NEWS NEWS
Let Us Know What You Think!
STREET HAIL SURVEY WILL HELP TLC TAILOR BOROUGH TAXI PLAN
On January 19, 2011, Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg delivered his State of the City address, and in this address,announced a proposal to establish a new category of livery cars that can make on street pickups outside of Manhattan – just like yellow cabs do. It will give many New Yorkers another safe, reliable and convenient option for getting around while offering them yellow taxi like amenities such as metered fares, credit/debit card payment, easier to spot cabs and more.
The New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC) launched a brief on line survey to help us learn more about the riding public's thoughts on taxis and car services, and how they interact with them. The survey is available in both English and Spanish at the TLC's Web site at www.nyc.gov/taxi.
The TLC distributed this survey through local blogs, Web sites, Community Boards, community based organizations and other neighborhood information resources.
"We know for sure that New York City residents in the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens and Staten Island need better street hail service," said TLC Commissioner/Chair David Yassky. "This survey will help us tailor the new rules to best serve customers."
TAXI OF TOMORROW SURVEY WINNER RECEIVES A YEAR'S WORTH OF FREE CAB RIDES!
TOT SURVEY RESULTS RELEASED
From left to right are Design Trust Executive Director Deborah Marton, contest winner Abdul Mohammed, and TLC Commissioner/Chair David Yassky
The NYC Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC) and the Design Trust for Public Space congratulates Mr. Abdul Mohammed of the Bronx for winning the grand prize of a year's worth of free taxicab rides in a contest that featured the participation of over 22,600 individuals in a survey designed to help the TLC collect feedback on the features that New Yorkers want to see in the "Taxi of Tomorrow" (TOT).
The NYC Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC) and the Design Trust for Public Space today congratulated Mr. Abdul Mohammed of the Bronx for winning the grand prize of a year's worth of free taxicab rides in a contest that featured the participation of over 22,600 individuals in a survey designed to help the TLC collect feedback on the features that New Yorkers want to see in the "Taxi of Tomorrow" (TOT).
The contest, sponsored by the Design Trust, helped further the City's efforts to create the first ever custom built taxicab specially designed for New York City. Mr. Mohammed received a specially coded credit card that will be accepted in each of the City's 13,237 taxicabs for up to $5,000 worth of rides.
The TLC also unveiled the results of the extensive survey which are available for public viewing at: www.nyc.gov/taxi.
"The survey was an overwhelming success for us," said TLC Commissioner and Chair David Yassky. "Aside from the data it provides about taxicab usage, and what features and amenities are important to the riding public, it also confirmed for us just how important the taxicab is on both the functional and cultural levels. Taxicabs are a crucial method of transportation in New York City, but they are also deeply intertwined with the City's identity, and the survey shows this very clearly."
"Congratulations to Mr. Mohammed, who was among the thousands of New Yorkers who responded with characteristic enthusiasm and moxie to the first ever call for feedback," said Deborah Marton, executive director of the Design Trust for Public Space, and member of the TOT Stakeholder Committee.
"Taxis are iconic symbols of our urban landscape and the Design Trust is delighted to have galvanized the historic Taxi of Tomorrow program. We look forward to seeing the expression of New Yorkers' ideas in the car itself."
"I'm thrilled about this," said contest winner Abdul Mohammed of The Bronx. "But aside from the cab rides, I'm glad I participated in the survey because I believe in the importance of public feedback for projects like this one. I'm grateful to the Design Trust and the TLC for the prize, and I appreciate their listening to what we all had to say on the survey."
Mayor Bloomberg and Commissioner Yassky recently announced the three leading contenders to manufacture the "Taxi of Tomorrow," culled from seven original proposers. These leading proposers are the Ford Motor Company, Karsan, and Nissan USA. The TLC is currently in the process of evaluating their "Best and Final Offers," and anticipates a final decision in the near future.
Survey Highlights
Riders like that they can pay with a credit card in a cab (58%), that cabs are easy to hail when you need one (32%), and that taxis are faster than the subway or bus (30%).
Most respondents take a taxi weekly (41%) or daily (25%).
Overall, riders rate the taxi experience as average (52%), but many rate it as very good (31%) while some said it was poor (12%).
When asked what they most dislike about cabs respondents thought that cab service was too expensive (37%) and that the "Taxi TV" was annoying (31%).
