Q&A
Accessibility and wheelchair accessible vehicles in taxi and FHV fleets
0:43:48
ยท
5 min
Council Member Brooks-Powers inquires about the progress of accessibility initiatives in the taxi and FHV industries. Commissioner Do provides updates on the number of wheelchair accessible vehicles and incentives for drivers.
- There are approximately 9,500 wheelchair accessible vehicles, an 18% increase from the previous fiscal year
- The yellow taxi fleet is at 44.8% wheelchair accessible (4,235 vehicles), close to the 50% mandate
- The FHV industry has 7,571 wheelchair accessible vehicles
- TLC provides $14,000 plus quarterly payments of $1,000 for drivers converting to accessible vehicles
- Drivers of wheelchair accessible vehicles receive a $1 incentive per trip
- The average wait time for accessible dispatches has decreased to 11 minutes and 17 seconds
Selvena N. Brooks-Powers
0:43:48
Moving to accessibility.
0:43:50
In the past, TLC has emphasized that improving accessible and equitable service is a top priority for the commission.
0:43:57
Currently, there are approximately 9,500 wheelchair accessible vehicles, an 18% increase from the previous fiscal year.
0:44:06
The mayor's management report notes that the group the growth is due to the expansion of the TLC's accessibility regulations for FHBs.
0:44:16
How is the TLC ensuring that the yellow cab industry continually expands and increases the number of wheelchair accessible taxis in its fleet?
David Do
0:44:28
Council member, accessibility is one of our prime priorities that we work through, on a regular basis.
0:44:35
We meet with our partners.
0:44:36
We ensure that what we do reflects really, the intent and, you know, with support of our advocacy communities.
0:44:48
We work with them on our most recent regulations, and we continue to work with them, moving forward.
0:44:54
We are very proud that we're all we're close to the 50% mandate of active taxis, and we likely will meet that, in March, this year.
0:45:06
Right now, the yellow fleet is at 44.8%, which roughly is about 4,235, a little bit more.
0:45:17
And then on the other side, the FHV industry, there are 7,571 wheelchair accessible vehicles.
0:45:27
And so right now, the incentive on the FHV industry is that the only way to get a TLC licensed vehicle is to get a wheelchair accessible vehicle.
0:45:36
And so we truly believe that the structures and the incentives that are in place, are strong enough to help, with the conversions.
0:45:44
And we're looking at, the TIF funds, and then also altering some of those incentives, to provide more upfront, monies to help with conversions on the yellow fleet as well.
Selvena N. Brooks-Powers
0:46:05
What kind of assistance does TLC provide to drivers who are converting to accessible vehicles?
David Do
0:46:12
In the current state, we provide $14,000 plus quarterly payments, of $1,000 if they make a certain number of trips per, per quarter.
0:46:22
In addition to that, currently, and I say currently because a lot of these things are in consideration to be changed, drivers who drive a wheelchair accessible vehicle, also receive a $1 incentive per trip.
0:46:38
And so there's also, well, overall, those are the those are the incentives in place to help drivers convert and take, trips, that are wheelchair accessible.
Selvena N. Brooks-Powers
0:46:51
Overall, we've seen a faster adoption of accessible vehicles in FHVs than yellow cabs.
0:46:56
What is the cause of the this disparity?
0:46:59
What problems do yellow cab owners encounter when converting to the wheelchair accessible vehicles?
David Do
0:47:06
Yeah.
0:47:07
Like I said in my testimony, council member, the yellow industry, is only 50 recovered.
0:47:13
Right?
0:47:14
Where the FHV industry by revenue, is recovered completely and, by trips about 90 to 95%.
0:47:22
And so there are some industry dynamics in the yellow sector that I continue, to evaluate and look at.
0:47:31
In addition, within our roles, we have also, made sure that on the FHV side that, that, the waves are also, ADA compliant.
0:47:44
Previously, that was not the case.
0:47:46
And so we're continuing to make sure that, there are more options out there, and more consistency within the regulation so that there are more converters.
0:47:56
Hopefully with more converters, there is more competition in the marketplace, to provide drivers, owners, and fleets with a cheaper wheelchair accessible option.
Selvena N. Brooks-Powers
0:48:12
What is the current citywide average weight for accessible dispatches for yellow cabs when compared to FHVs?
David Do
0:48:20
I don't know if I have that in right in front.
0:48:22
Actually, Evan does.
0:48:25
Give us a second.
0:48:26
We're gonna look it up.
0:48:44
Go ahead and put for the so we're gonna talk about the accessible dispatch program, which is the yellow program.
Evan Hines
0:48:50
Yeah.
0:48:50
We have it for accessible dispatch.
0:48:52
I don't believe we have it for FHVs for accessible dispatch.
0:48:57
It has decreased by over one minute, from last year.
0:49:02
It's down to eleven minutes and seventeen seconds.
0:49:06
We do not have it for FHVs.
David Do
0:49:08
I can speak to FHVs, though.
Evan Hines
0:49:10
Standards we're coming up with.
David Do
0:49:12
So, again, within the FHV sector, while I don't have those data points, we have regulations around that.
0:49:22
Previously, we had regulations that, 90% of trips, are done within fifteen minutes or less, 80% within ten minutes or less.
0:49:32
Recently we changed the rules, to ensure, that we meet the, demand for wheelchair accessible vehicles in a much faster time frame, which is 90% within ten minutes or less.