AUGUSTJULY 20102016 •• TAXITAXI INSIDERINSIDER •• PAGEPAGE 11

INSIDER VOL. 17, NO. 8 “The Voice of the NYC Transportation Industry.” AUGUST 2016 Letters To The Editor Page 3 • EDITORIAL Insider News By David Pollack Page 6 • Chairwoman States: Taxi Attorney By Michael Spevack Make The Medallion More Page 7 Of A Tradable Asset • Recently, I attended a four hour trans- sai – Executive Director of the NYTaxi Puzzle portation forum held at the New School Workers Alliance. I also had the honor Page 7 on 12th Street in Manhattan. Panelists of speaking with Matthew Driscoll the • included the Chairwoman of the New Commissioner of the New York State York City Taxi & Limousine Commission Department of Transportation and key- Commissioner’s Corner (TLC)- Meera Joshi, speakers from the note speaker. The subjects discussed By Merra Joshi MTA, Port Authority, NYCity Depart- by panelists varied from the Future of Page 12 ment of Transportation (DOT), NYState Taxis and Ride-Sharing, to Funding NY DOT, Ydanis Rodriguez-Chairman of the Transportation and Emerging Trends in • NYCity Council Transportation Commit- Transportation. The Expanding tee, Congressman Nadler and Assembly By far, the comments which hit home Transportation Network members Weprin and Comrie. Additional for me were those of TLC Chairwoman By Matthew Daus panelists included Denise Richardson -Executive Meera Joshi. It is no secret that the values of NYC Director of The General Contractors Association taxi medallion have dropped to lower levels over Page 13 of NY, and, I can’t forget to mention Bhairavi De- (Continued on Page 4) Fantasy Vs Reality NYC Taxi and Limousine Commission Hearing By Larry Fisher July 18, 2016 Page 15 By Nat Goldbetter • The July Taxi and Limou- drivers and drivers need not panic as the as the Quotabel Quotes sine Commission meeting held 12 hours, would be actual working hours and not on July 18th had a relatively consecutive hours but twelve hours of actual work- Page 15 short but important agenda. ing time. As pointed out in last month’s column, if • The biggest issue on the agenda you start work at 6:AM and work four hours and Illegal Street Hail Law was the Commission voting on then go home for fours and return to work at 2:PM Must Be Enforced the Driver Fatigue Rule that you still have eight hours to work. had an extensive public discus- The total hours of 72 per week was a big issue By Abe Mittleman sion at the June 23rd meeting. at the hearing last month as many of those of us Page 23 The rule as it stands now will who spoke on that issue were disappointed. Please • have a12 hour maximum shift remember that the 72 hours can be spread out over 7 on a daily basis and 72 hours per week. Owner NYC Hotels (Continued on Page 4) Page 26 • TAXI DAVE’S NYC Economy Page 27 & 28 • RADIO SHOW Insider Directory WOR-710AM Page 29 • 8:00 – 9:00 PM News From Around The World Page 36 EVERY SUNDAY! PAGE 2 • TAXI INSIDER • AUGUST 2016

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Your Medallion Headquarters ! LOMTO Generation Brokerage, Inc. TAXI and BLACK CAR INSURANCE SPECIALISTS ——And Medallion Transfer, Inc. Licensed TLC Broker #R0018 · Insuring the For Hire Industry - Taxi & Black Car · Providing You Service the Way It Should Be - FAST & COURTEOUS · Convenient Mid-Town Location - Hack Stand In Front of Office · Medallion Sales, Leasing, and Financing · Over 25 Years of Industry Experience

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Call Lee Komitor or Alex Chaoush 74-15 NORTHERN BLVD. QUEENS, NEW YORK 139-30 Queens Blvd., Briarwood, NY 11415 1-718-898-7800 (718) 658-9800 Fax (718) 476-8207 www.melrosecu.org AUGUST 2016 • TAXI INSIDER • PAGE 3 LETTERS JULY 2010 • TAXI INSIDER • PAGE 1 INSIDER NYPD Disrespects ehailing companies mention to their customers that to ehail a black car you must be inside, if Publisher & Taxi Drivers the City of New York lives up to its promise to Dear Taxi Dave, medallion cabs. Editor-in-Chief I have owned a medallion since 1987. Taxi An ehail is a hail but it is not always a street hail. drivers face abuse from NYPD for no reason and Michael Simon David Pollack my personal incident shows one example of no understanding or caring about taxi drivers. I was Think Outside The Box stopped on John Street between WIlliams and Dear Taxi Dave, Water with a fare from LaGuardia Airport and The yellow taxi industry is not thinking out of we just arrived at our destination. She was a very the box. Now they are trying to be like Uber, again. old woman. While she was going to pay by credit They are implementing group riding. Upper east card, I got out of my taxi, took her luggage out of side riders will not the entertain the thought of the trunk and at the same time a police car turned sharing a cab ride to save money, good luck with on his lights. When I got back to the drivers side Columnists that. I doubt these riders will share a taxi ride even of my taxi the police vehicle turned on his siren. in a spacious Ford Escalade which Uber can pro- I could not move on this one way street and the Marc Albert vide with ease. You guys have to stop mimicking police officer came over to my taxi window and the behemoth that is Uber, 60b is a lot of money Matthew Daus, Esq. demanded my license. I told him that my pas- to fight against. Try to do what Uber will never senger, the older woman was still paying by credit do “HIRE DRIVERS AS EMPLOYEES”. From Tony Falese card and her luggage is right outside the door on where I’m sitting I don’t see any other way out of the sidewalk. After she exited my taxi, the police Larry Fisher your predicament. As I said before 60 billion is a officer followed me and stopped me three blocks lot of money to fight against not to mention how away. He gave me a ticket for not yielding to an Nat Goldbetter many greedy politicians can bought, cheap. emergency vehicle. When he gave me the summons, Virgilio Ira Goldstein, Esq. I asked for my registration back and he intention- ally left kepping my registration. Abe Mittleman Janna Stroe Time And Electronic Alan Plafker Signally More And More Stickers Dear Taxi Dave, Michael Spevack, Esq. Dear Taxi Dave, Ehailers cannot offer an arrangement to have Lately I’ve noticed that black cars have more their services not be arranged. and more stickers on them , trying to authenticate That is trickery and not permitted by NEW Layout & Graphics themselves , but even if they put stickers on every YORK law. A signal that is not arranged is a hail inch of their car, their still doing wrong when they and reserved for taxi medallions in NYC. Dragonfl y Graphics LLC use the ehail to act like taxis. Time defines the difference of the identity of Michael Simon the signal . If I want a car for my brother in 45 minutes Taxi Insider Employee v Private then that’s an arrangement. If I want a car for my brother right now then that’s a hail. 14 Alexander Drive Contractor It’s common sense that there is a difference in Dear Taxi Dave, what the electronic signally is , depending on how Washingtonville, NY 10992 Given the dire situation the yellow taxi industry long it takes to get the car. finds itself in these days I think they should follow It doesn’t matter whether or not I hired a com- Phone: (718) 706-TAXI(8294) the example of the real estate company Redfin. An pany to supply that service beforehand. If it illegal — article by Nick Wimgfield published in The New it’s Illegal. York Times July 10, 2016 issue. It reported that Michael Simon E-mail:[email protected] ten years ago this company hired employees with full benefits and not as private contractors and are Copyright © 2016 by TAXI INSIDER. All doing very well. I’m of the opinion that the yellow Democratic Convention rights reserved. Neither this newspaper nor taxi industry should go the same rout, given the Congresswoman Marcia L. Fudge any part therof may be reproduced, copied, fact that Uber and other app hailing interlopers Chair, Democratic National Convention or transmitted in any form, electronic or have deep pockets and can buy all the New York 2344 Rayburn House Office Building mechanical including photocopying, mi- politicians they want. These app companies will Washington, D.C. 20515 crofi lming, recording or by any information not hire drivers as employees as they are strong retrieving system without the express written believers of the gig economy. Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake permission of the publishers. The copyright Virgilio Secretary, Democratic National Committee is extended to the design and text created 250 City Hall for advertisements. This publication will Inside Or Out Baltimore, MD 21202 not be responsible for errors in advertise- Dear Taxi Dave, ment beyond the cost of the space occupied The exclusive right of taxi medallions is street Dear Congresswoman Fudge and by the error. Bylined articles represent the hail. Mayor Rawlings-Blake, sole opinion of the writer and are not neces- What does that mean? I am writing to express my deep disappointment sarily in accordance with the views of TAXI To be quite simple , that if your outside and regarding the Democratic National Committee’s INSIDER. you need a car , that’s a street hail by ehail, hand lucrative partnership with Uber – a company that This Publication reserves the right to or any other method of signaling. discriminates against wheelchair users. The DNC limit or refuse advertising it deems objec- But it doesn’t apply to hailing a car if your should immediately apologize for engaging in this tionable. inside, a restaurant or home . That was I believe tone deaf and offensive business deal. TAXI INSIDER is published monthly at ,the intention of the legislation. Without any public input, the DNC accepted a a subscription rate of $48.00 per year. The law has to be explicit in demanding that (Continued on Page 20) PAGE 4 • TAXI INSIDER • AUGUST 2016 Chairwoman States attractive for the investors. Taxi is a One of the biggest features of that that Deadhead compensation factor brand, everybody knows about it , but is understanding the economic dy- as we expand the program.” (Continued from Page 1) a lot of investors are scared to come namic where drivers need compensa- Readers, I hope you are enjoying the past year or so. That said, the in because of all the obstacles there tion for the Deadhead part of the trip. the summer and remember not to Chairwoman’s positive comments are to getting into buying and selling And that is one of the reasons why our overheat in your cars during the 90 regarding loosening regulation to medallions. So that’s another area program today has been successful degree plus days. Drink plenty of make the purchase of medallions more where I can see the regulator working and passed the test to give the things H2O and stretch those legs and I’ll appealing for investors and easier with (counsel), making the medallion they need. We are going to expand see you in September! for current owners to transfer, was more of a tradable asset so that people a bright light on the dimly lit New who are in the market can trade it and NYC Taxi need to make appointments. School stage. Below are some of the ….invest in the market.” Commissioner Joshi also an- (Continued from Page 1) Chairwoman’s comments that I know Ride-Share: “From our perspective, nounced that Deputy Commissioner you will find interesting regarding there is not a distinction between taxi and days so there is some wiggle room. Allan