When rating those features most important in a cab respondents had a range of responses. The most important features included a cab that is easier to get in and out of (84% said it was somewhat or very important), better passenger/driver communication (83%), and lights to alert road users to opening taxi doors (81%).
Those features rated the least important were better entertainment options (71% said it was not important), ramps to roll items in and out of cabs (52%), and more attractive exterior graphics/markings (50%).
Of the visual designs featured in the three leading Taxi of Tomorrow proposals, Karsan's was most popular (66% said they liked or loved it) followed by Nissan (43%) and Ford (38%). (FYI, as a corollary, only 25% of survey participants ranked "attractive/iconic design" as being an important feature.)
Men (65%) overwhelmingly responded to the survey as did people between ages 18 and 35 (53%).
Many respondents had no vehicles in their household (42%) followed by those with one car (30%).
Most respondents live in Manhattan (52%), Brooklyn (16%), or the Tri-State Area not including New York City (10%).
Contact: Allan J. Fromberg – 212-676-1013/347-203-2352 – allan.fromberg@tlc.nyc.gov
TAXI OF TOMORROW SURVEY RESULTS
New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission • February 2011
The NYC Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC) and the Design Trust for Public Space sponsored the participation of over 22,600 individuals in a survey designed to help the TLC collect feedback on the features that New Yorkers want to see in the "Taxi of Tomorrow" (TOT). The contest, organized and administered by the Design Trust, helped further the City's efforts to create the first ever custombuilt taxicab, specially designed for New York City.
| How often do you take a taxi? | ||
| Frequency | Total |
Percentage |
| Daily | 5,554 |
24.6% |
| Less than once a month | 4,145 |
18.3% |
| Monthly | 3,623 |
16.0% |
| Weekly | 9,291 |
41.1% |
| Grand Total | 22,613 |
100.0% |
| How would you rate the experience of riding in a New York City taxi today? | ||
| Rating | Total |
Percentage |
| Average | 11,603 |
51.3% |
| Excellent | 665 |
2.9% |
| No opinion | 449 |
2.0% |
| Poor | 2,713 |
12.0% |
| Very Good | 7,178 |
31.7% |
| Grand Total | 22,608 |
100.0% |
| What do you like most about cabs today? (Pick one or two) |
||
|---|---|---|
Total |
Percentage |
|
| Can pay with credit cards | 13,131 |
57.9% |
| Easy to hail when you need one | 7,174 |
31.6% |
| Faster than subway/bus | 6,899 |
30.4% |
| Nice to have someone else drive | 3,939 |
17.4% |
| Pleased that many cabs are fuel efficient | 3,424 |
15.1% |
| Reasonable price for the service | 3,254 |
14.3% |
| Total Respondents | 22,683 |
|
Because respondents could choose one or two responses, the above percentages do not add to 100%. Rather, the percentages represent relative preferences.
| What do you dislike most about cabs today? (Pick one or two) |
||
|---|---|---|
Total |
Percentage |
|
Too expensive |
8,352 |
36.8% |
Taxi TV is annoying |
7,099 |
31.3% |
Taxi is driving too aggressively |
6,562 |
28.9% |
Passenger compartment is |
6,508 |
28.7% |
Driver doesn't speak English or know geography |
6,109 |
26.9% |
Car is dirty |
4,819 |
21.2% |
Car is hard to get into |
3,534 |
15.6% |
Total Respondents |
22,683 |
|
Because respondents could choose one or two responses, the above percentages do not add to 100%. Rather, the percentages represent relative preferences.
| What are the most common reasons you take cabs? (Select all that apply) | ||
|---|---|---|
Total |
Percentage |
|
| It's late/I'm tired | 14,311 |
63.1% |
| I'm in a hurry/trying to save time | 12,470 |
55.0% |
| I've got luggage/I'm traveling | 11,844 |
52.2% |
| The weather is bad | 9,321 |
41.1% |
| I'm carrying something big/awkward | 8,688 |
38.3% |
| I'm traveling with others and it's economical | 7,148 |
31.5% |
| It's easier than walking/mass transit | 6,994 |
30.8% |
| It's more comfortable/to treat myself | 5,387 |
23.7% |
| Somebody else is paying | 4,584 |
20.2% |
| It's easier than taking the car | 3,297 |
14.5% |
| So I can make calls/talk to a companion | 2,220 |
9.8% |
| I want some private time | 1,650 |
7.3% |
| Other | 1,463 |
6.4% |
| Total Respondents | 22,683 |
|
Because respondents could choose one or two responses, the above percentages do not add to 100%. Rather, the percentages represent relative preferences.
