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Vol. 35 No. 9 BCF Program Provides SEPTEMBER 2020 Free Dashcams to Drivers

While it was launched to help drivers develop better habits, saving time and money, the S.A.F.E. iD program can protect drivers from crime.

Black Car/Livery Enforcement Avoid These Ira’s Task Force Begins on Hand-Washing Insights Approved HVFHV Rule Mistakes 2 • BLACK CAR NEWS • SEPTEMBER 2020 SEPTEMBER 2020 • BLACK CAR NEWS • 3 4 • BLACK CAR NEWS • SEPTEMBER 2020 Neil Weiss EDITORIAL Editor/Publisher BLACK CAR FUND PROGRAM HELPS DRIVERS STAY SAFE IN MORE WAYS THAN ONE A program launched by the New York Ideally, the BFC encourages drivers to view personalized feedback, identifying Black Car Fund (BCF) in February is pro- opt-in for both devices as they each have areas of improvement, and saving you viding participating drivers with an added their own unique benefits. There are a money in several ways: It helps lower in- layer of protection that hadn’t been con- limited number of spots in the pilot pro- surance premiums, reduces wear and tear sidered when it was first launched. The gram, so I urge all drivers to sign up on your vehicle, saves money on gas, and BCF’s S.A.F.E. iD program uses an inno- ASAP. of course, will help you avoid accidents. vative new telematics program that cap- The Nexar dashcam allows drivers to tures real-time data on driving behavior access all front and rear camera footage it through an on-board device and/or a dual- records, serving as a personal witness and sided dashboard camera. often helping expedite insurance claims. Although the intent behind the pro- Whether through the OBD or dash- gram was (and continues to be) to help cam, S.A.F.E. iD notifies The Black Car drivers develop better, safer driving Fund in the event of an accident, jump- habits, NYC has recently seen a spike in starting the Workers’ Compensation claim assaults and gun violence, caused by the process for covered trips and reducing the continuing uncertainty of a global pan- processing time for a new claim. demic, civil unrest, historically grim un- “We are always looking for ways to employment numbers, and a deeply provide additional health and safety ben- divisive election cycle. The cameras – efits to drivers,” notes BCF Executive Di- which are provided FREE of charge to rector, Ira Goldstein. “S.A.F.E. iD was a drivers covered by the BCF – record what no brainer since it’s truly a win-win all goes on inside and outside of your vehicle. around, providing drivers with useful in- To get your free “dashcam” and partic- The BCF’s S.A.F.E. iD team will reach formation about their driving behavior, ipate in the S.A.F.E. iD program, drivers out to you, once you opt-in, and the devices and in the case of the camera, giving them can visit nybcf.org/safeid to opt-in for the can be mailed to you, with detailed instal- the peace of mind of having a video record- benefit and fill out the registration form. lation instructions. The Nexar cameras ing in the event they need it. We’re excited You can choose one or both of the devices can also be picked up by drivers at a loca- by the overwhelming and positive re- being used in the program: a Scope on- tion in Queens, by appointment. sponse that S.A.F.E. iD has gotten so far board diagnostic device (OBD) or a Nexar The S.A.F.E. iD mobile app offers ac- and encourage drivers to opt-in.” dual-sided dashboard camera. cess to a virtual dashboard where you can Stay well, stay safe…

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Editorial ...... 4 BLACK CAR NEWS Ira’s Insights — By Ira Goldstein ...... 6 714 Crestbrook Avenue • Cherry Hill, N.J. 08003 News ...... 8 Tel: 800-723-9119 • Local: 856-751-0656 • Fax: 856-751-0657 Email: [email protected] • Web: www.blackcarnews.com Features...... 14 Editor/Publisher: Copyright SEPTEMBER 2020 © From the Desk of Diana Clemente ...... 18 Neil Weiss

Defensive Driving – By Bertram Merling ...... 22 The Black Car News is published monthly Adv. Sales Mgr./Art & Design: on the first Tuesday of each month except Street Stories — By RH Stovall, Jr ...... 24 Michele Norton holidays. All inquires should be directed Direct line: 856.262.2368 by mail to the above address. The Black Commissioner's Corner — [email protected] Car News is not liable for any typograph-

ical errors in its advertisements. The By Aloysee Heredia Jarmoszuk ...... 25 Contributing Writers: Diana Clemente views expressed in the articles of con- IATR Outlook — By Matthew W. Daus ...... 28 Matthew W. Daus, Esq. tributing columnists are solely those of the Ira Goldstein author and not necessarily those of the Drivers United — By Brendan Sexton ...... 30 Aloysee Heredia Jarmoszuk Black Car News. Bertram Merling Industry News ...... 31 Brendan Sexton IN THIS ISSUE RH Stovall, Jr. Classifieds...... 33 SEPTEMBER 2020 • BLACK CAR NEWS • 5 AALPINELPINE LLIMOUSINEIMOUSINE SSERVICEERVICE TheThe leadingleading choicechoice inin thethe corporatecorporate worldworld

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IRA’S INSIGHTS BY IRA J. GOLDSTEIN

Hello to all! It’s hard to believe how Uber filed an emergency appeal to block ing this benefit to drivers. fast Summer came and went. As we ap- the ruling from going into effect, and at As you may know, the program uses proach the start of Fall this month, it’s the same time, Uber and Lyft both made telematics technology, in the form of a great to see that New York continues to public statements that they would have dual-sided dashboard camera and/or an be doing well, at least as far as the pan- to cease all operations in California if on-board device (OBD) to keep you con- demic goes. the ruling wasn’t blocked. nected with The Black Car Fund for This month, however, does bring up It appeared that Uber & Lyft were Workers’ Compensation purposes and to a lot of questions. As I write this, the going to go forward with ceasing opera- help you to take steps towards becoming school issue is still up in the air and it tions, but at the last minute, an appeals one of the safest drivers in the industry. remains to be seen whether in-person court ruled that the companies could In the unfortunate event that you are learning becomes a reality, or if we will continue operating with their drivers as involved in an accident on the job, the take a more cautious approach. This independent contractors while they con- S.A.F.E. iD device will notify us imme- month has also continued to show the tinue their fight against AB5. diately and help jump-start start the disconnect between Mayor de Blasio and Early this year, it appeared that the claims process! Governor Cuomo. independent contractor issue was going There are also many more perks When Cuomo announced that gyms to be a cornerstone of Albany’s legisla- that the program offers. You will have could reopen throughout the State, de tive agenda in 2020. However, following the ability to see your driving statistics Blasio came out and said that it the pandemic, this issue has been placed and receive tips on the areas in which wouldn’t happen in NYC by the end of on the back burner for the time being in you can improve your driving. Also, the August, and offered no timetable. New York. dashboard camera protects you by pro- Shortly after, he pulled an about-face In New York City, Uber and Lyft viding you with a recording of both the and said that they could reopen at the also made headlines alongside the Taxi inside and outside of your vehicle when start of September. As the rest of the & Limousine Commission. An article you drive. In the event of an accident or country continues struggling with the was published in Crain’s which blasted an unruly passenger, it certainly helps pandemic, it’s not surprising that New the TLC for failing to enforce Local Law to have video evidence! York is taking a much more measured 149, enacted two years ago, which cre- I encourage every driver to visit approach to reopening, but it would be ated a category for High Volume For www.nybcf.org/safeid and opt-in for this nice to see the Mayor and Governor get Hire Vehicles (HVFHV), which Uber & free benefit while there are still spots on the same page. Lyft would fall into. This law required open. Political feuds simply seem to be HVFHVs to apply for a special permit Lastly, when the pandemic started, part of the fabric of this Country. Last through the TLC, and would also re- we were forced to temporarily halt our month, Congress failed to come to an quire them to turn over records, includ- Enhanced Defensive Driving Classes, as agreement on another stimulus deal, ing driver compensation, environmental well as The BCF Wellness STEP Pro- leaving millions of Americans in desper- impact and financial impact reports. gram Class. However, I’m happy to an- ation. This failure led to the President The article stated that while Uber & nounce that the classes have officially signing Executive Orders to defer pay- Lyft had applied for these permits, the resumed with smaller class sizes and so- roll taxes through the end of the year, TLC dragged their feet and had not ap- cial distancing protocols in place. as well as defer student loan payments, proved the applications yet. The TLC In case you didn’t know already, discourage evictions and extend the en- denied this claim, stating that just be- Covered Drivers are eligible to receive a hanced unemployment benefits that ex- fore the article had run, the applications $300 payment, once every three years, pired at the end of July, albeit at a for Uber, Lyft and Via had been ap- for completing our Enhanced Defensive reduced level of $400 rather than $600. proved and that the companies were no- Driving Class. You can also receive a These actions ultimately fall short of tified. Regardless of what the truth may one-time payment of $150 for complet- what another stimulus bill will do, be, the article was definitely an embar- ing the Wellness STEP Program class. whenever Congress can get its act to- rassing blow to the TLC, and I wouldn’t Due to the smaller class sizes, and gether. be surprised if they ramp up enforce- the massive demand due to the class’ The sad reality is that these failures ment of all rules, especially for black lack of availability over the last several truly hurt those who need the help the cars and FHVs. They surely don’t want months, spots are filling up rapidly! To most, such as the black car industry. to appear lenient at a time like this, and sign up for a class, visit www.black- Stimulus payments, enhanced unem- Commissioner Heredia Jarmoszuk will carsafetyclasses.com. ployment and small business support want to show strength. After all, this is Please note: if you don’t see any are particularly important to the drivers a problem that she inherited from the classes, it’s because all the spots have and operators of an industry that was prior Commissioner and unfairly caught been claimed. New classes are added among the hardest hit by the pandemic. the heat for. every Monday at 11:00am sharp, so I August also saw a lot happening Moving onto some news from The strongly encourage you to visit the web- with regard to California’s AB5 and the Black Car Fund, in previous months, I site at that time. We are also working to independent contractor versus employee had written about our newest, free ben- expand the number of classes held in issue. Early in the month, a California efit for Covered Drivers called Safety order to compensate for the smaller judge issued a preliminary injunction Advancement for Excellence in Driving, class sizes, so keep an eye out for more that required Uber and Lyft to classify or simply S.A.F.E. iD. Although rides information and announcements on their drivers as employees, with only a have been down dramatically during this. 10-day period to appeal the decision. this pandemic, we have continued offer- Until next time!

