AGENCY TESTIMONY
Commuter van sector updates and challenges
1:22:43
·
71 sec
Commissioner Do provides an update on the commuter van sector, highlighting the current state of the industry and efforts to address challenges, particularly related to insurance costs. He discusses a state-funded program aimed at supporting commuter van operators.
- Current number of licensed commuter vans is 35, down from 215 in 2019
- Primary issue faced by the industry is the high cost of insurance meeting state standard coverage levels
- State legislature allocated $11 million to the Commuter Van Stabilization Program
- Program offers $40,000 to operators to offset insurance costs and reimburse safety equipment upgrades
- TLC encourages licensees to apply for the program and former licensees to renew their TLC licenses
- TLC continues to provide guidance to state agencies and elected officials on addressing insurance issues in the sector
David Do
1:22:43
I will turn now to the commuter van sector and its important role in the transportation network of many of our Otterboro communities.
1:22:51
There are currently 35 commuter licensed commuter vans down from 215 in 2019.
1:22:58
The primary issue faced by the commuter van industry is that the high cost of insurance that meets that meets state standard coverage levels.
1:23:08
As one way to address the high cost of state legislature allocated $11,000,000 to the commuter van stabilization program, which is managed by the Empire State Development and offers $40,000 to commuter van operators to offset insurance costs as fun being to reimburse safety equipment upgrades such as dashboard camera and driver assistant technology.
1:23:32
We work with ASD on this program and on the industry outreach.
1:23:35
I encourage our licensees to apply to the program and former licensees to renew their TLC licensees.
1:23:42
Licenses to be eligible for these funds.
1:23:45
TLC will continue to provide guidance to state agencies and elected officials as ideas and approaches are presented to address insurance issues in the commuter van sector.