| One major goal of the Taxi of Tomorrow project is universal accessibility for persons with disabilities. What other features are important to you? | ||
Total |
Percentage |
|
| Environmentally friendly | 11,943 |
52.7% |
| More comfortable for passengers | 11,363 |
50.1% |
| Better safety features for passengers | 7,315 |
32.2% |
| Iconic and attractive design | 5,572 |
24.6% |
| Better taxi content (partition, meter, screen) |
4,325 |
19.1% |
| Durability and ease of repair | 2,776 |
12.2% |
| Total Respondents | 22,683 |
|
Because respondents could choose one or two responses, the above percentages do not add to 100%. Rather, the percentages represent relative preferences.
Please rate the importance of each of the following specific possible taxicab improvements by checking the appropriate box.
| Easier to get in and out | Total |
Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| No Opinion | 549 |
2.4% |
| Not Important | 3,226 |
14.3% |
| Somewhat Important | 8,090 |
35.9% |
| Very Important | 10,676 |
47.4% |
| Grand Total | 22,541 |
100.0% |
| Better entertainment options | Total |
Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| No Opinion | 570 |
2.5% |
| Not Important | 16,180 |
71.8% |
| Somewhat Important | 4,260 |
18.9% |
| Very Important | 1,513 |
6.7% |
| Grand Total | 22,523 |
100.0% |
| Charger or electrical outlet for phone/iPod or .mp3 player/laptop | Total |
Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| No Opinion | 507 |
2.2% |
| Not Important | 9,525 |
42.3% |
| Somewhat Important | 8,012 |
35.6% |
| Very Important | 4,491 |
19.9% |
| Grand Total | 22,535 |
100.0% |
| Sunroof for better views of the City | Total |
Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| No Opinion | 627 |
2.8% |
| Not Important | 10,430 |
46.3% |
| Somewhat Important | 7,465 |
33.1% |
| Very Important | 4,009 |
17.8% |
| Grand Total | 22,531 |
100.0% |
| Easier trunk access | Total |
Percentage |
| No Opinion | 771 |
3.4% |
| Not Important | 5,899 |
26.2% |
| Somewhat Important | 10,695 |
47.5% |
| Very Important | 5,150 |
22.9% |
| Grand Total | 22,515 |
100.0% |
| Better passenger/driver communication | Total |
Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| No Opinion | 405 |
1.8% |
| Not Important | 3,269 |
14.5% |
| Somewhat Important | 9,797 |
43.5% |
| Very Important | 9,052 |
40.2% |
| Grand Total | 22,523 |
100.0% |
| Better interior lighting | Total |
Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| No Opinion | 577 |
2.6% |
| Not Important | 6,159 |
27.3% |
| Somewhat Important | 10,482 |
46.5% |
| Very Important | 5,309 |
23.6% |
| Grand Total | 22,527 |
100.0% |
| Doors that are easier to open | Total |
Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| No Opinion | 737 |
3.3% |
| Not Important | 5,117 |
22.7% |
| Somewhat Important | 8,740 |
38.8% |
| Very Important | 7,923 |
35.2% |
| Grand Total | 22,517 |
100.0% |
| Lights that alert other roadusers that taxi doors are opening | Total |
Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| No Opinion | 589 |
2.6% |
| Not Important | 3,537 |
15.7% |
| Somewhat Important | 8,806 |
39.1% |
| Very Important | 9,588 |
42.6% |
| Grand Total | 22,520 |
100.0% |
| More attractive exterior graphics/markings | Total |
Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| No Opinion | 1,025 |
4.6% |
| Not Important | 11,473 |
51.0% |
| Somewhat Important | 6,917 |
30.7% |
| Very Important | 3,100 |
13.8% |
| Grand Total | 22,515 |
100.0% |
| More storage room or bigger trunk | Total |
Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| No Opinion | 873 |
3.9% |
| Not Important | 6,396 |
28.4% |
| Somewhat Important | 10,233 |
45.5% |
| Very Important | 4,995 |
22.2% |
| Grand Total | 22,497 |
100.0% |
| Ability to carry four passengers seated together in the main cabin | Total |
Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| No Opinion | 361 |
1.6% |
| Not Important | 2,717 |
12.1% |
| Somewhat Important | 8,190 |
36.4% |
| Very Important | 11,259 |
50.0% |
| Grand Total | 22,527 |
100.0% |
| Ramps to roll items in and out of cabs | Total |
Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| No Opinion | 1,815 |
8.1% |
| Not Important | 11,819 |
52.5% |
| Somewhat Important | 6,458 |
28.7% |
| Very Important | 2,403 |
10.7% |
| Grand Total | 22,495 |
100.0% |
| Taxi information provided in other languages | Total |
Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| No Opinion | 2,508 |
11.1% |
| Not Important | 11,059 |
49.1% |
| Somewhat Important | 6,401 |
28.4% |
| Very Important | 2,537 |
11.3% |
| Grand Total | 22,505 |
100.0% |
Photo courtesy of Ad Meskins
There are many criteria for selecting the new taxi, including comfort, performance, and durability, but aesthetics are important too. What do you think of the new designs?
