AGENCY TESTIMONY
Wheelchair accessibility initiatives and challenges in the taxi industry
0:15:01
ยท
63 sec
Commissioner Do addresses the critical issue of wheelchair accessibility in the taxi industry, highlighting recent developments and ongoing challenges. He emphasizes the impact of court-ordered requirements and the financial implications for both the industry and the TLC.
- New rules require all new taxis to be wheelchair accessible, as ordered by federal district court
- TLC must make difficult decisions about allocating limited Taxi Improvement Fund (TIF) resources
- The goal is to increase accessibility while ensuring the economic viability of the industry
David Do
0:15:01
Perhaps the most impactful recent issue for the taxi industry has been wheelchair accessibility.
0:15:07
As ordered by the federal district court, TLC adopted rules requiring all new taxis be wheelchair accessible.
0:15:13
This has a major impact on the finances of both the taxi industry and the TLC's Taxi Improvement Fund, which uses a dollar passenger surcharge to subsidize accessible vehicle conversions and accessibility programs.
0:15:28
As more taxis become wheelchair accessible, which is of course a good thing, TLC has to make difficult decisions about how to allocate limited TIF funds, to most more efficiently and effectively to improve wheelchair accessible vehicle service and make sure we meet the court imposed deadlines for 50% of the taxi fleet to be accessible.
0:15:50
We will continue to work with stakeholders from the taxi industry and the disability community to determine how we can increase accessibility while ensuring the continued economic viability of the industry.