NEWS

REMINDER

NEW FUEL EFFICIENCY RULES GO INTO EFFECT OCTOBER 1, 2008

ALL NEW TAXICAB VEHICLES BROUGHT INTO SERVICE MUST ACHIEVE A CITY RATING OF 25 MPG OR BE WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE

In accordance with Rule 3-03(c) of the New York Taxi and Limousine Commission, beginning on October 1, 2008, all taxicabs hacked up must meet a minimum city rating of 25 miles per gallon (mpg) or be Wheelchair Accessible pursuant to TLC Rule 3-03.2. In order to assist medallion owners in complying with this requirement, the TLC has developed a new program with auto manufacturers and local dealerships to ensure supply of higher mileage vehicles for the taxi industry.

Below right is a list of approved vehicles that qualify for the new 25 mpg or accessibility standards. While all vehicles are available for normal retail purchase, automotive manufacturers have committed to provide over 300 vehicles per month to local participating dealers for vehicles ordered four months in advance of delivery. Vehicles committed are; 50 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrids, 50 Ford Escape Hybrids and 200 Nissan Altima Hybrids.

 

	1. 2008 Autovan Toyota Sienna
	2. 2008, 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid
	3. 2008, 2009 Honda Civic Hybrid
	4. 2008, 2009 Lexus RX400H Hybrid
	5. 2008, 2009 Nissan Altima Hybrid
	6. 2008, 2009 Saturn Vue Hybrid
	7. 2008, 2009 Toyota Prius Hybrid
	8. 2008, 2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid
	9. 2008, 2009 Toyota Highlander Hybrid
	10. 2009 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid

 

 

ACCESSIBLE DISPATCH SYSTEM - GENERAL INTRODUCTION

What it is: In November 2007, the TLC approved the Accessible Dispatch System pilot project to try out a central dispatch system for wheelchair accessible vehicles. It is a two year demonstration (pilot) project. Its purpose is to match passengers who use wheelchairs with accessible vehicles. This project is a chance to test dispatching technology, measure demand for wheelchair accessible vehicles, and determine how to best provide accessible service. During the project, there will be public updates monthly at Commission meetings.

How it works: This system links wheelchair passengers with accessible vehicles through a central dispatcher. Passengers call 311 to request the service. 311 connects the passenger to the dispatcher. The dispatcher collects the passenger's pick-up location and request for service. Then the dispatcher communicates electronically with participating drivers. The closest available driver accepts the dispatch and picks up the passenger.

Who is working on it: The TLC has partnered with the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities, the Mayor’s Office of Operations, and the Department of Information Technologies and Telecommunications to create this program. Owners of wheelchair accessible vehicles, drivers, and passengers who use the system are crucial to the project.

When: The Accessible Dispatch demonstration (pilot) project officially began in August 2008. We are seeking feedback from users! If you’ve taken a ride in a Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle and would like to give us your thoughts on the service you received please visit our “Accessible Testers Program” page. There you will be able to log on to our electronic survey and provide us your thoughts on vehicle comfort and service.

Please note to take the medallion number when entering or exiting the vehicle. You will be asked to provide us with your name and contact info. All information collected will remain confidential.

PROPOSED RULE: AMENDED VINYL UPHOLSTERY RULES IS SCHEDULED FOR PUBLIC HEARING ON WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2008 AT 9:30 A.M.

STATEMENT OF BASIS AND PURPOSE OF PROPOSED RULES

Automobile manufacturers recently advised the Taxi and Limousine Commission that the operation of airbags can be affected by the post manufacture installation of vinyl seat covers and by the use of back rests and similar devices. Therefore, three modifications of existing Commission rules relating to taxicabs are required:

• First, the proposed rules would eliminate the requirement of post manufacture installation of vinyl seat coverings for taxicab seats that are equipped with OCS technology and for seats that are equipped with side airbags, and would require the removal of any post manufacture vinyl coverings previously placed over seats equipped with OCS technology or with side airbags.

The installation of post manufacture vinyl seat coverings may impair the operation of occupant classification systems (OCS) that detect the presence of children or small adults in seats. In the event of a collision, the OCS prevents the seat’s airbag from deploying, or limits the force of the deployment of the airbag. This innovation reduces the risk of injury to small adults and children who are at heightened risk of injury from the regular deployment of airbags. Installation of post manufacture vinyl seat coverings creates the risk that airbags will not deploy even when adults occupy the seats equipped with OCS devices.

