The TLC is making history and improving lives with the most accessible taxi fleet in the nation, and that couldn’t be possible without our dedicated drivers. That’s why when we pass new rules and programs, we always have you in mind.
At our Commission Meeting on April 30, we announced a new pilot program designed to help drivers with the cost of converting to a wheelchair accessible taxi. The program is called Accessible Taxi Loan Assistance Service – or ATLAS – and will help lower the cost of conversions for our small business medallion owners.
ATLAS is on track to launch this summer, and its mission is clear: to help build a more affordable and accessible city for working-class New Yorkers and licensees. I know that the costs associated with a WAV can often be difficult or prohibitive, which is why the program will be open to those who own just one medallion (visit https://www.nyc.gov/assets/tlc/downloads/pdf/pilot_resoluton_fin_04_25_25.pdf for more info).
While New York State Urban Development Corporation and the Disability Opportunity Fund will provide the financial muscle behind this program, I owe a huge thanks to the New York Taxi Workers Alliance, which played a critical role in facilitating this opportunity, and Toyota’s designated Hillside dealership for providing the Accessible Sienna Taxis.
All of this is to say that we are moving ahead with the goal of our taxi fleet hitting the 50% accessibility mark – a milestone that TLC has pursued for over a decade. Despite being delayed by the Medallion crisis and pandemic, we remain undeterred – and even now TLC is a national leader in accessibility standards with over 12,000 combined yellow taxi WAVs and for-hire vehicles. A tremendous amount of effort and resources have gotten us to this point, and none of this would be possible without the TLC staff and licensees who have helped forge progress.
In other exciting news, we are working with our colleagues at the NYC DOT on a project that should literally provide some comfort to drivers: expanding taxi and for-hire vehicle relief stands. We reached out to drivers for feedback on where new taxi and FHV relief stands should be installed, so my hope is that you were able to contribute your thoughts. As many of you know, relief stands allow drivers to park and leave their vehicles for up to one hour, and NYC DOT maintains and installs them (view a current map of relief stands at: https://www.nyc.gov/html/dot/html/motorist/taxirelief.shtml).
I know how much these relief stands matter. They give you a chance to eat, use the bathroom, or pray, allowing you to get back on the road feeling dignified, refreshed and relaxed.
See you out there,
David Do
Commissioner, NYC Taxi and Limousine Commission