Fromberg has completed 20 Medallions, Drivers, Ride- Share and ride-share. All of it is a service where Although this rule was passed TLC years with the New York City Ta xi Accessibility. you pay the driver to take you from one Chair Meera Joshi did qualify that and Limousine Commission and has Drivers: “We dictate what the place to another. And you can do it by the rule would not be effective until survived 3 Mayors and 5 Chairman income of a taxi driver is because we Smartphone, you can do it by sticking Nov. 1,2016 as Commission will try during his time there. Allan is a great set the fare on how much a cost of a your hand in the air, you can do it by to tweak this rule until they figure guy who I have known for many years taxi ride is and we set the maximum calling a traditional base but the risks out just how the hours working will and has always a pleasure to deal amount that anyone can lease a car and the responsibilities are identical. So be calculated. The enforcement will with. Iam betting he will survive and a medallion out to a driver. So we we look at this as one service and we have one or two warnings before sum- at least 3 more Mayors and who can figure out what the income of a regulate accordingly. That means we monses are issued and that seemed fair knows how many more Chairmen. taxi driver is. Doing that analysis we regulate consistently whether you are enough as are the penalties were not Congratulations to Allan who has know that over the last six or seven an Uber driver, or an Uber vehicle, or off the charts. It seems that issues have always been a friend of the League months compared to last year, there a taxi vehicle, you are going to come been brought up on this matter and of Mutual Taxi Owners. I, know for has been a decrease of about 3 – 5% under our regulatory scheme. You are that the TLC wants to look at before sure that all the previous LOMTO in income for taxi drivers, that’s not going to have be inspected by our in- they lock this regulation down. As a Managing Directors feel the same, accounting for the fact that people spectors. There are driver standards that practical matter this rule should not except for maybe Vinny Sapone (only may actually be leasing them out at apply across the board. If you drive in hurt a large percentage of the drivers, kidding Vinny). lower lease caps. We do our analysis any one of these sectors we are going those that are will need to make some Daily News Exclusive - July 11th assuming that everyone is leasing to do criminal background checks, fi n- adjustments . We will all have to wait from Reporter Dan Rivoli at the lease cap. But what we don’t gerprinted, fi tness reviews, your DMV and see what adjustments are made “The Taxi and Limousine Commis- know, that doesn’t count for a certain record, outstanding parking tickets. This between now and November. sion has received more than 86,000 percentage of drivers, the economics is the same kind of scrutiny that every The Commission also passed the complaints against yellow and green the income potential of our new- member of the public deserves when Universal Driver License now actu- taxis since 2011,while Uber has est drivers in the FHV industry, the provided a service. So we don’t see a ally called “TLC Driver’ s License”. gotten 532 and Lyft only 52”. This ones that are driving a lot of the apps distinction between rideshare and taxi. This is a one size fits all item. If you is primarily due to the fact that the where we don’t set the fare, we don’t And actually ride-share is not really in have the TLC Driver’s License you Yellows and Greens have a manda- have the ability now to their driver’s our vocabulary. They are all For-Hire a re licensed to drive Yellow, Green, tory sign in the back of every vehicle income. But that’s not to say that is vehicles.” Black Car, and all For-Hire vehicles encouraging passengers to call 311to something that the future regulatory Accessibility: “We now have over plain and simple. This of course file complaints. The Ubers and the scheme might have to encompass a 500 taxi in circulation. On the green would include all app based e-hail Lyfts are only printing this informa- broader look into the economics for taxi side…. We have about 800 acces- drivers. David Pollack (AKA Taxi tion on a small note on the bottom of all drivers not just the taxi sector. “ sible green taxis in circulation and we Dave) representing Melrose Credit customer receipts. This is just another Medallions: “A lot of things go are looking to bring more and more Union spoke and commended the way the playing field is not level and into the factoring of the medallions: on. And what links all these together, Commission on finally getting this the App companies are treated with Some of them have to with the fact because we know going out in the done. The one license drives all has less scrutiny than are the Yellows and that it is a closed market, some of street putting your hand out is very been a longtime coming, but it is Greens. There are probably three or them have to do with financing ar- convenient and truly on demand in here and let’s be thankful. Thank you four times as many App vehicles than rangements, some have to do with the the middle of Manhattan , but it’s not Commissioners. Yellows and Greens combined. This concentration and who owns medal- quite as on-demand if you are in the Speaking of TLC Driver’s License really stinks and the TLC really does lions and financing is linked to that. boroughs or other sections of Manhat- Comm issioner Joshi announced that not have the backs of our industries. But in a lot of ways the medallion tan. So how do we link the service no action must be taken on current Let’s fix that TLC. system would probably get a boost that is needed? We do that through licenses and announced that license BE CAREFUL OUT THERE! just from becoming more like every an accessible dispatch program that renewal can now be done on-line. Fin- other market and having liquidity has been in existence in Manhattan gerprinting and photos can be done in like any other market. And there for two-three years now, does almost several locations throughout the five are lots of things that are today in 200 rides a day, and has become very boroughs by appointment and even our own law that stymie that. There popular and really a primary mode of on Saturdays. Visit the TLC website are bureaucratic regulations for tort transportation for people in Manhat- at www.nyc/lars for more details. You letters and all kinds of thing I could tan that need an accessible vehicle to can also call me at LOMTO (212} bore you with that probably are not get around. We are expanding that to 947-3380 ext. #3110 and Iwill give necessary anymore and really they city-wide, which hopefully we will you locations and times for the offsite make it a closed market. That’s not see the next year. locations and phone numbers. You TAXI DAVE’S RADIO SHOW WOR-710AM EVERY SUNDAY! 8:00 – 9:00 PM AUGUST 2016 • TAXI INSIDER • PAGE 5

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2721 Nostrand Ave. Brooklyn, NY 11210 Visit us online for more information www.PlazaToyota.com PAGE 6 • TAXI INSIDER • AUGUST 2016 Insider News Industry Notice #16-11 MORE PATH RIDERS = July 11, 2016 MORE TAXI RIDERS Attention Medallion Taxi Drivers: Attention Taxi Drivers: PATH ridership in June reached its highest monthly total ever, with nearly 7 million people entering the turnstiles system-wide – a Instructions For Receiving Refunds 3.6 percent increase over June 2015. For Healthcare Fund PATH reported its average weekday ridership of 277,946 in June also was Because of a court ruling, on April 17, 2014 the TLC instructed taxicab me- the highest for any month on record, refl ecting a 4.1-percent increase from dallion owners to stop withholding a six (6) cents per-ride fee for the Taxi Driver June 2015. The stations that experienced the highest percentage increases in Healthcare Services Fund (HCF). The ruling by the court is now fi nal and the average weekday ridership in June compared to June 2015 were Christopher Fund is permanently closed. Street, Grove Street, Harrison and Exchange Place. On weekends, the Harrison, Refund Eligibility World Trade Center, Grove Street and Exchange Place stations experienced the If you are a medallion driver who drove between October 1, 2013 and April biggest increases in average ridership. 17, 2014 (the collection period) and your medallion/fl eet owner collected the Year-to-date, total system-wide ridership is 5.5 percent higher than the same $0.06 per trip HCF fee from you, you are eligible for a refund of the amount period in 2015, with average weekday ridership increasing by 5.4 percent, and you paid. average Saturday ridership increasing by 2.2 percent. Refund Amount Plenty of fares need taxis going to, and coming from these stations! Review your personal trip records to see how much you paid a medallion owner for the HCF during the collection period. If you don’t have your trip records, you TPEP/LPEP provider that lets you know the amount owed for the current quarter’s can fi nd out the number of trips that you completed during the collection period Improvement Surcharge. Instead, the TLC will post the Improvement Surcharge by: 1) Checking the TPEP portal, 2) consulting with your TPEP provider, or 3) amounts that are owed directly onto the TLC’s License Applications, Renewals asking your medallion owner/agent. Please note that neither TPEP providers nor & Summonses system (LARS). This change will start with the second quarter of the TLC can provide data about the actual amounts medallion owners collected 2016 for trips that are done between April 1 – June 30, 2016. from a driver. To fi nd out the exact amount you owe, please visit LARS. You will continue Refund Process to make payments using the TLC’s On-line Transaction system (LARS), which To request your refund, contact the medallion owner/s (or the agent/s) that you can be found on our web site at https://www1.nyc.gov/lars. were driving for during the collection period. If the medallion was transferred The timeline for payment of the second quarter of 2016 Improvement Sur- since then, for HCF amounts that were paid to the TLC, the TLC has refunded charge is as follows: that amount to the current medallion owner/agent on fi le. • July 25th, 2016 – Owners and Agents will be able to view amounts owed If you are unable to reach the medallion owner on the phone number that you on LARS, and begin making payments. have on fi le for them, the TLC can provide drivers with the 24-hour number that • July 25th, 2016 – Challenge Period begins. Owners and Agents should direct we have on fi le for a medallion owner/s. To obtain a phone number of a fl eet/ all questions or challenges to: garage, please visit our “Current Licensees” page on the TLC website (http:// [email protected] – for Taxicab Improvement Fund related issues www.nyc.gov/html/tlc/html/industry/current_licensees.shtml). [email protected] – for Street Hail Livery Improvement Fund related issues • August 5th, 2016 – Challenge Period ends. Amounts due are fi nalized. Industry Notice #16-12 • August 15th, 2016 – Full payment is due to the TLC. Payments may only be July 14, 2016 made using (LARS) system which can be found at: https://www1.nyc.gov/lars/. Failure to submit full payment by August 15th, 2016 will result in fi nes and/or TLC Announces New Online-Only possible suspension of your license.