Ira J. Goldstein is the Executive Director of the New York Black Car Fund, Chief Operating Officer of the Black Car Assistance Corp. (BCAC), and Treasurer of the Coalition of Transportation Associations (COTA). SEPTEMBER 2020 • BLACK CAR NEWS • 7 Stay Safe! VITALVITAL Vital Transportation Inc. LOOKING FOR Base License PROFESSIONAL #B00789 DRIVERS WITH LATE-MODEL CARS

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Spikes in coronavirus cases nation- quarantine. Extra caution is being taken New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy cut his wide are being blamed, in part, on large as the start of the school year approaches. state’s indoor-gathering limit back to 25 parties and gatherings where distancing In New York, Gov. Andrew Cuomo people, after a spate of house parties led isn’t being enforced – so Governors in New said weekend gatherings ignoring social- to a jump in cases. The state’s virus trans- Jersey and New York are calling for distancing rules will lead the virus to mission rate jumped in August to its high- stricter distancing enforcement. They boomerang around the country. Inspectors est level since early April. joined Connecticut in requiring visitors are issuing violations to restaurants and from dozens of “trouble zone” states to self- bars for not following containment orders. Source: Crain’s New York Business

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A Huntington Station man faces a jacked the paratransit bus armed with a fled, driving from First Avenue to the slew of criminal charges after the NYPD screwdriver. Police said the driver had just Queens-Midtown Tunnel, then through said he carjacked a New York City Access- unloaded passengers at the hospital and Nassau and into Suffolk before being ar- A-Ride paratransit bus outside Bellevue was in the rear of the bus when Terciak rested hours later in Greenlawn. Terciak Hospital in Manhattan and crashed into went to the driver’s side, smashed a win- is charged with first-degree robbery, grand police cars and civilian vehicles before dow with the screwdriver, entered the ve- larceny auto, criminal possession of stolen being arrested by Suffolk County police in hicle and drove off. The driver escaped property, four counts of reckless endanger- Greenlawn. through the rear exit door, uninjured, po- ment, auto stripping, criminal possession Police said that at about 8:30pm on lice said. of a weapon and four counts of leaving the July 22, Jason Terciak, 27 – who had been Police said Terciak “collided with mul- scene of an accident. brought to Bellevue a day earlier – car- tiple NYPD and civilian vehicles” as he Source: Newsday DRIVE YOUR BUSINESS

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WHEN NEWS BREAKS, WE ARE ON IT FOR YOU SEPTEMBER 2020 • BLACK CAR NEWS • 11 NEWS NTSB HEARING ON SCHOHARIE LIMO CRASH SET FOR SEPT. 29 The National Transportation Safety asked that New York state law require store. Board (NTSB) is set to hold a hearing on backseat passengers to wear seat belts. Prosecutors have alleged the limou- Sept. 29, in Washington, D.C., to discuss The state Legislature approved the pas- sine suffered catastrophic brake failure and vote on recommendations from its in- senger seat-belt requirement in January. coming down a hill due to poor mainte- vestigation into the 2018 Schoharie limo The National Highway Transporta- nance. Limo company operator Nauman crash that killed 20 people. In August, the tion Safety Administration (NHTSA) has Hussain, 30, faces 20 counts each of sec- NTSB said it will “vote on findings, prob- so far refused to adopt the NTSB’s na- ond-degree manslaughter and criminally able cause and recommendations, as well tional seat belt and seat safety recommen- negligent homicide in Schoharie County as any changes to the draft final report.” dations, claiming they wouldn’t have Court. His trial is on hold due to the pan- The hearing will be held via webcast, helped in such a high-impact crash. demic, with discussions underway about starting at 9:30am. NTSB Chairman None of the 17 passengers in the a possible plea bargain. Robert Sumwalt, who visited Schoharie stretched 2001 Ford Excursion were Families of the victims have filed nu- immediately after the crash, will also hold wearing seat belts, the interim report merous lawsuits against Hussain, his fa- a media briefing later that day. found – but it also found that the lap belts ther and uncle as owners or purported The federal NTSB investigation has in the limo weren’t properly designed and investors in the limousine company, and been ongoing since the Oct. 6, 2018 crash were inaccessible to the passengers, who Mavis Discount Tire, which is accused of at the intersection of state routes 30 and were all young adults on their way to a inadequately servicing the vehicle. Some 30A in Schoharie. State and federal legis- weekend birthday celebration in Cooper- lawsuits have also been filed against the lators have pushed for changes to limou- stown. state departments of Transportation and sine safety laws as a result. An interim The crash killed all the passengers, Motor Vehicles, alleging regulatory fail- report from the NTSB included suggested the driver, and two pedestrians in the ures. seat-belt upgrades in limousines and parking lot of the Apple Barrel Country Source: The Daily Gazette

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT WWW.BLACKCARNEWS.COM OUR AD RATES 12 • BLACK CAR NEWS • SEPTEMBER 2020 NEWS BELLIGERENT PASSENGER SLASHES DRIVER’S FACE IN THE BRONX A student working as a Livery driver • Consider a partition and/or an in-ve- hicle. Most assaults and homicides to pay his way through medical school is hicle camera system. A dashcam take place from the seat directly be- likely scarred for life after he was beaten records events on the road and in- hind the driver. If need be, tell them and slashed across the face by a belliger- side the vehicle. Be sure to post de- it’s company policy and they have ent passenger in the Bronx. Raymond cals stating cameras are present. more legroom. Adjetey picked up the man who would be • If an incident does occur, maintain • Check-in with your dispatcher at his attacker on the night of August 5. eye contact, if possible, but stay calm regular intervals. Develop a discreet Adjetey says the assailant was argu- and friendly. Try to keep a safe dis- warning system that alerts dispatch ing on the phone with his girlfriend dur- tance and observe the assailant’s if you are in danger. ing the ride, and changed destinations “body language” to assess threat lev- • Never resist a robbery or chase twice. The second time, Adjetey decided els. someone who skips a fare. Don’t to cut the trip short and asked the pas- • Try to remain calm. Follow any com- argue, give them what they want. senger to get out of the car. He was then mands promptly. Speak in a low, • Study/learn the local geography, so attacked. soft, calming tone. you can avoid dangerous areas. GPS The assailant bashed the driver in • When not driving, park in well-lit is great but it’s essential to know the head with his phone, then threat- areas, and keep doors locked and your way around. ened him with a knife, telling him to windows rolled up. If someone ap- • Be extra cautious between 6:00 pm take him to his destination. Fearful, Ad- proaches your car, open the window and 6:00 am – and particularly be- jetey took the car to the Tracey Towers just wide enough to speak with them tween midnight and 4:00 am, when on Mosholu Parkway and threatened to – limiting their ability to grab or at- most robberies and assaults occur. call 911. tack you. • Never tell customers you had a good “He said that if he goes to jail he’s • Keep windows and windshields shift; they’ll assume you have cash going to do seven years. So, he would clean. Use the minimal amount of on hand. If they ask the question, po- rather cut me my face, so at least, even tinting. litely change the subject. if he’s in jail, I too have a mark,” Adjetey • Never flash cash and don’t wear ex- • Never drive into alleys or back lanes. said. pensive watches or jewelry. Post sig- If a passenger insists, tell them your The New York State Federation of nage on passenger doors stating company policy states: “no back Taxi Drivers is asking the NYPD for there is minimal cash on hand. Make lanes or alleys.” camera images that they can share with frequent deposits and use cashless • Do not be argumentative. Drivers their drivers, and are asking police to transactions as often as possible. are at a distinct disadvantage in a issue “amber alerts” when these types of • If your passenger has a large-value physical confrontation, facing the crimes occur. bill, tell them you just made a de- wrong way if they are attacked from Adjetey is expected to need further posit and don’t have change, but can behind. reconstructive surgeries to repair his stop at a nearby store so they can • Drivers should never accept trips face. break it. from an improperly licensed and/or • Always stay alert and aware, under-insured company. Most vio- Black Car News recommends all drivers whether you are parked or driving. lent assaults in NYC occur in vehi- consider the following safety tips: Getting the proper rest, exercising, cles where the driver is breaking the • When starting a trip, always make and proper nutrition are essential to law transporting a passenger they eye contact and greet the passenger staying alert. aren’t legally allowed to pick up. In (no more handshakes). This will help • Require a specific address or loca- New York State, workers’ compensa- you identify the passenger in case of tion, before you start a trip. Beware tion benefits are only available to an incident; it also lets them know of customers who give you vague in- TLC-licensed drivers injured while you have seen them and may raise structions. completing a legally-dispatched trip doubts in their mind about commit- • Politely ask customers to sit on the in a TLC-licensed vehicle. ting a crime. passenger-side in the rear of the ve- Source: ABC 7 New York TLC BEGINS ENFORCING 2-YEAR-OLD HIGH-VOLUME FHV RULE The New York City Taxi & Limou- the law for companies that provide more [City] Council investigates,” said sine Commission (TLC), in August, than 10,000 rides per day. The TLC can Christopher Lynn, who ran the TLC began enforcing a 2018 city law requir- fine companies without the appropriate from 1996 to 1998. ing High-Volume For-Hire Vehicle licenses up to $10,000 per car per day. Bronx Councilman Ruben Diaz, who (HVFHV) bases like Uber and Lyft to TLC spokesman Allan Fromberg con- introduced the bill, has called on Attor- document driver compensation, and firmed that “the TLC has approved the ney General Letitia James to investigate their impact on the environment and the applications for Lyft, Uber, and Via.” what he said is a lack of oversight by the cab industry. “This is all baloney, and it’s going to TLC. HVFHV licenses are required under stay the way it is unless someone in the Source: Crain’s New York Business

“LIKE” BLACK CAR NEWS FOR BREAKING NEWS. SEPTEMBER 2020 • BLACK CAR NEWS • 13 NEWS NYC COUNCIL APPROVES BLACK CAR/LIVERY TASK FORCE

