PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Ryan Snyder, Director of Government Relations at Truck Renting and Leasing Association (TRALA)
3:42:23
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123 sec
Ryan Snyder, representing the Truck Renting and Leasing Association (TRALA), testified about the negative impacts of New York City's Citizens Air Complaint Program on TRALA members and their customers. While supporting efforts to reduce emissions, Snyder criticized the program's practicality and consistency in complaint delivery.
- TRALA members are penalized for idling violations without a system to transfer liability to vehicle operators
- Complaints are often received 6-12 months after alleged violations, with hearings scheduled another 6-12 months later
- The program unfairly leaves rental and leasing companies liable for defending against infractions when they were not operating the vehicle
Ryan Snyder
3:42:23
Good afternoon, sir.
3:42:24
General and the members of the committee appreciate the you need to testify before you today on behalf of the truck renting and leasing association name as Trauma.
3:42:35
My name is Ryan Steiner, and I am the director of government relations for Trauma.
3:42:38
Trauma is particularly interested in New York City's citizen air complaint program as it negatively impacts our member's daily operations than those of its customers.
3:42:48
Trauma's National Trade Association representing 500 renting and leasing companies.
3:42:53
Their members provide short term commercial rental vehicles and short term consumer rental vehicles and full service leases to customers who operate a vehicle or fleet of vehicles.
3:43:04
First one to say, Trauma supports New York City's effort to reduce transportation related emissions.
3:43:10
However, the program isn't practical and is inconsistent in its delivery of complaints and ultimately does not achieve its goals.
3:43:16
As the program currently stands, truck odors are penalized for idling violations without a system to transfer liability to the operator.
3:43:24
This is essentially burdensome for the rental and leasing companies that own and maintain the vehicles, but do not operate them.
3:43:31
Often trucks are rented for a day or 2 at a time, and this creates an environment where vehicle owners are fine instead of the operators who are responsible for cyst this is selected idling.
3:43:43
Like others have mentioned, complaints are offered from the Virgin New York 6 to 12 months at the alleged idling violation.
3:43:50
With hearing scheduled for another 6 to 12 months after that.
3:43:53
In addition, the program does not send the infractions to the correct mailing locations, particularly with the truck renting and leasing businesses.
3:44:02
Unfortunately, due to the nature of renting and leasing the smaller businesses, Some companies utilizing the vehicles at the time of the alleged violation, and those operating the vehicle during the time are no longer in business and therefore cannot be fined for their idling mishaps when the complaint arrives a year after the reported incident.
3:44:19
This is unfair and leaves the rental leasing company is liable for having to defend themselves for an idling and fraction in which they were not operating the vehicle.