Driver Application Process, Off-Site Photo by David Pollack Fingerprints & Photos Starting July 14, 2016, applications for a TLC Driver’s License must be sub- mitted on-line. Fingerprints and photographs required for a license will no longer be done at TLC. Beginning on July 19, 2016, fi ngerprints and photographs will be done at ten different centers located throughout New York City. To apply, applicants must visit the TLC website at www.nyc.gov/lars. Begin- ning on July 14, this will be the only way to apply for a TLC driver’s license. Starting on July 19, MorphoTrust will be handling fi ngerprints and photographs for TLC applications. Applicants who fi le an application between July 14 and July 19 will need to wait until July 19 to schedule their fi ngerprint\photo appoint- ment. After July 19, once drivers apply online, they will be able to immediately schedule an appointment to have their fi ngerprints and photos taken. All driver applicants must complete the fi ngerprint and photo process, and submit all other licensing requirements within 90 days of applying. For a complete list of the requirements, please visit our web site at http://bit.ly/TLClicensing. If you have any questions about the changes, please e-mail the TLC at licens- [email protected]. Applicants can make an appointment by going to MorphoTrust’s website at: http://www.identogo.com/FP/NewYork.aspx. Here are ten locations in New York City, as well as the hours, below: Industry Notice #16-15 July 20, 2016 Notice: Improvement Surcharge Payment Process for Street Hail Livery Permit Owners and Medallion Owners and Agents Has Changed Starting on July 25, 2016, you will no longer receive a statement from your AUGUST 2016 • TAXI INSIDER • PAGE 7 The Taxi Attorney August Taxi Driver Puzzle Hello everybody, I hope that you call me at 212.754.1011 if you get are working hard and making good arrested. Do you know the stories behind each word? money. This month I Fourth, please listen You would if you listened to Taxi Dave’s Radio want to talk about eight to the Taxi Dave radio Show, Sunday’s at 8:00 PM on WOR710. Brought topics. show on 710 am WOR, First, please remem- on Sunday evenings to you by Melrose Credit Union. You will also ber to treat your cus- between 8pm and 9pm. understand the puzzle better if you read our tomers with respect and David Pollack is the articles. courtesy as that is the host. He is smart, en- best way to distinguish tertaining, informative S M E P S O N I L N E S S the yellow cab from its and best of all, knows R E T T E L T R O T L A T competitors. If all yel- the truth about what is low cab drivers of all happening in your In- M D C H A N V V N I L I A backgrounds and levels dustry. Moreover, he has A L S D E P 2 0 E W O D X of experience driving a the highest rated show yellow, strove to provide on radio in his time slot Z L E I S D P 0 D S A V S the highest level of customer service, in the NYC Metro area! So, please E I C R H O U F A R T E V then the yellow cab’s competitors tune in to listen. would be forced to compete in a Fifth, remember to bring me your R O N E A Y M E V E H E A different way than they are now. I DMV and TLC tickets. It is important am the first one to say that driving to fight all your DMV (issued by P N M F P A Y N E V O N W a yellow cab is a difficult job and is NYPD) and TLC tickets. Be careful. Y E V I R D R T D I U E W often very, very stressful. However, Don’t skimp on the lawyer only to please keep in mind when you are lose your license later. Please fight R O A T Y A 5 % H R D E O stressed out and tired and sick of every yellow or pink ticket you re- I G L N D B L D E D A R L traffic etc, that it is ultimately, the ceive from NYPD and every TLC passenger who is the ultimate client ticket you receive. If you are uncer- N $ M I N U E R A D E G L and consideration. Strive to provide tain whether to use an attorney for a C 0 P G H S A E R F H 0 E the highest level of passenger satis- particular ticket, please come see me faction that you can within current and I will tell you, no charge, if the O 0 ## T E S S A I S 8 0 Y TLC rules. I know the rules are ticket has points and you do or do M E G N I C N A N G 5 0 0 somewhat restrictive, but, from what not need an attorney or representative I see on a regular basis, yellow driv- for a particular summons. Find the following words/accronyms in the puzzle above ers must fight to keep their customer Sixth, please take the defensive • RESCHEDULED HEARINGS • INVESTORS • happy. I know tickets can also be a driver course every 18 months. Do drag, but there are lawyers, like me, not wait three years to take the DDC • DRIVERS WITNESS ALLOWED • PETER MAZER • available to help you when you have class that takes points off of your a summons. So don’t fret, yellow NYS driver’s license. Please take • MEDALLION PRICE •TORT LETTERS • cab drivers, fight back, with kindness the course every 18 months so if • 800 GREEN WAVS • 500 YELLOW WAVS • and goodness innate in some of the TLC sends you a letter to suspend most professional drivers in New or revoke your Hack or TLC license • NO SET APP FARE • FINANCING • York. Call me at 212.754.1011 if you will have taken the class before • RIDE SHARE • DEADHEAD • $ GOAL • you have a summons issue. you get such TLC letter. Now TLC is Second, I am working with a allowing you to take a course which • TIF MONEY • NONPAYMENT • prestigious and reasonably priced takes 3 points off your DMV record bankruptcy firm in case you need according to TLC calculations after • 5% DECREASE • DRIVER INCOME • to file for Chapter 7, 13 or 11 of the you get a letter from TLC saying • OATH • TRADABLE ASSET • NV200 • United States Bankruptcy Code. I you have a suspension or revocation understand the Industry and am glad coming to you. Also, if you get found • TAXI DAVE • SUNDAY NIGHT 8 PM • to try to save your assets or liqui- guilty of a DMV summons it may be date your assets as the case may be best to take a DDC course AFTER First Avenue tunnel by the UN, the often do not need to go to court and if you need that type of service. A the guilty finding at TVB or in other Harlem River and FDR drive, the I can obtain zero points for you. But, basic Chapter 13 which will gener- NYS traffic court. Moreover, there West Side Highway above the GW please call me to discuss this with ally allow you to keep your home is a persistent violator course avail- Bridge, the Cross Island Parkway, me and don’t wait for the day before and car etc. is around $3500 for able to reduce TLC points which turn signs by the Midtown Tunnel, court to call me. lawyer’s fees. Chapter 11s are more are now being combined with DMV etc. Now is peak ticket time in the Thank you for reading this article. and Chapter 7, when you liquidate points and can result in your los- City. Please be careful and try to Call me at 212.754.1011 for all your your assets, are less. If you need ing your TLC license very quickly avoid seeing me. legal needs. Until next month, be this type of service or if you are if you speed or talk on your cell Eighth, if you receive a pink sum- well. considering it, I am glad to talk to phone while driving. Basically, any mons, please call me at 212.754.1011 Mr. Spevack thanks you for read- you about it and you may contact me moving violation now puts you in to discuss it. Sometimes it makes ing this article which is for enter- at my office during business hours jeopardy. Call me at 212.754.1011 sense to use a lawyer to help you fight tainment purposes only and does at 212.754.1011 or 866.LAW.MIKE if you want to discuss your DMV or a pink summons, which is a criminal not constitute legal advice. For legal or 866.529.6453. TLC tickets. summons with ramifications beyond advice, contact Mr. Spevack.http:// Third, if you are arrested and you Also, please note that I will do an DMV points, and sometimes you can www.trafficticketnyc.com . possess a TLC license, it is impera- excellent job advocating for you at a simply pay such a summons without See his advertisement on page 30 tive that you hire the best criminal fair and reasonable price, and I have any negative consequences. My fee of this issue. attorney that you can afford. This been doing this business for 20 years is reasonable to go to court for you This article does not reflect the is so because TLC will hold your now and really know what I am do- for pink summonses, and you most opinion of the publisher. license until the criminal case is ing. Please call me at 212.754.1011 finished and the TLC will take it or 866.LAW.MIKE to discuss your Listen to Podcasts of permanently from you if the crimi- DMV or TLC problem. nal matters is NOT resolved to the Seventh, please be careful in The Taxi Dave Show TLC’s satisfaction. I work with a very the warm weather as the NYPD is high quality criminal attorney who out there to enforce traffic rules and Read Taxi Insider on-line @ can speed up criminal matters and of NYS and NYC. Watch out at obtains excellent results, so please the following hot ticket spots: the NYCTAXINEWS.COM PAGE 8 • TAXI INSIDER • AUGUST 2016

