COMMISSIONER’S LETTER

At the time of my writing this column, I am pleased to say that the industry’s response to the customer service technology program is nothing short of spectacular. So much so that there are only a small number of taxicab owners across the city that have not yet chosen and contracted with one of the four approved vendors. That is 98% compliance!

Over the 11 years that I have worked at the TLC, I have never seen such a high level of industry compliance with any initiative. This is due in part to the significant level of industry outreach that TLC staff has been conducting which includes numerous airport visits each week, industry expos at our Woodside facility, several direct mailings, presentations before industry organizations, and even phone banks. This historic level of compliance was achieved without a single summons or violation having been issued. We have truly reached a turning point at the TLC.

We also have over 1050 technology equipped cabs on the road which have generated positive feedback from passengers. I would like to thank our hardworking TLC staff, the four approved vendors and all of the diligent medallion owners and drivers who helped us stay on schedule and on target to deliver on this important promise that we made to passengers two fare increases ago.

The TLC put the new technology systems to particularly good use this week to send text messages to the 1050 taxicabs on the road apprising drivers of an emergency group ride fare structure to help passengers displaced by storm related transit disruptions.

We worked very quickly with the Mayor’s Office of Emergency Management to implement a contingency plan resulting in an Emergency Order signed by Mayor Bloomberg allowing all TLC licensed vehicles (except paratransits) to pick up street hails and to permit taxicab drivers to charge an extra $5 per passenger in addition to the metered rate to encourage ride sharing.

There has been much talk over the last few weeks by one particular taxicab driver organization that is encouraging drivers to strike over implementation of the taxicab technology project.

While I deeply respect the rights of drivers to disagree and to protest, I do not believe it is fair to deprive passengers of taxicab service when they have had two significant fare increases since 2004 which went almost entirely in drivers’ pockets.

Of course, with any new system, it is reasonable for anyone to be hesitant about the unknown. But in all fairness, many of the objections I have heard are mostly based on misconceptions or false information.

We have done significant outreach everywhere to educate drivers, and this administration has done so much over the years to help drivers that we ask you to give it a chance as it will help you earn more money and make your job easier.

I have learned that two of the three known taxicab industry groups do not support a strike, and they understand that drivers need to honor the promise they made to passengers even if it was over three years ago.

There is money to be made and passengers to serve, and it will ultimately hurt the industry to inconvenience loyal and supportive customers. The taxicab industry has never been better, stronger or more vital than it is today in terms of safety, customer service and financial success. I sincerely hope that cooler heads and reasonable minds will prevail. However, in the event there is some form of work action, the TLC is working with the Mayor’s Office of Emergency Management as we speak to have a contingency plan ready for implementation.

Until next time……stay cool and keep up the fantastic work!

Watch the TLC web site at www.nyc.gov/taxi for updates, or
to access monthly medallion price charts.

© 2015 TLC Magazine Online, Inc.