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TLC enforcement of regulations for licensed and unlicensed commuter vans

1:54:32

·

3 min

Council Member Brooks-Powers and Commissioner Do discuss TLC's efforts to enforce regulations for both licensed and unlicensed commuter vans.

  • Enforcement is carried out by both TLC and NYPD.
  • In 2023, out of 95 summonses issued, only 5 went to licensed commuter vans; the rest were for unlicensed operators.
  • In the current year, all 47 summonses issued so far have been to unlicensed commuter vans.
  • TLC is hiring 100 new police officers to improve enforcement capabilities.
  • TLC works with NYPD precincts to address areas with high numbers of commuter van issues.
  • Unlicensed commuter vans, especially those with out-of-state plates, are a focus of enforcement efforts.
David Do
1:54:32
Yeah.
1:54:32
Council member, enforcement is a key aspect of unlicensed commuter vans.
1:54:38
We regularly
Selvena N. Brooks-Powers
1:54:39
And enforcement is by TLC.
1:54:41
Right?
Carlos Ortiz
1:54:41
By what?
Yodon Thonden
1:54:42
Or PD.
David Do
1:54:43
Both by TLC and by PD.
1:54:46
And so we regularly work with NYPD to ensure that commuter vans are operating legally so that there are the protections of not only insurance, but having a license operator, having a CDL operator, following DMV state guidelines.
1:55:02
These are all incredibly important.
1:55:04
And as I look through my data in 2023, about 95, there there were 95 summonses in total.
1:55:13
Only 5 went to licensed commuter vans.
1:55:15
And so what Leroy was saying is correct, that 90 of the 95 went to non licensed commuter vans.
1:55:25
As of this year so far, all 47 summonses to commuter vans went to unlicensed commuter vans.
1:55:32
Right?
1:55:33
And so I think for the most part, the licensed commuter vans are following the rules the regulations and the state traffic laws.
Selvena N. Brooks-Powers
1:55:46
Is there so is there a shortage of resources while the enforcement is not able to kind of address the bad actors.
1:55:58
Well because I know I have some that are in Rosedale, that are not licensed, that do all types of things to people's property, and I know they're not the the licensed ones.
David Do
1:56:09
Yeah.
1:56:11
Well, thanks to mayor Adams and the administration.
1:56:14
We were able to get a 100 new TLC police officers.
1:56:17
We're training our 1st class in 2 years currently.
1:56:22
And are going to recruit more officers.
1:56:24
And so that is going to help us provide more attention to areas where we can be helpful to you.
1:56:31
So if you let us know about where they're operating, we will come out there and support you and your community.
1:56:39
Yes.
1:56:39
We're we're hyper focused on ensuring that non licensed commuter vans get licensed or not operate in New York City.
Selvena N. Brooks-Powers
1:56:51
No.
1:56:51
That is helpful.
1:56:52
And does is it a coordination with TLC and PD in terms of how to engage the commuter vans?
1:56:59
What is actually legal versus not legal?
1:57:01
What they should have and shouldn't have?
David Do
1:57:03
Well, every unlicensed unlicensed commuter event is should not be operating, should not be picking up trips.
1:57:11
And so they need to go through the regulatory process that assures that not only do they have the proper insurance, the proper licensing, but but also the proper education so that they can operate as a commuter van.
1:57:26
And so as we see commuter vans with non New York state plates or Pennsylvania plates, etcetera, those are not operating legally on New York City roads.
1:57:36
And so we're going to be focused on ensuring that they do not operate.
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