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NYC Commuter Van Association president defends industry practices and importance
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Leroy Morrison, President of the NYC Commuter Van Association, responds to criticisms and defends the commuter van industry. He emphasizes the professionalism of licensed operators and the industry's role in serving underserved communities.
- Refutes claims of reckless driving by licensed commuter van operators
- Highlights the licensing and safety standards for commuter van drivers, including CDL requirements and insurance
- Explains how commuter vans complement rather than compete with MTA services
- Emphasizes the role of commuter vans in serving underserved, low-income neighborhoods
- Stresses the importance of small businesses and immigrant-owned enterprises in the transportation ecosystem
Leroy Morrison
0:39:29
Yes, sir.
0:39:29
I wanna answer the the question that you're saying, sir.
0:39:32
I didn't see one commuter van.
0:39:37
I'm sorry about that chair, but I'm chair.
0:39:40
In my life running commuter van over close to 40 years, I never seen a licensed commuter vans cut people off, cut the buses off.
0:39:48
And I want the gentleman to know that we have licensed standard too.
0:39:52
We have CDL.
0:39:53
We're article 19 a.
0:39:54
We have medical.
0:39:55
We pay eye insurance.
0:39:57
I was insurance right now costs about anywhere from 45 to 50,000 hours a year.
0:40:01
So we can't afford.
0:40:02
We cannot speak for the rogues that they're talking about.
0:40:05
You cannot mix the rogues with a licensed commuter vans out there.
0:40:08
I want you to know that chair, madam chair.
0:40:11
And I never seen all these years a commuter van that's licensed by the TLC cut a bus off because we have consequence.
0:40:18
If he has a problem like that, the TLC stepped in.
0:40:21
So we never did anything like what the gentleman was saying.
0:40:24
And at the same time, also, We also secure and make sure t w n n and make sure the labor, they stay in business because they have the commuter van.
0:40:33
If we never put the cap on the commuter vans, then you would have 4 chariot with a takeover MTA system.
0:40:39
And we I did that to save MTA.
0:40:42
Also, with the labor union, they need a bill that other big bus company couldn't come here in 2018, and we saved the MTA myself with the bill that I was doing.
0:40:52
So at the same time, we're looking to be partnership with the UNN and the bus system to work with us because everywhere else you have licensed commuter vans in Jersey and everywhere is only in New York City, and we save the MT a lot of time from their waiting time.
0:41:06
And the MTA need over 40 something years now The ladies are stroddling after certain hours at the night, the MTA cut their service.
0:41:13
And MTA cannot say because its commuter van cut their service.
0:41:17
Commuter van had their ridership, and the MTA have their own ridership.
0:41:22
So by the gentleman is saying, a community van is doing this, a community van is doing that.
0:41:27
I can speak on a community van.
0:41:28
All these years, we're not out here.
0:41:30
We're a small business, and America strive with small businesses, and we're immigrant.
0:41:35
And what we're doing in the black and brown community that's underserved.
0:41:38
It's always underserved, and MT always turned it back against the ridership in the low income neighborhood like our neighborhood and treated.
0:41:46
I remember back in the days the way how we were treated.
0:41:49
So at the end of the day, we're not here to compete with MTA because guess what?
0:41:53
MTA, when they pick you up, you get a free ride at the subway, but it's not everybody.
0:41:58
When they're going to work and they have to stand at the bus stop for 45 minutes an hour, and the bus right now is still overcrowded.
0:42:04
And be about what you have to tell your drive.
0:42:06
It's about feeding your family.
0:42:08
It's about putting food on the table.
0:42:10
It's about small business drive.
0:42:12
So MTA have to understand that.
0:42:14
We need to work with them, and they need to work with us, and we're not out here to arm MTA, and we cannot speak for the road, sir.
Selvena N. Brooks-Powers
0:39:34
No, Mister Morrison.
0:39:35
You're addressed it to us and to each other.