New York’s City Council approved The task force would be required to High-Volume FHV category to add ve- the creation of a Black Car & Livery hold at least one public hearing and hicles based on demand, to avoid Task Force in late August, by a 47-0 issue a report with recommendations adding so many vehicles that it hurts vote. The bill was sponsored by Council for “identified challenges.” current TLC-licensed driver incomes. Member Ydanis Rodriguez, establish- The formation of the task force is Those vehicles would only be allowed to ing “a short-term task force that would expected to move quickly, and inter- work for a specific base or industry cat- study challenges to the viability of the ested parties are waiting to see who egory. Black Car and Livery industries, as gets appointed and the degree drivers Rodriguez, who also chairs the well as the impacts of advertising and will get a say in what it accomplishes. Transportation Committee, has already the viability of advertising as a source In addition to the issue of advertising shown support for such a measure, in- of revenue for Black Car and Livery as a source of revenue, the group is ex- cluding correcting other issues related drivers.” pected to address the impact Uber and to the current FHV license cap. The task force will be comprised of Lyft have had on traditional FHV bases The bill (Int. No. 1865-A) will now 11 members, including Aloysee Heredia and the future of the FHV cap. go to the Mayor, who has 30 days to ei- Jarmoszuk, Chairperson of the NYC “Restricted” FHV licenses, sought ther sign it into law, veto it, or take no Taxi & Limousine Commission (TLC), by traditional bases in the past, could action. If the Mayor doesn’t sign or veto or her designee, as well as individuals also be a topic of discussion. A re- the bill within 30 days, it becomes law appointed by the Mayor, the Speaker of stricted FHV license would essentially and it would take effect immediately. the Council, and the Public Advocate. allow bases that don’t fall into the Source: TLCMKT

MTA TO END FHV PROGRAM IN SEPT, CITING HIGH COSTS The MTA was set to end its tem- of people it was serving sporadically, FHV service, the MTA said it is porary For-Hire Vehicle (FHV) pro- and the even smaller population it adding three more bus routes that gram, effective Aug. 30 at 5:00am, was serving regularly. We have re- mirror the more frequented trips leaving some New Yorkers without op- cently added three new bus routes – taken by FHV program users: the tions for overnight transportation. all of which we believe will signifi- B99, the M99, and the Bx99. The B99 The MTA cited high costs and the fis- cantly assist our overnight passengers connects Midwood in Brooklyn to Mid- cal crisis for ceasing operations. in this transition.” town West and follows a similar route “At the height of the pandemic, it The FHV program was launched to the 2 train. The Bx99 connects the was critically important to ensure es- in May as an alternative to overnight Woodlawn section of the Bronx with sential workers who were subway-de- subway service, which had been sus- Manhattan’s West Village. The route pendent could get to overnight shifts pended so subway stations and cars travels on Jerome Avenue and down reliably, and without spending consid- could be disinfected and cleaned thor- the east side of Manhattan much like erably more time on their commute oughly during the pandemic. Since the the 4 train does. It then crosses west than they were used to,” said Sarah program began, roughly 1,500 cus- on 57th Street and travels south to the Feinberg, New York City Transit In- tomers have been using the service West Village. The new M99 route runs terim President. “Given our signifi- per night, costing the MTA over $6 between East New York, Brooklyn, cant financial challenges, we are million. The average cost per trip was and Hell’s Kitchen, via 14th Street in unfortunately no longer able to pro- estimated at $49. Manhattan. vide this service to the limited number For those who came to rely on the Source: AM New York

LIVERY DRIVER ROBBED AFTER UBER DRIVER SHOT IN CONEY PICKUP AT BRONX MOTEL ISLAND BY GUNMAN ON BICYCLE Police are looking for a man they say robbed a Livery An Uber driver was shot in Brooklyn on Aug. 21 during driver at gunpoint after he picked the assailant up from a an altercation with a gunman on a bicycle. The driver, 30, Bronx motel on Aug. 3. The driver, 64, picked the suspect up was stopped, sitting in his car along Mermaid Avenue, be- from the Paradise Motor Inn on Boston Road around 8:00pm tween 23rd and 24th streets when the shooter rolled up to and drove him about 5 miles to an address on Rogers Place, the vehicle on a bicycle, police said. police said. The two exchanged words, and the cyclist then pulled When they arrived at the destination, the suspect pulled a gun and opened fire on the driver, striking him in the a gun and held it to the right side of the driver’s head, de- torso, according to police. The victim, who was driving a manding he fill a bag with cash. The driver complied, handing grey Honda Accord with Taxi & Limousine Commission over an undetermined amount of money before the suspect plates, then drove off and flagged down police officers ran off. The driver was not physically harmed in the incident. nearby. He was transported to Lutheran Hospital in stable Surveillance video released by police in August shows the condition. suspect, who appears to be between 20 and 30 years old, leav- It’s not clear what prompted the altercation. The in- ing the motel before getting in the car. vestigation was ongoing as of late August. Source: New York Post Source: New York Post 14 • BLACK CAR NEWS • SEPTEMBER 2020 FEATURES AVOID THESE HAND-WASHING MISTAKES

Stopping the spread of germs is an health. your hands. Many people put soap on important step each of us can take to their hands, rub them together a few help keep our communities and families Washing your hands infrequently. times, rinse and call them clean. This safe. Washing your hands is one of the 4. Washing your hands infrequently may remove some germs, but not enough best ways to stop the spread of germs, can leave you and those around you at to prevent the spread of disease. The including the new coronavirus – but it’s risk. You want to wash your hands often CDC recommends washing your hands essential to be thorough. If you’re com- with soap and water, both to protect for 15 to 30 seconds to remove germs. mitting one of the following mistakes, yourself and to prevent the spread of Worldwide, many countries and global your hands may not be as clean as you germs. Warm water or cold, bar soap, or organizations have adopted guidelines think, so we included some tips for cor- liquid… all are fine, the CDC says. for washing hands for about 20 seconds. recting them. To keep track of the time, hum the The CDC recommends washing “Happy Birthday” song twice while Using hand sanitizer when soap your hands particularly: scrubbing with soap and water. 1. and water are available. Sanitizers • During and after prepping food and are a convenient way to clean your before eating. Ignoring your fingernails. Your hands. However, they should just be a • Before and after caring for a sick per- 6. fingernails are great hiding places backup if soap and water are unavailable. While hand sani- tizers can reduce germs, the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) says they don’t get rid of all types of germs. If your hands are visibly greasy or dirty, hand sanitizers may not be very effective. Also, if you have harmful chemicals on your hands – such as heavy metals and pesticides – hand sanitizers may not remove them. When using a hand sani- tizer, check the product label to ensure it contains a minimum of 60% alcohol.

Just rinsing. Make sure 2. you are washing your hands with soap and water fre- quently throughout the day. Al- ways wash them with soap and water after using the restroom and before eating. Don’t get lazy and skip the soap. Although plain water is better than noth- ing, according to the CDC, adding soap is much more effec- tive at removing germs, dirt, and harm- son with vomiting and diarrhea, and for germs and bacteria. People often ig- ful chemicals from your skin. before and after treating a wound or nore them during hand-washing and a cut. focus on their palms. Make sure you Using antibacterial soap. Both the • After using the toilet, helping a child clean well under your fingernails, espe- 3. CDC and U.S. Food & Drug Ad- use the toilet or changing a diaper. cially if they are long. ministration (FDA) recommend washing • After coughing, sneezing, or blowing with regular soap and water to kill germs your nose. Not drying your hands after wash- and prevent the spread of disease. • After touching animals (they can 7. ing. Wet hands make it easier to There’s no need to use antibacterial soap spread disease), their food or their transfer germs, so it’s important to dry to wash your hands. The FDA says there waste, and after handling pet food them after washing. There is no consen- is not enough evidence that antibacterial and treats. sus on the best way to dry your hands. soaps are better at preventing the spread • After touching trash. Studies suggest that a clean towel works of illness than regular soap. Additionally, best to keep germs at bay. one ingredient, triclosan, is being exam- Washing your hands too quickly. ined for its possible effect on human 5. Don’t be in a hurry when washing Source: Money Talks News SEPTEMBER 2020 • BLACK CAR NEWS • 15 NO FEES NO DUES Consider whether your base can really survive during these very competitive times? Will they miss another voucher check? Will they terminate your contract? Are their doors always closed when you need help most? Are they dispatching you enough calls?

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This advertisement is not an offering. An offering can only be made by prospectus filed with the Department of Law of New York State. Such filing does not constitute approval by the Department of Law. Base License #BO1197 16 • BLACK CAR NEWS • SEPTEMBER 2020 FEATURES CONSIDERATIONS FOR CORPORATIONS CHOOSING A CAR SERVICE For-Hire Vehicle (FHV) service providers are eager to service corporate clients and see the fall in air travel as an opportunity to demonstrate their value by offering “convenient, comfortable, and safe service.” The pandemic may put buyers in a stronger position when it comes to negotiations, but cheaper, less regulated ride-hail- ing programs may lose some luster, according to experts. To keep travelers safe and win over corporate business, chauf- feured ground transportation companies are implementing hygienic protocols based on public health officials’ recommendations. Most providers require drivers to practice social distancing (no more hand- shake greetings), along with wearing masks and gloves, disinfecting their vehicles after every ride, and making hand sanitizer gel avail- able to passengers. Some have mandated all multi-purpose vehicles be fitted with fully sealed partitions between the driver and the pas- senger. App-based providers like Uber and Lyft have enhanced their sanitation protocols as well, requiring drivers and riders to wear masks and agree to drive with open windows. Drivers are required to declare they are symptom-free before beginning their shift and clean their vehicles between riders. However, these protocols may not be enough to satisfy travel managers, who are looking for in- creased control over their programs. (App-based providers rely on passenger reviews and not contracted service level agreements to ensure implementation of agreed-upon protocols.) As companies consider return-to-work strategies, some may lean on car services to get employees to and from the office, particularly in urban areas where the alternative is public transport. Chauf- feured transportation may also offer an alternative to some short- haul flights. In addition to reduced exposure to groups of people, it may offer a time-savings opportunity, as airports and airlines intro- duce health and safety measures into their passenger screening processes. Source: Business Travel News

