DECEMBERJULY 20102016 •• TAXITAXI INSIDERINSIDER •• PAGEPAGE 11

INSIDER VOL. 17, NO. 12 “The Voice of the NYC Transportation Industry.” DECEMBER 2016

Letters To The Editor Page 3 • EDITORIAL Embassies, Consolates & By David Pollack Missions in NYC Starts on Page 4 • WHERE ARE YOU FROM? Insider News I can’t count the times drivers tell me “This guy tion, especially now, with the negative residue Page 6 gets in my cab and asks: Where are you from?” lurking in the subconscious of all of us after the • Why do some passengers ask this question? Is presidential election and the immigrant rhetoric. Taxi Attorney it because they see your name on your hack li- I never considered the sensitivities of my driver, By Michael Spevack cense? Is it the color of your skin? Is it shame on me. The sensitivities harbored Page 7 because you simply said “Hello” with by a person of color or a person with a • an accent? Then I did it. I got into a “different” name always go unnoticed Puzzle cab, and without looking at the hack by harmless people simply wanting to Page 7 license, without seeing the color of the exchange conversation, which I believe • drivers’ skin, without hearing an ac- is a building block of life. Disruption and Change cent, I initiated the conversation with: My daughters still tell me to put a By Matthew Daus “Where ya from?” I was surprised as filter on my mouth because I just say Page 13 the driver responded:”Where are you whatever comes out without any hesi- • from?” And that is when it hit me like tation, without any pause or thought. Intentional Chaos a ton of bricks; I offended the driver by But this does not mean I am question- not simply saying hello and may have ing your American authenticity when I By Larry Fisher been too personal. asked “where are you from.” It means that that Page 15 The truth is that everyone is sensitive when question (Yes, I love sentences with 2 “that’s” next • it comes to discussing their personal informa- (Continued on Page 4) Quotabel Quotes Page 15 • An Election Season We Can All Be Ashamed Of Commissioner’s Corner By Jerry Kremer By Merra Joshi We can be thankful that battle of two underdogs. Page 16 the 2016 election night- I’m not sure which disappointment to list first, • mare is officially over. but let’s start with the influence of big money. The Dear Speaker There are almost no happy race between Todd Kaminsky and Chris McGrath By Nat Goldbetter observations we can make, for a State Senate seat in the 9th District is re- but I’m compelled to talk ported to have cost $7 million. If that’s true, and I Page 17 about the bad, which has believe it is, it’s not only obscene, but outrageous. • outweighed the good. The The fate of every Long Island Senate seat is a big Commissioner’s Corner best thing that happened deal, because they affect control of the Senate. By Merra Joshi during the entire election But $7 million? Page 21 cycle was the Cubs-Indi- When you look around the country and hear • ans World Series. At least how much money was spent on House and Senate Looking Ahead While we had a few moments of races, you’ll find that, collectively, they cost over Looking Back relaxation thanks to the (Continued on Page 4) By Jerry Kremer Page 23 • TAXI DAVE’S NYC Economy Page 27 • RADIO SHOW Insider Directory Page 33 WOR-710AM • Taxi News From Around 8:00 – 9:00 PM The World Page 36 EVERY SUNDAY! PAGE 2 • TAXI INSIDER • DECEMBER 2016

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WWW.NYCTAXINEWS.COM 36-16 Skillman Avenue Long Island City, NY 11101 (718) 392-7000 • Fax: (718) 472-0925 YOU CAN ADVERTISE HERE FOR $150 DECEMBER 2016 • TAXI INSIDER • PAGE 3 LETTERS JULY 2010 • TAXI INSIDER • PAGE 1 INSIDER What Is A Mandate? way it was originally, or even better the last few lanes starting with the last fire lane (lanes 40-54) Publisher & Dear Taxi Dave, which are short lanes anyway. Plus it gives the TLC believes that it would require a mandate dispatcher in charge of shorty lanes use of that for the Ehailers to become wheelchair accessible. Editor-in-Chief booth that they have for inclement weather. But isn’t that what they’ve asked of us, a mandate Tom David Pollack and all the consequences of such a forceful action. Why should taxis be subjected to such a power- ful objective that shakes up an industry, why not Taxi Driver Ehailers as well? Dear Taxi Dave, Michael Simon Is illegal to use cell phone while you drive?why uber driver they used all the time and they get no Taxi Stand On 10th Ave tickets for that? How come NYC TLC let uber company operating in NYC and they know they 17th St Is A Joke job depending on the cell phone? Thanks. Columnists Dera Taxi Dave, Makey The taxi stand on 10 Ave & 17 st is a fkn joke. Marc Albert Cops allow black cars to park there but when you Arro App For Drivers respectively tell them that the sign is for yellow they Matthew Daus, Esq. tell you to move along. T. Nakos Tony Falese Larry Fisher Wheelchair Nat Goldbetter Accessibility Taxi Dear Taxi Dave, Ira Goldstein, Esq. We must win this lawsuit, as our industry is Abe Mittleman under attack and the great city of NY is doing nothing to protect us. In fact, they are catering Alan Plafker to a very small percentage of the population that use wheelchairs. It’s preposterous to say the least. Michael Spevack, Esq. The management team at Uber must be sitting back and laughing at the stupidity of NYC officials in just making Uber stronger and stronger as time Layout & Graphics goes on. Mayor DE Blasio’s career is now finished as Dragonfl y Graphics LLC Hillary lost the election. We need a mayor and taxi council that will stand up for the taxi drivers and owners of NYC. In November, 2017, the voters Taxi Insider of NYC must vote the bums out and bring in new leadership at all levels. Our industry deserves 14 Alexander Drive nothing less. Artie Carucci Washingtonville, NY 10992 Phone: (718) 706-TAXI(8294) Port Authority Dear Taxi Dave, — The port authority police can help themselves, E-mail:[email protected] especially the congestion in LGA, if they are will- ing to listen/read to this: 1- there is a lot of congestion at the airports Copyright © 2016 by TAXI INSIDER. All because a lot of empty black cars who use apps to rights reserved. Neither this newspaper nor get hired or waiting on the roads and at terminals any part therof may be reproduced, copied, hoping that their phone will beep for a fair. Port or transmitted in any form, electronic or Authority can download and open the app and see mechanical including photocopying, mi- which drivers are “soliciting” for fairs and waiting crofi lming, recording or by any information on the terminal road and at the terminals. They retrieving system without the express written need to wait at the port Authority appointed lots permission of the publishers. The copyright like the yellow taxis do. is extended to the design and text created 2- a helpful way for congested traffic in LGA, for advertisements. This publication will especially at terminal c/d is to allow empty yel- not be responsible for errors in advertise- low taxis to use the ramp, which is marked only ment beyond the cost of the space occupied authorized vehicles no taxis, thats on the departures Dear Taxi Dave, by the error. Bylined articles represent the level of terminal d so when yellow taxis line up to Finally!, someone from CMT (Arro) heard sole opinion of the writer and are not neces- get into the lot, the road isn’t congested. Which my request about making a better taxi driver over sarily in accordance with the views of TAXI by the way, is mostly because of empty black cars friendly app. Even though there is a few bugs that INSIDER. trying to solicit passengers. need to be worked out but this is exactly to what This Publication reserves the right to Yellow Taxi drivers: Hail-O app was like. limit or refuse advertising it deems objec- I urge my fellow taxi drivers to go to building Maybe you can get the president of Arro on tionable. 14 at JFK which is the port Authority building your show. TAXI INSIDER is published monthly at & make complaints and file suggestions to move Tommy a subscription rate of $48.00 per year. the shorty lines from the first 5 lanes to either the (Continued on Page 12) PAGE 4 • TAXI INSIDER • DECEMBER 2016 Where Are You From Lehman college my best friend was guys who got their start because of answer: “I am a New Yorker, and black (Yes, BLACK is NOT a racist your dad. Your dad was a great man. you?” (Continued from Page 1) term, at least for me.) One of the Today, I own two small taxi services WE know that we drive a cab 12 to each other) has become part of a most rewarding moments in my life and two homes, and I owe it all to hours a day in New York City; We true New Yorkers’ way of “breaking occurred at a national Taxi Driver your dad!” know we will go back to our homes the ice,” of becoming a way of start- Awards ceremony a few years back. My dad always told me;”Never in Queens, The Bronx, Manhattan, ing a conversation because I want to As I was walking in the lobby, a black forget where you came from.” There Brooklyn or Staten Island after a days’ tell you where I am from and want gentleman said “David Pollack.” I are members of my family who are work; WE know that we picked up this to engage in conversation, and has said yes I am, but who are you? His not “Lilly white” and that one of my same passenger in Manhattan. Did become a way of me and other New name was Terry and he is now living best friend’s first names is Suneet, I you ever wonder where that passen- Yorkers to say Hello. How you are in South Carolina owning multiple don’t see color. Thank god I grew up ger comes from: Texas, Mississippi without considering any consequence taxis in two states, and driving one in New York City where social expo- (No One Comes from Mississippi, is natural to some with no hidden of them. BUT, he recalled my dad sures and intermingling with people bad example) Ghana, Korea or, you agenda. helping him to buy a New York City from around the world blinds you may be surprised? How many times Ya see, I do not see color, I see medallion some 35 years prior. He from color separation and embraces have you heard:”I used to live in New human beings. I have been dealing told me; “You may not know this, the mantra of one world of humans. York” or “I am just visiting?” with taxi drivers on a daily basis for but the banks turned me down for No doubt there are some racists So folks, do not take it personal if over 40 years as my dad once did. I my first medallion loan, but it was a about town, but the overwhelm- someone starts their taxi conversation have seen the industry change from known fact in the black community ing majority of people just want to with “Where are you from?” Embrace to an inclusive industry with drivers that Phil Pollack will help me buy a communicate and have never taken a the conversation, after all, communi- and owners from over 150 countries. medallion. At the time, no one was course in “How to Start a Conversa- cation and traveling around the world (Where are you from by the way?) loaning money to blacks except your tion.” Do NOT feel slighted with this verbally is one of the best fringe benefi ts When driving a cab while attending dad and I know at least 20 black question; just give them the correct a taxi driver experiences. An Election Season Republicans I know are complain- Donald Trump had a name for all of his Clinton may have called Trump sup- ing about the amount of money their opponents, from “Little Marco” Rubio porters “deplorables,” but at least she (Continued from Page 1) Democratic rivals are spending, so the to “Lyin’ Ted” Cruz to “Low Energy” apologized. Trump doesn’t apologize $1 billion. Add to that the battle for through-the-roof spending is finally Jeb Bush, all of which were uncalled for anything. the White House, which easily cost bashing both parties. for. I can’t imagine what happened My last and greatest disap- over $1 billion by itself. The good My second great disappointment during the historic Lincoln-Douglas pointment is the Federal Bureau of news is that as far as New York state is in this election is what it did to debates, but I don’t think Abe Lincoln Investigation. As far back as I can concerned, we generally know where personal relationships. Once upon called for his opponent to be locked up. remember, it was the gold standard for all the money came from. When it a time you could have an intelligent What’s worse is that we encourage our law enforcement. I can still envision comes to national races, however, we conversation about your favorite students to pay attention to the elec- Elliot Ness locking up the bad guys had no idea where the big bucks came candidates, no matter their party, tion, and they see things like a grown and putting the FBI on the map. In from, and that’s the scandal. but not this year. I have witnessed, man mimicking a disabled person and recent years, the FBI and the Central Thanks to the U.S. Supreme Court, with shock, dozens of verbal battles talking about attacking women. Intelligence Agency have been feud- corporations are considered people, between husbands and wives, fathers As the father of four daughters, I ing instead of cooperating on the and they can give — and give freely. and children and total strangers on the very much resented Trump’s verbal challenging issues of the day. The The Citizens United case opened street. It’s fine to clash over which assaults on women based on their body recent conduct of the FBI raises the the door to uncontrolled spending candidate is best qualified, but call- types, looks and real or imagined stam- issue of whether it’s an investigative in federal races, and the targets are ing people crooks, perverts and other ina. What’s terribly sad is that elections agency or a political club. now both Republicans and Demo- obscenities is way over the line of don’t automatically stop people from Let’s all hope that the next na- crats. Republican candidates were protected free speech. doing obnoxious things. Women have tional election will be conducted at a happy (for a short time) that all that The tone of this year’s battle has a hard enough time competing with higher level. Unfortunately, the next mystery money would pour into been disgraceful. It started during the men; they didn’t need Trump to raise 12 months promise to be more of the their campaigns. Lately, quite a few Republican primary debates, when the glass ceiling even higher. Hillary same ugly stuff. Drivers! Many Foreign Visitors This Australian Consulate in New York, gladesh to the United Nations 820 2nd Australian Consulate-General 150 East Avenue, 4th Floor Time Of Year Are Going To Their 42nd Street, 34th fl oor Phone: 212-867-3434 Phone: (212) 351 6500 Embassies. Here Is A List To Help Barbadian Consulate in New York, Taxi Drivers Get There. Austrian Consulate in New Consulate General of Barbados in York, Consulate General of Austria New York, United States 800 Second in New York, United States 31 East Avenue, 2nd Floor Embassies, Consolates and 69th Street Phone: (+1) (212) 867-8435 Phone: (+1) (212) 737 64 00 Missions in NYC Belarusian Consulate in New York, Afghani Consulate in New York, Angolan Consulate, Permanent Bahamian Consulate in New Consulate General of the Republic of 360 Lexington Ave 11th Floor Mission of the Republic of Angola to York, Consul General of the Bahamas Belarus in New York, USA 708 Third 212-972-2276 the United Nations 125 E. 73rd Street in New York City, USA 231-East 46th Avenue, 20th Floor Office Hours: Monday-Friday: Phone: 212 8615656 Street Phone: (1-212) 682-5392 9am-3pm Phone: (212) 421-6925 Angolan Consulate, Consulate Belgian Consulate in New York, Albanian Consulate in New York General of Angola 866 United Nations Bahraini Consulate in New York, Consulate General of Belgium in New 156 Fifth Avenue, Suite 1A210 Plaza East 48th Street, 5th fl oor Permanent Mission of the Kingdom York, USA 1065 Avenue of the Ameri- Phone: 12122557381 Phone: (1 212) 980 9615/16 of Bahrain to the United Nations 866 cas, 22nd fl oor Second Avenue 14th fl oors Phone: (212) 586-5110 Albanian Consulate in New York, Antiguan & Barbudan Consulate in Phone: (212) 223-6200 United States Permanent Mission of New York Consulate General of Antigua Belgian Consulate in New York, the Republic of Albania in UN 320 and Barbuda in New York 305 East 47th Bangladeshi Consulate in New Permanent Mission of Belgium to the East 79th Street Street, 6th Floor York, Consulate General of Bangla- United Nations in New York, United Phone: 1212 2492059 Phone: 212-541-4117 desh in New York, USA 211 East 43rd States One Dag Hammarskjöld Plaza Street, Suite 50 885 Second Avenue, 41st Floor Embassy of Andorra/Permanent Argentinian Consulate in New Phone: (212) 599 6767, (212) 599 Phone: +1/212/378 6300 Mission to the UN, 2 United Nations York, Consulate General of Argentina 6850 Plaza, 25th fl r in New York, United States 12 West Belizean Consulate in New York, Phone: 212-750-8064 56th Street Bangladeshi Consulate in New Permanent Mission of Belize to the York, The Permanent Mission of Ban- Phone: (212) 603-0400 (Continued on Page 18) DECEMBER 2016 • TAXI INSIDER • PAGE 5