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MANHATTAN POLICE PRECINCTS Precinct Address Direct line 1 Precinct 16 Ericsson Place 1-212-334-0611 Police Precincts 5 Precinct 19 Elizabeth Street 1-212-334-0711 6 Precinct 233 West 10 Street 1-212-741-4811 In New York City 7 Precinct 19 1/2 Pitt Street 1-212-477-7311 Taxi Insider Info 9 Precinct 130321 AvenueEast 5th C Street 1-212-477-7811 10 Precinct 230 West 20th Street 1-212-741-8211 71 Precinct 421 Empire Boulevard 1-718-735-0511 13 Precinct 230 East 21st Street 1-212-477-7411 72 Precinct 830 4th Avenue 1-718-965-6311 Midtown South Precinct 73 Precinct 1470 East New York Avenue 1-718-495-5411 MSP 357 West 35th Street 1-212-239-9811 75 Precinct 1000 Sutter Avenue 1-718-827-3511 17 Precinct 167 East 51st Street 1-212-826-3211 76 Precinct 191 Union Street 1-718-834-3211 Midtown North Precinct 77 Precinct 127 Utica Avenue 1-718-735-0611 MNP 306 West 54th Street 1-212-767-8400 78 Precinct 65 6th Avenue 1-718-636-6411 19 Precinct 153 East 67th Street 1-212-452-0600 79 Precinct 263 Tompkins Avenue 1-718-636-6611 20 Precinct 120 West 82nd Street 1-212-580-6411 81 Precinct 30 Ralph Avenue 1-718-574-0411 Central Park Precinct 83 Precinct 480 Knickerbocker Avenue 1-718-574-1605 86th St & Transverse Road 1-212-570-4820 84 Precinct 301 Gold Street 1-718-875-6811 23 Precinct 162 East 102nd Street 1-212-860-6411 88 Precinct 298 Classon Avenue 1-718-636-6511 24 Precinct 151 West 100th Street 1-212-678-1811 90 Precinct 211 Union Avenue 1-718-963-5311 25 Precinct 120 East 119th Street 1-212-860-6511 94 Precinct 100 Meserole Avenue 1-718-383-3879 26 Precinct 520 West 126th Street 1-212-678-1311 28 Precinct 2271-89 8th Avenue 1-212-678-1611 QUEENS POLICE PRECINCTS 30 Precinct 451 West 151st Street 1-212-690-8811 Precinct Address Direct line 32 Precinct 250 West 135th Street 1-212-690-6311 100 Precinct 92-24 Rockaway Beach Blvd. 1-718-318-4200 33 Precinct 2207 Amsterdam Avenue 1-212-927-3200 101 Precinct 16-12 Mott Avenue 1-718-868-3400 34 Precinct 4295 Broadway 1-212-927-9711 102 Precinct 87-34 118th Street 1-718-805-3200 BRONX POLICE PRECINCTS 103 Precinct 168-02 P.O. Edwaard Byrne Ave. 1-718-657-8181 104 Precinct 64-02 Catalpa Avenue 1-718-386-3004 Precinct Address Direct line 105 Precinct 92-08 222nd Street 1-718-776-9090 40 Precinct 257 Alexander Avenue 1-718-402-2270 106 Precinct 103-53 101st Street 1-718-845-2211 41 Precinct 1035 Longwood Avenue 1-718-542-4771 107 Precinct 71-01 Parsons Boulevard 1-718-969-5100 42 Precinct 830 Washington Avenue 1-718-402-3887 108 Precinct 5-47 50th Avenue 1-718-784-5411 43 Precinct 900 Fteley Avenue 1-718-542-0888 109 Precinct 37-05 Union Street 1-718-321-2250 44 Precinct 2 East 289th Street 1-718-590-5511 110 Precinct 94-41 43rd Avenue 1-718-476-9311 45 Precinct 2877 Barkley Avenue 1-718-822-5411 111 Precinct 45-06 215th Street 1-718-279-5200 46 Precinct 2120 Ryer Avenue 1-718-220-5211 112 Precinct 68-40 Austin Street 1-718-520-9311 47 Precinct 4111 Laconia Avenue 1-718-920-1211 113 Precinct 167-02 Baisley Boulevard 1-718-712-7733 48 Precinct 450 Cross Bronx Expressway 1-718-299-3900 114 Precinct 34-16 Astoria Boulevard 1-718-626-9311 49 Precinct 2121 Eastchester Road 1-718-918-2000 115 Precinct 92-15 Northern Boulevard 1-718-533-2002 50 Precinct 3450 Kingsbridge Avenue 1-718-543-5700 52 Precinct 3016 Webster Avenue 1-718-220-5811 STATEN ISLAND POLICE PRECINCTS BROOKLYN POLICE PRECINCTS Precinct Address Direct line Precinct Address Direct line 120 Precinct 78 Richmond Terrace 1-718-876-8500 60 Precinct 2951 West 8th Street 1-718-946-3311 122 Precinct 2320 Hylan Boulevard 1-718-667-2211 61 Precinct 2575 Coney Island Avenue 1-718-627-6611 123 Precinct 116 Main Street 1-718-948-9311 62 Precinct 1925 Bath Avenue 1-718-236-2611 63 Precinct 1844 Brooklyn Avenue 1-718-258-4411 66 Precinct 5822 16th Avenue 1-718-851-5611 Questions? Comments? 67 Precinct 2820 Snyder Avenue 1-718-287-3211 E-Mail Taxi Insider at 68 Precinct 333 65th Street 1-718-439-4211 69 Precinct 9720 Foster Avenue 1-718-257-6211 [email protected] 70 Precinct 154 Lawrence Avenue 1-718-851-5511 AUGUST 2016 • TAXI INSIDER • PAGE 9 PAGE 10 • TAXI INSIDER • AUGUST 2016 yp Hereford Insurance Company Established 1982 • Licensed by the New York State Insurance Department 36-01 43rd Avenue, LIC, NY 11101 • Tel: 718-361-9191 • Fax: 718-361-6243 NYC RENTAL BICYCLE PROGRAM DEFENSIVE DRIVING Please be aware of the approximate 7,000 available rental bicycles in New York City. COURSE SCHEDULE There are no laws requiring the rental bicyclists to wear any safety gear or Classes will be offered the following Saturdays: helmets so use extra caution and observe the below : • Always be prepared to take defensive, evasive actions if you observe a August 27, 2016 bicycle in your area. All Hereford insured will receive the course at no cost: • Bicyclists must obey the same traffi c laws as a motorist. The number of Classes will be held in the third floor event room at: accidents involving bicyclists has increased with the increase cost of fuel. Many HEREFORD INSURANCE COMPANY people are now using bicycles as their primary source of transportation. 36-01 43RD AVENUE, LIC, NEW YORK 11101 • Always respect bicycle lanes and a bicyclists right to the same streets you Our classes are recognized by: travel on. • Taxi and Limousine Commission for required license renewals. • Bicyclists often pass through red lights, stop signs, travel the wrong way • Department of Motor Vehicles for the Point Reduction. on one way streets, make sudden unsafe turns, pass vehicles on the right side • Insurance carriers for rate reduction. unsafely, and commit numerous unsafe and illegal acts. Always anticipate one ALL CLASSES BEGIN AT 9:00A.M., AND END AT 3:00P.M. of the aforementioned acts by a bicyclist. Reservations Are Necessary. • Always check your side view mirrors prior to unloading or loading a All drivers must provide proof of Insurance. passenger, for bicyclists attempting to pass in a narrow area. For additional information please contact: • Black cars, medallion taxis, and vehicles for hire may be targeted for BERTRAM MERLING - Loss Control Coordinator fraudulent claims by bicyclists. 718-361-9191 EXT. 7235 • Always call the police and make a report if you are involved in an incident [email protected] or an accident with a bicyclist. Do not leave the scene or you can be arrested for leaving the scene of an accident, even if you know that your vehicle did not make contact with the bicyclist. HOW TO IMPROVE SENIORS’ DRIVING SKILLS • Always anticipate an unsafe action by a pedicab, (pedicabs frequent Bus Self-Improvement, Education and Rehabilitation, and lanes, and often ignore traffi c signals). Tougher Licensing Are All Parts of a Formula for Change • If you are involved in an accident with a bicyclist, working as a Delivery The dangers posed by senior drivers — combined with the difficulty of person, please obtain the name of the bicyclist’s employer. (Continued on Page 11) AUGUST 2016 • TAXI INSIDER • PAGE 11

Driving Skills tion seems to be behind the 21-percent lar resources available on the Web. Hessburg, president of the Detroit improvement in the number of crash More seniors also are taking it Institute of Ophthalmology. (Continued from Page 10) deaths among drivers 70 and older in upon themselves to improve their Yet many vision-impaired older figuring out when they have reached a new Insurance Institute for High- driving by attending self-help classes. people take a big swipe at the prob- the point of posing a risk — are spur- way Safety study of the 10 years that The American Association of Retired lem simply by declining to drive at ring unprecedented efforts to come up ended in 2006. The declines were most Persons (AARP), for example, offers twilight or later. Others realize major with solutions. dramatic for drivers 80 and older. If a driver safety program at sites around improvements after having cataract These initiatives to improve se- the fatal-crash involvement rates for the country and online. The 8-hour or other eye surgery. And some re- niors’ driving skills include more older drivers had mirrored the trend class is for drivers 50 and older. searchers believe that more diligent self-limited driving, improvement for younger ones in the same time Typically, participants can take their instruction of senior drivers actually classes, vision adjustments, physi- period, the Institute said, nearly 7,000 certificate of completion and show can help them use their vision more cal rehabilitation, cognitive-skills additional older drivers would have it to their insurance company to get effectively, even if they can’t restore enhancement and tougher licensing been in fatal crashes. a discount of 5-10 percent on their their eyes physically. laws. The older a driver is, and the more premiums, according to Jack Stege- “A common problem with seniors Here’s a look at some of what re- physically and cognitively impaired man, a volunteer AARP instructor in is that they fail to scan appropriately searchers, insurers, not-for-profit as- he or she is, the more the senior tends Madison Heights, Michigan. by moving their eyes completely sociations, health-care organizations, to self-limit driving, according to One emphasis of the classes is through the driving environment,” government agencies and seniors Institute interviews that accompanied to urge seniors to step up to their said Richard Backs, a psychology themselves are doing in each area: the broader study. own responsibility for driving. For professor who is developing a visual Self-Limited Driving The willingness of many aging mo- instance, “We don’t talk about ‘ac- attention test for drivers at Central Many members of the over-65 torists to regulate themselves prevents cidents’ but rather about ‘crashes,’ Michigan University. Seniors may generation limit their own driving as countless accidents. In fact, seniors’ because an accident just says, ‘It’s spend too long focusing on changing they recognize some deterioration tendency to self-limit is one of the too bad it happened,’” says Stegeman, lanes, for example, risking an accident in their capabilities. Typical self- main reasons that insurance rates are a retired schoolteacher. “A ‘crash’ is by not shifting their attention to traffic limiting includes avoiding crowded generally only slightly higher for driv- where someone didn’t see something approaching in their rearview mirror. thoroughfares and taking alternate ers 75 or older than for the generation or reacted inappropriately, and we Some seniors invest in the handful of routes, though this makes trips longer. just beneath them — and far lower need to get class members thinking devices that have proven to improve Seniors also try to find intersections than rates for teenage drivers. Another that way.” senior road vision, such as special with protected left turns. Many decide reason insurers don’t see older drivers Another theme stresses “taking eyeglasses that reduce glare and have to travel only a handful of close-to- as a particular liability menace is that a little more time to make decisions a telescopic function. home, highly familiar routes — and they tend to injure themselves more as you drive, because that’s how our “But even with any of those, you nowhere else — behind the wheel. than others in accidents. body functions as we get older,” says really have to work with your doctor Other elderly drivers decide to give Driving Improvement Classes Nancy Stegeman, a retired nurse who and maybe a low-vision specialist and up driving altogether in the interests Older drivers are finding more teaches with her husband. with a driving instructor,” said Judy of their own and others’ safety; more ways to gauge their own effective- Vision Adjustments Scott, director of the Center on Vision than 600,000 drivers age 70 or older ness behind the wheel. The American The declining vision of seniors is Loss for the American Foundation for do just that each year, according to a Automobile Association Foundation, the most difficult aspect of driving the Blind. 