“LIKE” BLACK CAR NEWS FOR BREAKING NEWS. SEPTEMBER 2020 • BLACK CAR NEWS • 17 FEATURES ACHIEVING SALES SUCCESS POST-COVID-19 As a B2B salesperson in 2020, your ability to quickly earn trust and demonstrate credibility has just become your biggest challenge. Before COVID-19, there was an entire phase of the sales cycle ded- icated simply to developing “Trust & Rapport” – and that phase usually required multiple face-to-face meetings with clients, just to prove yourself trustworthy. Those days are over. A big part of your future success in sales will now hinge on your ability to establish trust online. For those of us in sales, we must now make a concerted effort to create online proof points because “word-of-mouth” is now a digital-first format. Before you can establish trust or credibility, you first have to get attention. In the pandemic era, this has become the single biggest challenge facing salespeople in every industry and com- pany. In the wake of COVID-19 lockdowns, more and more desper- ate salespeople (working from home) began bombarding buyers (also working from home) with old-fashioned forms of outreach, and guess what? Buyers tuned out and started blocking these old-fash- ioned and impersonal outreach methods. A recent HubSpot study showed a significant spike in outbound email beginning around March, and then showed a corresponding downturn in email response rates. This data suggests there is still a significant disconnect between where salespeople are focusing their time, and where buyer interest exists – proof we have to en- gage modern work from home buyers in a different way. Source: Crunchbase

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When I recently found out that pen time after time, since their adoptions moves in tandem with their left back Scooter – a kitty I wrote about in a previ- are so robust – and it’s what made me re- leg, and their right legs do the same. ous column – was adopted, I cried. Al- alize that he NEEDED a forever home, The only other animals that walk this though my tears were out of happiness with people who love him, and other cats way are giraffes and camels. for him, rather than sadness, I remem- that can become lifelong friends (not just • The oldest cat to have every lived was bered writing that, even if Scooter never temporary ones). 38 years and 3 days old when he died. left NorthShore he would still be one God sent the most amazing people to Créme Puff, born on August 3rd, 1967 lucky cat. But the fact is, even though adopt Scooter! I hope to have the pleasure lived until August 6th, 2005, and his NorthShore’s sprawling facility is ab- of speaking with Scooter’s new Mom and owner Jake Perry also owned the pre- solutely beautiful and they have the most Dad before next month’s article so that I vious oldest cat record holder, amazing staff imaginable, Scooter could can share more about his new family, Grandpa Rex Allen, who died at the only find true happiness in a “forever which I believe includes two dog siblings grand age of 34! home,” with a family that can give him and three cat siblings (one of which is • According to Ancient History Encyclo- the attention he needs and deserves. blind). pedia, Herodotus wrote in 440BC that The following are some comments when a pet cat died in Ancient Egypt- from Scooter fans, after learning of his And until then, here are ian times the family members would adoption: some interesting cat facts: shave off their eyebrows in mourning. “Omg, I’m so happy. God is good. Ty • A cat’s heart beats twice as fast as a and tell the new owners God Bless them human heart – 110 to 140 beats per and I’m so excited Lil baby is going to a minute. fur-ever home. I’m amazed, happy & sad. • A single pair of cats and their kittens Forever thankful!” can produce as many as 420,000 kit- “Awwwwww. Sweet. How that Scooter tens in just 7 years. A perfect reason stole all our hearts… remarkable re- to ensure your cat is spayed/neutered! siliency… that family is so kind to adopt • Cats are the sleepiest of all mammals. him.” They spend 16 hours a day sleeping. These little messages made my heart With that in mind, a seven-year-old swell. I deeply appreciate the fact that cat has only been awake for two years people took a moment of their time to of its life! write little notes about Scooter. FYI: • Cats spend 30% of their waking hours Scooter has his own Instagram page, and grooming themselves. he’s already building a following. You can • Cats are lactose intolerant. Like most follow him at @scooterthewonderkitty. mammals, cats lose the ability to di- I am so happy Scooter is now part of gest dairy after infancy. Feeding milk a large loving family! It occurred to me to a cat can encourage stomach upset that even though Scooter bonded well and diarrhea. with other cats in the free-roaming cat • All kittens are born with blue eyes. room at North Shore, each time another They begin to change color about two cat would get adopted, he would lose a weeks after their eyes open. friend. This is something that would hap- • When cats walk, their left front leg

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The World’s Largest No-Kill Animal Rescue and Adoption Organization Timothy - Time here has enabled shy Timothy to feel more confi- dent with the humans. Recently he’s decided to learn more about the people visiting him, especially when they’re handing him yummy treats! Timothy has mastered clicker training quickly. He was born to be a cat’s best friend and he just loves playtime. He’s looking for a family with older children and a confident cat to be- friend him. #GetYourRescueOn

Penelope - We’re giving Penelope the royal treatment because this princess deserves to be pampered! Her low-key personality is a perfect complement to any feline friend in search of a new soul mate. We’ve been preparing Penelope for the golden retirement she so deserves. We can’t think of a better companion than this sleek beauty, and we’re sure you’ll agree Penelope is purrfect for you! #GetYourRescueOn

Charlie is a very large young Hound/Shepherd mix who is very smart and energetic. He would make a great hiking partner and Every year, an estimated 2 would absolutely love to go on any adventure with you. He’s looking million homeless pets are for an active home with a nice yard to run and play in. Is this adven- euthanized. Our goal: a no-kill turous pup your next best friend? #GetYourRescueOn

world where all homeless pets Schwartz is a small adult Chihuahua/Terrier mix who likes to take find loving homes. Here are some it slow. He enjoys laying around on his bed with a few toys, eating snacks, and sleeping in your lap. This good boy was rescued from a sweet, beautiful animals that backyard breeder situation where he didn’t know how good life can be. desperately need a home. Will you be the one to give him an amazing home? #GetYourRescueOn #GetYourRescueOn For information on how to meet our adoptable pets, please e-mail [email protected], call 516-883-7575 or visit animalleague.org/adopt. 20 • BLACK CAR NEWS • SEPTEMBER 2020 SEPTEMBER 2020 • BLACK CAR NEWS • 21 22 • BLACK CAR NEWS • SEPTEMBER 2020

BY BERTRAM MERLING LOSS CONTROL COORDINATOR, DEFENSIVE DRIVING HEREFORD INSURANCE COMPANY MAINTAINING GOOD HEALTH, PLUS INDUSTRY-RELATED ACCIDENTS This month, we address the impor- respond to a street hail. code, policy number, and expiration tance of keeping yourself healthy, along • Always signal when you are chang- date. with tips to avoid accidents and what to ing lanes to respond to a street hail. • Witness’s names, addresses and do in the event one does occur. • Always obey the law. If you are not phone numbers. permitted to respond to street hails, • The phone number and precinct Health is Wealth the vehicle behind you will not antic- number of all responding police offi- Experts agree that maintaining a ipate you making a sudden stop to do cers, along with the accident report healthy lifestyle is your best defense so. number. against stress. • Always anticipate your passenger • The name, address and phone num- • Try to fit at least 20 minutes of aero- making an unannounced abrupt and ber of any medical facility anyone in- bic activity into your schedule three unsafe exit due to excess traffic con- volved is taken to from the scene by to four days a week. ditions. ambulance. • Eat well balanced meals – more • Never eat, drink, or use a tablet or • The name, address and phone num- grains, nuts, fruits, and vegetables. cell phone while your vehicle is in ber of any tow trucks responding to • Do your best to get a good night’s motion. and removing vehicles from the sleep every night. • Always read your GPS prior to start- scene. • Avoid too much caffeine, alcohol, and ing your trip. If you must refer to di- • Take pictures of all vehicles involved. sugary drinks. rections, pull over to a safe area first. Make sure you get the point of im- • Avoid cigarette smoking entirely. (This may not be necessary for voice- pact and all sides of all vehicles in- Smoking cigarettes not only affects active GPS.) volved from all angles. Take photos your health, it affects your coordina- • Always anticipate inexperienced of any skid marks, traffic signals, tion and concentration. Smoking drivers behaving unsafely. Always be and any related factors that may while driving can cause you to drive prepared to take defensive and eva- have caused the accident. Take pho- unreasonably fast or slow and may sive actions in the event you en- tos of the scene from up close and cause you to weave in and out of traf- counter such a driver. from a distance. Photograph nearby fic. Smoking and second-hand smoke • Never follow a handsome cab too buildings and stores as witnesses contribute to lung cancer, heart dis- closely or blow your horn in its vicin- may have witnessed the accident ease, emphysema, and general poor ity. Horses react erratically to abrupt from inside and were unable to come health. It also contributes to the high actions and noises. forward at the scene. cost of health insurance. • Under no circumstances should you In the Event of an Accident, attempt to settle the accident at the Special Industry Related Accidents Please Obtain the Following scene by offering to or accepting cash • Taxis should always cruise for a pas- • The names of all drivers and passen- from any involved driver or passen- senger in the extreme right or left gers involved – plus addresses, li- ger. lane. cense numbers and phone numbers. • If you don’t have it already, please • Always obey posted bus lane restric- • The vehicle owner’s name, address obtain your passengers’ contact infor- tions. Red zone cruising can result in and phone number – if different from mation prior to them leaving the a moving traffic violation. driver. scene so they can be contacted on • Never speed up to run a red light to • Insurance company names or 3-digit your behalf, if necessary.

