REQUEST FOR INPUT ON YELLOW TAXICAB ROOF LIGHTS

The New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC) is interested in receiving input from the taxicab industry on the taxi roof light.

TODAY

Right now, taxicab roof lights have two separate lights: (1) the medallion number and (2) the “off-duty” sign. Depending on the taxicab status, these lights are displayed
in one of four combinations:

Message to Potential Passengers	Medallion Number	Off-Duty Light
On-duty & available	ON	OFF
On-duty but unavailable (already has passenger inside)	OFF	OFF
Off-duty & occupied by passenger (on a “going my way” trip)	OFF	ON
Off-duty but maybe can take you (available for “going my way” trip)	ON	ON

Although some passengers understand the lighting system others (especially visitors) are confused by it. Some passengers mistakenly look for any illumination on the roof light and think this means the taxi is available. Especially, from far away, some passengers think it is hard to see whether the taxi is off-duty or if it is available.

What results is that some passengers repeatedly try to hail off-duty taxis. Making it easy for all passengers to know when a taxi is available for a hail and when it is unavailable would improve customers' experience with taxis and could reduce misunderstandings between drivers and passengers.

Photo: Aimee Daniells

Other Cities: The Single-Light System

Taxis in some other cities have slightly different roof light systems. In these systems there is no off-duty light. When the light is on the taxi is available for hail. When the light is off the taxi already has a passenger or the driver is off-duty. The reason it is not available does not matter for the light to be off. London taxis use a single light system.

PROPOSAL:

If New York City were to pursue a single light solution, it could design a light similar to that found in London except that the word "taxi" would, most likely, be replaced with the medallion number. There would no longer be an "off-duty" light. The proposed lighting system could be:

Message to Potential Passengers	Medallion Number Light Only
Available	ON
Unavailable	OFF

What Do You Think?

Do you think NYC taxis should move to the single-light system? Why or why not?
Do you have an idea for another option besides the proposal and the current light system?
How important is the "going my way" policy to you?
If you are a taxi driver, what percentage of time do you pick up a passenger while you are off-duty at the end of your shift?
Is there any reason the off-duty light is important to you besides the "going my way policy?"
What problems, if any, would occur without an off-duty light?
Besides the roof light, is there another method you can think of for letting passengers know you're available for a "going my way"trip?

Please submit your answers at: www.surveymonkey.com/s/rooflight

or to

Dawn Miller
33 Beaver Street, 22nd Floor, New York, NY 10004

Please submit all responses by November 11, 2011.

Thank you in advance for sharing your experiences and ideas with the NYC Taxi and Limousine Commission. We look forward to reading your responses as we research this issue.

Industry Notice # 11-26 • October 20, 2011

CALL FOR PARTICIPANTS IN NISSAN LEAF ELECTRIC TAXI PILOT PROGRAM

Nissan North America, Inc. and New York City will be piloting six Nissan LEAF all-electric vehicles beginning in Spring 2012. These cars will be put into normal taxi service with an existing taxicab medallion and will enable Nissan, the City, the taxi industry and the public to learn more about how electric vehicles work as taxis.

Representation of Nissan LEAF as NYC Taxi – actual vehicle may vary.

Nissan is looking for owner-drivers and fleet operators who are interested in participating in this exciting pilot program. Each participant will receive a lease on a Nissan LEAF to use as a taxicab for up to a year free of charge and will provide valuable feedback about his or her experience.

Please see the industry notice and information sheet below to learn more about this exciting opportunity and how you can apply to be one of New York City's first electric taxi operators. TLC and Nissan will hold information sessions on November 9th and applications are due November 30th.

Interested and eligible? Here's how to apply:

Go to http://bit.ly/qlzE39 to apply online.
Submit your completed online application by 5:00pm on Wednesday, November 30, 2011.
If you're a finalist, you may be asked to do an in-person interview. The interviews will take place in New York City.
Participants will be selected by January 2012, and all selected participants will be required to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the TLC. Drivers will also sign Participation and Lease Agreements with Nissan.
The pilot is scheduled to start in early 2012.

Questions?

If you have any additional questions about the Nissan LEAF pilot program, please contact:

Michael DelBene
NYC Taxi & Limousine Commission
Phone: 212.676.1196
Email: delbenem@tlc.nyc.gov

If you have any additional questions about the Nissan LEAF vehicle, please contact:

Ken Srebnik Nissan North America, Inc.
Email: NissanLEAFTaxiDriver@nissan-usa.com

Maximum $7500 federal tax credit if you are eligible and have the tax liability. Depending on where you live, there can be additional state/local incentives.