Greetings from the NYC Taxi and Limousine Commission.
DRIVENYCTAXI
TLC has launched a new tool for Drivers and Yellow and Green Taxi Vehicle Owners called DriveNYCTaxi. The tool helps match TLC-Licensed Drivers interested in leasing a Taxi with Yellow and Green Taxi Vehicle Owners who are looking for TLC-Licensed Drivers to operate taxis. When Drivers sign up, they can include the kind of Taxi they are looking for, the shift they want to drive, and their preferred pickup location. Similarly, Yellow and Green Taxi Vehicle Owners can sign up and share their vehicle information, such as the type of Taxi, lease type, prices, and pick-up locations. If matches are found, they will receive emails regularly with a list of qualified TLC-Licensed Driver matches and their contact information, and TLC-Licensed Drivers will receive the contact information of Vehicle Owners they match with. To sign-up or to find more information by visiting https://www1.nyc.gov/site/tlc/about/drive-nyctaxi.page. You can also direct questions about the tool to drivenyctaxi@tlc.nyc.gov.
COVID-19
All TLC-Licensed Drivers are eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine. We encourage all TLC-Licensed Drivers to seek appointments for the COVID-19 vaccine by visiting vaccinefinder.nyc.gov or calling the New York City appointment call center at 877-VAX4NYC (877-829-4692).
Please note that supply of vaccine from the Federal Government is limited, therefore, you may not be able to immediately secure an appointment. Thus, we ask that you continue to check for new appointment slots regularly until you can secure a time and we thank you for your patience as additional vaccine supply becomes available citywide.
For TLC Licensees, such proof may be a current and valid TLC-issued License.
More information can be found at nyc.gov/covidvaccine.
Testing is still critical to slowing the spread of COVID-19 and to building protection for NYC. TLC Licensees can use the COVID-19 Testing Locations website (http://bit.ly/testsiteapp)to find sites that are convenient for you. The website indicates whether a site is walk-in, drive-through, and nearby relief stands.
COMMISSION HEARING
The Taxi and Limousine Commission held an online public hearing on January 26, 2021 on the economics of operating taxis in New York City, as required biennially by Section 52-04(b) of the TLC rules. The Commission solicited testimony and written comments on the following:
ACCESSIBILITY
The TLC has produced new videos viewable on YouTube that show how to transport passengers who use wheelchairs while providing excellent customer service. The videos have subtitles in Arabic, Bengali, simplified Chinese, English, French, Haitian Creole, Hindi, Korean, Polish, Punjabi, Russian, Spanish, and Urdu. They are a great tool for Licensees, and we encourage you to watch the videos at bit.ly/tlcwaveducation.
MOYNIHAN TRAIN HALL
On January 1, 2021, the new Moynihan Train Hall opened in Midtown Manhattan. Taxis are needed daily to pick up arriving passengers. Taxis can pick-up at the Taxi Stand located at 31st Street between 8th and 9th Avenues, and drop-off of on the West Side of Eighth Avenue between 31st and 32nd Streets.
FREE HIGH SCHOOL EQUIVALENCY AND ESL CLASSES
The New York City Department of Education is offering free, virtual English as a Second Language (ESL) classes, and classes to obtain a High School Diploma. Schedules are flexible, and you only need to be an NYC resident over 21 to be eligible. Get started and sign up at the link bit.ly/adulteducationtlc.
NEW E-ZPASS APP: TOLLS NY
E-ZPass has a new app called Tolls NY that allows you to manage your E-ZPass Account and pay tolls. Some of the features include finding a bill using a license plate, paying a toll in advance, checking your account balance, viewing your toll history, updating your payment method, and getting alerts about your account. The app also has how-to videos and a frequently asked question section for drivers. EZPass allows you to pay your tolls through contact less payment, and helps drivers manage their account as cashless tolling is rolled out statewide. E-ZPass tags are also required for Yellow and Green Taxis. Please ensure your E-ZPass account is connected to a working debit account, credit card, or is pre-paid to avoid any fines and please consider always maintaining a minimum balance of $50. You can always call for more information at 1-800-333-8655.
MAIN STREET BUSWAY PILOT
Main Street and Kissena Boulevard in Flushing, Queens became a northbound Busway last month. All passenger vehicles, including TLC-Licensed Vehicles, 6may continue pick-up and drop-off passengers but must make the next available right turn to exit the Busway. There is a single exception at 41st Avenue, where left turns are permitted. The Busway is in effect 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. To learn more, please visit nyc.gov/busprojects.
Sincerely,
Aloysee Heredia Jarmoszuk
Commissioner and Chair
NYC Taxi and Limousine Commission
33 Beaver Street, 22ndFloor, New York, NY 10004