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2721 Nostrand Ave. Brooklyn, NY 11210 Visit us online for more information www.PlazaToyota.com PAGE 6 • TAXI INSIDER • DECEMBER 2016 Insider News GRIDLOCK ALERT DAYS New York Asks People to Report Each year during the holiday season, the Department of Transportation designates Gridlock Alert Days as some of the busiest transportation days of Bike-Lane Blockers the year. Whether you are traveling to work, for shopping or recreation, please squatters through its 311 app and 311 take public transportation whenever possible. Cyclists and others inconve- website. To make a complaint, go to The Gridlock Alert Days for this holiday season are: nienced by cars in bike lanes can the drop-down selection for “Illegal Friday, December 9 complain about it online. Parking” and specify “Blocked Bike Wednesday, December 14 New Yorkers have long had many Lane.” Here’s more from Streetsblog Thursday, December 15 ways to deal with people parked in NYC: Friday, December 16 bike lanes. There’s the classic death- One of the benefits of the update, Wednesday, December 21 glare, or taking a photo for online in addition to making bike lane Thursday, December 22 shaming, or getting in a yelling match blockers easier to report, is that Friday, December 23 and maybe knocking a mirror off with there will now be a specific record of Saturday, December 24 your U-lock. user-reported, geo-tagged bike lane Monday, December 26 This week the city added an- violations to 311. Until now, any bike Saturday, December 31 other option: officially reporting lane lane blocker reported to 311 would get filed under the vaguer category of “illegal parking.” There’s no photo option, but users can provide specific location details and mark whether the complaint is a recurring problem. Of course, it’s

Classification: Reference: Date: still up to police to clear bike lanes of parked vehicles—and NYPD officers BR16-004 NTB16-116 November 28, 2016 are themselves some of the city’s worst bike lane violators. Whether this small technologi- NISSAN; DIAGNOSIS INFORMATION FOR ABS DTC C1130 cal advance will have any impact on cyclists is unknown, but it’s probably APPLIED 2013-2017 Altima Sedan (L33) 2017 Titan (A61) already thrilling data visualizers, VEHICLES: 2012 Altima Coupe (L32) 2012 Sentra (B16) with at least a few no doubt crafting 2012-2014 Maxima (A35) 2013-2017 Sentra (B17) plans for the New York Bike Lane 2016-2017 Maxima (A36) 2012-2013 Versa Hatchback (C11) Blockers Map. 2012-2014 Murano (Z51) 2012-2017 Versa Sedan (N17) 2015-2017 Murano (Z52) 2014-2017 Versa Note (E12) Traffi c Light & 2016-2017 Murano Hybrid (Z52) 2012-2017 Frontier (D40) Sign Complaints 2012 Pathfinder (R51) 2012-2017 Quest (E52) Many of you call the Taxi Insider 2013-2017 Pathfinder (R52) 2012-2017 Juke (F15) with complaints from confusing, 2014 Pathfinder Hybrid (R52) 2014-2017 NV Cargo/Passenger (F80) contridictory traffic signage to broken 2012-2013 Rogue (S35) 2013-2017 NV200 (M20) signals. Instead of having Taxi Insider 2014-2015 Rogue Select (S35) 2014-2017 Taxi call the DOT, YOU can call 311 and 2014-2017 Rogue (T32) 2012-2015 Armada (TA60) follow-up below. 2017 Rogue Hybrid (T32) 2017 Armada (Y62) TRAFFIC LIGHT COM- 2012-2015 Titan (A60) 2012-2017 370Z (Z34) PLAINTS 2016-2017 Titan XD (A61) How do I Report a Complaint? Citizens who see a traffic light that is not working properly are asked to call the New York City Call Center, SERVICE INFORMATION 311, immediately. The public can report a defect 24 hours a day, 7 When diagnosing for DTC C1130 (ENGINE SIGNAL): ECM related DTCs (P-codes) days a week. Callers can request a must be diagnosed, repaired, and DTCs erased first. work order number that can be used to check the status of repairs. Traffic x DTC C1130 is an ABS DTC that indicates an output signal of the ECM is not light defects include pedestrian and recognized. vehicular signals which are out or x Absent or incorrect ECM signals, that are indicated by corresponding P-codes, may which are not operating properly. trigger C1130 in the ABS control unit. How Long Should This Take? The Department’s Signal Main- x Some vehicle features that can be affected by absent or incorrect ECM signals are: tenance contractors are required to ¾ Forward Emergency Braking (FEB) arrive at the scene of the most seri- ous problems -- all lights out, and ¾ Intelligent Cruise Control (ICC) damaged or knocked-down signals ¾ VDC/ABS/TCS -- within two hours of notification. If a bulb is out, the contractor is required to respond within 48 hours. Nissan Bulletins are intended for use by qualified technicians, not 'do-it-yourselfers'. Qualified technicians are TRAFFIC SIGN COMPLAINTS properly trained individuals who have the equipment, tools, safety instruction, and know-how to do a job properly and safely. NOTE: If you believe that a described condition may apply to a particular vehicle, DO How do I Report a Complaint? NOT assume that it does. See your Nissan dealer to determine if this applies to your vehicle. Complaints concerning signs which are missing, illegible, or van- dalized should be reported to the WANT TO MAKE MORE $ EVERY DAY? New York City Call Center, 311, or JUST DRIVE AN ACCESSIBLE MEDALLION! (Continued on Page 15) DECEMBER 2016 • TAXI INSIDER • PAGE 7 The Taxi Attorney December Taxi Driver Puzzle Hello everybody, I hope that you lose your license later. Please fight are well and working hard and mak- every yellow or pink ticket you re- Do you know the stories behind each word? ing good money. This ceive from NYPD and You would if you listened to Taxi Dave’s Radio month I want to talk every TLC ticket you Show, Sunday’s at 8:00 PM on WOR710. Brought about eight topics. receive. If you are un- First, please be aware certain whether to use an to you by Melrose Credit Union. You will also that TLC has been en- attorney for a particular understand the puzzle better if you read our forcing revocation for ticket, please come see articles. a combination of DMV me and I will tell you, and TLC points. For no charge, if the ticket # # E C A B T I V I S Y R instance, if you have a has points and you do or 3 O K M # W H C N E A U 0 5 point DMV electronic do not need an attorney device ticket and a 3 or representative for a & M F T 1 O & E C A L M T point failure to yield particular summons. N A T L K S A A E G L T T to pedestrian at DMV Sixth, please take the and a TLC customer defensive driver course O I S X R D I C A S E R X complaint for talking on a cell phone every 18 months. Do not wait three R N T D U I A H S E 1 A Z for which you plead guilty at TLC years to take the DDC class that yielding 3 points. Boom. You are takes points off of your NYS driver’s I L L E G A L C A B S F P revoked. Be careful with TLC tick- license. Please take the course every ets, including settlement offers from 18 months so if TLC sends you a let- G C I F F R T R V T E F F TLC. Make sure that you contact a ter to suspend or revoke your Hack H R A C T I C E V A Z I I lawyer before merely paying a TLC or TLC license you will have taken or DMV ticket. It is important. I the class before you get such TLC T U R N O R I V E B U C C am available to help and offer a free letter. Now TLC is allowing you to S L D Y R T F E N E R E E initial consultation at 212.754.1011. take a course which takes 3 points Talk to me and I will try to protect off your DMV record according to I E S P E V F # U C S T T your license and job. TLC calculations after you get a D T O D R I A T E A P N N Second, if you receive a letter letter from TLC saying you have a from TLC stating that TLC is seeking suspension or revocation coming to 1 H N E N F O R C E M E X to revoke your TLC license for any you. Also, if you get found guilty C E R U I L P 1 W 2 W X X reason, please contact a TLC lawyer of a DMV summons it may be best or representative immediately. Do to take a DDC course AFTER the Find the following words/accronyms in the puzzle above not try to handle the situation your- guilty finding at TVB or in other NYS • CABTIVIST • DISTRACTION • self. I have seen drivers lose their traffic court. Moreover, there is a livelihoods and ruing their credit persistent violator course available to • ILLEGAL CAB SIEZURES • UBER CAP • ratings etc. by trying to save a few reduce TLC points which are now be- dollars on a lawyer when facing ing combined with DMV points and • NYPD ENFORCEMENT • revocation charges. Ultimately, a can result in your losing your TLC • TRUMP TRAFFIC • LAGUARDIA • lawyer could have saved their job, license very quickly if you speed or but instead the driver saved $500 or talk on your cell phone while driv- • #1 TALK SHOW • HUDSON HOTEL • so dollars on a lawyer and ruined ing. Basically, any moving violation • RIVER TO RIVER TRFFIC • AGELESS • their taxi driving career. TLC is a now puts you in jeopardy. Call me at serious governmental agency. You 212.754.1011 if you want to discuss • GREENWICH & BEACH • 23 & 6 NO RIGHT TURN • need legal representation when faced your DMV or TLC tickets. with the ultimate penalty from TLC; Also, please note that I will do an • 1ST AVENUE TRAFFIC • please be smart. excellent job advocating for you at a • MAKE COMPLAINTS AT JFK • Third, if you are arrested and you fair and reasonable price, and I have possess a TLC license, it is impera- been doing this business for 20 years • FLAT RATE INCREASE • tive that you hire the best criminal now and really know what I am do- attorney that you can afford. This ing. Please call me at 212.754.1011 DMV points, and sometimes you can and let’s pray that 2017 is a better is so because TLC will hold your or 866.LAW.MIKE to discuss your simply pay such a summons without year for us all. Until next month, license until the criminal case is DMV or TLC problem. any negative consequences. My fee be well. finished and the TLC will take it Seventh, the busy season for taxis is reasonable to go to court for you Mr. Spevack thanks you for read- permanently from you if the crimi- is upon us and hopefully it will truly for pink summonses, and you most ing this article which is for enter- nal matters is NOT resolved to the be a busy season. We, as drivers etc. often do not need to go to court and tainment purposes only and does TLC’s satisfaction. I work with a very in a beleaguered Industry, deserve a I can obtain zero points for you. But, not constitute legal advice. For legal high quality criminal attorney who break and to make money this Holiday please call me at 212.754.1011 to advice, contact Mr. Spevack.http:// can speed up criminal matters and season. However, be careful. The discuss this with me and don’t wait www.trafficticketnyc.com . obtains excellent results, so please NYPD and TLC will be out there for the day before court to call me. See his advertisement on page 30 call me at 212.754.1011 if you get looking to summons you for: block- Thank you for reading this article. of this issue. arrested. ing the box, talking on an electronic Call me at 212.754.1011 for all your This article does not reflect the Fourth, please listen to the Taxi device or otherwise using your device, legal needs. Happy Holidays to all opinion of the publisher. Dave radio show on 710 am WOR, making illegal turns, speeding, among on Sunday evenings between 8pm and other things. Be careful this time of Listen to Podcasts of 9pm. David Pollack is the host. He is year. You might receive a special smart, entertaining, informative and “present” from the cops or TLC with best of all, knows the truth about what is your name on it in the form of a ticket, The Taxi Dave Show happening in your Industry. Moreover, please call me at 212.754.1011 and I he has the highest rated show on radio will try my best to make the situation in his time slot in the NYC Metro area! better for you. and Read Taxi Insider So, please tune in to listen. Eighth, if you receive a pink sum- Fifth, remember to bring me your mons, please call me at 212.754.1011 DMV and TLC tickets. It is important to discuss it. Sometimes it makes on-line @ to fight all your DMV (issued by sense to use a lawyer to help you fight NYPD) and TLC tickets. Be careful. a pink summons, which is a criminal Don’t skimp on the lawyer only to summons with ramifications beyond NYCTAXINEWS.COM PAGE 8 • TAXI INSIDER • DECEMBER 2016