2002 study published in the American for instance, has an online self-rating to mitigate. “Ninety to 95 percent of Physical Rehabilitation Journal of Public Health. form for drivers 55 and older. Several the information you get in driving is The elderly can actually improve A surprising surge in self-limita- other organizations are making simi- visual information,” said Dr. Philip (Continued on Page 20) PAGE 12 • TAXI INSIDER • AUGUST 2016 other experts have given us in testimony, some dedicated staffers even working Commissioner’s Corner as well as in the many discussions that tirelessly through the wee hours this past By Meera Joshi followed. We hope that you continue to weekend!). But this time around, I am a lot happening at the TLC, and I am share your valuable feedback with us, so grateful that we’ve invested the time, pleased to share the latest developments and we will keep you informed about resources and know-how in creating with you. our progress. more on-line transactional functional- DRIVER FATIGUE CONNECTIVITY CHALLENGES ity – like LARS -- than we’ve ever had While it will not go into effect before IN LONG ISLAND CITY available before. And I have a strong November 1, 2016, TLC Commission While I am very hopeful that, by the feeling that there are many licensees out members unanimously approved a pack- time you all read this, the heatwave- there who are just as grateful as I! age of rules aimed at preventing driver related technical diffi culties we’ve been In the event that the connectivity fatigue and making our streets safer for facing at our Long Island City Licensing problems are still an issue by the time all, drivers included. Between now and offi ces will have been alleviated, but I you read this, please visit the TLC’s web November 1, we will analyze additional did want to take this opportunity to thank site at www.nyc.gov/taxi for updates. data and continue to meet with stake- you all for being so understanding. As I DISABILITY PRIDE holders to see if any adjustments need to write these words, the facility has been ON DISPLAY! be made, with the goal of fashioning the closed for two days and we are about I am proud to say that the TLC had a most precise system possible that truly to announce a third. Of course, we’ve sizable contingent at the recent Second refl ects the daily realities that drivers and been through emergencies of every Annual Disability Pride Parade – pic- Greetings, everyone! I hope you other stakeholders have shared with us. stripe before, and as always, TLC staff tured below – led by our Accessibility are enjoying the summer and as stay- We very much appreciate the perspec- has dug in and put their best efforts into Program Manager Alexander Elegudin ing cool as possible. There has been tives that drivers, industry leaders and the full restoration of services (with (seated, third from left).

TAXI DAVE’S RADIO SHOW WOR-710AM 8:00 – 9:00 PM EVERY SUNDAY! AUGUST 2016 • TAXI INSIDER • PAGE 13 “The Expanding Transportation Network consideration how they will allow be disconnected from the TNC app TNCs to continue to grow to avoid a platform at any time without any Company (TNC) Equity Gap & Social “collision course” with environmental recourse, thus leaving them “holding and sustainability policy. the financial bag”. Irresponsibility: Adverse Effects on Passengers TNCs Lack Social Corporate The contents of this report have with Disabilities, Underserved Communities, the Responsibility & Ethics been reviewed and approved by • TNCs market themselves as so- the following independent panel Environment & the On-Demand Workforce” cially responsible businesses when, of experts: Hon. Patricia Gatling, By Matthew W. Daus, Esq. in reality, they have built a highly the longest serving Commissioner/ I am pleased to announce that commodate electric wheelchairs and sophisticated crafted web of tax Chair of the NYC Commission on we have recently completed a com- scooters; and avoidance depriving cities and na- Human Rights, former Deputy Sec- prehensive report, that is scheduled •TNCs are not held to the same tions out of hundreds of millions in retary to the NY State Governor for to be published in a book accessibility mandates as the tax revenue; Civil Rights and former Kings County published by the New York traditional For Hire Vehicle • Local taxicab and for-hire vehicle (Brooklyn, NY) First Assistant Dis- University School of Law’s industry; transportation providers are obliged to trict Attorney; Professor Jonathan Labor and Employment Law Underserved, Low pay their local taxes, which increases Peters, an academic researcher with Center, edited and facilitated Income & Minority their cost burden and forces them to Accounting and Finance at the City by the Cornell University Communities Left at the charge higher fares than the TNCs are University of New York/College of School of Industrial and Curb by TNCs able to offer, putting the traditional Staten Island, an economist whose Labor Relations, entitled: • Communities that industry at a competitive disadvantage work has focused on transportation “The Expanding Transpor- may desire to utilize a for fulfilling its civic duty; economics, equity and congestion tation Network Company TNC service, but currently • Without the advantage of a TNC’s management/performance metrics; (TNC) Equity Gap & Social have limited or no access, tax structure, local taxicab and for- and representatives of and officials Irresponsibility: Adverse Ef- include low-income com- hire vehicle providers are forced out from Keroul, an international tourism fects on the Disabled, Underserved munities and minority communities, of business, further decreasing the tax and cultural organization based in Communities, the Environment & the both of which may be “redlined” or revenue to the government; and Canada which focuses on advancing On-Demand Workforce.” (“The TNC dis-incentivized from serving due to • TNCs have led to the prolifera- the rights of people with restricted Equity Gap Report”). This report was the effects of surge pricing; tion of ever-smaller jobs (“gigs” and physical mobility, including Keroul both co-authored and peer reviewed • Rural communities, where low “micro-gigs”) performed by indepen- Board Chair Isabelle Ducharme, by experts in the fields of labor and population density and a host of other dent contractors, freelancers, temps whose background is in accessible employment law, sustainability, eco- factors dis-incentivize drivers from and part-timers (collectively termed business and tourism, with personal nomics, disability and civil rights, expanding service; as “the disposable workforce”), where experience since 1988 with mobility including a national and international • Unbanked and under-banked workers, who must go out of pocket restrictions caused by an automobile group of professors, former high-level communities, which have little or for vehicle loan payments, gasoline, related spinal injury, has been an advo- government officials, and disability no access to the financial institutions vehicle maintenance, car insurance cate for disability rights for decades; advocacy groups. required to pay for TNCs; and and health insurance, are faced with Michel Trudel Keroul Secretary of In addition to the playing field • Individuals without smartphone no safety net such as unemployment the Committee on Universal Acces- being skewed in favor of Transporta- access, who do not possess the tech- or injured workers’ compensation, sibility of the Montreal Taxi Industry, tion Network Companies (“TNCs”) nology expertise necessary to request paid sick or vacation leave while the former taxicab regulator from at the detriment to the traditional TNC service. operating in a reality that they can (Continued on Page 23) taxicab and for-hire vehicle indus- TNCs Cause Traffic Congestion, try, an alarming result from the Harm the Environment & Augment Negative Externalities AREN RIEDMAN proliferation of such TNCs is the K A. F ATTORNEYS undeniable adverse impact on people • TNC proliferation threatens cit- PRESIDENT ATTORNEY AT LAW IN OFFICE ies’ efforts to reduce the number of with disabilities, underserved com- Association of WHO PRACTICE: Personal Motor Vehicles on the road, munities, the environment, social Motor Vehicle Trial PERSONAL INJURY setting back decades of transporta- (212) 213-2145 responsibility, and the labor force Attorneys MATRIMONIAL of the so-called “on-demand shar- tion planning and policy aimed at FLUENT IN ALL MOVING VIOLATIONS REAL ESTATE LAW mitigating congestion and pollution, FRENCH ing economy”. This comprehensive ALL MOVING COMMERCIAL report provides stunning revelations and encouraging shared mobility and IMMIGRATION concerning the disturbing underbelly mobility management; THROUGHOUT of the TNC business model, with • Unregulated TNC growth could VIOLATIONS recommendations for policy-making cause congestion and harmful en- NEW YORK STATE and addressing the concerns raised vironmental impacts through the Speeding; Red Lights; Traffic Signs by the authors and peer reviewers. proliferation of nitrogen oxides, Fine This report demonstrates that the Particulate Matter, volatile organic TNC template is nothing more than a compounds, carbon monoxide, sul- SUSPENSIONS & WARRANTS LIFTED privileged access model that operates phur dioxide, greenhouse gases and CRIMINALLY RELATED MATTERS to the detriment of those in most need air toxics; of their services. As is fully explained • Said congestion has resulted in in the report with concrete data and massive losses to local businesses and Driving While