Also, the addition of post manufacture vinyl seat coverings may impair the deployment of side airbags installed in seats. Side airbags reduce the risk of injury incurred during a collision with the side of a vehicle.

• Second, the proposed rules would prohibit the use of seat cushions or similar devices on seats equipped with OCS, in order to avoid interference with the proper functioning of OCS technology.
  
  
  
• Third, the proposed rules would prohibit the use of back rests and similar devices in the seats of taxicabs equipped with seat mounted side airbags in order to avoid interference with the proper deployment of those airbags.

PROPOSED RULE: ADDITIONAL ACCESSIBLE INSIGNIA IS SCHEDULED FOR PUBLIC HEARING ON WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10 AT 9:30 A.M.

STATEMENT OF BASIS AND PURPOSE OF PROPOSED RULES

Pursuant to Local Law 55 of 2006 (Administrative Code section 19-514, subd. h), existing Taxi and Limousine Commission (“Commission”) rules require markings on wheelchair accessible taxicabs, specifically on the C-pillars of a sedan or an SUV or D- pillars of a minivan. Feedback from taxicab passengers who use wheelchairs indicates that these markings may not always be sufficiently visible to passengers attempting to hail wheelchair accessible taxicabs. Therefore, this proposed rule would require an additional marking to be placed in the middle of the hood of the taxicab.

As with the previous markings, the new marking will be designed by the Commission. The Commission intends to use a larger marking for the hood than is used for the pillars in order to enhance the visibility of wheelchair accessible taxicabs for street hails.

LOMTO (League of Mutual Taxi Owners)

Pictured breaking ground for LOMTO’s new state of the art Long Island City facility are LOMTO CEO Richard Kay, Managing Director Vincent Sapone, TLC Commissioner Matthew W. Daus, and several LOMTO Board members.

MAYOR BLOOMBERG AND POLICE COMMISSIONER KELLY
ANNOUNCE NEW YORK CITY REMAINS THE SAFEST BIG CITY IN AMERICA ACCORDING TO FBI UNIFORM CRIME REPORT

New York City's Drop in Violent Crime Was Twice as Large as the Nation's

Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and Police Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly today announced that New York City remains the safest big city in America, according to the FBI's preliminary Uniform Crime Report for 2007. The report shows that, compared to 2006, the City experienced a 2.7 percent drop in overall crime last year. Murders in New York City declined 16.8 percent, while they fell 2.7 percent nationwide. In addition, the FBI's report shows that violent crime in the City decreased 3.1 percent last year, outpacing a national drop of 1.4 percent.

"New York City had fewer than 500 murders last year - the lowest number since comparable records have been kept - and there were over 1,100 fewer guns recovered from City streets last year compared to the year before," said Mayor Bloomberg. "The numbers continue to go in the right direction, and it's because of the impressive efforts of the men and women of the NYPD, as well as our innovative policing strategies and efforts to keep illegal guns out of the hands of criminals."

"The men and women of the Police Department have continued to make the city safe, often while putting their lives at risk," said Police Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly.

"The FBI's Uniform Crime Report is further proof that our crime fighting strategies are keeping New York City ahead of the curve," said John Feinblatt, the Mayor's Criminal Justice Coordinator. "Whether it's working to take illegal guns off the street or reduce domestic violence, we are always searching for new ways to keep New Yorkers safer. We didn't become the safest big city in the country by being passive, and we will continue to pair data with innovative ideas in order to keep cutting crime to historic levels."

For 2007, the total crime index in New York City was 2,432.3 crimes per 100,000 people. Out of the 245 cities with a population of 100,000 or more that reported to the FBI, New York City ranked 230th between Santa Clarita, California and Rancho Cucamonga, California. Out of the nation's 10 largest cities, New York City had the lowest Index Crime rate. Out of the nation's 25 largest cities, New York ranked safest, scoring the lowest.

% Change from 2006 - 2007

This chart shows where New York City ranked in the Total Crime Index for the nation's largest cities.

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