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Kellner to New TLC Chair: Now Is the Time for Accessible Cabs

March 17, 2010


I have been a consistent advocate for making New York’s taxicab fleet fully accessible to riders with hearing, visual, or mobility impairments–opening the door to taxi service for all New Yorkers, regardless of disability. I sponsor legislation (A. 7842) to mandate that after June 30, 2011, taxi owners may put only accessible cabs into service when replacing old vehicles.

But there is another, even more direct route to this goal: the New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC) could adopt rules mandating accessibility. The TLC has taken some positive steps in this direction, but so far it has fallen short of a full commitment to 100% accessibility according to the standards of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

With the appointment of former NYC Councilmember David Yassky as the new TLC Chair, we have an opportunity to move forward into a fully-accessible future. An accessible taxi fleet will uphold the principle of equal access for all New Yorkers, will generate additional business for drivers, and will help taxpayers save $50 million a year by making it possible for paratransit riders to use more cost-efficient (and user-friendly) taxis instead of Access-a-Ride vans. There are some great accessible taxi models already on the road–all that is needed is the will to make them a requirement.

I wrote to Chairman Yassky to congratulate him on his appointment and urge him to make a fully accessible taxi fleet part of his legacy at the TLC. A copy of my letter is below.

3.17.10 Ltr to TLC Chair Yassky

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Written by Micah · Filed Under Blogroll, Community, Roosevelt Island, Upper East Side 

Comments

3 Responses to “Kellner to New TLC Chair: Now Is the Time for Accessible Cabs”

  1. Lou Bakalar on April 9th, 2010 11:18 am

    Mr. Kellner,
    Using the .50 surcharge to make the MTA 100% available to the disabled would be a much better idea. I know that the MTA has some areas that accomidate the disabled but still has a ways to go. The Taxi Industry cannot serve the disabled with the attention that is needed to transport this part of the population properly. The vehicles available are not reliable, costs are way out of line, insurance costs to the Taxi Industry would be unaffordable and traning the drivers to deal with the disabled would be very costly to the City. You have a Transportation outlet for the Disabled now; Access A Ride. Before you slap another expense on the Taxi Industry clean up Access A Ride to provide transportation in a professional manner for the disabled. By the way Mr. Kellner did you ever have a Hack License? Why not get behind the wheel and see what a Taxi Driver must go through to make a living in this industry. Believe me it is not easy and a bit on the dangerous side.

  2. From the Blogroll XXIX: Two Months of Links in One Post « Clyde Fitch Report on April 12th, 2010 4:05 pm

    […] the blog of New York State Assembly Member Micah Kellner, there is discussion of how and when to make New York City’s taxi fleet “fully accessible to riders with hearing… — and how the new chair of the Taxi and Limousine Commission, David Yassky, can make that […]

  3. Hearing Exposes Failure of TLC to Make Cabs Accessible : NYS Assembly Member Micah Kellner on July 16th, 2010 9:43 am

    […] for-hire vehicle (FHV) companies to offer equivalent service to customers using wheelchairs. I have blogged extensively about my work to make an accessible taxi fleet a […]

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