Intoxicated (DWI); evidence, the following are a list of government taxpayers impacted by the unfortunate results and social it, with additional time spent on road Reckless Driving; consequences that continue to result repair, while labor force activity and Aggravated Unlicensed Operation from the continued proliferation and business or government operations existence of TNCs: are negatively impacted by traffic Wheelchair Accessibility Not a jams and gridlock; SAFETY HEARINGS TNC Priority • Congestion is further exacer- •The proliferation of TNCs has bated by TNC’s usage of so-called 30 East 33RD Street greatly slowed, if not halted, progress “surge pricing” due to the incentive Throughout New York State TH being made to convert a large por- for all or most part-time on demand 4 Floor tion of taxicabs in New York City to economy TNC vehicle drivers being 404 Park Avenue South wheelchair-accessible vehicles; fiscally rewarded by working already New York, NY 10016 •TNCs continue to argue that congested areas during peak business New York, NY 10016 the Americans with Disabilities Act period (a/k/a rush hour in central EMAIL: [email protected] (ADA), a law designed to provide business districts of urban environ- WEBSITE:between www.NewYorkTraffi 28th and 29th Streets cLawyer.com inclusiveness for all, does not apply ments); and to their operations in any way; •Urban areas are projected to con- — We Accept Credit Cards — (718) 979-5360 •TNCs do not, except in rare tinue growing at a rapid rate, and, as Fluent in French and Spanish instances, have the capability to ac- a result, policy makers must take into PAGE 14 • TAXI INSIDER • AUGUST 2016 Daus Human Rights under Mayor Michel at the intersection of government, in- in 2014 against the now-disgraced Bloomberg and Mayor Bill de Blasio. frastructure, and energy management Sheldon Silver. (Continued from Page 13) As Commissioner, Ms. Gatling was as an attorney, federal policymaker, • • • • • Montreal, and former IATR Presi- charged with enforcing the Human and member of the Senior Executive Ms. Isabelle Ducharme has been dent; and Maureen Koetz, the former Rights Law and combating discrimi- Service. working on social integration of peo- Assistant/Principal Deputy Assistant nation in New York City. Ms. Gatling Ms. Koetz is the former Acting ple with disabilities for more than 20 Secretary for the Environment, Safety is also the Executive Producer of Assistant Secretary, and Principal years. During the last ten years, Miss and Occupational Health to the United Fighting for Justice: New York Voices Deputy Assistant Secretary for In- Ducharme has presented at various States Air Force and former Congres- of the Civil Rights Movement, a series stallations, Environment, and Logis- conferences and facilitated multiple sional Counsel to the U.S. Senate of groundbreaking documentary films tics of the United States Air Force, workshops on creating awareness for Energy Committee, who is an expert for the New York City Commission managing a 10 million acre/$250 integrating people with disabilities. in sustainability and natural capital on Human Rights and NYC Media’s billion asset portfolio in support of Her personal experience of liv- and infrastructure management, with online Civil Rights Museum. sustainable operations for the larg- ing with a spinal cord injury since extensive public and private experi- In addition, Ms. Gatling worked est energy consumer in the federal her car accident in 1988 gives her ence in the field. as a senior trainer with John Jay Col- government. In addition to oversee- unique insight in the barriers many The full TNC Equity Gap Re- lege of Criminal Justice, as part of the ing multi-billion dollar construction, persons with disabilities face. She port can be accessed by contacting U.S. State Department’s International sustainment, sully, and environment truly understands the different needs Professor Matthew W. Daus, Esq. at Law Enforcement Academy (ILEA), programs, she also served as the His- and accommodation needed to attain [email protected] and will be teaching “Human Dignity and the toric Preservation Official, the Natural full integration. showcased at the annual conference Law” in newly emerging democratic Resource Trustee, and a Member of She has a bachelor’s degree in for the International Association of countries, such as Botswana, Thai- the Air Force Base Closure Execu- communications at Université de Transportation Regulators (IATR) land, and Budapest, and at the Dubai tive Group. Montréal and a Master’s degree in in San Francisco (September 22-25, Police Academy International Confer- During her service as a Presiden- business and tourism planning at 2016). The conference program can ence in the United Arab Emirates. tial appointee, Ms. Koetz formulated Université du Québec à Montréal. be viewed, and individuals and com- She has served on the New York City advanced management and com- She also completed a course in ‘’com- panies can register and/or sponsor by Charter Revision Commission and is munications programs to address munication and leadership’’ from visiting www.iatr.global. currently a member of the Board of encroachment and excess operational Dale Carnegie to further refine her • • • • • Trustees for the New York Lawyers’ costs resulting from diminished natu- presentation skills. Patricia L. Gatling is the former Fund for Client Protection. ral capital access and supply, in what In the field of disabilities, she has Deputy Secretary for Civil Rights un- • • • • • would become a template for effi- delivered keynotes, has trained and der New York State Governor Andrew KOETZ AND DUNCAN is a ciency and effectiveness for enterprise consulted, specifically, she has: Cuomo. She oversaw the operations small, woman-owned business that sustainable development. • Delivered sensitivity aware- of the Department of Civil Service, provides strategic consulting in all Ms. Koetz has also held posi- ness classes to workers of the travel the Governor’s Office of Employee areas of enterprise management and tions as Environmental Counsel industry. Relations, the Division of Veterans Af- public affairs pertaining to sustain- for the Senate Energy and Natural • Created a new concept of acces- fairs, the Division of Human Rights, able development and asset manage- Resources Committee, and Counsel sible circuit to promote accessible and the Public Employee Relations ment. to U.S. Senator Pete Domenici. She venues: www.theaccessibleroad. Board. For over a decade, Ms. Gatling KOETZ AND DUNCAN is led by resides in Lower Manhattan, and com. served as the Commissioner and Chair Maureen T. Koetz, who formed the was the Republican candidate for the of the New York City Commission on company after a distinguished career 65th Assembly District in New York (Continued on Page 18)

By Appointment Only

* At Beaver Street ONLY! AUGUST 2016 • TAXI INSIDER • PAGE 15 Fantasy Vs Reality? By Larry Fisher Quoteable The Democratic and intelligent politicians Republican Party con- and editorialists than ventions are history, me. Let me just reiter- and I cannot resist the ate that he is capable of Quotes temptation to comment. anything, including 1st Although there are prob- amendment suspension, We lost Hip-Hop! We need to bring it back to New York! Back to Brooklyn!” ably other topics readers which includes freedom State Sen. Marty Golden. of this monthly news- of the press and freedom paper would like me to of speech. The slippery “Quinnipiac Poll: 51 percent of voters disapprove of de Blasio” discuss, the conventions slope devolves from amNY’s headline provide so much fresh there. material. On the other That’s not to say that hand, it is significant that today’s busi- the Democrats are any shining stars. ness news headline is Uber merging Mrs. Clinton has been a trouble with Didi, the leading transportation magnet and her demeanor only exac- app company in China. The signifi- erbates her problem candidacy. Voters cance of this news is that after burning already expressed their Bush fatigue through billions of dollars in China, by marginalizing Jeb’s candidacy dur- Uber is basically giving up. ing primary season, and the same can Another headline today in the be said for Mrs. Clinton by virtue of NY Post is the release of photos of the large support for Bernie Sanders. Mrs. Trump in suggestive poses with Beyond the idea that it’s about time another woman on the heels of naked for a woman president, the scandals of photographs of Mrs Trump over the the Bill Clinton era, and the unseemly weekend. Are these photos in keep- fund raising of the Clinton Founda- ing with the tenor of the Republican tion are potential liabilities that could Convention? I think so. After all, derail Mrs. Clinton’s ascension to the Mrs. Trump was selling a fantasy in presidency. those photos, as is her husband on the But, what about us? Did either campaign trail. Name the issue, and party address issues that affect our only Donald Trump can fix it. Isis, industry? Was there any discussion trade, immigration, are his signature of the gig economy and its impact issues. Few details have been forth- on benefits and full-time workers? coming, but trust him, he’ll make Were there any speeches that referred all the problems disappear. Fantasy? to the structural unemployment that You betcha. technology has caused? How about It would be criminal of me not the deal the Democrats struck with to mention some of the other more Uber in Philadelphia so that delegates frightening aspects of Trump’s utter- could be transported to and from the ings and behavior. He wants to be the convention? “Law and Order” candidate, similar to To sum up, on the one hand, we NYS DMV Point System Richard Nixon’s 1968 proclamation. have the fantasy candidate. On the Speeding (mph over posted limit) Please excuse me if I get bent out of other hand, we have the troubled can- shape when a man of German descent didate. Not much of a choice. Still, if 1to10...3points deems himself the “law and order you believe that one is significantly candidate”. Six million of my breth- worse than the other, your choice is 11 to 20 . . 4 points ren learned the hard way. Muslims, easy. Throwing away your vote on a 21 to 30 . . 