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MANHATTAN POLICE PRECINCTS Precinct Address Direct line 1 Precinct 16 Ericsson Place 1-212-334-0611 Police Precincts 5 Precinct 19 Elizabeth Street 1-212-334-0711 6 Precinct 233 West 10 Street 1-212-741-4811 In New York City 7 Precinct 19 1/2 Pitt Street 1-212-477-7311 Taxi Insider Info 9 Precinct 130321 AvenueEast 5th C Street 1-212-477-7811 10 Precinct 230 West 20th Street 1-212-741-8211 71 Precinct 421 Empire Boulevard 1-718-735-0511 13 Precinct 230 East 21st Street 1-212-477-7411 72 Precinct 830 4th Avenue 1-718-965-6311 Midtown South Precinct 73 Precinct 1470 East New York Avenue 1-718-495-5411 MSP 357 West 35th Street 1-212-239-9811 75 Precinct 1000 Sutter Avenue 1-718-827-3511 17 Precinct 167 East 51st Street 1-212-826-3211 76 Precinct 191 Union Street 1-718-834-3211 Midtown North Precinct 77 Precinct 127 Utica Avenue 1-718-735-0611 MNP 306 West 54th Street 1-212-767-8400 78 Precinct 65 6th Avenue 1-718-636-6411 19 Precinct 153 East 67th Street 1-212-452-0600 79 Precinct 263 Tompkins Avenue 1-718-636-6611 20 Precinct 120 West 82nd Street 1-212-580-6411 81 Precinct 30 Ralph Avenue 1-718-574-0411 Central Park Precinct 83 Precinct 480 Knickerbocker Avenue 1-718-574-1605 86th St & Transverse Road 1-212-570-4820 84 Precinct 301 Gold Street 1-718-875-6811 23 Precinct 162 East 102nd Street 1-212-860-6411 88 Precinct 298 Classon Avenue 1-718-636-6511 24 Precinct 151 West 100th Street 1-212-678-1811 90 Precinct 211 Union Avenue 1-718-963-5311 25 Precinct 120 East 119th Street 1-212-860-6511 94 Precinct 100 Meserole Avenue 1-718-383-3879 26 Precinct 520 West 126th Street 1-212-678-1311 28 Precinct 2271-89 8th Avenue 1-212-678-1611 QUEENS POLICE PRECINCTS 30 Precinct 451 West 151st Street 1-212-690-8811 Precinct Address Direct line 32 Precinct 250 West 135th Street 1-212-690-6311 100 Precinct 92-24 Rockaway Beach Blvd. 1-718-318-4200 33 Precinct 2207 Amsterdam Avenue 1-212-927-3200 101 Precinct 16-12 Mott Avenue 1-718-868-3400 34 Precinct 4295 Broadway 1-212-927-9711 102 Precinct 87-34 118th Street 1-718-805-3200 BRONX POLICE PRECINCTS 103 Precinct 168-02 P.O. Edwaard Byrne Ave. 1-718-657-8181 104 Precinct 64-02 Catalpa Avenue 1-718-386-3004 Precinct Address Direct line 105 Precinct 92-08 222nd Street 1-718-776-9090 40 Precinct 257 Alexander Avenue 1-718-402-2270 106 Precinct 103-53 101st Street 1-718-845-2211 41 Precinct 1035 Longwood Avenue 1-718-542-4771 107 Precinct 71-01 Parsons Boulevard 1-718-969-5100 42 Precinct 830 Washington Avenue 1-718-402-3887 108 Precinct 5-47 50th Avenue 1-718-784-5411 43 Precinct 900 Fteley Avenue 1-718-542-0888 109 Precinct 37-05 Union Street 1-718-321-2250 44 Precinct 2 East 289th Street 1-718-590-5511 110 Precinct 94-41 43rd Avenue 1-718-476-9311 45 Precinct 2877 Barkley Avenue 1-718-822-5411 111 Precinct 45-06 215th Street 1-718-279-5200 46 Precinct 2120 Ryer Avenue 1-718-220-5211 112 Precinct 68-40 Austin Street 1-718-520-9311 47 Precinct 4111 Laconia Avenue 1-718-920-1211 113 Precinct 167-02 Baisley Boulevard 1-718-712-7733 48 Precinct 450 Cross Bronx Expressway 1-718-299-3900 114 Precinct 34-16 Astoria Boulevard 1-718-626-9311 49 Precinct 2121 Eastchester Road 1-718-918-2000 115 Precinct 92-15 Northern Boulevard 1-718-533-2002 50 Precinct 3450 Kingsbridge Avenue 1-718-543-5700 52 Precinct 3016 Webster Avenue 1-718-220-5811 STATEN ISLAND POLICE PRECINCTS BROOKLYN POLICE PRECINCTS Precinct Address Direct line Precinct Address Direct line 120 Precinct 78 Richmond Terrace 1-718-876-8500 60 Precinct 2951 West 8th Street 1-718-946-3311 122 Precinct 2320 Hylan Boulevard 1-718-667-2211 61 Precinct 2575 Coney Island Avenue 1-718-627-6611 123 Precinct 116 Main Street 1-718-948-9311 62 Precinct 1925 Bath Avenue 1-718-236-2611 63 Precinct 1844 Brooklyn Avenue 1-718-258-4411 66 Precinct 5822 16th Avenue 1-718-851-5611 Questions? Comments? 67 Precinct 2820 Snyder Avenue 1-718-287-3211 E-Mail Taxi Insider at 68 Precinct 333 65th Street 1-718-439-4211 69 Precinct 9720 Foster Avenue 1-718-257-6211 [email protected] 70 Precinct 154 Lawrence Avenue 1-718-851-5511 DECEMBER 2016 • TAXI INSIDER • PAGE 9 PAGE 10 • TAXI INSIDER • DECEMBER 2016 yp Hereford Insurance Company Established 1982 • Licensed by the New York State Insurance Department 36-01 43rd Avenue, LIC, NY 11101 • Tel: 718-361-9191 • Fax: 718-361-6243 HOLIDAY PARTIES • Holiday Parties mean that there will be an increase in the amount of DEFENSIVE DRIVING DWI drivers. Use extra caution during the Holiday Season. • Holiday Parties means that people who have been drinking will be wisely taking taxis and black cars as suggested by public service announce- COURSE SCHEDULE ments. Be prepared to be more patient than usual as the passenger may be Classes will be offered the following Saturdays: intoxicated, but by taking your vehicle for hire, they are not driving which would be a great danger for all on the roads. February 25, 2017 • Passengers are sometimes depressed during the Holiday Season for personal reasons. Spreading joy to such a passenger will make you feel May 20, 2017 good and will help the passenger. August 26 2017 Under No Circumstances Should A All Hereford insured will receive the course at no cost: Classes will be held in the third floor event room at: Driver Leave An Accident Scene HEREFORD INSURANCE COMPANY • If a driver is involved in any accident, no matter how insignificant or 36-01 43RD AVENUE, LIC, NEW YORK 11101 minor it may appear: Our classes are recognized by: DO NOT LEAVE THE SCENE WITHOUT EXCHANGING INFOR- • Taxi and Limousine Commission for required license renewals. MATION WITH ALL INVOLVED. • Department of Motor Vehicles for the Point Reduction. • Many uninjured pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorists will state that • Insurance carriers for rate reduction. they are okay at an accident scene only to later file a claim. Call the Police ALL CLASSES BEGIN AT 9:00A.M., AND END AT 3:00P.M. to the scene whenever a pedestrian requests the Police. If you leave the Reservations Are Necessary. scene of an accident with an alleged pedestrian injury you may be arrested All drivers must provide proof of Insurance. and charged with a crime. • Always invest a few minutes to avoid loosing a greater amount of time For additional information please contact: in the future. BERTRAM MERLING - Loss Control Coordinator 718-361-9191 EXT. 7235 Happy Holidays [email protected] DECEMBER 2016 • TAXI INSIDER • PAGE 11

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(Continued from Page 3) Great Ideas PR Bans Uber Thoughts From A Cabbie

Dear Taxi Dave, Here are the vehicles that enforcement should have on there radar: John Illegal Taxi Hail

Dear Taxi Dave, 1. Bike Lanes: Since the city is investing so much money into Good Morning Commissioner, bike lanes & not enforcing bicyclists into using I’m a Yellow Cab Driver and I’m noticing that there them. Maybe the next project the city should focus has been an increase of black cars in our city streets on is taking a lane away & adding bike lanes onto Illegally picking up drivers. Some of the vehicles I’ve the FDR, West Side Highway, BQE, Belt Parkway, observed didn’t even have TLC license plates. Bridges, Tunnels, etc. I’ve enclosed a photo of a vehicle that is I violation 2. 311 App: of the rules below. This vehicle was parked on 16th The 311 app now has a feature for Taxi for app us- street between 8th and 9th ave near a night club. ers. Basically for lost items, complaints with a driver, Time: 4:15am but the most helpful for us drivers is the ability to fi le Dear Taxi Dave, *Incident* a complaint with another driver if we see doing an Uber drivers have been barred from working in the •Pedestrians came out of the club and was ap- illegal action (ex. UBER) & even fellow yellow taxi tourist areas in Puerto Rico (El Nuevo Dia Tuesday proaching a yellow cab drivers who give the good drivers a bad rep. 15 November 2016. •Black car driver was sitting in his vehicle in 3. Port Authority & Taxi Dispatch: Virgilio Carballo front of club observing pedestrians leaving club and A: I understand the city recognizes that intercepted them illegally by asking them if they Roosevelt Island is Manhattan but for taxi purposes Illegal Taxihail needed a cab. it should be considered a shorty ride just for the • one of the passengers replied $5.00 for each fact that the only way to enter/leave Roosevelt person to the driver. ( Total of 4 passengers) Island is thru Queens. The same can be argued if • the driver said “Get in” we have to drop off at Rikers Island. I dropped • The passengers departed from the vehicle on 42nd off a Rikers guard going into work from airport. street @ the Westin Hotel between 2nd Avenue and Even though it’s considered Bronx, the only way 3rd avenue. (Video is attached for review) into/out of Rikers Island is through Queens, un- Location 16th street between eighth and ninth less your a felon and well your stuck or can try Avenue@ 4:15am to swim out. Passenger stated $5 each person only. B: If we receive a shorty ticket that has desti- Total of 4 passengers. nation to other airport (see pic). That shorty ride Driver said get in. should be redeemable at that airport. It doesn’t Hello Taxi Dave, make sense to d I’ve back to the other airport for Where’s the enforcement? a shorty if we are already there. As I said, only as The ride expired @ 42nd street between 2nd Ave long as the destination says airport. & 3rd ave @ 4:26am 4. Arro & Curb: J. Leon These 2 apps need to advertise more aggressively with passengers. But also consolidating into one app that has the functions that Hail-O had or even copy Illegal Taxi Hail how the other APP companies, app’s work for drivers. Dear Taxi Dave, The current system doesn’t work. I want to be able The photo enclosed is an example of a vehicle to see where the destination is and the name of the that is attempting to persuade passengers to come to individual who requested an ehail. his vehicle as soon as the pedestrians leave the night Thank you, club In this photo, he intentionally disrupts the yel- Tommy (Continued on Page 14) DECEMBER 2016 • TAXI INSIDER • PAGE 13 things, will include initiatives such as Bus analyze data to deliver all local services Asia and the Middle East Rapid Transit, emerging autonomous ve- better. On the transportation planning Disruption and Change in hicle technology for buses/taxi/marine, side, countries like Malaysia and cities new service provisions in the form of like Dubai envision not just sustain- Public Transport demand responsive and other web and ability, but full multi-modal integration By Matthew W. Daus, Esq. app based booking systems providing a spurred on by technology like high speed I recently returned from a trip to Asia (UITP) , a regulatory study tour, with highly customer focused, and a service rail, smartphone apps and connected and the Middle East where I stopped SPAD and many other international orientated approach to mobility. autonomous vehicles. Cities, states and over in Malaysia at the request of the regulators from Europe, the Middle With the expansion of data-driven countries may ask how travel develops government to deliver a speech on Dis- East and Asia. The “fact fi nding” trip transportation service fueled by app com- master infrastructure, land use and ruption and Change in Public Transport. to New York City and Chicago helped panies, regulators will be able to access transportation plans that include “smart I met the esteemed Prime Minister of regulators learn fi rsthand the history of a signifi cant amount of new data about city” approaches to data collection and Malaysia, His Excellency Najib Razak, taxi and for-hire vehicle regulation. The supply and demand from all modes of analysis, integration and coordination or the Chair of the Land Transport International Association of transportation, creating new opportuni- consolidation of many government agen- Commission (a/k/a SPAD) Transportation Regulators and ties for mobility integration. Among the cies working together towards a common Dr. Syed Hamid Albar, and the University Transportation many benefi ts of an integrated master urban plan to address expanding city spent time with the SPAD Research Center at CUNY plan driven by data, is the benefi t to population. A transportation plan and CEO Mr. Mohd Azharuddin partnered with UITP to pro- cities that manage over-crowded transit master urban planning not only provide Mat Sah and his staff. I was vide training sessions and site systems, by helping them to identify a mission and healthy opportunities for duly impressed with the Prime visits to government agencies high demand areas and comparable economic growth, public welfare and Minister, who is the only head and private taxi and for-hire price points to address excess demand, tourism promotion, but motivate public of state I am aware of who has operations, including Ma- especially during rush hour so that other servants and the private sector partici- ever addressed taxi reform laysian regulators, providing modes of for-hire transit can be integrated pants who wish to build and move people and promised a “level playing comprehensive background with the public transport system. Regula- and things. While this type of planning fi eld” between the taxicab, private hire information on best regulatory practices tors need to start thinking about the big started with environmental goals in mind, industry incumbents and new entrants that hopefully shaped the new SPAD picture of an inter-modal transportation it can now morph into general transport or transportation dispatch network reforms. One of the central discussions system that uses existing technologies to and urban planning and focus on equity, companies, during his speech on the of the training sessions concerned the improve transportation service, together underserved or low-income areas and country’s transportation master plan. 1998 regulatory reforms in NYC which with enabling competition with the in- populations, accessibility, affordability The Prime Minister even has his own I helped to conceive, draft, pass and cumbent industry and other modes on a and other elements. Exemplar sustain- app to interface with his constituents implement as General Counsel for the level playing fi eld. able cities such as: Boulder, Colorado; nationally and beyond. NYC Taxi and Limousine Commission The movement started by PlaNYC Seattle, Washington; Portland, Oregon; The multi-faceted regulatory chal- (TLC) following reports that crashes where local governments have laid out Freiburg, Germany; Seoul, South Korea; lenges that arose as a result of the global involving taxis and other for-hire vehicles extensive forward-thinking plans to be Surabaya, Indonesia; and Vancouver, phenomenon of app based transportation increased 50% between 1991 and 1996 implemented over coming decades to Canada; can now become model trans- companies require a holistic approach (and injuries to cabbies, drivers, their help the environment, now is, due to port cities through planning like Malay- to address them. Regulators around the passengers, pedestrians and bicyclists big data, technology and disruption, sia is currently engaged in. It is good to world have recognized how disruptive skyrocketed 64% during the same pe- presenting an opportunity to expand see policy makers taking the reins and these services can be and have introduced riod). The 1998 NYC regulatory reforms such initiatives to create smart cities, planning like Malaysia is doing for the varying solutions to address safety and required driver drug testing, criminal with urban transport plans that collect and future, right now. security concerns. Recently, regulators, background checks, driver violations, including unique multi-modal agencies point systems, probationary licenses, such as SPAD, have started to embrace defensive driver training, and higher AREN RIEDMAN K A. F ATTORNEYS a new approach where they attempt to vehicle insurance that signifi cantly im- IN OFFICE “level the playing fi eld” for all market proved taxi service quality. PRESIDENT ATTORNEY AT LAW Association of participants, as well as integrate all SPAD’s proposed changes are a high WHO PRACTICE: Motor Vehicle Trial PERSONAL INJURY transport modes into one transportation priority of the Malaysian government. (212) 213-2145 Attorneys MATRIMONIAL ecosystem. This new approach differs The Malaysian head of state, Prime FLUENT IN ALL MOVING VIOLATIONS REAL ESTATE LAW from the traditional silo planning taken Minister Najib Razak, has highlighted FRENCH ALL MOVING COMMERCIAL by most countries and localities around taxis as an essential element of the wider IMMIGRATION the world, which segregate rail and bus mobility network of the country and THROUGHOUT service from paratransit, taxicab, limou- called for a comprehensive regulatory VIOLATIONS sine, and freight vehicle licensing. strategy that will level the playing fi eld NEW YORK STATE SPAD is working on new regulations for all market participants. In doing so, known as the Taxi Industry Transfor- the Prime Minister noted that the land Speeding; Red Lights; Traffic Signs mation Program (TITP) expected to public transport system and policies go into effect in November 2016. The must be more commuter-centric and SUSPENSIONS & WARRANTS LIFTED regulations leverage technology to im- responsive to demographic changes, CRIMINALLY RELATED MATTERS prove taxi service, improve taxi drivers’ and reaffi rmed the commitment of the incomes by increasing taxi fares, and government to address land public trans- regulate e-hail service providers. The port needs through holistic and inclusive Driving While Intoxicated (DWI); new regulations defi ne e-hail apps as solutions. an “intermediary service” and mandate Other jurisdictions are addressing Reckless Driving; companies that offer e-hailing services the implications of integrating taxis Aggravated Unlicensed Operation to be incorporated in Malaysia, and for into the overall urban mobility system. all e-hail drivers to have their operator’s This is in line with recent changes to licenses issued by SPAD. Drivers of the transportation eco-system and the e-hail companies will also be required anticipated entry of autonomous and SAFETY HEARINGS to undergo a new stringent screening semi-autonomous vehicles in the for-hire 30 East 33RD Street process that includes a health check, vehicle sector. Similar to Malaysia’s Throughout New York State criminal background check, traffi c of- integrated transportation policy objec- 4TH Floor fense and violation check to determine tives, other jurisdictions, such as Dubai, 404 Park Avenue South eligibility. These proposed changes take are: reviewing their longstanding mobil- New York, NY 10016 the safety and security elements of the ity strategies to take advantage of new taxi regulations and apply them to new opportunities; to improve and refi ne EMAIL:New [email protected] York, NY 10016 market participants, including registra- existing strategies, policies, measures WEBSITE:between www.NewYorkTraffi 28th and 29th Streets cLawyer.com tion and criminal background checks and tools; and to understand/redefi ne for their drivers. the role of each mode in an integrated — We Accept Credit Cards — (718) 979-5360 In 2013, I organized, with the Inter- fashion. The expected outcome of these Fluent in French and Spanish national Association of Public Transport transportation master plans, among other PAGE 14 • TAXI INSIDER • DECEMBER 2016 LETTERS

