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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!

 

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