6 points Latinos, and immigrants have been third party candidate might be a real targets of Trump’s barbs during this option if you believe that the risk of 31 to 40 . . 8 points crazy campaign season. His penchant disaster is minimal. But, when push for speaking off the top of his head comes to shove, one candidate must More than 40 . . 11 points and spewing hatred and prejudice has be crushed so that we never have to Reckless Driving ....5points been reviewed and criticized by more listen to the mad ravings again. Failure to stop for a School Bus .5points Photo By David Pollack Following too closely (tailgating) 4 points Inadequate Brakes ..4points (while driving employer's vehicle)2 points Failing to Yield Right-Of-Way...3points Violation Involving Traffic Signal, Stop Sign, or Yield Sign ...3points Railroad Crossing Violation3 points Improper Passing or Lane Use ..3points Leaving scene of an incident involving property “Call Sunny& Save Money” damage or injury to an animal .. 3points Safety restraint violation involving person under 16 .3points Any other moving violation 2 points Note: Speeding when speed not indicated is 3 points PAGE 16 • TAXI INSIDER • AUGUST 2016 Your Medallion Headquarters ! LOMTO Generation Brokerage, Inc. TAXI and BLACK CAR INSURANCE SPECIALISTS ——And Medallion Transfer, Inc. 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Transportation Forum Photos By David Pollack AUGUST 2016 • TAXI INSIDER • PAGE 17 ATO Steers GST Legal Case Project M FOLLOW THE DUCKS TO Away From Uber ROAD SAFETY The Australian Taxation Offi ce has Business Number and be registered “Originally printed in PROJECT instructions, such as ‘take me to the contested Uber’s argument that the for GST. M from Allianz” doctor’s.’ The car might then ask if defi nition of taxi and limousine needs However, in documents lodged to the Yellow rubber ducks could be one the driver wants the fast or the slow to be examined Federal Court, Uber argued the public way of avoiding deadly accidents route. It should be as simple as get- The Australian Taxation Office issue by the ATO “unfairly targets Uber with self-driving cars, such as the ting onto a bus.” (ATO) has disputed Uber’s attempts to driver-partners”. one in which a Tesla Model S was Self-driving robo taxis might be raise doubt around the “ordinary” defi ni- An Uber spokesperson previously involved in Florida earlier this year. an attractive form of transport for the tion of “taxi travel” as outlined by the told ZDNet that it believes the ATO’s Commonly found in bathtubs, the elderly. These fully autonomous ve- Goods and Services Tax (GST), saying guidance should not have been issued, little toys also populate the streets of hicles, currently under development that the connotation of the phrase along given that a federal tax review is cur- Duckietown, an advanced autonomy for commuting short distances, could with the words taxi and limousine need rently under way. class taught at MIT. be ordered for that weekly trip to the to be considered. “To be very clear, we believe all our Built and programmed by students, doctor’s surgery, for example. During the second hearing day at driver-partners should pay their appro- the 50 robot-controlled ducks have Overall, autonomous vehicles the Australian Federal Court, counsel priate share of tax and meet their tax to recognize traffi c lights, road signs could offer individual mobility for representing the ATO said during his obligations,” the company said. and other obstacles that challenge the elderly despite physical, health closing statement that Uber’s argument “However, we feel they have been auto engineers and drivers in the real and other handicaps that may come that the defi nition of taxi travel under unjustly singled out by the ATO for world. Each robot taxi is equipped with old age, says Sven Beiker, of the GST Act is only applicable to taxis different tax treatment than truck driv- with a single camera and navigates McKinsey, a former executive direc- and limousines is not plausible. ers, bike messengers, Airbnb hosts, or the model roads without using pre- tor of CARS, the Center for Automo- He proposed for Justice John any other participant of the sharing programmed maps. In a playful yet tive Research at Stanford University. Griffi ths to consider the connotations economy.” clever way, the ducks are there to test “Mobility is a human need, on a par associated with the words taxi and The company went on to express its how self-driving cars might interact with a desire to communicate. Being limousine. disappointment in the ATO, saying that on public roads in the future. mobile is key to having an active Pointing to the specifi c case of it is unfairly targeting Uber’s driver- “One of the major challenges for lifestyle and to leading the life you Sydney-based UberX driver Brian Fine partners, who “must register and remit autonomous driving research is the want: if a car takes over the driving, as an example, counsel representing this tax from the fi rst dollar earned”. safety and logistics associated with then it doesn’t matter if you are able the ATO said Fine revealed during This is in comparison to individuals this work,” says Liam Paull, who to drive or not.” cross-examination that he would drive who are only required to register for leads the project. “If we can develop More than 90% of road accidents around -- much like a taxi would -- until GST once they reach a turnover of more a smaller, safer, cheaper platform include human error as a contributing someone wanted his service, before than AU$75,000 a year. where the same algorithms work as factor but introducing self-driving picking up a passenger, driving them “The guidance by the ATO has tried for real cars, we can carry out research cars will not necessarily prevent all to their destination, and charging a fare to fi t a new technology model from today more efficiently.” those accidents, says Beiker. “There for the service. into a 1990s regulatory framework that In the meantime, Google is run- is this huge expectation that once we “Like a taxi driver, [Mr Fine] pry the was written long before this technology ning a self-driving car project with have this technology, we have a high streets, and really effectively is hailed. ever existed. Common sense would a testing program in four US cities chance of getting rid of a large share We say functionally, he’s hailed by users tell you that isn’t going to work,” the using cars that have autonomously of accidents based on human error. of the app,” he said. company said. driven over 1.5 million miles. Yet how good we can get overall is This goes against the argument that On Monday, the NSW government Three types of sensors enable the still not decided.” counsel representing Uber declared on announced that it is offering AU$20,000 prototype to “see” its surroundings, One problem is that computers Wednesday, which said the “real point in compensation grants to taxi drivers even at night, to predict the behavior can’t think outside the box and are of distinction” between UberX versus who have lost business due to Uber and of what it sees and to make decisions ill prepared for non-standard traffic taxis and limousines is that taxis are the other ridesharing services. about how to react by comparing situations. A human is experience only vehicles that can pick up passengers The AU$250 million industry transi- what’s happening in real time with and intuition based, cutting corners from the curb side or be hailed. tion package will allow the drivers to its models. Cars are taught to detect here and there, explains Beiker. Counsel representing the ATO fur- apply for upfront payments for up to unfamiliar objects or other road us- A computer doesn’t know how to ther argued that regardless of whether two licences, AU$100 million of which ers, and are given practice on how react to a situation that hasn’t been taxi travel is provided by a taxi, lim- will be paid for by a AU$1 levy on all to respond. programmed. ousine, or any form of other vehicle taxi and ridesharing trips, meaning that The challenge is to translate the Google experienced its first col- service, it does not mean that UberX is NSW ridesharing and taxi users will complex technology behind au- lision in February, when one of its part of a different industry, and therefore have to collectively contribute AU$100 tonomous cars into a product that self-driving Lexus SUVs drove into its drivers should not be exempt from million to pay for the scheme. AU$142 is accessible to user groups such the side of a bus. The question of having to register for GST. million has also been set aside for hard- as the elderly, says Timo Möller, safety remains – until it might be Blair Davies, Australian Taxi Indus- ship claims. automotive consultant at McKinsey, answered by a duck. try Association CEO, told ZDNet that According to the Transport NSW Germany. “It will have to be a case of “Originally printed in PROJECT the case is addressing the “heart of the website, eligible drivers’ licences must a senior citizen giving the car simple M from Allianz” issue”, which is creating a level playing include a condition that it may be trans- fi eld for taxi drivers in Australia. ferred, and drivers have to have held safety checks. and more powers for traffi c enforcement “We’re not running away from the their licence prior to July 1, 2016. Ap- Uber was then deemed to be legal offi cers. fi ght. In fact, we are keen to take up the plications for the payments are currently in Western Australia under major taxi The Northern Territory govern- challenge and contest it in the market- open until January 13, 2017. industry reform in December, with the ment is still refusing to allow Uber to place based on everybody playing by Uber was offi cially legalised in NSW proviso that drivers had to obtain spe- operate. the same rules, not by one side having by the state government in December cial “omnibus” licences in addition to Reprintedwith permission from an unfair advantage,” he said. last year, with a new regular and com- their standard driving licences; while a ZDNet. “The case at the moment is the ATO missioner put in place to oversee the decision passed by a Victorian County is treating Uber drivers much like