Happy New Year! I don’t know about how it was for you, but 2024 went by so fast that someone should give Father Time a speeding summons. As we drive into ‘25, it’s worth taking a breath and looking back at some of what TLC was able to accomplish, and the work that still lies ahead.
In 2024, Uber and Lyft drivers got a raise, debt relief for small-medallion owners topped over $470 million thanks to the Medallion Relief Program, and the Green Rides Initiative met its accessibility and sustainability goals two years ahead of schedule. And who could forget celebrating 10 years of Vision Zero heroes at Gracie Mansion in June? These are all wonderful mile markers on their own, let alone in just one calendar year.
The year wasn’t without bumps in the road – chief among them was lockouts. Drivers have every right to be angry at the multibillion-dollar companies who cut them off to avoid paying them more. Everyone here at TLC understands the frustration, which is why we brokered the deal that ended Uber’s lockouts in September. That was the short-term strategy, and early in 2025 we will be tackling the long-term one: TLC rule amendments to close the loopholes Uber and Lyft have been exploiting.
While I wish these new rules could be passed and implemented in a New York minute, that’s not how the process works. Many drivers can relate to the fact that that sometimes getting a passenger to the airport can take 15 minutes, but in the middle of rush hour, it’s an hour and 15 minutes – yet the destination is still the same. Under my watch, our objective will always be protecting drivers and your livelihoods.
The year ahead promises many, if not more, efforts from TLC designed to increase stability for drivers and accessibility and safety for passengers. Our next hearing, on January 9, will focus on revised in-vehicle advertising rules and increasing up-front TIF payments to help pay for WAV conversations. We hope to hear from you.
January will also bring us the revived and revised MTA Congestion Relief Zone toll. Starting on January 5, 2025, vehicles entering the area of Manhattan south of and including 60 Street will be charged a toll (we previously sent out an Industry Notice explaining the toll structure here). Reducing gridlock in one of the most congested regions in the country will be a win for drivers, but we’ll obviously be monitoring all aspects of this change. According to the MTA, since 2010, average travel speeds in the area fell from 9.1 mph to just 7.1 mph. The hope is that, with fewer brake lights and more green lights, you’ll be able to do more trips and see more green in your pockets as well.
Lastly, I want to also remind taxi drivers of some of the new amenities that are being offered at LaGuardia and JFK airports courtesy of our friends at the Port Authority. In addition to bathrooms, prayer spaces and food offerings, their new app (available through the Apple App store and Google Play market) allows drivers to claim a virtual spot in taxi queue – which should save hours!
Here’s to a year that is safe and prosperous for the TLC family of industries and drivers!
See you out there,
David Do
Commissioner, NYC Taxi and Limousine Commission