Bertram Merling is the Loss Control Coordinator for Hereford Insurance Company. He welcomes your questions and comments, and can be reached at 718.361.9191 ext. 7235, or via email at [email protected]

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No appointment or car necessary, but if you do have a 2011 or newer model car please call Patricio to see if your vehicle is acceptable. Come see and talk to us. Find out how you can become part of our family. Where you can exceed your expectations. For further information call Patricio Martinez (718) 482-8585 Extension 3233. 24 • BLACK CAR NEWS • SEPTEMBER 2020 STREET STORIES BY RH STOVALL, JR. SURPRISE! You deal with a lot of surprises as a ready baked into the ride. I find that people new friend – in addition to the person I have Chauffeur. Some are positive and some not so with lower-level positions are the ones who driven in the past, which that translates into much. Both types keep me on my toes. most often add in the extra tip. It’s always a a pleasant surprise. On two separate rides, I very pleasant surprise. had the pleasant surprise of having a furry Unpleasant Surprises friend as a passenger. It’s no secret that I love Every single day, I encounter unpleasant dogs. They all go to Heaven! surprises at the hands of incompetent and self- I drove a family who was participating in ish drivers. These unpleasant surprises are the U.S. Open tennis tournament with their usually the result of careless, dangerous, dis- Weimaraner (German hunting dog). We tracted driving. stopped at Shake Shack and they treated me One of my “favorites” is the driver ap- to a double cheeseburger with fries. Yum, that proaching Newark Airport in the far-right was a great surprise! local lane of Route 78 eastbound. I’m just to Another time, I drove a group of four peo- their left. At the last possible minute, this ple from their home to a restaurant and back. clueless driver cuts left across three lanes No heavy bags or impossible strollers to without looking, with no warning and no turn squeeze into my car. I just waited three hours signal. I slam on the brakes to avoid a 50-mph for them to enjoy their dinner. After I dropped collision. them off in East Hampton, the host handed This has happened to me so frequently Strangely, multi-millionaire CEOs rarely me a $100 bill for a tip. Nice! that I expect it and I now use the far-right lane give an extra tip. I never expect one, so it’s not The moral of this Street Story is this: No and keep vehicles in front and back of me by as if I’m disappointed. This is simply an obser- matter how being a Chauffeur might throw at least 50 feet. vation, and a little surprising. you surprises, don’t sweat it and just enjoy the Unscheduled construction that results in Recently, I drove a woman and her two ride! street closures with no warning and no apolo- children from New York to Newark Airport. gies is also a surprise. This is why I always There must have been 20 bags I loaded into allow more time to reach a destination than my SUV, many of them back-breakingly RH Stovall, Jr., is a Senior Executive Chauffeur, Trainer & Mentor for Royal Coachman World- my original map route estimates. heavy. By the end of the ride, I was exhausted wide (Denville, NJ) and Leros Point to Point and sore. No tip. Oh well. (Valhalla, NY). He can be reached at rhsto- Non-Tippers [email protected] or call / text him at One ironic surprise occurs when passen- Pleasant Surprises 908.358.4172. gers decide to tip me on top of the gratuity al- Often, I encounter a new passenger – a B-I-C BROKERAGE Tuch & Cohen LLP BRONX INSURANCE CENTER Attorneys at Law 2480 Belmont Ave SF#2 • Bronx, NY, 10458 1025 Old Country Road, Kenneth R. Tuch www.bicinsurance.net Suite 411 Laurence I. Cohen Phone: 718-220-1111 / Fax: 718-220-1161 Westbury, New York 11590

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BY ALOYSEE HEREDIA JARMOSZUK COMMISSIONER’S CORNER Commissioner and Chair NYC TLC

Greetings, I hope this message finds you safe and well. In this Industry Update, I will share information on Driver Safety, early voting, the census, rapid COVID-19 testing, and how to avoid common issues at TLC Vehicle Inspections.

DRIVER SAFETY Everyone deserves a safe and secure place to work, whether that’s an office, taxi, or for-hire vehicle. In recent Industry Up- dates, I shared new procedures the TLC has put in place to help Drivers report physical and verbal assaults. We work closely with the NYPD to ensure that anyone who harms a TLC Driver is brought to justice, and that victims receive the assistance and advocacy they deserve. Unfortunately, there were several attacks against TLC Drivers in July and August. Last month, we shared some critical information with TLC Drivers on how to avoid potentially dangerous situations. Some of the worst assaults against Drivers have been by passengers on trips not dispatched by a licensed base. If you are a For-Hire Vehicle Driver, never pick up a passenger on the street without a dispatch. New York State Workers’ Compensation benefits are only available for TLC Drivers who complete a trip dispatched by a licensed base in a TLC licensed vehicle. When you start a trip, it is helpful to make eye contact and greet your passenger, in case you ever need to identify them. Be aware of their body language, try to keep a safe distance, and re- main calm when speaking. Taxi and livery vehicles can have a partition, or an approved in-vehicle camera system installed for additional security. You can find a list of approved installers on the TLC website. Dashboard cameras that record events that occur on the road and inside their vehicle are allowed in Black Cars and Luxury Limousines. The footage can be very helpful in case you are involved in a collision or if you have a negative in- teraction with a passenger.

VOTING AND CENSUS I wanted to use this opportunity to let you know that all New Yorkers can now obtain an absentee ballot to vote safely in the November Election, due to the recent changes to the State law. According to NYC Votes, you can request your absentee ballot now at nycabsentee.com and avoid lines on Election Day. You can also vote early between Oct. 24 and Nov. 1. If you have not reg- istered to vote yet, the deadline to register and vote in the No- vember election is October 9. If you mail in your application, it must be received by the Board of Elections by October 14. You can find information on how to register to vote here: https://vote.nyc/page/register-vote. Another great way you can help your community and be civi- cally engaged is to complete the Census. The Census completion deadline has been moved to September 30. It is more important than ever that everyone complete the Census so that New York can receive critical federal dollars for healthcare, education, and other public services. It’s also important to ensure that New York does not lose any Congressional representation due to under- tions involve tires, lights, seatbelts, and windshield wipers. counting. Please head to my2020census.gov to complete the Cen- Before your inspection, ensure that the tire tread depth is at sus today -- it only takes about ten minutes. least 2/32 inches, and that the tire pressure meets the car man- ufacturer’s recommendations. There should be no missing lug GET TESTED FOR COVID-19 nuts, which are used to secure the wheels. For exterior lights, al- Last month, the Department of Health & Mental Hygiene ways make sure they are DMV approved, properly mounted and began to offer rapid, free COVID-19 testing in 24 hours or less. in working condition. These lights include the vehicle’s head- This is a very important step to identify coronavirus cases early lights, tail lights, brake lights, parking lights, signals, back-up to prevent community spread, and help the city reopen safely. lights, and hazard warning lights. Check that all seatbelts are Most patients receive their tests results on the same day that present and in working order, and that the windshield wipers are they visit. You can make an appointment for rapid testing online: fully operational. https://www1.nyc.gov/ site/doh/covid/covid-19-rapid-testing.page. Taking these steps will help your inspection process go smoothly. PASSING YOUR TLC VEHICLE INSPECTION Sincerely, To ensure public safety, TLC vehicle owners must have their Aloysee Heredia Jarmoszuk vehicles inspected several times a year. Inspectors catch safety issues that can put drivers and passengers at risk. We created the guide below to help you keep your vehicle in excellent condi- Aloysee Heredia Jarmoszuk is the recently-appointed tion and smoothly pass your TLC Inspection. Commissioner/Chairwoman of the New York City Taxi & The most common issues that vehicles have during inspec- Limousine Commission. 26 • BLACK CAR NEWS • SEPTEMBER 2020 IATR OUTLOOK THE POST-PANDEMIC FUTURE By Professor FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLES Matthew W. Daus, Esq.

The future of Electric Vehicles (EVs) was The environmental movement in the fuel vehicle policy. something that was unclear a little over a U.S., which started in the 1970s, did not gain We are now at a turning point in U.S. decade ago. With the advent of the Great Re- mainstream or significant traction with re- history, with the results of the Presidential cession, many were predicting that hybrid- spect to alternative fuel vehicles until the and Congressional elections setting the stage electric vehicles would be competing with 2000s, with the announcement of PlaNYC in for federal, state, and local sustainability pri- hydrogen-fuel cell technology and other New York, with many other cities developing orities. The anti-car culture movement’s crit- forms of alternative fuel. sustainability plans, and with cities and pri- icisms are partially blunted and resolved by Of course, EVs were in the mix, but mid- vate companies alike hiring Chief Sustain- zero-emissions vehicles such as EVs, and way past the last decade, Compressed Natu- ability Officers to “go green.” manufacturers like Tesla and others are ral Gas (CNG) started to emerge as a viable Celebrities in Hollywood were driving to pushing for more infrastructure, longer-last- option in the U.S. due in part to the country’s awards shows and around town in Toyota ing battery life, and even more attractive ve- energy independence movement, an increase Priuses, and commercials and the fuel-effi- hicle designs, including convertibles, trucks in the fracking business to provide local jobs, ciency of hybrid-electrics made economic and sports cars; something that was not pos- and increased fueling infrastructure (espe- sense before the Great Recession (and sible only a decade ago, as U.S. manufactur- cially for truck and vehicle fleets and on the through it) due to the high cost of fuel in the ers were far behind Honda and Toyota on west coast in California). 2000s. vehicle battery technology. The Gold Standard for alternative fueled In the mid-2000s, as part of PlaNYC, for- The times have changed, and are contin- vehicles established by the California Air Re- mer New York City Mayor Michael uing to change in the direction of EVs. How- sources Board (CARB), coupled with Federal Bloomberg and I announced the hybrid-elec- ever, without proper and smart political laws and regulations with more stringent tric vehicle miles per gallon fuel-efficiency support by elected officials and sound policy, emissions standards during the Obama Ad- mandate for taxicabs, and later for for-hire we may not realize the emissions reducing ministration, led to various efforts by manu- vehicles, with other cities following suit. The policies that would help blunt any increased facturers over the years to introduce taxi industry brought a successful lawsuit congestion resulting from the COVID-19 increasingly more clean and efficient vehicles against the Mayor, myself, and the New York pandemic, which has caused people to feel (i.e., Super-Ultra Low Emissions Vehicles or City Taxi & Limousine Commission (TLC) to safer taking personal motor vehicles (PMVs). “SULEVs”; and Ultra-Low Emissions Vehi- strike down the TLC’s mandate. In the in- Researchers at Vanderbilt University have cles or “ULEVS”). So, across the board, while terim, up to 63% of the TLC taxi fleet became predicted a sweeping modal shift to single- all vehicles have become cleaner and more hybrid-electric, and since 2018 there are occupancy vehicle commuting, resulting in fuel efficient, with federal emissions stan- more than 30,000 hybrid TLC vehicles on the the risk of extreme traffic in large metro dards being met and exceeded, there is still road. areas. a growing and revived sustainability political The green movement of the early 2000s The mobility trend report from Apple for movement, with the stage being set by the experienced serious setbacks during the several major U.S. cities seems to support “New Green Deal” plan put forward by U.S. Great Recession, when a different type of this prediction. As shown in Figure 1, the re- Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez “green” (the dollar) became a primary con- covery of public transit is trailing signifi- and supported by U.S. Senator Bernie cern for Americans. Nevertheless, other cantly behind driving, which has returned to, Sanders, and the Presidential election of countries around the world before then, and and even surpassed, pre-pandemic levels. 2020, which may determine the course of during that timeframe, continued to make EVs during the next decade. strides well ahead of America on alternative Figure 1 NYC LA Chicago