(Continued from Page 12)

low taxi line by positioning his vehicle in the front Dear Taxi Dave, of the line to fool potential passengers. West side of third avenue in front of bdales, all Location: 16th street & 8th &9th ave. picking up illegal street hails where’s the enforce- John ment? Taxi Comrade Catch Of The Day Who The..... Dear Taxi Dave, Who the f”k wants to go anywhere, there’s so much traffi c! Upset Driver

(Continued on Page 18)

By Appointment Only

* At Beaver Street ONLY! DECEMBER 2016 • TAXI INSIDER • PAGE 15 Intentional Chaos By Larry Fisher Quoteable So, I arrived at the form a coalition to fund Jet Blue terminal at JFK the enforcement of the airport a couple weeks rules meant to protect ago. I immediately went our businesses. The TLC Quotes outside to hail a yellow has clearly punted on cab to take me home, this issue. The police “Joke of the Year: Giuliani as a diplomat” but I noticed that there and Port Authority either Mark Green was no taxi line outside. don’t have the manpower • • • • • Due to construction, the or the will to take this “I don’t know how much power in business really comes from the fact that taxi line was not in front duty on. Therefore, it is your father-in-law is president” of the terminal, but a incumbent upon the taxi Robert Ivanhoe of Greenberg Traurig ten minute walk from industry to stop, once • • • • • the terminal. Thankfully, the TLC and for all, this illegal activity. If the “None of your dam business!” provided multiple signs to direct police and Port Authority are willing Taxi Mom when asked by a co-host on the Taxi Dave Show how it was to passengers seeking a yellow. All the to work in concert with the aggrieved raise Taxi Dave same, I noticed plenty of Uber activ- yellow and green taxi groups, that ity in front of the terminal. I was also would be a terrific solution. accosted by a young man hustling But maybe the biggest problem for a fare. I asked him where the taxi for the enforcement against illegal line was. His response, which I’ve airport and street hail is the simple heard reported at La Guardia airport fact that the police and Port Authority as well, is that there’s no taxis here. don’t really know who’s legitimate I’ve also heard that at the Manhattan and who is not. Because so many of hotels, the doormen tell potential the vehicles jamming up the terminals passengers that the yellow taxis are are sedans or SUV’s, it’s difficult to more expensive than the Uber he can differentiate. The obvious solution procure for them. The fact that the is to require all who want to perform rate of fare is no longer posted on the a taxi service to buy either a yellow yellow taxi is a contributing factor to medallion green permit. You want this state of confusion. In any case, to drive for Uber? Fine. But, if you after a bit of back and forth between want to work in Manhattan, you have the airport hustler and me, I said, I’m to buy a medallion. You want to work gonna have you arrested.” In a matter primarily in the boroughs? Buy a of minutes, he disappeared. green permit. The mere fact that this The airport hustling problem is solution has not made its way to the not a new issue. Anyone who has TLC indicates to me that the powers in been involved in the taxi industry City Hall are perfectly happy with the Photo by David Pollack for any length of time can tell you current state of chaos at our airports that this has been a festering thorn and on our streets. The medallion is in our side forever. TLC dispatchers hurting. The city hasn’t been able are unwilling to chase them away. to sell all the WAV medallions it NYS DMV Point System Enforcement is rare and sporadic at proposed a few short years ago. The Speeding (mph over posted limit) best. Even Uber is complaining about city hasn’t been able to sell it’s green their loss of business due to illegal permits it fought so hard to create. 1to10...3points hustling. But, what Uber doesn’t tell In fact, owners of green permits are the TLC or the public is that their own not renewing them. In fact, there is 11 to 20 . . 4 points drivers are performing this illegal act an abundance of yellow medallions in 21 to 30 . . 6 points as well. The public is the big loser storage at the TLC. It simply cannot though. Getting into an unlicensed be that I’m the only one who sees 31 to 40 . . 8 points vehicle means taking an unneces- the solutions for enforcement and sary risk with the potentiality of no propping up a declining industry. The More than 40 . . 11 points liability insurance or personal injury obvious answer to these issues must Reckless Driving ....5points insurance if there’s an accident. These be a political solution. It is time for hustlers prey upon the unknowing the taxi industry to show its muscle Failure to stop for a School Bus .5points tourists who arrive in our city. Sadly in the voting booth. We are 40-50,000 this is their first experience in New strong between licensees and other Following too closely (tailgating) 4 points York and may turn them off to our personnel. We can make a big dif- Inadequate Brakes ..4points city forever. ference in City Council and Mayoral In other businesses, there is a de- elections if we stick together and back (while driving employer's vehicle)2 points gree of self-enforcement. It is high candidates who back our proposals. time that the yellow and green taxi It is time for retribution. It is time for Failing to Yield Right-Of-Way...3points industries get their acts together and us to protect our livelihoods. Violation Involving Traffic Signal, Traffi c Light & Sign regulations if their absence causes a Stop Sign, or Yield Sign ...3points break in Street Cleaning regulation, (Continued from Page 6) or otherwise causes confusion. Railroad Crossing Violation3 points 311 online. In order to expedite the Complaints can be reported 24 Improper Passing or Lane Use ..3points processing of your complaints, be hours a day, 7 days a week. prepared to give the exact location of How Long Should This Take? Leaving scene of an incident involving property the sign. The Department prioritizes The Department’s goal is to repair “Call Sunny& Save Money” repairs to signs which have a direct all safety-related signs within 9 busi- damage or injury to an animal .. 3points impact on safety. These include Stop ness days. Safety restraint violation involving person signs, One Way signs, Do Not Enter signs, Yield signs and certain School under 16 .3points signs. The Borough Traffic Engineering Any other moving violation 2 points units will also replace certain parking Note: Speeding when speed not indicated is 3 points PAGE 16 • TAXI INSIDER • DECEMBER 2016 Your Medallion Headquarters ! LOMTO Generation Brokerage, Inc. 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2017 New York City Taxi Drivers Calendar Is Here! The New York City Taxi Drivers portunities, and literacy programs. Calendar, a comedic take on the tra- For media inquiries, please contact ditional pin-up, features some of the [email protected]. city’s best-humored yellow cab drivers. To purchase a calendar go to https:// These drivers put a face to one of the www.nyctaxicalendar.com/. most dedicated workforces, driving day and night to transport New Yorkers and our guests alike. Thanks to your support, the calendar has raised nearly $55,000 for University Settlement, America’s oldest settle- ment house (1886), based in New York City’s Lower East Side and serving over 30,000 immigrant and working individuals and families every year with basic services like quality education, housing, recreation and wellness op- DECEMBER 2016 • TAXI INSIDER • PAGE 17 Dear Speaker and Council Members MELROSE CREDIT UNION By Nat Goldbetter - COO Lomto Inc. City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito City IS OFFERING YOUR CHILDREN Council Ydanis Rodriquez 2017 SCHOLARSHIP Chair Committee on Transportation City Council Member Ritchie Torres OPPORTUNITIES! Co-Chair, Black, Latino & Asian Caucus City Council Member Robert Comegy Co-Chair Black, Latino & Asian Caucus College –Bound High School Students, Who Are Dear Speaker and Council Members, Members Of Melrose CU, Can Get Up To $1,500 In 2017 I recently received a copy of a letter sent to you all from Dustin Jones of United for Equal Access New Scholarships! York. Mr.Jones was outraged, as we all should be, over Melrose’s high school student members realize their a recent report by M.I.T., Stanford and the University of Washington. The dream of higher education. If you are heading to college, report revealed Uber and Lyft drivers in Boston and Seattle were basically discriminating against potential passengers of color by cancelling the calls. Melrose CU wants to invest in YOU! College Bound High Mr. Jones urged that emergency hearing be held by the City Council to ad- School seniors can compete for statewide scholarships dress the problem. ranging from $250 - $1,500 and use the funds at a two or We all understand that it is illegal for taxi and for hire drivers to refuse service because of race, ethnicity, cultural background, disability or gender. four year accredited educational institution. Mr. Jones is one hundred per cent correct in his urging the City Council to Here’s what you need to do before the December 28, deal with this situation as soon as possible. More Uber Issues . 2016 Deadline: The Ubers, Lyfts and more to come App companies are over running 1. Drop by Melrose and ask for a scholarship applica- the City of New York with way too many of these huge vehicles, especially tion of download it on the Melrose CU website. Manhattan. Anyone with any vision can readily see that all of these vehicles are roaming around or hanging around the city streets in obscene numbers. 2. Complete the application and essay, then gather re- Different estimates would suggest that there are now 60,000-75,000 TLC quired transcripts and signatures. plates. That number triples or quadruples the number of yellow cabs and it 3. Return complete application* and materials to Mel- doesn’t seem to matter to City Officials. The TLC and City Council are doing absolutely nothing about rose CU by December 28, 2016. this issue. I am in Manhattan every day and observe the traffic and it is the 4. If you are not a member, not a problem, stop by worst it has ever been. I have been in the Taxi business for almost fifty today. years and can assure you that is 100% fact. Most troubling to me is the fact that many times I have observed Emergency Vehicles being unable to *Applications accepted only from college-bound high move, response time has to be negatively affected. When I see this I always schools seniors who are members of Melrose Credit Union, ask myself how many people have died due to Emergency Vehicles being a participating New York credit union. trapped in traffic. I did not believe nor will I ever believe that the influx of all these vehicles in the city has not increased congestion and pollution. The and Lyft drivers in Boston and Seattle, I urge you to hold an emergency expensive study that was done a couple of years ago was wrong or possibly hearing to investigate any such discrimination in New York City.Any delay never really actually done. in addressing this issue would be unacceptable to communities of color who Recent statistics from an article in the New York Daily News Editorial are deeply concerned by these disturbing revelations. as of Nov. 12 showed: Uber = 42,424 -- Liveries = 22,168 -- Black Cars The new report by researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technol- = 13,472 -Yellows 13,587 -Total = 82,326. Bottom line is Uber has more ogy, Stanford University and the University of Washington revealed that vehicles than all others combined.The Daily News Editorial acknowledges people of color are not being treated equally by drivers on the Uber and Lyft that Uber has ZERO Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles and that “they need platfom1S. According to the report, Uber drivers in Boston canceled rides to do better. Everyone should have a right to catch a ride”. for men with black-sounding names more than twice as often as for other Since Uber invaded the streets of New York our city’s representatives men. In Seattle, black residents trying to hail an Uber or Lyfl faced longer have done NOTHING to keep the playing field level. Commissioner Joshi wait times than their white counterparts. has said “competition is healthy”. Maybe so, but competition is where one In June 2015, Speaker Mark-Viverito led a pulic campaign against racial opponent and the other opponent have an equal chance to win. The New York discrimination in the for-hire vehicle industry, saying “it is illegal for a taxi Yankees playing baseball against the New York Mets is competition. The to refuse you service because of your race, ethnicity, cultural background New York Yankees playing my 11 year old grandson Zach’s Little League , disability or gender.” Just this past week, the City Council voiced its op- team is not competition. The City of New York needs to help our troubled position to racial inequality by singing “Lift Every Voice”-known as the NYC Taxi Industry. We have been serving the city for the past 80 years. black national anthem -during an official stated meeting. I trust that you We have always been there for the public, Subway Strikes, Snow Storms, remain committed to ending discrimination wherever it is found, including Hurricanes and Terrorists Attacks without Surge Pricing. We need your help on Uber and Lyft. now. Stop continue issuing permits without limitation. As a wheelchair user in the Bronx and the leader of United for Equal Ac- Hoping to get some response. cess New York, I often speak out against Uber and Lyft’s refusal to provide Copy of Mr. Jonses’ letter encl. Daily News Editorial encl. wheelchair-accessible vehicles in our city. But I am also a person of color. Cc: Commissioner Meera Joshi l am outraged that Uber and Lyft are apparently perpetuating a shameful • • • • • legacy of racial discrimination while claiming to help end it. City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito 250 Broadway, Suite There is no excuse for sitting idly by while racial discrimination exists 1856 on Uber and Lyft in New York City,Boston, Seattle or anywhere else. I look New York, NY 10007 forward to your response. City Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez Chair, Committee on Trans- Dustin Jones portation, 250 Broadway, Suite 1763 New York, NY 10007 United for Equal Access New York City Council Member Ritchie Torres Co-Chair, Black, Latino and Asian Caucus 250 Broadway, Suite 1759 New York, NY 10007 WANT TO MAKE MORE

