WORLDWIDE TAXI FOCUS from USA
NYC MANDATES ALL NEW YELLOW TAXIS TO BE WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE
The Taxi and Limousine Commission has finalised rules requiring all new yellow taxis to be wheelchair accessible, a significant step towards complying with a federal court order. The new regulations stipulate that TLC will only approve a new vehicle licence for a yellow taxi medallion holder if the car is equipped with a wheelchair ramp and other safety features. Additionally, existing taxi owners must ensure their vehicles meet these accessibility standards during the mandatory seven-year refitting process. The mandate stems from a 2013 settlement of a lawsuit brought by
disability advocates, which
required 50% of the city’s yellow taxis to be wheelchair accessible by 2020. Although this deadline was extended due to the pandemic, the city still fell short of the goal. TLC chairman, David Do, announced that the new rules will enable half of the New York City’s yellow taxis to be wheelchair accessible by the end of March. The final goal is for the entire fleet to be accessible by 2028. Taxi drivers have expressed concerns about the financial burden of retrofitting their vehicles to meet the new accessibility requirements. The cost can range up to $90,000, adding to the already significant expenses faced by many drivers. Bhairavi Desai, a representative of the New York Taxi Workers’ Alliance, emphasised the challenges faced by taxi drivers, including competition from ride- hailing companies like Uber and Lyft, which have significantly impacted the yellow taxi industry. In response to drivers’ concerns, the TLC has included a provision that allows for a one-time six-month extension to make vehicles wheelchair accessible if the owner can demonstrate financial hardship.
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The decline in yellow taxi usage, exacerbated by the pandemic, has further strained the industry. The number of trips completed by yellow taxis has dropped dramatically in recent years, highlighting the challenges faced by drivers. The implementation of these new rules marks a significant step towards improving accessibility for individuals with disabilities in New York City. However, it also raises concerns about the financial viability of the yellow taxi industry and the potential impact on drivers.
UBER SEEKS CUT TO MINIMUM DRIVER PAY FOR NYC CABBIES
Ride-hailing giant Uber has petit- ioned the New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC) to
reduce the
minimum pay for drivers, citing recent declines in fuel and used car prices. The company is requesting a 6.1% cut to the per-mile rate, arguing that it would help keep prices affordable for riders. Uber claims that the reduction would lower the average trip fare by 42 cents. However, the move has drawn criticism from driver advocates who argue that it would unfairly burden workers who are already struggling with rising costs. The New York Taxi Workers Alliance, a union representing tens of thousands of drivers, has called on the TLC to reject Uber’s proposal. The TLC is currently reviewing Uber’s petition and is expected to make a decision within the next 60 days. This comes as the commission is also considering other proposals to adjust driver pay rates, including potential increases to account for inflation and other economic factors. Recent investigations have revealed that Uber and Lyft have been using tactics to manipulate driver availability and avoid paying wages. These practices, which include locking drivers out of their apps, have sparked outrage among regulators as well as the drivers who have been left struggling to support their families and working extra hours to make ends meet.
DECEMBER 2024 PHTM
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