| Karsan | Total |
Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Like It | 6,001 |
26.6% |
| Love It | 8,788 |
38.9% |
| No Way! | 2,221 |
9.8% |
| Not for Me | 2,097 |
9.3% |
| Take It or Leave It | 3,471 |
15.4% |
| Grand Total | 22,578 |
100.0% |
| Ford | Total |
Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Like It | 5,284 |
23.4% |
| Love It | 3,297 |
14.6% |
| No Way! | 3,857 |
17.1% |
| Not for Me | 4,213 |
18.7% |
| Take It or Leave It | 5,907 |
26.2% |
| Grand Total | 22,558 |
100.0% |
| Nissan | Total |
Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Like It | 6,913 |
30.7% |
| Love It | 2,633 |
11.7% |
| No Way! | 2,651 |
11.8% |
| Not for Me | 3,250 |
14.4% |
| Take It or Leave It | 7,087 |
31.5% |
| Grand Total | 22,534 |
100.0% |
Demographics
| Gender | Total |
Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Female | 7,441 |
33.0% |
| Male | 14,642 |
64.9% |
| Prefer not to answer | 490 |
2.2% |
| Grand Total | 22,573 |
100.0% |
| Number of Cars in Household | Total |
Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 6,696 |
29.7% |
| 2 | 3,805 |
16.9% |
| 3 or more | 1,869 |
8.3% |
| None | 9,592 |
42.5% |
| Prefer not to answer | 617 |
2.7% |
| Grand Total | 22,579 |
100.0% |
| Income | Total |
Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| $25,000$49,999 | 3,338 |
14.8% |
| $50,000$74,999 | 3,904 |
17.3% |
| $75,000$99,999 | 2,861 |
12.7% |
| Over $100,000 | 6,627 |
29.3% |
| Prefer not to answer | 4,311 |
19.1% |
| Under $25,000 | 1,540 |
6.8% |
| Grand Total | 22,581 |
100.0% |
| Age | Total |
Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| 1835 | 11,850 |
52.5% |
| 3650 | 6,268 |
27.8% |
| 5165 | 2,962 |
13.1% |
| Over 65 | 761 |
3.4% |
| Prefer not to answer | 468 |
2.1% |
| Under 18 | 270 |
1.2% |
| Grand Total | 22,579 |
100.0% |
| Location | Total |
Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| The Bronx | 359 |
1.7% |
| Brooklyn | 3,515 |
16.3% |
| Manhattan | 11,280 |
52.4% |
| Queens | 1,464 |
6.8% |
| Staten Island | 189 |
0.9% |
| TriState Area | 2,236 |
10.4% |
| Other | 2,485 |
11.5% |
| Total | 21,528 |
100.0% |
NYC Taxis take to the highway. Photo courtesy of LOMTO.
TLC ADDING SATURDAY DMV INSPECTION APPOINTMENTS
The New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC) announced that in response to the high volume of appointment requests for full DMV Inspections at the Woodside facility this time of year the TLC will be opening its doors on Saturdays beginning on March 5, 2011.
Saturday appointments will continue for approximately four to six weeks.
Appointments will be scheduled between the hours of 7AM and 1PM.
PLEASE NOTE: These appointments are only for initial DMV inspections. No re-inspections or corrections on notice of violations will be done on Saturdays.
Please be on time for your appointment!