City Council Member Robert Comegy $ EVERY DAY? Co-Chair, Black, Latino and Asian Caucus 250 Broadway, Suite 1743 New York, NY 10007 JUST DRIVE AN Dear Speaker and Council Members, ACCESSIBLE MEDALLION! Inlight of a new report revealing ongoing racial discrimination by Uber PAGE 18 • TAXI INSIDER • DECEMBER 2016 A0255 A0308 Current Medallion Agents Kim Cab Leasing Corp. Taxifl eet Management LLC. A0003 A0204 3864a Flatlands Avenue 34-14 31 Street Cab Management Corp B. Taxi Management Inc. Brooklyn, NY 11234 LIC, NY 11106 27-34 Jackson Avenue 314 West 53 Street (718) 252-8300 (718) 361-6363 LIC, NY 11101 NY, NY 10019 (718) 937-8668 (212) 957-0033 A0259 A0312 Mc Guinness Gotham Yellow LLC. A0011 A0206 Management Corp 75 Canal Street West J & I Maintenance Corp. AJB Taxi Management Inc. 330 Mc Guinness Boulevard Bronx, NY 10451 341 Bergen Street 662 10 Avenue Bklyn, NY 11222 (718) 993-8100 Brooklyn, NY 11217 NY, NY 10036 (718) 389-4483 (718) 858-3502 (212) 956-3177 A0313 A0280 Northwestern Management Corp. A0014 A0213 Eddie’s Management Corp. 35-11 43 Avenue 2nd Floor Midtown Operating Corp. J T L Management Inc. 40-08 24 Street LIC, NY 11101 42-50 24 Street 36-16 Skillman Avenue LIC, NY 11101 (718) 482-8181 LIC, NY 11101 LIC, NY 11101 (718) 707-0072 (718) 937-2080 (718) 392-7000 A0322 A0289 NYC Interboro Management Inc. A0017 A0217 Boulevard Taxi Leasing Inc. 36-02 21 Street 521 West 21st St Management Corp. Medallion Maintenance Inc. 32-56 49 Street LIC, NY 11106 415 West 127 Street 11-38 44 Road LIC, NY 11103 (718) 392-0250 New York, NY 10027 LIC, NY 11101 (718) 932-3312 (212) 665-4900 (718) 472-9000 A0324 A0290 AstoRia Taxi Leasing Corp. A0110 A0224 United Taxi Mgmt. Group, Inc. 32-56 49 Street Winners Garage Inc. S & R Medallion Corp. 43-10 39 Street LIC, NY 11103 34-14 64 Street 625 West 51 Street LIC, NY 11104 (718) 932-3312 Woodside, NY 11377 New York, NY 10019 (718) 392-4600 (718) 458-7000 (212) 957-9200 A0326 A0292 Gotham Yellow LLC. A0113 A0232 City Transport Mgmt 134-02 33 Avenue Checker Management Corp. Wailing Management Inc. 54-18 Broadway Flushing, NY 11354 22-10 Jackson Avenue 31-08 Northern Boulevard Woodside, NY 11377 (718) 993-8100 LIC, NY 11101 LIC, NY 11101 (718) 507-4840 (718) 361-6300 (718) 472-1800 A0336 A0301 Taxi World Inc. A0201 A0236 Napasei Management Corp. 627 West 51 Street Green Apple Management Corp. D & J Management Of Queens Inc. 607 West 47 Street New York, NY 10019 34-20 31 Street 34-14 64 Street New York, NY 10036 (212) 265-4022 LIC, NY 11106 Woodside, NY 11377 (646) 641-8307 (718) 361-5555 (718) 458-6609 A0307 A0202 A0249 Taxifl eet Management LLC All Taxi Management Inc On Our Way Management Corp. 54-11 Queens Boulevard 41-25 36 Street 6814 5 Avenue Woodside, NY 11377 LIC, NY 11101 Bklyn, NY 11220 (718) 779-5000 (718) 361-0055 (718) 833-8125 Embassies, Consolates Consulate General of the Republic of Consulate General of the Republic of Bulgaria, New York, USA 121 East United Nations Plaza , Suite 601 Croatia in the United States of Ameri- (Continued from Page 4) 62nd Street (1st Avenue & 48th Street) ca, 369 Lexington Avenue United Nations 675 Third Avenue, Phone: (212) 935 4646 Phone: (212) 980-3366 / 980-3504/ Phone: +1 212 599 3066 Suite 1911 355-0612 Phone: (1-212) 986-1240 Cambodian Consulate in New Cuban Consulate in New York, York, Permanent Mission of the King- Chinese Consulate in New York, Chancellery of the Republic of Cuba Beninese Consulate in New York, dom of Cambodia to the United Nations Chinese Consulate General 520 12th to the United Nations 315 Lexington Permanent Mission of the Republic of 327 East 58th Street Ave. Avenue 38th Street Benin to the United Nations 125 East Phone: 001-212-2449456 Phone: 689 7215, 689 9308 38th Street Canadian Consulate in New Phone: (212) 684-1339 York, The Permanent Mission of Comoran Embassy in New York Cypriot Consulate in New York, Canada to the United Nations, 1 Dag City, Embassy of the Federal and Is- Consulate General of the Republic Botswana Consulate in New York, Hammarskjold Plaza, lamic Republic of Comoros 420 E. of Cyprus 13, East 40th Street, 5th Botswana Permanent Mission to the Phone: 848 1100 50th Street Floor U.N., New York, 154 East 46th Street Phone: 212-972-8010 Phone: + 1 212 6866016/17 Phone: (212) 8892277 Canadian Consulate in New York, Consulate General of Canada 1251 Ave. Costa Rican Consulate in New Czech Consulate in New York, Brazilian Consulate in New York, of the Americas York, Consulate General of Costa Rica Consulate General of the Czech Re- Brazilian Consulate General in New Phone: (212) 596 1628 in New York 225 West 34 Street Penn public 321 East 73rd Str., (between 1st York 1185 Avenue of the Americas Plaza Building, Suite 1202, and 2nd Avenue). (Sixth Avenue) 21st Floor Chilean Consulate in New York, Phone: (212) 509-3066 Phone: (646)422-3344 Phone: (917) 777-7777 Permanent Mission of Chile to the United Nations 885 Second Ave.; 40 Croatian Consulate in New York, Czech Consulate in New York, Per- Bruneian Consulate in New York, fl oor Permanent Mission of the Republic manent Mission of the Czech Republic Bruneian Permanent Mission in New Phone: (917) 322- 6800 of Croatia to the United Nations, 820 to the UN 1109-1111 Madison Av- York, United States 771 First Avenue Second Avenue, 19th Fl. enue, (Madison and 83rd St.). Phone: 1 (212) 697 3465 Chilean Consulate in New York, Phone: 001 212 986 1585 Phone: 646 981 4001 Consulate General of Chile in New Bulgarian Consulate in New York, York, 866 Croatian Consulate in New York, (Continued on Page 23) DECEMBER 2016 • TAXI INSIDER • PAGE 19

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Commissioner Mitchell has served as the executive director of the Staten Island Zoological Society since 2011, and previously represented Staten Island’s North Shore communities as a New York City Council member. Commissioner Mitchell also served as General Counsel and Chief of Staff CITY OF IMMIGRANTS to former council member Michael Greetings, everyone! As we enjoy McMahon. He has an extensive his- the holiday season in our extraordi- tory with a variety of Staten Island nary City, I would like to share the organizations, including Lifestyles TLC’s gratitude and respect for the im- for the Disabled and the Staten Island migrant professionals who drive for- Economic Development Commit- hire in New York City. Over 130,000 tee. For more about Commissioner Lady Liberty in New York Harbor: Immigrants make up more than 90% of the drivers immigrants, who make up more than Mitchell, I invite you to visit our licensed by the TLC. 90% of TLC-licensed drivers, safely web site’s Board of Commission- payments have averaged more than plaints about TLC-licensed drivers transport over a million New Yorkers ers page at http://www.nyc.gov/ $80 per driver, and almost 1,300 driv- gather more attention than the out- and visitors every day. html/tlc/html/about/commissioners. ers have enrolled in the program as standing work that the vast majority Driving a taxicab or for-hire shtml#kenneth_mitchell. of the end of October. Almost 500 of taxicab and for-hire vehicle drivers vehicle in New York City has been BRONX TAXI/FOR-HIRE vehicle owners have also enrolled, do every day, so I wanted to take some a stepping-stone on the path to the VEHICLE DRIVER RESOURCE with average payments of more than time to highlight their achievements. American dream since there have SUMMIT $16,000 this year to help them get Here are a few heartfelt tributes…. been taxis and for-hire vehicles. The Mayor Bill de Blasio’s Community these important vehicles on the road. “This driver was incredibly help- service provided by TLC-licensed Affairs Unit recently held its fi rst- We are gratifi ed that these programs ful, kind, and understanding. He was drivers, who hail from 167 countries, ever Taxi/For-Hire Vehicle Driver both make our streets more equitable extremely empathetic, and went above has always been critical in keeping our Resource Summit, and the TLC was and provide new fi nancial opportuni- and beyond to reduce my anxiety, city moving. And there is nowhere happy to accept their invitation to ties for drivers and owners. and get me to my destination safely else in the country where such a participate. ACCESSIBLE and on time,” wrote one passenger qualifi ed and diverse group of drivers The summit, held in the South- DISPATCH PROGRAM to the TLC. performs this level of transportation east Bronx on Oct. 31, was a great Last month, the TLC held a public Another wrote: “My 7-year-old service. opportunity to connect drivers and hearing on proposed rules that would left his backpack in the taxi. We The TLC knows well and truly their families with services and create the framework for our promised thought the bag fi lled with his home- appreciates the value that immigrants programs designed to help improve expansion of the TLC’s Wheelchair work, coat, and lunchbox was gone. bring to the industries we regulate, as their lives. Accessible Dispatch Program city- Abdul went off duty and drove around well as their overall contribution to TIF DRIVER AND wide, and we look forward to a Board looking for us. He did such an amaz- our City’s achievements, so thank you OWNER PROGRAMS vote in December. During the hearing, ing good deed.” for your service! Whether you come I would like to take a quick moment we shared a segment of the documen- We also loved to read this: “Ex- to New York City from the Domini- to highlight the signifi cant opportuni- tary “The Long Wait,” which detailed ceptional beyond belief. His attitude can Republic, Pakistan, Bangladesh, ties that the Taxi Improvement Fund the challenges that fi lmmaker/director was so beautiful. Just an exceptional Ghana, Haiti, China, or one of the programs offers for TLC-licensed Jason DaSilva faces when he travels human being. I can’t tell you how dozens of other countries that have drivers and vehicle owners to earn in a wheelchair from his Brooklyn happy I was.” helped NYC become the world’s capi- more money, while making our city neighborhood to Manhattan. During Other compliments include praise tal for taxi and for-hire service, we are more accessible to residents and the fi lm, DaSilva used a ferry and for a taxicab driver who went out of his proud and lucky to have you so many visitors with disabilities. Bi-weekly several buses on a trip that takes more way to avoid blocking a bike lane in than one hour and 40 minutes. On Prospect Heights while dropping off a his way back, however, he returns to passenger. Another licensee returned Brooklyn much more quickly thanks a family’s passports and cash left in a to the TLC’s wheelchair Accessible taxicab before they even noticed they Dispatch Program. were missing! “What a difference it makes for When we receive missives like me and people in wheelchairs to call these, we not only write back to thank to get a wheelchair-accessible cab,” the passenger for taking the time to let DaSilva testifi ed during the hearing. us know, but we also write to the driv- “This will be huge for people in ers themselves to let them know how wheelchairs in the outer-boroughs. they’ve touched someone’s life. We’re coming one step closer to mak- Drivers can do their part too, ing this a reality, to really making it by letting people know that, if they possible so that people in wheelchairs enjoyed your service, they can make are living normal lives-- able to get a compliment through 311 by call- around just like everyone else.” We ing or using this link to report your look forward to the greater equity and outstanding service: http://bit.ly/ mobility that the planned expansion TLCdrivercompliment. will bring to so many New Yorkers, That’s all for this month – al- as well as the millions of visitors that low me to close by wishing you and join us every year. your families all a most joyous and Boro taxi driver Cristian Herasma, Green Taxis of New York’s Nancy Soria, and WE GET COMPLIMENTS! healthy holiday season, and a happy the TLC’s Director of External Affairs Kala Wright during a Bronx resource summit There is no question that com- and prosperous New Year! for drivers. PAGE 22 • TAXI INSIDER • DECEMBER 2016

WithWith thethe Hybrid Synergy DrivDrive®e® systsystemem DECEMBER 2016 • TAXI INSIDER • PAGE 23 about the candidates. on Hillary Clinton were often nega- Looking Ahead While The mass media was the source tive and repetitive. of a torrent of news about the can- The irony of the mass media’s ad- Looking Bck didates. diction to Mr. Trump was when they By Jerry Kremer For 16 months we were subjected decided that he might actually win, For quite a few people, Walter Mondale, Hubert to day after day of so-called “breaking they changed their tone from positive even though the national Humphrey, Al Gore and news,” which in quite a few cases was to negative. election took place almost enjoyed winning quite either inaccurate or was on a number The end result was that the gen- a month ago, it seems that a few. of occasions retracted by the anchor, eral public became more and more the division within the But, when those elec- too late to catch up with people who confused and unable to figure right country will continue for tions were over, the coun- had already spread the word. from wrong. some time to come. try went back to work Facebook is also enduring a heavy All elections are battles about is- No matter where I trav- paying little attention to share of the criticism over the fact sues and ideology. el these days, I overhear the aftermath of the cam- that it is alleged to have been the This one left us with a nation in arguments between hus- paigns. spreader of false news, paid for by a state of mass uncertainty about the bands and wives, mixed The 2016 election will the Republican candidate. future. groups and grown children be seared into the memory At the beginning of the campaign The winners get congratulated and over the results of the of millions of people for a many in the media treated the can- the losers get condolences. election. number of reasons. didacy of Donald Trump as some But going forward we must follow Having been a student At the top of the list is type of circus act that would help political events and news with the of history, an elected official and a the impact of social media and the drive ratings and increase advertis- same degree of attention as we did commentator at the national and state news media. ing dollars. during this campaign. levels, I have seen quite a few elec- With so many people on Facebook, On each and every occasion that We will be exposed to four years tions where the country was polarized the universal use of cellphones and the candidate Trump was willing to offer of heightened coverage of the new by the two presidential candidates, easy flow of communication, negative an opinion on something, he would administration, and the good news but not to the extent of this one. news spreads fast and it feeds into get top billing. is that in the blink of an eye it will I have endured the losses of how the public forms its opinions In most cases, the media reports be 2020. Embassies, Consolates (212) 988-5500 Kazakhstani Consulate General 535 Fifth Avenue, 19 Floor Latvian Consulate Permanent Mis- (Continued from Page 18) Greenlandic Consulate, Royal Dan- sion 333 East 50th Street Danish Consulate in New York, ish Consulate General, One Dag Ham- Kuwaiti Consulate, Permanent Mis- Royal Danish Consulate General One marskjold Plaza 885 Second Avenue, sion 321 East 44th Street Lebanese Consulate General 9 E. Dag Hammarskjold Plaza 885 Second 18th Floor 76th St. Avenue, 18th Floor Grenadian, Consulate General of Kyrgyzstani Consulate, Permanent Phone: +1 (212) 223 4545 Grenada Mission of the Kyrgyz Republic 866 Liberian Consulate General 866 Phone: 212 599- 0301 United Nations Plaza, Suite 477 United Nations Plaza, Suite 478 Dominican Consulate in New York, Consulate General of The Dominican Guatemalan Consulate 276 Park Lao or Laotian Consulate 317 East, Libyan Consulate, Mission 309 Republic 1501 Broadway Suite 410, Avenue 51st Street (Continued on Page 24) Phone: (212) 768-2480 Phone: (212) 686-3837

