NYC TLC Announces Historic Strides For Taxi, Limo Workers: Better Pay, Debt Relief, Sustainability In 2023

TLC in 2023: Historic Strides, Including Driver Pay, Debt Relief, Safety and Sustainability

 The Year Saw a Raft of Successful TLC Initiatives and Accomplishments Focused on Supporting Drivers; Improving Customer Service; Expanding Safety and Vision Zero, and Launching the Groundbreaking Green Rides Initiative

The following questions were asked of the TLC in regards to the press release, which follows the questions.  Questions are in black text, answers are in blue text:

1-The pay raise mentioned for high-volume ride sharing companies, specifically mentioning Uber and Lyft: was this applicable to for hire drivers working for private car service companies, or does it only apply to the larger ride sharing companies? If it applies only to ridesharing drivers, why is that?

The raise was implemented for drivers who work for High-Volume For-Hire Service (HVFHS) bases, which currently only consist of Uber and Lyft. To be considered an HVFHS, the base must dispatch a minimum of 10,000 trips per day. The HVFHS distinction was made in 2018 under Mayor Bill De Blasio, who signed Local Law 149, creating the new category. It was amended slightly in June 2021.

You can read more about HVFHS here: https://www.nyc.gov/site/tlc/businesses/high-volume-for-hire-services.page

You can read more about the rules for HVFHS here: https://www.nyc.gov/assets/tlc/downloads/pdf/notice-of-promulgation-of-rules-06-22-2021.pdf

Driver pay for smaller bases (such as black cars, livery vehicles and luxury limousines) is not subject to the minimum pay requirements because they have varied pay structures, which at times, for example, means they are full-time salaried employees.

2-What is the total number of Medallions still owned by drivers in the city?  The release mentioned that 2,293 Medallions were subject to relief, so we wanted to know the total number outstanding.

By law, there are 13,587 taxis in New York City and each taxi must have a medallion affixed to it. In terms of active medallions, you can find that (and other very useful industry data) information here: https://tlcpolicy.maps.arcgis.com/apps/instant/portfolio/index.html?appid=be00fce0963540628e37fd7c75a6d386

3-Are all taxi and limousine companies, along with Uber and Lyft, considered ridesharing companies? Or are those companies in a different class with regard to rules and licensing, including green initiative requirements?

By definition, rideshares are app-based, so Uber and Lyft fall into that category. As explained above, Uber and Lyft are in the high-volume for-hire services category, so they have their own regulations.

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Our Green Rides Initiative puts in a measured framework for Uber and Lyft trips to be 100% zero-emission or wheelchair accessible by 2030. Green Rides, which is a groundbreaking initiative that can be a model for other large cities, provides an outline for Uber and Lyft to meet their own publicly stated sustainability goals.

Read more about Green Rides here:

https://www.nyc.gov/site/tlc/about/green-rides.page

https://www.nyc.gov/site/tlc/about/green-rides-frequently-asked-questions.page

4-Can you please clarify the meaning of the following quote, taken from your press release? Are green taxis referring to taxis that are green in color or green in sustainability?  “The SHL Pilot Program, passed in May, was designed as an option for SHL drivers who returned permits, eliminating costs associated with green taxis. Crafted with industry feedback, the 2,500 permits were a boost for livery bases, since drivers needed to affiliate with them”

We are referring to Green Taxis (green in color) that provide street hail service and prearranged service in northern Manhattan (above E 96th St and W 110th St) and in the outer boroughs. This is not a reference to sustainability.

If you have questions about the SHL Pilot Program, many can be answered on our website:

https://www.nyc.gov/site/tlc/about/shl-pilot-program.page

https://www.nyc.gov/site/tlc/about/shl-pilot-program-faq.page

5-Do you have a list or link to a list of the safest drivers on Staten Island who were on the Vision Zero Honor Roll?

There were 14 drivers from Staten Island who made the list. We can provide their names, but not their contact information:

1. DUKA,BESNIK,M
2. BARRERA,FRANCISCO,G
3. RAKESH,KUMAR,NFN
4. WANG,JUN
5. LI,WEIYA
6. CILEK,MUSTAFA,SAIM
7. AVROS,ARTUR
8. LIAQUAT,JAHANGIR
9. GAMAGE,MAHINDA
10. MUHAMMAD,IBRAHIM
11. SAED,MOHAMMAD,M
12. OR,RASHID,MD,HARUN
13. MUHAMMAD,ISMAIL
14. KUGELMAN,HOWARD

Our press release contains more information and quotes, including the safest base (Matamoros Car Service) being located on Staten Island. Full release can be found here: https://www.nyc.gov/assets/tlc/downloads/pdf/press_releases/press-release-04-25-2023.pdf

6-Regarding the FHV storage program, does the licensee receive their same plates back with the same numbers on them at the end of the storage period, or are they issued a new plate with the same or a new number? If it’s the original plate, how do they pick it up again? Are they required to go to the same DMV, and do they have to give notice when they plan to come so it can be ready for them?  If it’s the same number, the same question would apply.