Houston Phoenix Philadelphia

Source: Apple Mobility Trends SEPTEMBER 2020 • BLACK CAR NEWS • 27 As cities are gradually emerging from S, Chevrolet Volt, Nissan Leaf, and Toyota that it is a “given” that the autonomous ve- lockdowns, there is a very real risk of a spike Prius Prime – account for nearly 60% of all hicle (AV) movement will include mostly all in car traffic. If people are going to abandon EV sales. That said, EVs account for only EVs – working hand-in-hand so much con- mass transit in the short or long term, post- 1.3% of all cars sold in the U.S. The percent- ceptually that the industry and academic ter- pandemic, and use more for-hire vehicles, age of EVs is much higher in other countries, minology speaks of these vehicle technologies taxicabs, Transportation Network Company accounting for 2.6% of global new vehicle together as Connected and Autonomous (TNC) vehicles, or PMVs, then there is an op- sales last year. Electric Vehicles (CAEVs). To this point, Re- portunity now for the government, working The actual number of EVs on the road, thinkX published a report predicting that by with private industry, to make a profound however, paints a more optimistic picture. 2030, within 10 years of regulatory approval change benefitting the environment and to Despite the drop in the number of EVs sold of AVs, 95% of U.S. passenger miles traveled allow the U.S. to play catch-up, and even ex- in 2019, Figure 3 shows that the number of will be served by on-demand CAEVs owned ceed EV usage in other countries. EVs on the road increased steadily from 2011 by fleets, not individuals, in a new business The inspiration for this article was a re- to 2019. In fact, by the first quarter of 2019, model known as Transportation-as-a-Service cent webinar hosted by Companies for Zero there were close to 1.2 million EVs on the (TaaS). Waste, titled “Emerging Technologies Accel- road in the U.S. erating Circularity.” The program was a two- What, then, is the EV market outlook for Factors Affecting EV Adoption hour, virtual think tank on the global EV 2020? Not surprisingly, U.S. car sales fell Political Support industry (the recording can be accessed sharply in the first three months of 2020 due Beyond the market forces described in here). to the COVID-19 pandemic. By April 2020, the preceding section, government support Panelists included OEM representatives, EV sales were down 55%. The pandemic is will prove crucial in getting EVs up and run- corporate sustainability and supply chain di- undoubtedly set to cause a major downturn ning. The regulatory outlook of EVs is not so rectors, investors, consultants, policymakers, in global auto sales in 2020 – and EVs are much a question of the pandemic, as it is who and regulators. I was one of the speakers not exempted. Furthermore, the recovery in sits in the White House on January 20, 2021. during the webinar, and shared my thoughts EV sales is likely to be slower in the U.S. If it is the present occupant, then the future on the regulatory climate with respect to pro- than in other major regions, as automakers for EVs may be much, much slower in com- moting EVs in the U.S., in addition to note- delay the launch of new models and con- ing to fruition. The Trump administration worthy initiatives by federal, state, and local sumers cling to internal combustion engine has made clear of its intent to end the federal governments. This article expands on that (ICE) vehicles due to low oil prices. tax credit (of up to $7,500) for EVs, and re- discussion by exploring the various factors The EV market will be bumpy over the search has shown that ending incentives for that shape the future of EVs. Specifically, the next few years. Nonetheless, the long-term EVs prematurely can harm their growth. key dimensions of the EV industry that sup- trajectory has not changed, with price parity The other consequential action by the Trump port greater EV adoption include market between EVs and ICEs expected by the mid- administration is the rollback of federal fuel forces, political support, public policy and dle of this decade, primarily due to the falling efficiency standards earlier this year, and regulation, private sector innovation, and cost of batteries and automakers’ optimiza- this risks creating uncertainties for U.S. au- public-private partnerships. Several interna- tion of their manufacturing processes, with tomakers and might put them at disadvan- tional case studies worth emulating will be expected increased profitably due to tage in a global market that is trending covered. economies of scale. Increases in the driving towards EVs. Over the past few years, nine range of EVs and the expansion of charging countries, including the U.K., France, and EV Market Outlook infrastructure may further boost public ac- China, have announced eventual bans on Sales of EVs have been growing steadily ceptance. ICEs. over the past ten years in the U.S., but sales Looking forward, the Light-Duty Vehicle If former Vice President Joe Biden wins reached their zenith in 2018. That year, the (LDV) sector may remain the primary seg- the election, then there may be a higher like- total number of EVs sold shot up 81% from ment in the EV market. LDVs are certainly lihood of an EV ramp-up. On July 4, 2020, 2017. Plug-in electric vehicles hit a record of the direction where Tesla and the other au- Biden revealed details of a $2 trillion climate 361,315 sales —approximately 17% of global tomakers have been heading. Batteries still plan, which would create one million jobs in EV sales in 2018. In 2019, sales started take up around 30% of the cost of an EV, so EV manufacturing. The plan would also cre- strong the first half of the year but declined any major reduction in their cost will have ate replacement schemes to subsidize U.S. beginning in July due to falling fuel prices. significant impact on the price of the vehicle. consumers with rebates to swap old, less-ef- As a result, the total number of EVs sold in Beyond passenger cars, delivery vans, two- ficient vehicles with EVs built from materi- 2019 was roughly 10% lower compared to wheeled vehicles -scooters, mopeds, and mo- als and parts sourced in the U.S. 2018. torcycles – along with municipal buses, are Other spending commitments on auto- As shown in Figure 2, the Tesla Model 3 heading for electrification at a relatively fast mobile infrastructure include building half a alone is responsible for almost 40% of all EV pace, and will accelerate further over the million EV charging stations. It is interest- sales in 2018 and 50% in 2019. In terms of next 10 years. There is a growing sense that ing to note at this point that unlike other market share, Tesla, GM, and Nissan ab- heavy-duty vehicles and pick-ups are headed emerging technologies, such as connected solutely dominate the U.S. market: the top for electrification as well. and autonomous vehicles, EV proliferation five EV models – Tesla Model 3, Tesla Model Also, there is a growing frame of mind policy is inextricably intertwined with polit-

Figure 2 Figure 3

Source: Transportation Research Center at Argonne National Laboratory Source: Edison Electric Institute

Continued on page 28 28 • BLACK CAR NEWS • SEPTEMBER 2020 Continued from page 27 ical ideologies. Policies enacted at the high- Drive Clean Rebate, which provides up to Public-Private Partnerships (P3) est office in the land, whether in favor of fos- $2,000 for the purchase or lease of an EV. One good example of a public-private sil fuel or clean energy, will prove to be either The second problem to tackle, often de- partnership (P3) approach is the EV Shared a potent barrier or enabler of EVs. This is be- scribed as the “chicken or egg” problem, is Mobility project. This project is led by the cause the manufacturing process and a the availability of charging infrastructure. City of Seattle and Atlas Public Policy, and plethora of funding for states is available to This moniker came about due to the conun- it brings together the U.S. Department of assist a comprehensive national plan, al- drum that EVs will not be popular until Energy’s Energy Efficient Mobility Systems though many states and cities have already charging networks are readily available, and program and major industry stakeholders been committed to EV proliferation through charging will not be widely deployed until with the cities of Seattle, New York, Port- policy incentives. EVs are popular. There are now 26,000 pub- land, and Denver to test different electric, For example, to highlight the potential lic charging stations in the U.S., with more shared mobility interventions. As part of partisan divide on this issue, Senator Mitch than 84,000 plugs, but will this enough? Seattle’s ride-hail outreach efforts, work- McConnell recently mocked the City of Mal- To spur more installations, New York shops on the benefits of EVs and the process ibu on the Senate Floor for wanting to use State has introduced the Charge Ready pro- of acquiring EVs are being held in collabora- stimulus money to buy a new electric fleet. gram, which offers a rebate of $4,000 per tion with a driver advocacy group called charging port for standard Level 2 charging Drive Forward. Seattle also submitted a pro- State/City Initiatives stations. Stations can be located in public fa- posal to the Department of Energy to re-pur- Even in the absence of a consolidated fed- cilities, workplaces, or multi-unit dwellings. pose its funds to conduct a shared mobility eral mandate towards clean fuel, the adop- In addition, the New York Power Authority electrification needs assessment. This as- tion of EVs is still possible through the has set aside $250 million to build Level 3 sessment would identify barriers to making initiatives of public and private sector enti- fast-charging stations across the state all shared mobility options electric by 2030, ties. The first problem to tackle is the supply through 2025. including for-hire transportation, car share, and demand of EVs. Leading the charge on The initial goal was to install 200 charg- bike share, and scooter share. this is, of course, the Golden State of Califor- ers by the end of 2019, but that deadline has nia, which is well known for its ambitious cli- been extended by a year. More recently, Gov- International Case Studies mate and energy goals. ernor Andrew M. Cuomo announced a new Europe To address the supply side of the equa- “Make-Ready” program that will improve EV Looking beyond the U.S., there are sev- tion, California has led the nation through economics for developers by covering up to eral international cities representing leading its Zero-Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate, 90% of the costs to make a site ready for EV paradigms for EV transport. On the top of which requires manufacturers to sell a charging. Table 1 summarizes some of the the list is Oslo, Norway, which, as of July steadily increasing share of EVs each year in key incentives available today. 2020, has the most EVs per capita in the order to be allowed to sell ICE vehicles. Cur- world (approximately 18%). With over 3,000 rently there are 12 states that have adopted Private Sector Innovation public charging points per million popula- the ZEV program: California, Colorado, Con- The proliferation of charging infrastruc- tion, the EV share of sales is around 60%. necticut, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, ture would not be possible without the pri- How did they get there? Oslo’s plentiful New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Is- vate sector. In late 2016, Volkswagen created incentives include zero-rated purchase tax land, Vermont, and Washington. Electrify America with $2 billion in funding and no value added tax (VAT) charged on Altogether, these states represent nearly as part of its emissions scam settlement with EVs, free passes on toll roads, access to bus 40% of new vehicle sales in the U.S. Five the U.S. and California. It has committed to and taxi lanes, free parking on municipal more states are about to do the same: Min- a goal of building hundreds of stations and parking spaces, and free travel on ferries nesota, New Mexico, Colorado, Ohio, and Ne- installing 2,000 chargers by the end of 2020. that are part of the national highway system. vada. To spur the demand of EVs, California Figure 4 shows the number of public charg- Amsterdam, on the other hand, has been has introduced the Clean Vehicle Rebate ing connections by network provider. Elec- handing out freebies, including charging sta- Program, which offers rebates up to $7,000 trify America currently comes in second after tions, to residents who help rid the city’s for the purchase or lease of new EVs. Less Tesla. streets of internal combustion engine (ICE) generous but still competitive is New York’s vehicles. EV owners that do not have their