Ecuadorian Consulate in New Guyanese Consulate General 370 OLDEE York, 800 Second Avenue, Suite 600 7th Avenue 4th Floor Seven Penn Plaza Egyptian Consulate in New York, Taxi Instruments Consulate of Egypt 1110 Second Av- Haitian Consulate 271 Madison enue, Suite # 201 Ave. 5th Floor, Between 39th and 40th A Name You Can Trust Since Your Grandfather Drove a Cab! Streets Estonian Consulate in New York, Phone: 212-697-9767 Consulate General of Estonia 3 Dag Taxicab Owners: Hammarskjold Plaza Suite 6B, 305 Honduran Consulate 144 West 37th Need a meter? East 47th St Street, 3rd Floor Need advertising? Fijian Consulate in New York, The Hungarian Consulate General 223 Permanent Mission of Fiji to the United East 52nd Nations 630 Third Avenue 7th Floor Need a GPS System? Icelandic Consulate General of Ice- Need Roof-lights? Finnish Consulate in New York, land 800 3rd Avenue, 36th fl oor Indian Consulate General of Finland 866 Consulate 3 East 64th Street (Between Need Security Cameras? United Nations Plaza Suite 250 5th and Madison Avenues) Need a partition? French Consulate in New York, Indonesian Consulate General 5 Consulate General of France 934 Fifth East 68th Street Avenue Need Upholstery? Irish Consulate, Permanent Mission Need a Checker Cab? General Consulate of Georgia, 144, of Ireland, 1 Dag Hammarskjold Plaza, East 44 th St., 5 th Floor 885 Second Avenue, 19th Floor OLDEE DOES IT ALL! German Consulate, United States al Israeli Consulate General 800 Sec- of the Federal Republic of Germany 871 ond Avenue, 13th Floor From Taxi Security to Advertising United Nations Plaza (1st Avenue be- tween 48th and 49th Street) Italian Consulate General, 690 Park Phone 718 482-6533 / Fax 718 - 482-7144 Avenue Ghanaian Consulate, Ghana Perma- 24-50 47th Street • Astoria, New York 11103 nent Mission to the UN, 19 East 47th Jamaican Consulate-General 767 (4 Blocks from the TLC Inspection Site) Street Phone: 212 832 1300 Third Avenue, 2nd and 3rd Floors Open:

Monday to Fridays 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Greek Consulate Consulate General Japanese Consulate General 299 of Greece 69 East 79th Street Park Avenue Saturdays 9:00 am -1:00 pm PAGE 24 • TAXI INSIDER • DECEMBER 2016 Embassies, Consolates House, 12 East 65th Street (Continued from Page 23) TAXI AND FOR-HIRE VEHICLE Permanent Mission of the Islamic RELIEF STANDS East 48th Street Republic of Pakistan 8 East 65th DOT is not responsible regulating taxis. Taxis are regulated by the New York Street Malawian Consulate Mission 866 City Taxi and Limousine Commission. DOT does regulate taxi relief stands United Nations Plaza, Suite 486 Taxi relief stands allow drivers to park their vehicles for up to one hour. This Paraguayan Consulate General of affords drivers the opportunity to leave their vehicles and take care of personal Paraguay 211 East 43 Street - Suite Malaysian Consulate 313 East needs. Taxi relief stands should not be confused with taxi stands, which are 2101 43rd St. locations where drivers can wait, in their cars, to pick up passengers. The type column indicates if the relief stand is for taxis alone, or both taxis Philippine Consulate General 556 Malian Consulate Permanent Mis- and For-Hire Vehicles (FHVs). Staten Island currently has no relief stands. Fifth Ave. sion of Mali to the United Nations 111 BRONX East 69th Street Poland - Permanent Mission of TYPE LOCATION CROSS STREET Poland 9 East 66th Street Taxi Jerome Ave. (E. Side) Eliot Pl. & E. 170th St. Marshallese Consulate Permanent Taxi Metropolitan Ave. (N. Side) Purdy St. & Red Oak Dr. Mission of the Marshall Islands to the Polish Consulate General of the United Nations 800 Second Avenue, Republic of Poland 233 Madison MANHATTAN EAST SIDE ABOVE 23RD STREET 18th Floor Avenue Taxis E.77th St.(N. Side) First & Second Aves. Taxis E. 86th St. (N. Side) Henderson Pl. & York Ave. Mauritian Consulate Permanent Portuguese Consulate, Permanent Taxis E. 78th Street (N. Side) Lexington & Third Ave. Mission of Mauritius 211 East 43rd Mission of Portugal 866 Second Ave, Taxis E. 78th St. (S. Side) Lexington & Third Ave. Street, 15th Floor 9th fl oor Taxis & FHVs E. 29th St. (S. Side) Madison & Fifth Ave. Taxis E. 27th St. (N. Side) Park Ave. S. & Madison Ave. Mexican Consulate 27 East 39th. Qatari Consulate, Permanent Mis- Taxis & FHVs E.28th St. (N. Side) Park Av. S. & Lexington Ave. Street Taxis & FHVs Madison Ave. (W. Side) E. 26th & 27th St. sion of the State of Qatar 809 United Nations Plaza, 4th Floor Taxis E. 26th Street (S. Side) Third & Second Aves. Micronesian Consulate Permanent Mission of the Federated States of Russian Consulate, Permanent Mis- MANHATTAN WEST SIDE ABOVE 23RD STREET Micronesia to the United Nations 820 sion of the Russian Federation 136 Taxis W. 55th St. (S. Side) Tenth & Eleventh Aves. Second Avenue, #17A Taxis & FHVs Sixth Ave. (W.Side) W. 55th & 56th Sts. East 67 Street Taxis & FHVs Eighth Ave. (E. Side) W. 52nd & 53rd Sts. Monegasque Consulate, Consulate Taxis Broadway (E. Side) W. 48th & 47th Sts. Russian Consulate 9 East 91 General of Monaco... Chancery : 565 Street Taxis Eighth Ave. (W. Side) W. 46th & 47th Sts. Fifth Avenue - 23rd Floor Taxis & FHVs Sixth Ave. (W. Side) W. 39th & 40th Sts. Taxis & FHVs Sixth Ave. (W. Side) W. 38th & 39th Sts. Rwandan Consulate, Permanent Moroccan Consulate, Consulate Taxis Broadway (E. Side) W. 43rd & 42nd Sts. Mission of Rwanda 124 East 39th Taxis Ninth Ave. (E. Side) W. 42nd & 41st Sts. General of Morocco 10 East 40th Street, Street Taxis West 39th St. (S. Side) Eighth & Ninth Aves. 24th. fl oor Taxis Ninth Ave. (E. Side) W. 30th & 29th Sts. Sammarinese Consulate, Permanent Mission Of Morocco To The U.N. Mission of San Marino 327 East 50th 866 Second Avenue 6 Th Floor MANHATTAN BELOW 23RD STREET Street Taxis E. 23rd St. First & Second Aves. Taxis & FHVs Sixth Ave. (W. Side) W. 22nd & 23rd Sts. Mozambican Consulate, Permanent Sammarinese Consulate, Consulate Taxis Third Ave. (W. Side) E. 14th & 15th Sts. Mission of Mozambique 420 East 50th General of San Marino 186 Lehrer Taxis & FHVs Third Ave. (W. Side) E. 15th & 14th Sts. Street Avenue, Elmont, 11003 Taxis & FHVs Sixth Ave. (W. Side) W.13th & 14th Sts. Taxis Sixth Ave. (W. Side) Thompson & Grand Sts. Myanmar Consulate, Consulate Senegalese Embassy, Consulate Taxis & FHVs Canal St. (N. Side) E. Broadway & Essex St. General of Myanmar 10 East 77th General of Senegal, 4 West 125th Street, Taxis Park Row (SE. Side) Ann & Beekman Sts. Street 2nd fl oor Taxis & FHVs Fulton St. (S. Side) Broadway & Church St. Taxis & FHVs South St. (N. Side) Old Slip & Broad St. Nauruan Consulate, Permanent Seychelles Embassy Suite 400, 4th Taxis & FHVs Water St. (W. Side) Whitehall & Broad Sts. Mission of the Republic of Nauru 800 fl oor, 800 Second Avenue Taxis Whitehall St. (W. Side) South & State Sts, 2nd Avenue, #400-A Singaporean Consulate, Permanent BROOKLYN Nepalese Consulate, Permanent Mission of Singapore 231 East 51st Taxis N. Sixth St. (N. Side) Berry St. & Wythe Ave. Mission of Nepal 820 Second Avenue, Street Taxis Fourth Ave. (W. Side) Third & Sixth Sts. 17th Floor Slovak Consulate, Slovak Republic QUEENS (Netherlands) Dutch Consulate 801 Second Avenue, 12th Floor Taxis & FHVs 43rd Ave. (N. side) 11th & 12th Sts. General of Netherlands 1 Rockefeller Taxis 44th Rd. (N. Side) 21st & 11th Sts. Plaza, 11th fl oor, Slovenian Permanent Mission 600 Taxis & FHVs Hunterspoint Ave. 27th & 30th Sts. Third Avenue, 24th Floor Taxis 31st St. (W. Side) 34th & 35th Aves. Permanent Mission of the Kingdom Taxis & FHVs 43rd Ave. 36th & 37th Sts. of the Netherlands 235 East 45th Street, Solomon Islander Consulate, Per- Taxis 34th St. (W. Side) 37th & 38th Aves. 16th Floor manent Mission of Solomon Islands Taxis Skillman Ave. 37th & 36th Sts. 800 Second Avenue, Suite 400L Taxis Queens Blvd. (S. Side) 50th & 51st Sts. (New Zealand) Kiwi Consulate, Taxis Queens Blvd. 55th & 54th Sts. New Zealand Consulate-General 222 South African Consulate General Taxis & FHVs 45th Ave. (S. side) Jackson Ave. & 23rd St. East 41st St, Suite 2510 Taxis & FHVs Pearson St. (W. Side) Jackson Ave. & dead end 333 East 38th Street Taxis 49th St. Newtown Rd & Northern Blvd. Nicaraguan Consulate General 820 Korean Consulate, Permanent Mis- Taxis 55th St. Queens Blvd & Roosevelt Ave. 2nd Avenue, Suite 802 Taxis Van Dam St. Queens Blvd & Skillman Ave. sion 335 East 45th Street Taxis & FHVs 36th St. Skillman & 43rd Aves. Norwegian Consulate, Royal Nor- Spanish Consulate of Spain 150 Don’t risk a summons trying to fi nd a Relief Stand on the list wegian Consulate General 825 Third East 58th St., 30th fl oor that the TLC web site provides. Texting or searching on-line Avenue, 38th fl oor Swazi Consulate, Permanent Mis- while in your cab is against the law. Keep this list in your taxi sion of the Kingdom of Swaziland 408 for future use! Pakistani Consulate General of the East 50th Street Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Pakistan (Continued on Page 28) DECEMBER 2016 • TAXI INSIDER • PAGE 25 YOUR ACCESSIBLE VEHICLE HEADQUARTERS

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MANHATTAN HOTEL LIST !!! Edison Hotel Holiday Inn Wall Street Hotel 228 W 47th Street 15 Gold Street at Platt Street between 7th & 8th Avenues Dear Readers of TaxiInsider, Hudson Hotel Drivers always tell me that they cannot know the location of every hotel in Elysee Hotel 356 W 58th Street Manhattan. A lot of work went into the list of Manhattan Hotels below. Drivers, 60 E 54th Street Between 8th & 9th Avenues please send Taxi Insider any corrections or additional hotels not mentioned. between Park & Madison Avenues Inter-Continental Barclay Hotel Also, when you are finished reading this issue of Taxi Insider, do not throw this Embassy Suites Hotel 111 E 48th Street newspaper in the garbage, give it to another taxi driver ! Thank you ! 102 North End Ave. between Lexington World Financial Center, Manhattan Park Avenues 60 Thompson Street Best Western Hospitality House Comfort Inn Central Park Hotel Between Broome and Spring Streets 145 E 49th Street 31 W 71st Street between Fairfi eld Inn & Suites Chelsea- Iroquois Hotel between 3rd & Lexington Avenues Central Park West & Columbus Ave. 116 W. 28th St 49 W 44th Street Algonquin Hotel (near 6th Ave) between 5th & 6th Avenues 59 W 44th Street Best Western President Hotel Comfort Inn Manhattan Hotel between 5th & 6th Avenues 234 W 48th Street 42 W 35th Street Four Points Manhattan SoHo- JW Marriott Millennium between 7th & 8th Avenues between 5th & 6th Avenue 66 Charlton St. 160 Central Park South Americana Inn Hotel Best Western Seaport Inn Hotel (near Spring St) between 6th & 7th Avenues. 69 W 38th Street 33 Peck Slip at Front Street Comfort Inn Midtown Hotel between 5th & 6th Avenues 129 W 46th Street Fairfi eld Inn & Suites Times Square Kitano Hotel Bryant Park Hotel between 6th & 7th Avenues 330 W. 40th St 66 Park Avenue at 37th Street Ameritania Hotel 40 W 40th Street (near 9th Ave) 230 W 54th Street at Broadway between 5th & 6th Avenues Comfort Inn New York Hotel La Quinta Manhattan Hotel 442 W 36th Street Fairfi eld Inn & Suites Fifth Avenue 17 W 32nd Street Amsterdam Inn Hotel Carlyle Hotel between 10th & Dyer Avenues 21 W. 37th St between 5th & 6th Avenues 340 Amsterdam Avenue 35 E 76th Street at W 76th St. between Madison & 5th Avenues Courtyard Manhattan 5th Avenue Four Points Sheraton Chelsea Hotel Le Parker Meridien Hotel 3 E 40th Street 160 W. 25th Street 118 W 57th Street Beacon Hotel Carnegie Suites Hotel between Madison & 5th Avenues between 6th & 7th Avenues between 6th & 7th Avenues 2130 Broadway at 75th Street 229 W 58th Street between 7th & 8th Avenues Courtyard Midtown East Hotel Four Points Midtown Times Square Lucerne Hotel Belvedere Hotel 866 3rd Avenue 326 W. 40th St (near 9th Ave) 201 W 79th Street at 319 W 48th Street Casablanca Hotel between 51st & 52nd Streets Amsterdam Avenue between 8th & 9th Avenues 147 W 43rd Street Four Seasons Hotel between 6th & 7th Avenues Courtyard Times Square Hotel 57 E 57th Street Manhattan Broadway Hotel Benjamin Hotel 114 W 40th Street between Park & Madison Aves. 273 W 38th Street 125 E 50th Street at York Avenue Chelsea Hotel between 6th & 7th Avenues between 7th & 8th Avenues 222 W 23rd Street Flatotel International Hotel Bentley Hotel between 7th & 8th Avenues Crowne Plaza Times Square Hotel 135 W 52nd Street Manhattan Seaport Suites Hotel 500 E 62nd Street at York Avenue 1605 Broadway between 6th & 7th Avenues 219 Front Street Chelsea Savoy Hotel between 49th & 50th Streets between Pine & Wall Streets Best Western 204 W 23rd Street Gramercy Park Hotel Convention Center Hotel between 7th & 8th Avenues Crowne Plaza UN Hotel 2 Lexington Avenue at 21st Street Maritime Hotel 522 W 38th Street 304 E 42nd Street 363 W 16th Street at 9th Avenue between 10th & 11th Avenues Chelsea Star Hotel between 1st & 2nd Avenues Grand Hyatt New York Hotel 300 W 30th Street at 8th Avenue Park Avenue & 42nd street Marriott Financial Center Hotel 85 West Street Photo by David Pollack Grand Union Hotel between Albany & Carlisle Streets 34 E 32nd Street between Park & Madison Avenues Marriott East Side Hotel 525 Lexington Avenue (Hampshire Hotel) between 48th & 49th Street Quality Times Square Hotel 157 W 47th Street Marriott Marquis Hotel between 6th & 7th Avenues 1535 Broadway at 44thStreet