This program is done online/virtually, so no physical exchange of plates, or trips to the DMV, are required. Here is more information about the program: https://www.nyc.gov/site/tlc/vehicles/for-hire-vehicle-license-storage.page

Following is the original release:

NEW YORK, NY – As 2023 comes to a close, the New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission is proud to point to a substantial list of accomplishments over the past year, many of which support drivers and the continuing recovery of the industry. The remarkable year culminated with a historic initiative designed to make the city’s rideshare fleet the first in the nation to be 100% zero-emissions and wheelchair accessible by 2030.

“This year, we were able to roll out some very important and impactful initiatives, most of them designed to keep improving conditions and opportunities for our drivers,” said TLC Commissioner David Do.

“I’m extremely proud and thankful to my TLC team for their hard work, and to Mayor Adams and Deputy Commissioner of Operations Joshi for standing behind us as we blazed new trails that will have long-term benefits for the city and the industry.”

Highlights of TLC’s 2023 accomplishments:

Increasing Driver Minimum Pay: In March, TLC was able to secure a minimum pay raise for its high-volume for-hire vehicle (Uber and Lyft) licensees, who were struggling with rising fuel, vehicle, and maintenance costs, as well as inflation. Coupled with an inflation adjustment, the raise amounted to a much-needed pay increase of about 9%.

Providing Debt Relief to Small Medallion Owners: TLC expanded the qualifying conditions for the Medallion Relief Program Plus (MRP+), which has provided critical debt-relief for thousands of medallion owners, preventing many from losing their homes. TLC launched MRP+ in 2022, and in 2023 added more than $100 million in relief, so far totaling $452 million for 2,293 medallions.

Launching a Groundbreaking Sustainability and Accessibility Initiative: The historic Green Rides Initiative launched in October, and immediately received national recognition. The initiative requires all NYC rideshare trips to be either wheelchair accessible or zero-emissions by 2030. It will help drivers save money on fuel and maintenance costs, provide them a path towards owning their own small business, and be a catalyst for the city’s EV infrastructure. It will ultimately reduce 600 metric tons of carbon emissions, while also expanding accessibility.

Hittin’ the Road with Van Hailin’: TLC’s mobile outreach vehicle—Van Hailin’—was based on Mayor Adams’s commitment to improving customer service and came about with direct input from TLC licensees.

It launched early in the year and has gone on to become hugely popular. Van Hailin’ has helped over 1,000 drivers with on-site drug tests, settlements, and licensing queries, saving them trips to the agency’s Long Island City office. The van will continue visiting a different borough every month in 2024, providing them with services right where they live and work.

Revitalizing the Street Hail Livery (SHL) Sector: The SHL Pilot Program, passed in May, was designed as an option for SHL drivers who returned permits, eliminating costs associated with green taxis.

Crafted with industry feedback, the 2,500 permits were a boost for livery bases, since drivers needed to affiliate with them. Importantly, it bolsters service in the outer boroughs — especially non-emergency medical transportation, which is a key part of the initiative.

Expanding Yellow Electric Vehicle Options: TLC expanded the criteria for what vehicles can qualify to be an electric taxi. Prior to 2021, only the Tesla Model 3 was eligible to be hacked up as a yellow cab. With new, less stringent requirements, a larger number of vehicles qualify, easing the eventual transition to a cleaner taxi fleet, and giving drivers more options.

Honoring the Safest Drivers: For the first time since the pandemic, TLC held an in-person Vision Zero Honor Roll ceremony, honoring the 500 safest TLC drivers, bases, fleets, and accessibility leaders for their outstanding safety, service, and commitment to providing transportation to those who use wheelchairs.

The drivers represented each borough and 78 nations of origin. TLC Honor Roll drivers completed over 7.4 million trips in a roughly four-year period, avoiding serious crashes and committing no traffic violations.

Increasing Options for Liveries: By removing the costly requirement for livery drivers to install a partition or camera in their livery vehicle, TLC was able to remove some costly, outdated hack up requirements for liveries.

Thanks to this rule, passed in August, drivers can also choose from a more robust list of in-vehicle cameras, and they are not required to use specific cameras that were expensive and outdated.

Doing the “New York Twist” for Public Safety: Rock legend Chubby Checker and the TLC launched a catchy public safety announcement called The New York Twist. The PSA, which features Checker’s 1961 hit song, “Let’s Twist Again,” demonstrates a fast, simple movement people can do to prevent dooring cyclists. You can watch – and learn – how to “Do the NY Twist” here.

Saving Drivers Toll Charges for the Verrazano & Rockaways Bridges: To save drivers money, TLC amended its rules for how tolls to Staten Island and the Rockaways are paid.

Too often, drivers who took trips to these areas were unable to pick up a returning fare and stuck paying the tolls out of their own pockets. Now, passengers going to those locations will cover the toll cost both ways, ensuring that drivers are not left shouldering the tolls.

Providing FHV Drivers with a Storage Option: The new, short-term storage program allows licensees to put their current FHV license in storage once every two-years for up to 90 consecutive days. This program will be helpful to licensees who may be traveling overseas for an extended period, or who may be experiencing issues with their vehicle.

Banner Image: NYC yellow cabs on street before ridesharing.  Image Credit – BeansandSausages