historically not served by yellow taxis is an innovation whose time has come.”
TLC Commissioner David Yassky (center) staffs the “Ride Safe” livery booth as Greater Jamaica Development Corporation President Carlisle Towery (left) and Executive VP Andrew Manshel (right) look on.
“I’d like to thank the GJDC for its vision in seeking this pilot program and partnering with Queens Village Car Service,” continued Commissioner Yassky, “as well as the LIRR and the MTA Police Department for the support that made this initiative possible. Not only will this stand serve thousands of commuters and visitors in support of its residents and its thriving business community, but it will fuel continued growth and development while combating the illegal poachers who put riders at risk.”
"The presence of aggressive taxi hustling around the Long Island Rail Road/AirTrain station created serious quality of life problems and contributed to the public's misperception of Downtown Jamaica,” said GJDC President Carlisle Towery. “The institution of the Ride Safe program has transformed the area around the station. It was accomplished thanks to a strong partnership between Mayor Bloomberg's Taxi & Limousine Commission led by David Yassky, the Long Island Rail Road, the MTA police, Queens Village Car Service, the Sutphin Boulevard Business Improvement District, the 103rd Precinct of the NYPD and Greater Jamaica Development Corporation."
President Carlisle Towery went on to say that "The Ride Safe program is the result of the creativity and talent of the TLC staff and the agency's commitment to problem solving and passenger service and safety. TLC's efforts in the creation of this program are a demonstration project for the kind of best practices in public administration that are the hallmark of Mayor Bloomberg's government. Those efforts are enhancing the opportunities for transit oriented development for the environs of LIRR and AirTrain."
“The LIRR and MTA Police have been very supportive of the Ride Safe Livery Stand program at Jamaica Station,” said Long Island Rail Road President Helena E. Williams. “It provides our customers access to well organized, safe and convenient car service at our busy station and for customers using the AirTrain connection to and from JFK airport.”
The pilot program was established via separate Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) between the GJDC and the TLC, and also the Queens Village, Inc. Car Service and the TLC which have an official term of one year which may be extended or terminated early depending on circumstances. The GJDC will be required to submit a report to the TLC that encompasses the first six months of operation that will include such information as the volume of usage, the number of passengers, passenger/base and driver satisfaction, and peak usage data.
David Yassky, Commissioner
Allan J. Fromberg, Deputy Commissioner for Public Affairs
212-676-1013 • Allan.fromberg@tlc.nyc.gov
33 Beaver Street, 22nd Floor, New York, NY 10004