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PUBLIC TESTIMONY

Testimony by Kathleen Collins, Disabled New Yorker, on Taxi Accessibility and Electric Vehicles

2:34:28

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Kathleen Collins, a disabled New Yorker, testified against Intro 373-2024 and proposed amendments to Intro 676-2024 and Resolution 80-2024. She emphasized the importance of wheelchair accessibility in taxis and for-hire vehicles, and advocated for the continuation of the accessible dispatch program.

Opposed Intro 373-2024, stating it violates the "taxis for all" agreement and a federal court order
Suggested amending Intro 676-2024 to include a study on electric wheelchair accessible for-hire vehicles and charging infrastructure
Proposed amending Resolution 80-2024 to require all future electric for-hire vehicles to be accessible
Advocated for continued support and funding of the accessible dispatch program

Kathleen Collins

2:34:28

Good morning.

2:34:28

My name is Kathleen Collins, and I'm a disabled New Yorker.

2:34:31

I've been disabled all my life and lived in New York all my life.

2:34:34

With respect to I n t, zero three seven three twenty twenty four, I submit that it violates the taxis for all agreement that we made with the city many years ago, many years ago as well as a federal court order.

2:34:49

We have waited much too long to even have 50% of taxi cabs in operation on the street wheelchair accessible.

2:34:55

If the city council passes this proposed bill, it will be sending the wrong message.

2:35:00

That is people with disabilities do not count.

2:35:04

Please reject 373Dash 2 0 2 4.

2:35:07

This is a civil right issue.

2:35:10

With respect to INT zero six seven six two zero two four, we submit that this bill needs to be amended to also require that such a study and report include how we can have electric wheelchair accessible for higher vehicles as well as charging infrastructure available for vehicles, including motorized wheelchairs in New York City.

2:35:29

Additionally, with respect to resolution zero zero eight zero dash two zero two four, we submit that this resolution needs to be amended to require that all future for hire vehicles that are electric also be accessible.

2:35:42

Finally, we would like to see this committee support a bill that would require the taxi and limousine commission to continue the accessible dispatch program as it presently operates.

2:35:52

It's not broken, so what needs to be fixed?

2:35:56

With respect to that, we also submit that the city council needs to provide sufficient funds separate from the taxi improvement fund to pay for this very important program that is the accessible dispatch program because it works.

2:36:09

Thank you for your time and for listening to us today.

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Testimony by Robert Grey, Attorney on No-Fault Insurance Coverage for Taxi and For-Hire Vehicle Drivers