Table 1 Figure 4

Data Source: Alternative Fuels Data Center SEPTEMBER 2020 • BLACK CAR NEWS • 29 own charging station at home will be able to provements. It is undeniable that EVs would not be request the city to install one for free at a lo- In Singapore, the Land Transport Au- experiencing the exponential growth over the cation of their choosing, provided it is acces- thority (LTA) has introduced electric taxis, last decade without government backing. sible to the public. electric buses, and an electric car-sharing Unfortunately, EVs have become increas- Among the other benefits available to EV program in its quest to contribute to better ingly controversial – what was once per- owners in Amsterdam include parking per- air quality and improve the environment. In ceived as transitional technology has now mit prioritization. Starting from July 1, 2017, the LTA launched a trial fleet of 50 taken on distinctly political overtones. The 2020, residents of the Netherlands will be el- electric taxis that has since been issued a Presidential election is a major inflection igible for a €4,000 ($4,425) subsidy to pur- full-service operator license and is expected point in this process. However, to blunt the chase a new EV and €2,000 ($2,211) to to grow to 800 electric taxis by July 2022. In expected impact of increased post-pandemic purchase a second-hand EV. 2018, the LTA rolled out 50 pilot hybrid vehicle proliferation, state and local govern- London has undertaken a novel approach buses to better understand the operational ments will need to make key decisions, with to increase the appeal of EVs. In 2019, the and technical challenges that come with the or without federal support or funding, which city created the Ultra Low Emission Zone wider deployment of such buses under the could very well have a significant impact on (ULEZ) in central London, which operates tropical climate and traffic conditions in Sin- EV proliferation. 24/7, year round. Vans, large trucks, coaches, gapore. Lastly, the LTA, together with the The public-private partnership model is buses, cars, motorbikes, and all other vehi- Economic Development Board (EDB), cre- also an effective path for fleet electrification cles that enter the zone must meet the ated the nationwide electric car-sharing pro- and development of charging infrastructure. stricter emission standards or pay the daily gram BlueSG (a subsidiary of the Bolloré All said, the benefits of EVs are undeniable, ULEZ charge. To avoid paying the charges, Group), with the express goal of deploying as they help improve fuel economy, reduce one would need to have an EV or at least a 1,000 EVs and building 2,000 charging emissions, and increase energy security, so Euro 4 petrol-engine car or Euro 6 diesel-en- points by 2020. As of August 2020, BlueSG we should not lose sight of this next revolu- gine car. As shown in Figure 5, the introduc- has reached its one-millionth rental since its tion in transportation. Yet, there must be a tion of the zone has caused 22.8% of those launch in 2017. multi-tiered policy approach employing as surveyed to switch to low-emission vehicles. many incentives as possible, as was success- Conclusion fully implemented in many countries, and es- Asia EVs are, without a doubt, poised to reach pecially Norway. Federal, state, and local Shenzhen, China is another city that has a high degree of mass adoption over the next incentives, coupled with pro-EV transporta- pursued vehicle electrification aggressively. decade with the onset of technological matu- tion policies (such as HOV, or high occupancy In 2009, the city initiated its New Energy Ve- rity and substantial commercial applications. vehicle lane usage, parking preferences, land hicles Plan, an innovative business model Taxicabs, black cars (other for-hire vehicles), use planning for increased EV charging in- that mobilizes vehicle manufacturers, grid and TNCs may be prime candidates for elec- frastructure, and congestion pricing exemp- companies, and bus and taxi operators to trification given the fact that TNC trip pro- tions), could truly make a difference to chart transition to electric, hybrid, and fuel cell ve- liferation often replaces less-polluting a course from the U.S.’ current state to Nor- hicles. By the end of 2017, all public buses in transportation modes, such as walking, bik- way! the city were electric. By January 2019, ing, and mass transit, and has created a con- nearly 95% of the city’s more than 21,000 gestion crisis in most major U.S. cities. In taxicabs were powered by batteries. For the addition, TNCs accounts for up to 14% of ve- Professor Matthew W. Daus, Esq. is President, uninitiated, Shenzhen hosts the headquar- hicle miles traveled in some cities, and this International Association of Transportation ters of BYD, a prominent electric car maker number is expected to grow rapidly. Regulators (http://iatr.global/); Transporta- in China backed by Warren Buffett. The city There does not appear to be any wide- tion Technology Chair, City University of New York, Transportation Research Center at The is not alone in its pursuit of electrification of spread plans by a private company or gov- City College of New York fleets; as there are a dozen other EV pilot ernment regulator to push incentives or (http://www.utrc2.org/); and Partner and cities in China. China is undoubtedly the mandates in the for-hire vehicle, taxicab, or Chairman, Windels Marx Transportation Prac- largest EV market on the planet today, and TNC arena. As cities move toward congestion tice Group (http://windelsmarx.com). He can is tying subsidies to improving range and pricing, EV fleets should be considered ex- be reached at [email protected] or 212.237.1106. power efficiency to foster technological im- empt to encourage proliferation.

Figure 5

Source: Bikesure 30 • BLACK CAR NEWS • SEPTEMBER 2020 DRIVERS UNITED BY BRENDAN SEXTON BUILDING DRIVER POWER AMID A PANDEMIC It continues to be a challenging time itizer, and gloves to more than 10,000 deemed FHV drivers as essential workers. in New York’s for-hire vehicle (FHV) in- drivers during the pandemic, including It’s time that drivers be protected as the dustry. The pandemic has underscored livery, taxi, black car and app-based driv- essential part of communities that we are. what we already knew: drivers need more ers. We also partnered with the NYU Companies must fund rear-facing dash power. School of Global Public Health to study cams for the protection of drivers and the It has been nearly a year since the In- how air particles travel in FHVs and the city and companies must coordinate to en- dependent Drivers Guild unveiled our best practices for maintaining a safe en- sure our GPS coordinates can be sent to Drivers Bill of Rights at New York’s City vironment. 911 with the touch of a button or voice Hall and the rights and protections we de- We have begun training drivers on command. manded are needed now more than ever. these critically important practices, but to More than 10,000 drivers signed on in ensure all drivers get the training and The Right to Bargain support of our drivers’ bill of rights, yet ac- materials they need, we need the app and During this pandemic, unionized tion is still needed on many of the areas FHV companies to partner with us. workers had better protections and bene- we laid out. The following are two of these Also, as more and more drivers return fits than workers without a union. They critical areas: driver safety and the right to work, the city and companies must do had better sick pay, better protection to bargain. more to ensure that all drivers have ac- against being fired, better hazard pay and cess to the PPE and cleaning supplies better access to PPE. The Right to Secure a needed to protect the safety of drivers, New York’s Uber and Lyft drivers de- Safe Work Environment their families and the riding public. serve the right to unionize and bargain New York City’s FHV drivers were on Violence against for-hire vehicle driv- with their bosses to get these kinds of ben- the frontlines of the pandemic. While the ers continues to be a problem in New York efits and protections as well. State law- IDG had some big wins to protect driver City. Just this month an FHV driver was makers can make this a reality and we safety – from banning pool rides and win- shot by a cyclist in an attempted robbery. need YOUR help to make it happen. Join ning running water restrooms at the air- The city must make these attacks on driv- us at drivingguild.org to get engaged and ports to requiring masks and ers a priority for law enforcement and the make your voice heard. compensation for sick and high-risk driv- attackers must be prosecuted to the full If you haven’t already signed onto our ers – more still needs to be done. extent of the law. Drivers’ Bill of Rights yet, please do so at We were proud to provide masks, san- Amid the pandemic, New York drivingguild.org/rights.

Brendan Sexton is Executive Director of the Independent Drivers Guild, an affiliate of the International Association of Machinists, which repre- sents and advocates for more than 80,000 app-based drivers in New York City. We’re Uber, Lyft, Juno and Via workers united for a fair industry. Follow the IDG on twitter at @drivingguild. WEWE WONWON NYC is the first city to set a minimum wage for App-Based Drivers We won the fair pay campaign for FHV drivers in New York City. Effective mid-January of 2019 over 77,000 drivers will benefit from the pay floor rule which is a 44.7 percent increase in take-home pay. We've also won tipping in the app!

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Unlock full benefits. Become a dues-paying member today! IDG.ms/BCNjoin SEPTEMBER 2020 • BLACK CAR NEWS • 31 INDUSTRY NEWS ATIC DIRECTOR OF SPECIAL INVESTIGATIONS UNIT JOINS NYS CHAPTER OF THE NYSSIU BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The New York State Chapter of the In- port legislation that acts as a deterrent to tect our industry and the public we serve.” ternational Association of Special Investi- insurance fraud crimes. Its mission is to Ralph Bisceglia, ATIC President and gation Units (NYSSIU), a not-for-profit promote a coordinated effort within the in- Chief Executive Officer said, “We congrat- organization founded in 1997, has recently surance industry to combat insurance ulate Edward on this important appoint- welcomed Edward Kurathowski of Ameri- fraud, as well as develop and promote ment. ATIC has a long-standing can Transit Insurance Company (ATIC) to awareness of the rampant problem of in- commitment to our clients to provide ex- its Board of Directors. surance fraud by providing education and cellent service at a fair price. Insurance On July 31, Kurathowski joined mem- training seminars throughout New York fraud is a crime and a threat to all of us.” bers of local, state, and federal law en- State. Kurathowski joined ATIC in 2019 as forcement and prosecutors who are Edward Kurathowski, an insurance the Director of Special Investigations involved in or provide special expertise or investigative professional for over 27 Unit. He has over 26 years of experience services, for the investigation and/or pros- years, states, “Insurance fraud has become in all areas of claim handling, claim inves- ecution of insurance fraud crimes. increasingly sophisticated and its conse- tigation, major case investigations, de- NYSSIU was founded to encourage quences negatively impact all of us. I look claratory judgment actions, and the high professional standards of conduct forward to working with NYSSIU and sup- supervision of SIU Investigators and staff. among insurance professionals and sup- porting its mission to fight fraud and pro- Source: ATIC

