An Open Letter to the New York City For-Hire Transportation Industry

To my colleagues in the New York City For-Hire transportation industry:

Happy New Year to all of my colleagues in New York City's for-hire transportation industry. After well deserved holidays, I am sure that you are all looking ahead to 2017 with renewed energy.

Just a few days ago, millions of people in our industry and around the world adopted new Year's resolutions that they're now working very hard to keep. Trust me, I know how hard these can be.

Everyone needs a little help along the way, so I wanted to specifically reach out to the industry in New York City to let them know how TLPA can help in 2017. Our association is indeed working hard to help our members keep some of the more typical promises we all make as we look ahead to a new year. Perhaps. you’ll recognize some of them:

• "I will spend less" - Take advantage of TLPA's discounted annual meeting registrations and free webinars.
  
  
• "I will work smarter, not harder" - Access TLPA's cutting edge research on alternative business models and choosing the right technology for your model.
  
  
• "I will read more" - Let TLPA help you stay informed with our daily, weekly and bi-monthly e-newsletters featuring breaking news on the industry.
  
  
• "I will be more assertive" - Take part in TLPA's Marketing Program which will help member fleets rebrand the industry while promoting themselves.
  
  
• "I will meet new people" - Use TLPA's exclusive online directories and unique opportunities for in-person networking.
  
  
• "I will get involved" - Join our highly motivated and involved membership, whose collective voices make TLPA one of the strongest and most respected advocates in the nation for our industry.
  

If any of these resolutions are on your company's to do list this year, we welcome you as a member!

To join, just go to www.tlpa.org or call (301) 984-5700. We look forward to helping you and our illustrious industry in the coming year.

Happy New Year and very best wishes to all,

Bill Scalzi
President
Taxicab, Limousine & Paratransit Association

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TLPA Advocacy

No Need for Congress to Act on TNCs

The legally licensed local passenger transportation for-hire industry supports a level playing field to ensure fair competition in the market place. Due to the community based nature of local passenger transportation for-hire, the service is appropriately regulated at the state and local levels of government.

TLPA doesn't see a role in this issue for the federal government and would urge Congress not to create special exemptions or carve-outs for any portion of this industry, including taxicabs, limousines, airport shuttles or so-called "transportation network companies" (TNCs), sometimes inaccurately called "ridesharing companies." Local competition should determine the winners, not Congress.

Congress Should Repeal the Super Transit Labor Provision

TLPA supports full labor union rights for employees in public transit. TLPA does not support the extraordinary super labor rights imposed on public transit agencies through the federal imposition of Section 5333(b) of the Federal Transit Act.

The original purpose of Section 5333(b) was twofold:

1. to preserve the collective bargaining rights of private transit employees in public acquisitions financed with federal grants, and
   
   
2. to protect employees from the harm that might result from federally funded transit improvements, such as automation or technological changes.
   

Unfortunately, the application of Section 5333(b) has extended its impact well beyond its original intent. It has become the key obstacle that has prevented many public transit agencies from even considering the economic benefit of competitive contracting. These super labor protections are no longer needed, and intrude into local decision making and collective bargaining.

TLPA supports Rep. Mark Meadows (R-NC) and his legislation H.R. 1711, which repeals 5333(b), which is the only statute of its kind. Transit agencies should drive their budgets in compliance with normal ongoing union collective bargaining rights.

Distracted Driving

While the local passenger transportation for-hire industry has an exceptional safety record, we understand that all vehicle fleets and vehicle drivers can increase safety by adopting smart policies to reduce driving risks.

TLPA is supportive of efforts to ban personal communication. However, we urge Congress and the administration to explicitly recognize that state or locally licensed commercial drivers providing for-hire passenger transportation services should continue to have access to their dispatch service. This is necessary for the ordinary conduct of their business of serving the public's mobility needs. This has already been done for federally licensed drivers of commercial motor vehicles.

TLPA is waiting on the U.S. Department of Transportation to issue Phase II of its distracted driving guidelines which could be out this spring for comment. TLPA will submit comments when the guidelines are issued.