 COMMISSIONER’S LETTER
I
would like to take this opportunity to thank those taxicab drivers who
came to work on September 5th and 6th and continued to serve the public
during the limited service disruption we experienced. Not only did you
help to make service available for your passengers, but you earned some
extra income for yourselves and your families as well.
I
would also like to thank TLC staff and our government colleagues who
worked around the clock with us on conceiving and implementing the contingency
plan, including OEM, NYPD, DOT, Operations, MTA, the Port Authority
and DoITT.
I
have the deepest respect for those who use peaceful protest as a means
of making their opinions and concerns known. The TLC has listened and
will continue to listen to the concerns of drivers. It is our responsibility
to do what we think is in the collective best interests of the City,
the passengers and the industry – even if it is not “everything”
that the drivers “want or do not want.” I hope everyone
understands and appreciates that the Mayor and all of the hardworking
public servants at the TLC do care very much for the drivers, and have
done a tremendous amount over the years to help them – and we
will continue to do so.
That
being said, please rest assured that we are 100% committed to ensuring
that the new technology systems work well and that any problems that
arise – as they do with any new system – are addressed immediately
and efficiently so as not to inconvenience drivers or passengers. Also,
you have our commitment that the obligations set forth in our vendor
contracts and TLC rules regarding the prompt repair of systems and payment
to drivers for credit/debit card fares will be vigorously enforced.
Our
collective plate is very full as autumn quickly approaches with many
exciting changes and TLC initiatives on the horizon. First, I would
like to again congratulate the taxicab industry owners and drivers for
placing more than 1600 technology systems in their cabs ahead of schedule.
Please remember that the October 1st compliance date remains firm –
and each taxicab that appears for its regularly scheduled inspection
on or after October 1st must have one of the four approved systems fully
installed and operational when appearing at our Woodside safety and
emissions facility. Also, when taxicab owners appear for this inspection,
they must have placed the new taxicab design logos on their vehicles.
I
am likewise pleased to announce that we are ready to commence the process
for our final taxicab auction of 150 new accessible medallions. As things
now stand, we expect to be holding:
•
informational sessions on September 28 and October 3,
•
technical workshops on October 10 and 16,
Of
course, information will be distributed on these and collecting bids
on October 26, 29, 30 and 31, with openings taking place later that
week.
(Keep
an eye on our web site, and do not forget to sign up for instant email
updates!)
I
look forward to another exciting auction! Until next month, I hope your
summer was everything you wished it to be, and that like me, you are
looking forward to an exciting fall…….
Watch
the TLC web site at www.nyc.gov/taxi for updates, or
to access monthly medallion price charts.
© 2015 TLC Magazine Online, Inc. |