Hampton Inn Mayfair Hotel Times Square Hotel 242 W 49th Street 851 8th Avenue at 51st Street between 7th & 8th Avenues

Hampton Inn SoHo Metro Hotel 54 Watts St 45 W 35th Street (near Varick St) between 5th & 6th Avenues

Helmsley Carlton House Hotel Doubletree Metropolitan Hotel 680 Madison Ave 569 Lexington Avenue at 51st Street between 61st & 62nd Sts. Michelangelo Hotel 152 W 51st Street Helmsley Middletowne Hotel between 6th & 7th Avenues 148 E 48th Street between Lexington & Park Aves. Milford Plaza Hotel 270 W 45th Street at 8th Avenue Helmsley Park Lane Hotel 36 Central Park South Millenium Hilton Hotel between 5th & 6th Avenues 55 Church Street between Fulton & Day Streets Hilton Garden Inn Time Square 790 8th Avenue Millennium Broadway Hotel between 48th & 49th Streets 145 W 44th Street between 6th & 7th Aves Hilton New York Hotel 1335 6th Avenue Millennium UN Plaza Hotel between 53rd & 54th Streets 1 United Nations Plaza at 1st Avenue & 44th Street Hilton Times Square Hotel 234 W 42nd Street Murray Hill East Suites Hotel between 7th & 8th Avenues 149 E 39th Street between 3rd & Lexington Avenues Holiday Inn Downtown Hotel Murray Hill Inn Hotel 138 Lafayette Street 143 E 30th Street between Howard & Canal Streets between Lexington & Park Avenues

Holiday Inn Martinique Hotel Broadway & W 32nd Street (Continued on Page 28) DECEMBER 2016 • TAXI INSIDER • PAGE 27 Average Gas Prices NYC ECONOMY As of November 6, 2016 New York Regular Mid Premium Diesel Who Benefi ts from Citi Bike? Current $2.460 $2.710 $2.892 $2.769 Since Citi Bike’s launch in May 2013, the program’s popularity has climbed Week Ago $2.454 $2.707 $2.892 $2.762 steadily, and the prominence of Citi Bike stations across the City is evidence of Month Ago $2.448 $2.696 $2.886 $2.767 its success. Over 1.65 million rides were registered on 9,823 bicycles in Sep- tember 2016, which is the most in the program’s history and a 27.8% increase Year Ago $2.562 $3.843 $3.032 $3.126 from the previous year. By comparison, 5,444 bikes were used for 1.03 million Although it’s not the primary use of Citi Bike, sightseeing is a signifi cant rides in September 2013. While ridership continues to grow rapidly, the bike’s draw for the program. Of the thirty most popular bike routes, roughly half ap- average monthly use has steadily fallen from 190 rides per bike in the month of pear to be related to leisure. Several routes are seen going up the Hudson River September 2013 to 168 rides per bike in September 2016.1 Greenway on the West Side of Manhattan, as well as around Central Park and Citi Bike is designed to increase bicycle access for both New Yorkers and Governors Island. visitors, but annual subscribers—a vast majority of whom are New York City residents—take 86.6% of Citi Bike rides. Customers buying one- or three-day passes take the remaining 13.4%. This ratio has been steady since the inception of the program, as has the average fi fteen-minute trip time. Ridership patterns illustrate that the Citi Bike tends to serve as more of a utility for those living in the city than as an attraction for tourists. As such, bike rides during the week spike during the regular commuting hours of 7-9:00am and 5-7:00pm while weekend ridership is much lower.

(Continued on Page 28)

Dragonfl y

There is a false assumption that because Citi Bike is a tool for commut- Graphics llc. ing, bikes would naturally cycle back to stations at the same rate they leave. This is not the case, however, and Citi Bike stations need to be continuously •Design and Print rebalanced. In September, Penn Station was the most imbalanced station with more than 2,700 departures than returns. The largest net senders of Citi Bikes media experts. were in Midtown Manhattan and the Upper West Side, while Citi Bike docks in Downtown Manhattan and Brooklyn were more likely to receive customers •Over 25 years than send them off. experience in Graphics. •Certifi ed Union Printers.

4 Court Square Long Island City, NY 11101 (718) 392-3460 Fax (718) 786-5931 www.dragonfl ygraphics.info e-mail: dragonfl [email protected] PAGE 28 • TAXI INSIDER • DECEMBER 2016 Economy Food Services sector, which saw declines of 4,500 jobs from the previous month. This is a large portion of the total job losses and an unusually large (Continued from Page 27) drop from month-to-month. Over the past twelve months, however, Accom- Gender dynamics is an interesting metric to explore as well. Of those modation and Food Services have added 10,600 jobs, the second highest of riders who reported their gender to Citi Bike in September, nearly three any sector. Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation and Other Services also saw quarters (73.8%) are men. The ratio of men to women is the widest among relatively high job losses from last month, falling by 2,400 and 1,900 jobs, older riders and hits a low of about two men for every one woman for rid- respectively. Professional and Business Services saw significant job growth ers in their early 20s. On average, female riders are slightly younger than in October adding 4,500 jobs, making up for underperformances earlier in their male counterparts, with a median birth year of 1983 compared with the year. Administrative Services and Health Care and Social Assistance 1981 for men. also saw strong growth, adding 1,100 and 1,000 jobs, respectively. 1All data is publicly available from Citi Bike at www.citibikenyc.com/ system-data Manhattan Offi ce Market The Manhattan Class A office market remained relatively steady for Transit Ridership October 2016. The direct vacancy rate and direct rental rate were relatively Total ridership on MTA New York City subways and buses in September unchanged from last month, at 8.6% and $81, respectively. Office rents 2016 was 203.3 million, a 0.8% increase from September 2015. While bus have risen by 4.1% from last year, with much of this growth attributable to ridership was virtually unchanged, subway ridership rose 1.1% from last elevated subleasing activity. Sublease rental rates rose to $62 from $59 in year, reaching 148.4 million. MTA Bridges and Tunnels continued to host September. Midtown South remains the priciest and fastest-rising Manhat- growing traffic, with 26 million passengers in September, a 3.4% gain from tan submarket with rents up 14.6% from October 2015. Meanwhile, prices last year. Commuter rails were split with the Long Island Rail Road growing in Downtown have fallen by 1.2% from last year modestly and the Metro-North Railroad slightly down from last year. Source: Metropolitan Transportation Authority. Construction For the twelve months ending August 2016: The number of construction Air Traffi c projects rose by 10.4%. This growth was led by non-residential projects, In September 2016, 11.3 million passengers flew into and out of the New which increased 14%. The only type of project to decline was that of non- York City region’s airports, an increase of 9.8% from September 2015. This building infrastructure projects, which fell by 6.2% between August 2015 increase was driven by domestic flights, which carried 7.3 million passengers and August 2016. This type of project, however, only represented 5.1% on 79,892 flights in September 2016. These are increases of 12.6% and 6.1%, of all construction project types during this time period. Both the value respectively, from the same month in 2015. Freight transport also increased and square footage of construction projects were down from last year’s at regional airports, rising 6.7% from September 2015. This increase was August-ending totals. Total new building square footage was down 35.1% led by domestic freight, which grew 10.5% from last month. while the corresponding value of new building projects was down 33.4%. Source: Port Authority of New York. August 2016 saw the starts for 1,913 dwelling units across the City and 29,134 units over the last twelve months. This is down 38.5% from the Broadway prior twelve months. Ticket Sales In October 2016, Broadway ticket revenues totaled $126.7 Source: Dodge Data & Analytics Note: based on latest available data. million, a 3.3% increase from the same period in 2015. Rising ticket prices, Photo By David Pollack which reached $104.34 on average from $101.11 a year prior, drove revenue increases. Attendance held steady from last year at 1.2 million. Source: The Broadway League Note: Gross revenue and attendance fi gures may not include all shows. Hotel Occupancy In August 2016, the average daily hotel room rate was $249, a 4.4% decrease from August 2015; this is the fifth consecutive month of year- over-year price decreases. Source: PKF Consulting. Note: Based on latest available data. Employment New York City private sector jobs fell by 11,400 in October, following September losses of 3,900. The unemployment growth rate rose to 5.9%, from 5.8% in September. Public sector jobs in the city increased by 100, resulting in overall losses of 11,300 payroll jobs between September and October 2016. The highest losses occurred in the in the Accommodation and

Regency Hotel 45 Park Avenue at 37th Street Manhattan Hotel List 540 Park Avenue at 61st Street TriBeCa Grand Hotel Sherry Netherland Hotel 2 6th Avenue (Continued from Page 28) Roger Smith Hotel 781 5th Avenue at 59th Street between White & Walker Streets Muse Hotel Pennsylvania Hotel 501 Lexington Avenue at 47th Street 130 W 46th Street 401 7th Avenue Shoreham Hotel Trump International Hotel between 6th & 7th Aves. between 32nd & 33rd Streets Roger Williams Hotel 33 W 55th Street 1 Central Park West 131 Madison Avenue at 31st Street between 5th & 6th Avenues at Columbus Circle Palace Hotel Pierre Hotel 455 Madison Avenue 2 E 61st Street at 5th Avenue Roosevelt Hotel Skyline Hotel W Court Hotel between 50th & 51st Streets 45 E 45th Street at Madison Avenue 725 Tenth Avenue at 49th Street 130 E 39th Street Plaza Hotel between Lexington & Park Avenues Novotel Hotel 768 5th Avenue at Central Park South Salisbury Hotel Sofi tel Hotel 226 W 52nd Street 123 W 57th Street 45 W 44th Street W New York Hotel between 7th & 8th Avenues Plaza Athenee Hotel between 6th & 7th Avenues between 5th & 6th Avenues 541 Lexington Avenue at 49th Street 37 E 64th Street Paramount Hotel between Madison & 5th Avenues San Carlos Hotel SoHo Grand Hotel Waldorf Astoria Hotel 235 W 46th Street 150 E 50th Street 310 W Broadway 301 Park Avenue between 7th & 8th Avenues Radio City Suites Hotel between 3rd & Lexington Avenues between Canal & Grand Streets between 49th & 50th Streets 142 W 49th Street Park Central Hotel between 6th & 7th Avenues Sheraton Manhattan Hotel Solita SoHo Hotel Warwick Hotel 870 7th Avenue at 56th Street 790 Seventh Avenue 159 Grand St 65 W 54th Street at 6th Avenue Radisson Lexington Hotel between 51st & 52nd Streets Park Savoy Hotel 511 Lexington Avenue at 49th Street St. Regis Hotel Westin NEw York Grand Central 158 E 58th Street Ramada New Yorker Hotel Sheraton New York Hotel 2 E 55th Street at 5th Avenue 212 E 42nd Street between 6th & 7th Avenues 481 8th Avenue at 34th Street 811 Seventh Avenue between 2nd & 3rd Avenues between 52nd & 53rd Streets Travel Inn Hotel Peninsula Hotel Renaissance Hotel 515 W 42nd Street 700 5th Avenue at 55th Street 714 7th Avenue at 48th Street Sheraton Russell Hotel between 7th & 8th Avenues DECEMBER 2016 • TAXI INSIDER • PAGE 29

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Elvira, movie hostess and actress, signing copies of Elvira, Mistress of the Dark 12/15/16 7:00 PM at Barnes & Noble 82nd & Broadway. New York, NY.

Sebastian Bach, singer for Skid Row, signing copies of 18 And Life On Skid Row 12/5/16 7:00 PM at Book Revue New York Avenue. Huntington, NY. 12/6/16 6:30 PM at Saint Vitus Bar Manhattan Avenue. Brooklyn, NY. 12/7/16 6:00 PM at BookEnds East Ridgewood Avenue. Ridgewood, NJ. 12/8/16 7:00 PM at Barnes & Noble Monmouth Mall. Eatontown, NJ.

Missy Franklin, Olympic gold medalist, signing copies of Swimming With Faith 12/6/16 6:00 PM at BookEnds East Ridgewood Avenue. Ridgewood, NJ.

