The New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC) announced the graduation of its latest class of TLC Police Cadets increasing the number of enforcement officers in the field by 60%.
Today’s graduation brings the number of TLC Police Officers to 144. In reaching today’s milestone, Cadets completed a rigorous, 21-week training regimen where they underwent tactical, fitness, and customer service training, including the safe performance of car stops involving aggressive drivers. The Cadets have become expert in conflict defusing, defense tactics, as well as the intricacies of TLC rules and relevant City/State laws.
Starting in their new roles as TLC officers, they will continue learning by going out with seasoned officers. Enforcement is paramount to ensure that passengers have a safe ride, and that licensees are vigilant as they share the road with pedestrians, cyclists, and other drivers. Officers are also pivotal to supporting the taxi, for-hire vehicle, and commuter van drivers and businesses who follow the rules. These drivers are financially impacted when illegal operators steal their passengers and, therefore, crucially important income.
“We are excited to welcome TLC’s new police officers, who will help us protect the public, passengers and drivers,” said TLC Acting Commissioner Bill Heinzen.
“New York City offers the safest for-hire ride in the world because of our rigorous driver background checks and vehicle inspections. By getting unlicensed drivers and vehicles off the road, TLC police officers keep our streets safer for passengers, pedestrians and fellow motorists. TLC Police also protect TLC drivers from those who try to steal their trips and their ability to support their families.”
“Not only will these officers make a major difference in improving public safety in New York City by protecting passengers from unlicensed and underinsured operators,” said Deputy Commissioner of Enforcement Dianna Pennetti. “But their work will likewise protect professional licensed drivers in the process.
“Their work is critical to stopping hustlers at our airports, enforcing against illegal van operations, Vision Zero enforcement, and deterring illegal street hails citywide.” Thirteen of our officers are first generation immigrants, born in Bangladesh, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Jamaica, Guyana, Cuba, Trinidad, England, Ecuador, and the Philippines.
About the TLC
The New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC) is the largest for-hire vehicle regulatory agency in the country, licensing more than 200,000 drivers who operate over 130,000 vehicles and do 1 million trips a day. Its board consists of nine members, including eight unsalaried Commissioners.
The Chair/Commissioner presides over regular public commission meetings and heads the agency which has a staff of about 600 employees. To drive professionally in New York City, licensees undergo a rigorous background check, must have a safe driving record, and complete 24 hours of driver education. TLC-licensed vehicles are inspected for safety and emission standards at the agency’s Woodside Inspection Facility.
Bill Heinzen Acting Commissioner
Allan J. Fromberg Deputy Commissioner frombera@tlc.nyc.gov
Rebecca Harshbarger Press Secretary harshbargerR@tlc.nyc.gov
Public Affairs 212-676-1013
33 Beaver Street 22nd Floor
New York, NY 10004
October 16, 2019
Today, the New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC) hosted its sixth annual Vision Zero Safety Honor Roll ceremony recognizing the safety achievements of more than 430 professional drivers. The TLC also celebrated the achievements of TLC licensees in:
These full time drivers were selected for the Honor Roll today because they did not have any safety violations over the past four years and were not involved in any serious crashes. Combined, they completed a staggering 4.7 million+ trips during this period.
“Professional car service operators, TLC-licensed drivers do over a million trips a day in New York City, and their commitment to safety, while sharing the streets with cyclists and pedestrians, has a tremendously positive effect on our streets,” said Acting Commissioner Bill Heinzen. “We are excited to recognize this elite group of drivers today, as well as the bases who make safety part of their mission. Today, we also honor drivers who go above and beyond in our Accessible Dispatch program, as well as those who provide excellent customer service.”
“It is an honor to be a guest for this years Sixth Annual TLC Safety Honor Roll which honors drivers who consistently have been safe drivers in New York City. As our streets become more traversed by cyclists and pedestrians seeking alternative modes of transportation, we need to make sure we continue to highlight the importance of road safety.
We must also recognize the services of the men and women who work very hard to make a living driving their livery and taxis vehicles while providing an important service to our city,” said Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez, Chairman of the Committee on Transportation.
“I am proud to see the TLC is acknowledging over 450 drivers who have consistently showed that they value the safety of pedestrians, cyclists, drivers and their passengers above all else. I will continue working with TLC Commissioner Bill Heinzen to ensure we continue to highlight the importance of driving safely in The City of New York.”
“If a driver is just starting out, I would advise her or him to make sure their mind is cool when they are on the job,” said speaker and honoree Chaudhry Hussain, who has been a driver for almost 30 years. “Always give way to everyone. You will meet many new people on the job and, by respecting everyone on the street, you will help them get to their destination safely.”
TLC Safety Honor Roll drivers are full time drivers who have not been involved in crashes involving a fatality or injury, have no traffic violations, and have no violations of TLC safety related rules for four or more years.
About Vision Zero and the NYC TLC:
Mayor Bill de Blasio launched the Vision Zero Action Plan in 2014. It is a comprehensive strategy designed to move the city closer to ending traffic fatalities.
The NYC TLC is one of three Zero Action Plan lead agencies along with the NYPD and Department of Transportation. Upon achieving Vision Zero, the TLC continues to implement many different safety focused initiatives, including driver education, enforcement, and recognizing the safest drivers.
You can learn about the Vision Zero Driver Safety Honor Roll by visiting:https://www1.nyc.gov/site/tlc/about/tlc-safety-honor-roll.page
The New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission is the largest for-hire vehicle regulatory body in the United States created in 1971. It regulates over 200,000 drivers, more than 130,000 vehicles, and the businesses that operate and support them. To find out more about the TLC, we encourage you to visit our official website nyc.gov/taxi.
