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Greetings from everyone at the NYC Taxi and Limousine Commission.
NOVEMBER INDUSTRY UPDATE
On October 19, 2020, the TLC convened for an online Commission Meeting, the first of its kind. We were glad to have had the opportunity to hold the meeting and thank all attendees.
At the meeting, the Commission approved Base License applications and received feedback on proposed rules under consideration that would allow the TLC to pursue the following:
NEW COUNCIL LEGISLATION
The City Council passed TLC-related bills on October 15. The new legislation would:
DRIVER EDUCATION
On October 19, TLC Driver Education Schools and PSI Exam Centers reopened. TLC Driver License Applicants can once again complete the 24-hour Driver Education Course, the TLC Driver License Exam, and the Passenger Assistance and Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle Training Course. Applicants are receiving extra time to complete their application requirements since schools and test centers are operating at reduced capacity due to the pandemic. TLC’s Driver Education Team has inspected the school locations and test centers to ensure that they are operating at 50% capacity, that PPE has been given to staff and applicants, that desks are spaced six feet apart, and that there is public health signage throughout their facilities. Schools and exam centers are critical for TLC-licensed businesses that want to work with new drivers, and they must be done safely.
TLC DELIVERY
The TLC Food Delivery program ended on October 23. TLC extends its gratitude for the hard work, enthusiasm, and diligence of participating TLC Drivers. Over 10,000 TLC Drivers participated, using their Taxis, Black Cars, Livery Cars, and personal cars to deliver meals. Sixty-five million meals were delivered across all five boroughs, and TLC-Licensed Drivers earned closed to $40 million between March and October, when there were fewer income opportunities in NYC. Drivers delivered meals to 720,000 households, reaching 1.3 million New Yorkers.
Food vulnerable New Yorkers will still be able to obtain emergency food through GetFoodNYC and Grab & Go
locations around the City and various food programs for Senior Citizens.
THE END OF DAYLIGHT-SAVING TIME AND DRIVING SAFELY
On November 1, Daylight Saving Time ends and clocks will “fall back.” We ask TLC-Licensed Drivers to take extra care during the darker morning and evening commutes, to please make turns slowly at 5 miles per hour, and to please always obey the citywide speed limit of 25 mph. Slower speeds save lives and we want everyone to arrive at work and home safely.
NEW SEAT BELT LAW
Senate Bill 7134 and Assembly Bill 8990 were passed by the New York State legislature and signed into law by the Governor in early 2020 and go into effect November 1, 2020.
The new State laws apply to trips in all TLC-licensed vehicles as well as all personal cars. The penalty for a seat belt violation is a State fine of up to $50 and up to $100 and three points for the driver’s DMV license if a child under 16 is not properly buckled.
The law puts the responsibility on adult passengers to buckle up and to ensure fellow passengers under 16 are buckled up. Passengers, not Drivers, will receive a summons if they are not buckled up. The only time a Driver should receive a summons is if drivers themselves are not buckled up or if a passenger under 16 is not buckled up and there is no other passenger 16 years or older inside the vehicle.
The TLC is reminding passengers hailing a ride in TLC vehicles to make sure they follow the new requirement and buckle up. Seat belts save lives and can prevent serious injuries in car crashes.
Everybody. Every Seat.
Sincerely,
Aloysee Heredia Jarmoszuk
Commissioner and Chair
NYC Taxi and Limousine Commission
33 Beaver Street, 22ndFloor, New York, NY 10004