Andy Cohen, host of “Watch What Happens Live”, signing copies of Superfi cial 12/7/16 1:00 PM at The NBC Shop Embassies, Consolates Emirati Consulate, Permanent Mis- THE TRAFFIC TICKET ATTORNEY sion of the United Arab Emirates 747 (Continued from Page 24) Third Avenue, 36th Floor THAT ATTORNEYS HIRE Swiss Consulate General of Switzer- TO FIGHT THEIR TICKETS land 633 Third Avenue, 30th fl oor British Consulate-General 845 Third Avenue NO BETTER REFERENCE... Syrian Consulate, Permanent Mis- sion of the Syrian Arab Republic 820 Uruguayan Permanent Mission of Resolving all of your TRAFFIC TICKET Second Avenue, 15th Floor Uruguay 866 United Nations Plaza, Suite 322 and Criminally related offenses in EVERY Taiwanese Consulate, Taipei Eco- nomic and Cultural Offi ce (TECO) 90 Uruguayan Consulate General of COUNTY in NY STATE. Park Avenue, 31st Floor Uruguay 420 Madison Ave., 6th fl oor

We do so in lieu of your appearance, for Thai Consulate, The Royal Thai Uzbekistani Consulate-General a fl at fee, and with reputable success for Consulate-General 351 East 52nd of Uzbekistan 801 Second Ave, 20th Street Floor the past 22+ years. Togolese Consulate, Permanent Ni-Vanuatu Consulate, Permanent So before you answer your summons, Mission of Togo 112 East 40st Street, Mission of Vanuatu 800 East Second 1st Floor call us for your free consultation! Avenue We will customize a defense specifi c to Turkish Consulate General of Vietnamese Consulate, Permanent Turkey 821 United Nations Plaza, Mission of the S.R. of Vietnam 866 your circumstances, and strategically han- 7th Fl. United Nations Plaza, Suite 435

dle all related procedural requirements… Turkmen Consulate, Permanent Sahrawian, Sahraouian Consulate Mission of Turkmenistan 866 United 300 East 40th Street, #23X while you go about your life, we start by Nations Plaza, #424 answering your summons – and commence Yemeni Consulate, Permanent Mis- Tuvaluan Consulate, Permanent sion of Yemen 413 East 51st Street with notifying you of “(the good)” news Mission of Tuvalu 800 Second Avenue, #400 B Zambian Consulate, Permanent and the closing of your fi le! Mission of Zambia 237 East 52nd Ugandan Consulate, Permanent Street Stacy Posner – Traffi c Ticket Attorney Mission of Uganda 336 East 45th Street Zimbabwean Consulate, Permanent 212-334-3737 / 212-343-0303 Mission of Zimbabwe 128 East 56th Ukrainian Consulate of Ukraine 240 Street [email protected] East, 49th Street DECEMBER 2016 • TAXI INSIDER • PAGE 35 THE TAXI DAVE SHOW Brought To You by Melrose Credit Union ATTENTION TAXI DRIVERS! TAXI RADIO EVERY SUNDAY NIGHT NEW YORK’S #1 TALKER WOR-710AM Sunday 8:00 – 9:00 PM PAGE 36 • TAXI INSIDER • DECEMBER 2016 taxi news from around the world Kuala Lumpur taking public transportation, full-time mother Denise Tan decided to take things into her own hands. Safer Taxi Rides She created Riding Pink, a women transportation platform service which For Women happens to be the fi rst of its kind in the AFTER hearing horror stories of fe- country. male friends and family members getting “A female relative was robbed some harassed and exposed to crimes while

years ago while taking public transporta- tion. “Friends also told me they would re- ceive calls and text from public transport drivers and were harassed as they had their contact number. “So all these sneaky looks, sensitive questions and outright stares are big factors that played a part for me to come up with this idea to protect women,” she said in an interview, adding that Riding Pink created more job opportunities for women. Tan, 30, added that she spoke to many stay-at-home mothers who had said that providing public transportation was ideal as it gave them the fl exibility to juggle domestic commitment while earning an extra income. “But they wanted to choose their pas- sengers and preferred women. “Most full-time jobs require us to be in the offi ce the whole day. For a mother, it is a little diffi cult due to separation anxiety and family commitments while some would have left the workforce for some time and found it diffi cult to get a job after that,” she said. Tan said Riding Pink started recruiting women drivers in September via Facebook and the number of drivers increased within three weeks. It was offi cially launched on Oct 10. “The response has been overwhelming from the public. From Nov 21 to 27, we recorded about 100 trips. “Meanwhile, recurring trips on week- days of those going to school and work is also increasing,” she said, adding that they currently had slightly over 100 drivers. “We have 60 full-time drivers and 40 part-time drivers who would drive after work and on weekends,” she said. Tan said their drivers have also been asked to transport schoolchildren to and from school. “Some parents will request for the same driver to pick up their children. If they fi x every Wednesday at 1pm and if Choose Your Car the driver is agreeable we will book that slot for her. “If the driver has urgent matters, we will fi nd a replacement for her,” she said. Tan also said that the women drivers could transport young boys, aged 16 and below. At this point, Tan said they were still matching drivers manually. Defensive Driving Class Lee feels safer using Riding Pink after Available Free happy hours. (Continued on Page 38) DECEMBER 2016 • TAXI INSIDER • PAGE 37 Events For You and Your Passengers in The Big Apple Broadway Shows Off Broadway Shows

ALADDIN IN TRANSIT 90210! THE MUSICAL! GALLI THEATER FAIRY TALES New Amsterdam Theatre Circle in the Square Theatre Theatre 80 Gloria Maddox Theater 214 West 42nd Street 1633 Broadway 151 West 56th Street THE 9TH ANNUAL JOE ICONIS BEAUTIFUL JERSEY BOYS CHRISTMAS EXTRAVAGANZA GAZILLION BUBBLE SHOW THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL August Wilson Theater Feinstein’s/54 Below New World Stages Stephen Sondheim Theatre 245 West 52nd Street 340 West 55th Street 124 West 43rd Street THE ACCIDENTAL PERVERT KINKY BOOTS 13th Street Repertory I LIKE IT LIKE THAT – THE BOOK OF MORMON Al Hirshfi eld Theater 50 West 13th Street A MUSICAL Eugene O’Neil Theatre 203 West 45th Street Puerto Rican Traveling Theatre 230 West 49th Street THE AMAZING MAX 204 West 47th Street LES LIAISONS DANGEREUSES Theater at Blessed Sacrament A BRONX TALE - THE MUSICAL Booth Theatre 152 West 71st Street THE IMBIBLE: A SPIRITED Longacre Theatre 222 West 45th Street HISTORY OF DRINKING 200 West 48th Street ANNA CHRISTIE New World Stages LES MISERABLES The Wild Project 350 West 50th Street CATS Imperial Theatre 195 East 3rd Street Neil Simon Theatre 249 West 45th Street KINGDOM COME 250 West 52nd Street AVENUE Q Black Box Theatre THE LION KING New World Stages 111 West 46th Street CHICAGO Minskoff Theatre 340 West 50th Street Ambassador Theatre 200 West 45th Street THE LION, THE WITCH AND 219 West 49th Street THE BABIES THE ROBBER BRIDEGROOM MATILDA St. Luke’s Theatre Laura Pels Theatre CIRQUE DU SOLEIL THE MUSICAL 111 W 46th Street PARAMOUR Shubert Theater BLACK ANGELS OVER Lyric Theatre 225 West 44th Street TUSKEGEE LOVE, LOVE, LOVE 214 West 43rd Street Actors Temple Theatre Laura Pels Theatre at the Harold and NATASHA, PIERRE AND THE 339 West 47th Street Miriam Steinberg Center for Theatre THE COLOR PURPLE GREAT COMET OF 1812 111 West 46th Street Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre Imperial Theatre BLUE MAN GROUP 242 West 45th Street 249 West 45th Street Astor Plae Theatre LUCKY CHENG’S DRAG 424 Lafayette Street CABARET DEAR EVAN HANSON OH, HELLO ON BROADWAY Lucky Cheng’s Belasco Theatre Lyceum Theatre CAGNEY 605 West 48th Street 111 West 44th Street 149 West 45th Street Westside Theatre 407 West 43rd Street MADELINE’S CHRISTMAS THE ENCOUNTER ON YOUR FEET! The Lion Theatre at Theatre Row Golden Theatre THE STORY OF EMILIO AND CELEBRITY AUTOBIOGRA- 401 West 42nd Street 252 West 45th Street GLORIA ESTEFAN PHY: THE NEXT CHAPTER Marquis Theatre The Triad A MAN OF NO IMPORTANCE: FALSETTOS 1535 Broadway 158 West 72nd Street IN CONCERT Walter Kerr Theatre Pershing Square Signature Center 219 West 48th Street THE PHANTOM OF CHIX 6 480 West 42nd Street THE OPERA Ellen Stewart Theatre FIDDLER ON THE ROOF Majestic Theatre 66 East 4th Street MANIFESTO Broadway Theatre 242 West 45th Street Park Avenue Armory 1681 Broadway CHRIS GETHARD: 643 Park Avenue SCHOOL OF ROCK CAREER SUICIDE THE FRONT PAGE Winter Garden Theatre Lynn Redgrave Theater MARTIN LUTHER ON TRIAL Broadhurst Theatre 1634 Broadway 45 Bleeker Street The Pearl Theatre 235 West 44th Street 555 West 42nd Street SOMETHING ROTTEN THE DOZEN DIVAS SHOW HAMILTON St. James Theatre Metropolitan Room MOTHER AFRICA: MY HOME Richard Rodgers Theatre 246 West 44th Street 34 West 22nd Street The New Victory Theater 226 West 46th Stret 209 West 42nd Street WAITRESS DRUNK SHAKESPEARE HOLIDAY INN Brooks Atkinson Theatre The Lounge at Roy Arias Theatre MURDERED BY THE MOB Studio 54 256 West 47th Steet 300 West 43rd Street Arno Ristorante 254 West 54th Street 141 West 38th Street WICKED DRUNKLE VANYA THE HUMANS Gershwin Theater Tolstoy’s Lounge Upstairs at The NAKED BOYS SINGING Helen Hayes Theatre 222 West 51st Street Russian Samovar Kirk Theatre 240 West 44th Street 256 West 52nd Street 410 West 42nd Street

THE ILLUSTIONIST THE FANTASTICKS NEWSical Lunt-Fontanne Theatre Snapple Theater Center Kirk Theatre 205 West 46th Street 210 West 50th Street 410 West 42nd Street (Continued on Page 38) PAGE 38 • TAXI INSIDER • DECEMBER 2016 Taxi News From..... will conduct more frequent checks to nab unlicensed private cars as well as Museums along Museum Mile (Continued from Page 36) El Museo del Barrio at 104th Street private-hire cars plying illegally for Museum of the City of New York at 103rd Street “Firstly, we will either get a mes- fares, it said in a press release yester- Jewish Museum at 92nd Street sage via personal message to Riding day. Cooper-Hewitt National Museum of Design at 91st Street Pink’s Facebook or through Whatsapp Enforcement operations will be National Academy Museum and School of Fine Arts at 89th Street asking for a ride. stepped up at areas with high traffi c and Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum at 88th Street “Then we will ask for the pick-up locations where the LTA has received Metropolitan Museum of Art from 82nd to 86th Streets and drop-off points and get back to a lot of feedback. Goethe House German Cultural Center at 82nd Street them with a fare,” she said. Nineteen drivers have been issued If a person confirms that they want warnings by the body. Other Museums a ride, they will send the details of the One driver was fined $15,000, The Museum of American Finance, the nation’s only independent public ... driver to the passenger and details of banned from driving for a year and his Museum of American Finance, 48 Wall Street the passenger to the driver. vehicle was forfeited. African Burial Ground - corners of Duane and Elk Streets Tan said the requirements for the He was convicted in January for American Folk Art Museum 45 W. 53rd St. drivers include having a valid driv- using his car to ferry passengers and American Museum of Natural History 77th St Central Park West ing licence and ensuring the car they driving without valid insurance. Children’s Museum of the Arts 250 Lafayette St # A, used is not more than nine years old Police reports had been lodged Children’s Museum of the Arts and is insured. against him for charging fares of be- Free Art Island Outpost Program at Governors Island When asked how they would dif- tween $30 and $1,050. Harbor Defense Museum - 230 Sheridan Loop, Brooklyn ferentiate themselves from the Uber Some areas where the LTA will Italian American Museum-155 Mulberry St and GrabCar service, she said “we be stepping up enforcement by plain- Kehila Kedosha Jania Museum-280 Broome St wouldn’t say we are the same.” clothes and uniformed offi cers are Luxce Project 53 Stanton St “They provide on-the-spot ser- Clarke Quay, East Coast Seafood The Morgan Library and Museum-225 Madison Ave. vices whereas we offer pre-booking Centre, HarbourFront Centre, Marina Museum of Chinese In America-211 Centre St services. Bay Cruise Centre Singapore, Resorts Museum of Jewish Heritage- Holocaust “We appreciate our riders send- World Sentosa and the Singapore Zoo/ Edmond J. Safra Plaza - 36 Battery Place ing in their requests a day before but Night Safari. Museum at FIT-Seventh Ave. sometimes we get a request five hours Private cars cannot be remunerated Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) 11 W 53rd St before. We will try our best to match for carrying passengers, and private- Museum of Modern Art Design-81 Spring St # A a driver to them,” she said. hire cars cannot tout, pick up customers National Museum of the American Indian Tan sees Riding Pink as comple- in the street or use taxi stands. Alexander Hamilton U.S. Custom House, 1 Bowling Green menting ride-sharing services rather Offenders face a maximum penalty New Museum of Contemporary Art-235 Bowery than as a competitor, adding that Uber of a $3,000 fi ne and six months’ jail, New World Art Ctr-250 Lafayette St # 5 and GrabCar were bigger players in and their vehicles may be seized. New York City Police Museum-100 Old Slip the market. Poets House - Ten River Terrace WANT TO MAKE Queens Museum of Art-49th Ave. and 111th St. Singapore Rubin Museum of Art-150 West 17th Street MORE $ Skyscraper Museum - 39 Battery Place LTA Steps Up South Street Seaport Museum - 12 Fulton Street EVERY DAY? The Tenement Museum-108 Orchard St Checks On Whitney Museum of American Art-945 Madison Ave JUST DRIVE AN Illegal Taxi ACCESSIBLE Off Broadway Shows Services The Land Transport Authority (LTA) MEDALLION! (Continued from Page 37) SEX TIPS FOR STRAIGHT WOMEN FROM A GAY MAN PERFECT CRIME Uber Policy Change Will Allow Non- The 777 Theatre Snapple Theatre Center 777 Eighth Avenue Violent Ex-Cons To Take The Wheel 210 West 50th Street These Uber drivers will really know The company will not disclose the SHEAR MADNESS how to work the street! drivers’ criminal histories to passengers THE PIGEON IN New World Stages Non-violent convicts like prosti- under the program, which has already THE TAJ MAHAL 340 West 50th Street tutes, thieves and fraudsters will be been approved in Connecticut and Irish Repertory Theatre allowed to get behind the wheel of Uber Rhode Island and is up and running in 132 West 22nd Street SISTAS: THE MUSICAL cars in two more states under a new plan California, the offi cials said. St. Lukes Theatre the company is rolling out. Uber offi cials said they are working PIP’S ISLAND 308 West 46th Street Uber wants to allow the former to loosen driver requirements in the Skylight Modern criminals to drive in Rhode Island and hopes of giving more people a second 537 West 27th Street STOMP Connecticut by early next year. Driv- chance at life. Orpheum Theatre ers with similar kinds of convictions “Millions of Americans have served THE PORTAL 126 Second Avenue are already allowed to work for the their time and want to earn an honest Minetta Lane Theatre company in New York City. living,” said Uber chief executive offi cer 18 Minetta Lane Under New York state law, only Travis Kalanick. “To break the cycle drivers with “serious criminal histo- of recidivism, we need to give them a PUFFS, OR: ries” — including homicide, vehicular second chance.” SEVEN INCREASINGLY manslaughter and sexual assault — can Uber began working on loosening EVENTFUL YEARS AT A be denied a TLC license. its rules earlier this year after California CERTAIN SCHOOL OF MAGIC The TLC thoroughly vets drivers reduced the penalty for some crimes AND MAGIC with criminal histories, said spokesman and changed them from felonies to The Elektra Theatre Allan Fromberg. misdemeanors. 300 West 43rd Street “The law prohibits the TLC from Connecticut and Rhode Island also imposing blanket denials for misde- adopted new laws allowing convicts THE QUANTUM EYE: meanors, and allows blanket denials for more access to jobs. MAGIC DECEPTIONS felonies,” said Fromberg. “So we scru- Current TLC rules forbids most Theatre 80 tinize every misdemeanor to determine people with violent or drug-related if there is any risk to passengers, and if criminal convictions from getting a 80 St. Marks Place there is, we deny the license.” hack license. DECEMBER 2016 • TAXI INSIDER • PAGE 39

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