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INDUSTRY NEWS GROUNDLINK TO CEASE BCAC HOSTS WEBINAR ON “MITIGATING PANDEMIC OPERATIONS AT END OF RISKS WHEN RE-OPENING YOUR BLACK CAR BASE” AUGUST The Black Car Assistance Corporation (BCAC) held an ex- Car service platform GroundLink clusive webinar for its members on July 30, regarding ways was scheduled to cease operations on bases can mitigate pandemic risks as they re-open for busi- Aug. 31, citing “the catastrophic effects ness. Presented by Matthew Daus of the Windels Marx law Covid-19 has had on the global economy firm, the webinar focused on safety plans, compliance, insur- and the travel industry,” according to ance, and affiliation agreements. an email obtained by Busines Travel The webinar was available to BCAC members in good News (BTN). standing. The platform, founded in 2003, is Source: Black Car Assistance Corp. automatically transferring client infor- mation to Dav El/BostonCoach, includ- ing contact details, travel history, future rides booked, and payment infor- mation. As of Sept. 1, clients will be able to sign into the Dav El/BostonCoach CD PUBLISHER FEATURED ON CHOSEN SCOOP website and app with their GroundLink usernames and passwords, according to Chauffeur Driven President & Chosen Payments’ Facebook page on the email. Publisher Chris Weiss was the guest August 19. “The economic slowdown and on the second episode of Chosen “This was one of the most enjoy- tremendous reduction in global busi- Scoop, a new web interview series able interviews I’ve ever taken part ness travel has hit a lot of companies sponsored by credit card processor in,” Weiss says. “It felt more like a hard, and unfortunately GroundLink Chosen Payments. Weiss and Chosen conversation between two friends, was among them,” a GroundLink CEO Jeff Brodsly discussed the im- but I think operators will find some spokesperson said. “GroundLink has pact COVID has had on the luxury valuable takeaways in the discussion. many retail and corporate clients who ground transportation industry, the I appreciate Jeff giving me the oppor- have expressed their disappointment in importance of relationships, and set- tunity to take part in the Chosen GroundLink’s cessation of operations, ting and achieving personal goals. Scoop.” and our biggest concern is to offer these The webisode was be posted on Source: Chauffeur Driven clients access to continued professional chauffeured car service.’ Source: BTN SEPTEMBER 2020 • BLACK CAR NEWS • 33 CLASSIFIEDS CLASSIFIED ADS ARE FREE TO THE DRIVERS IN OUR INDUS- Want to sell your used vehicle? Want to sell a radio? If you are a • Or, you can mail it to Black Car News at: driver serving our industry, you can sell whatever you like (within 714 Crestbrook Avenue, Cherry Hill, NJ 08003. reason) on our Classifieds page for FREE – including old furni- In all instances, please include your name, phone number, ad- ture, used exercise equipment… whatever you like. dress, email address and the company you are affiliated with. There are three ways to submit your classified ad. • You can visit www.blackcarnews.com, click on the “Classi- All other ads – from bases and the vendors serving our industry fieds” link, enter your information directly into the boxes and – must be display ads. Deadline and pricing information for our hit send. (This is the preferred method.) display ads can be found in the “RATES/DATES” section of our • You can fax your classified ad to 856.751.0657. website, under “Rates and Schedule.”

2015 MKT, TLC-READY, lease to own: $400/week. Please call Chris: 718-962-4799. Yellow Taxi Drivers Wanted! SKYLINE RADIO FOR LEASE: $125 weekly. Please call: (973)866- GET A CAR - PRIUS V HYBRID 7797. 7 days 24/7 $400 • 6 days 24/7 $350 ELITE RADIO FOR SALE: Only $10K. Please call: (917) 731-2923. 5 days 24/7 $300 • 1st week ½ price UTOG RADIO FOR LEASE (no contract), flat 33% on your booking, Get car in Chelsea 24/7 $80 per day the rest you take home! Quality work (like UBER Black), you need a Black Sedan or SUV 2014 or newer! For info, please call: 347-440-3247. Call Today! 917.374.8538 DIAL CAR FRANCHISE TABLET for $20,000. Please contact me at: or email [email protected] (718) 740-1079. VITAL FRANCHISE RADIO FOR LEASE. Weekly rate is only $50. If you are interested, please contact me at 917-215-7193 or email me at 2016 MERCEDES E350 4MATIC FOR RENT. Interested? Call [email protected]. (917) 577-3592 or email [email protected]. 2016 CADILLAC ESCALADE ESV FOR SALE.Premium Pack- NYC TAXI MEDALLION FOR SALE: It’s a very lucky number, age, black/black with 22” chrome rims, new tires, clean Carfax (no accidents). clean, unrestricted, no liens, no holds, not on any TLC list for conversion. Never used/registered as a livery vehicle. Original owner. Warranty up 70K Currently leased to broker. Papers easily transferred if you wish to continue. miles, only 46,850 miles: $51,850. Call Zack 201-290-3660. Excellent opportunity for two partners. For more info, call Harvey at (516) 238-0066 or email [email protected]. FOR SALE: 2015 CHEVY SUBURBAN, Black on Black with 96,000 accident-free miles. Clean Car Fax. $24,000 firm. Title in hand. Call: 347-384- 2016 CHRYSLER 200 FOR RENT. Excellent condition. Insurance 9201. and maintenance included. Call Jose: (718) 812-4856. 2009 LINCOLN TOWN CAR FOR SALE: 349K miles, black, in RENTING OUT UTOG RADIO. Tired of driving for predator app com- good shape (runs well). Asking $2,000 or B.O. Call Lewis (retired) at (516) panies? Drive for one of the oldest black car groups, UTOG. You can rent 238-0327. my radio for $200/month. Call: 516-868-7944. Please leave a message with name, number. 2011 GMC YUKON XL SLT FOR SALE. Black, 153K upstate NY highway miles, new trans, tires just one year old, aftermarket headlights, PHONE OPERATOR SEEKS OVERNIGHT SHIFT. Highly expe- lighted running boards, 22-inch Escalade rims. Needs nothing, detailed and rienced, will travel locally (preferably Brooklyn /Queens), will work ONLY ready to work. Only $12,000. Call: 845-514-5304. Aleph system. Contact: [email protected] or 917-855-4290. BELL RADIO FOR RENT. Bell is part of Executive Charge Transporta- NY ONE RADIO FOR LEASE. Voucher work and plenty of line work tion Group, cost is $200/month. Please call or text Oscar at 908-477-8524. for serious $$. Net $1200+ per week! Just put in the hours. Best deal you will find! Lease $15/per wk. Phone calls only: 917 816-7209. Ask for Irv. DIAL CAR RADIO FOR LEASE: $50/week. $50/week. Please call/text Mikhail: 917-755-5550 DIAL CAR FRANCHISE TABLET FOR SALE. Asking $20,000. Contact me at: [email protected]. URGENT: SELLING 2016 LEXUS LX 570. Please directly contact me by email for more info: [email protected]. Price: 22,000 2007 LINCOLN TOWN CAR FOR SALE. Tan on tan, 190,000 Euro. WhatsApp No: +919139124955. miles, many new parts. Runs good, no major accidents, needs a little work: $2,500 or best offer. Best to reach me by email at [email protected] or 2015 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR L FOR SALE: 31K miles, b/b, like leave a message: (914) 636-0330. new, garage kept, bumper to bumper Lincoln warranty to 100k or 6yrs. Fully loaded, rear entertainment, trailer hitch, 4+4 22inch wheels, reserve model: DIAL CAR FRANCHISE TABLET FOR SALE: $20,000. Please $45k. Must be seen and driven! Call Ari: 718-513-9428 or 561-291-2020. contact: [email protected]. DIAL RADIO FOR SALE 10K. Call or text 718-938-1313. 2016 MERCEDES E350 WITH TLC PLATES, ready to rent: $500 a week. Plz contact Rashid: 718-666-5511. 2011 CHEVY SUBURBAN FOR SALE. 1500 LT 4WD, 270K miles, great car, just passed TLC inspection in Jan: $12,399. Call Mark (732) 476- 2015 FORD FUSION SE FOR SALE. Very low miles (14k), car runs 7688. like brand new: $11,999 or best offer. VIN: 3FA6P0H72FR260860. Grey Ex- terior/Black Interior. The car is in Clifton, NJ. Please call Ed: (716) 666-0411. 2016 TOYOTA CAMRY SE FOR SALE. leather interior, brand new condition, black/black, 19k miles. Asking price: $17,500. Call 917 968-4487. 2015 MKT, TLC-READY, MINT CONDITION, lease to own UTOG RADIO FOR LEASE: $250 per month. Call: 917-545-4960. $450/wk. Down payment required. Please call Chris: 718-962-4799.

“LIKE” BLACK CAR NEWS FOR BREAKING NEWS. 34 • BLACK CAR NEWS • SEPTEMBER 2020

“The road to economic recovery”

WE ARE RESILIENT. WE ARE ESSENTIAL.

OVER 100 PEOPLE REGISTERED IN THE PAST TWO WEEKS!

November 7-9 | Atlanta, GA www.TheTransportationAlliance.org

Established in 1917, The Transportation Alliance is a nonprofit trade association that represents the owners and managers of taxicab, livery, luxury, NEMT, paratransit and bus companies. TTA members operate more than 100,000 passenger vehicles and transport more than 900 million passengers annually. SEPTEMBER 2020 • BLACK CAR NEWS • 35

DRIVING THE BLACK CAR INDUSTRY FORWARD

WE FIGHT ON BEHALF OF THE BLACK CAR INDUSTRY ALL DAY, EVERY DAY. BECOME A MEMBER TODAY TO HELP PROTECT OUR INDUSTRY’S FUTURE.

A SMART, AFFORDABLE PLAN FOR ACCESSIBLE VEHICLES We recently created our own accessible vehicle dispatch service, avoiding an unaffordable TLC mandate while ensuring wheelchair riders get the service they deserve.

OUR BIG WIN ON FEES Earlier this year, our advocacy led to a new state law that will force yellow cabs to pay the same congestion pricing fees as black cars—evening the playing field and potentially improving traffic.

UNITING THE INDUSTRY

The BCAC created a working group that is uniting traditional black car providers with Uber, Lyft and others to work together successfully on issues that effect our entire industry.

WWW.NYBCAC.ORG/MEMBERSHIP