taxis, industry. A transition period was also Court judge in favour of a Melbourne and we commend for that. We hope the put in place for a number of months Uber driver effectively gave the service court upholds that.” for ridesharing drivers to obtain the the green light to operate in Victoria Uber lodged legal action against the correct accreditation to drive legally in May. Australian Taxation Offi ce (ATO) back on NSW roads. While South Australia followed suit in August last year in the hope that the This was after the ACT became at the start of this month, Uber is still ATO would overturn its decision requir- the fi rst Australian state or territory to battling the Queensland government to ing Uber drivers to register for GST. legalise ridesharinglast October. This become legal in that state. The Queen- Last May, the ATO issued a directive included the same regulatory conditions sland government last month passed that advised those providing a rideshar- that are enforced for taxi drivers, such new legislation to crack down on Uber ing service must have an Australian as driver history checks and vehicle drivers, which included increased fi nes PAGE 18 • TAXI INSIDER • AUGUST 2016 A0255 A0308 Current Medallion Agents Kim Cab Leasing Corp. Taxifl eet Management LLC. A0003 A0204 3864a Flatlands Avenue 34-14 31 Street Cab Management Corp B. Taxi Management Inc. Brooklyn, NY 11234 LIC, NY 11106 27-34 Jackson Avenue 314 West 53 Street (718) 252-8300 (718) 361-6363 LIC, NY 11101 NY, NY 10019 (718) 937-8668 (212) 957-0033 A0259 A0312 Mc Guinness Gotham Yellow LLC. A0011 A0206 Management Corp 75 Canal Street West J & I Maintenance Corp. AJB Taxi Management Inc. 330 Mc Guinness Boulevard Bronx, NY 10451 341 Bergen Street 662 10 Avenue Bklyn, NY 11222 (718) 993-8100 Brooklyn, NY 11217 NY, NY 10036 (718) 389-4483 (718) 858-3502 (212) 956-3177 A0313 A0280 Northwestern Management Corp. A0014 A0213 Eddie’s Management Corp. 35-11 43 Avenue 2nd Floor Midtown Operating Corp. J T L Management Inc. 40-08 24 Street LIC, NY 11101 42-50 24 Street 36-16 Skillman Avenue LIC, NY 11101 (718) 482-8181 LIC, NY 11101 LIC, NY 11101 (718) 707-0072 (718) 937-2080 (718) 392-7000 A0322 A0289 NYC Interboro Management Inc. A0017 A0217 Boulevard Taxi Leasing Inc. 36-02 21 Street 521 West 21st St Management Corp. Medallion Maintenance Inc. 32-56 49 Street LIC, NY 11106 415 West 127 Street 11-38 44 Road LIC, NY 11103 (718) 392-0250 New York, NY 10027 LIC, NY 11101 (718) 932-3312 (212) 665-4900 (718) 472-9000 A0324 A0290 AstoRia Taxi Leasing Corp. A0110 A0224 United Taxi Mgmt. Group, Inc. 32-56 49 Street Winners Garage Inc. S & R Medallion Corp. 43-10 39 Street LIC, NY 11103 34-14 64 Street 625 West 51 Street LIC, NY 11104 (718) 932-3312 Woodside, NY 11377 New York, NY 10019 (718) 392-4600 (718) 458-7000 (212) 957-9200 A0326 A0292 Gotham Yellow LLC. A0113 A0232 City Transport Mgmt 134-02 33 Avenue Checker Management Corp. Wailing Management Inc. 54-18 Broadway Flushing, NY 11354 22-10 Jackson Avenue 31-08 Northern Boulevard Woodside, NY 11377 (718) 993-8100 LIC, NY 11101 LIC, NY 11101 (718) 507-4840 (718) 361-6300 (718) 472-1800 A0336 A0301 Taxi World Inc. A0201 A0236 Napasei Management Corp. 627 West 51 Street Green Apple Management Corp. D & J Management Of Queens Inc. 607 West 47 Street New York, NY 10019 34-20 31 Street 34-14 64 Street New York, NY 10036 (212) 265-4022 LIC, NY 11106 Woodside, NY 11377 (646) 641-8307 (718) 361-5555 (718) 458-6609 A0307 A0202 A0249 Taxifl eet Management LLC All Taxi Management Inc On Our Way Management Corp. 54-11 Queens Boulevard 41-25 36 Street 6814 5 Avenue Woodside, NY 11377 LIC, NY 11101 Bklyn, NY 11220 (718) 779-5000 (718) 361-0055 (718) 833-8125 Daus first World Summit Destinations for ics from Hunter College. published in 2006 by the New York All held in Montreal October 2014. Dr. Peters previously worked State Department of Transportation. (Continued from Page 14) Previously, he worked for the De- in the Finance Division of AT&T He has previously published in The • Master trainer and leader of partment of Transport of the Province Corporation where he was a subject Journal of Applied Finance, Transpor- My Toolbox, a self-management of Quebec where he developed an matter expert on immigration and tation Quarterly and most recently in workshops for people with chronic expertise in transport regulation. From international finance. He serves on the Public Works Management & Policy. illnesses, including one adapted 1992 to 2000 he was member of the Economics of Pricing Subcommittee He currently conducts research in the specifically for people with spinal Board of Directors of the International of the National Academies of Sci- areas of regional planning, road and cord injury. Association of Transportation Regula- ence Transportation Research Board mass transit financing, corporate and • Created and hosted a radio tors (President from 1992 to 1994). and the Board of the City University public sector performance metrics, show to keep people with disabilities He worked also at the Quebec Institute for Urban Systems. His work capital costs and performance man- informed of products and services Department of Tourism in regional on public-private partnerships was agement. available: Accès libre at Canal M of development and then as director of Vues et Voix. the Tourism Promotion of Quebec. Ms. Ducharme is Chairman of It is in the course of his duties the Board at Kéroul, a Quebec based to the Government of Quebec, in Kindly Patronize organisation who’s mission is to make transportation and tourism, he met tourism and culture more accessible André Leclerc, the founder and CEO for persons with limited physical of Kéroul. Our abilities. She is also active on the • • • • • Board of Bibliothèque et Archives Jonathan R. Peters is an associate nationales du Québec. professor of finance in the Business Advertisers • • • • • Department at The College of Staten Michel Trudel is a geographer and Island of The City University of New urban planner. York and a Research Fellow at The Check Out the He is a consultant in tourism and University Transportation Research transportation, especially for Kéroul, Center at The City College of New an organization devoted to the devel- York. He received his Ph.D. in Eco- Directory on Page 32 opment of inclusive tourism. He was nomics from the City University of in charge of the organization of the New York and his Masters in Econom- AUGUST 2016 • TAXI INSIDER • PAGE 19 PAGE 20 • TAXI INSIDER • AUGUST 2016 Cabbie Finds LETTERS Inheritance in Backseat, Returns (Continued from Page 3) deal that handed Uber a free, private lot for its vehicles sign on his dashboard, working on New York City $187G to Passenger outside the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia and streets, God bless America. A Boston cabbie is being praised as a Good gave the company inside access to transport party Tom Samaritan after fi nding and returning a pas- VIPs at the convention. The RNC declined the same senger’s inheritance — nearly $200,000 in cold proposal from Uber, leaving the company to rent Driving a Star hard cash — accidentally left in the in the back space at the Republican convention in Cleveland Dear Taxi Dave, of his taxi. earlier this month. “Fifty percent of people say yeah, you should I am a Democrat and a wheelchair user. I feel have done that, the other fi fty percent say you the impact of Uber’s discrimination every day. In should have took it, but I’m not a crook,” said my home city of New York, Uber has more than Raymond MacCausland, who found the green 30,000 cars on the road but none are wheelchair backpack full of approximately $187,000 in cash accessible. Uber disregards our civil rights and in his cab on Saturday. “I always return things.” devalues our lives by refusing to provide acces- MacCausland, 72, a taxi driver for fi fty years, sible vehicles in New York and other cities across said he picked up the passenger on Massachu- the nation. setts Avenue and Tremont Street, and took him Uber’s shameful business practices do not align to a nearby stop so the man could run an errand. with the Democratic Party Platform, which opposes When the passenger didn’t return after 20 to 30 discrimination against people of color, the LGBT minutes, MacCausland said, he left. It was only community and people with disabilities. At this later he said, that he found the backpack in the year’s convention, the DNC notably featured a back seat. powerful speech from Anastasia Somoza, a fellow “I zipped down a little bit on the bag, and I New York wheelchair user who is an incredible saw three bundles of money, right away I zipped advocate for our community. it up,” MacCausland said. “I just thought it was That is why I am shocked that the Democrats clothes.” – my party – would cut a deal with a $60 billion MacCausland said he took the bag to the company that increases its profits by violating police station, and turned it over to the police my civil rights. I expect better from Democrats. I hackney unit. can only hope that your candidates, Hillary Clin- “I didn’t know if I should go look for him. It ton and Tim Kaine, will respond by taking swift might have been stolen money, it might have been action to disavow the deal and condemn Uber’s bank robbery money, I had no idea,” MacCausland discrimination. said. “I only saw three packs, three bundles, but Sincerely, I knew the whole bag was full of money.” Dustin Jones By law, taxi drivers must return forgotten United for Equal Access New York property to BPD’s hackney unit. Once at BPD headquarters offi cers unpacked the bag, laid the DNC cash on a table, and began counting. In the end, Dear Taxi Dave, police said, there was roughly $187,000. I just watched Bloomberg’s speech at the DNC. “It had to be about 30 bundles, maybe 40 Where does he get the nerve to say that Donald Look Who was in my car today! Ali Velshi bundles, one bundle had ten thousand dollars, Trump will threaten the retirement savings of all John another bundle had $20s and $50s,” MacCausland Americans. Even if that is true, look who’s say- said. “It really is something to see.” ing it, a man who funneled millions of dollars BPD spokeswoman Rachel McGuire said through a hedge fund to help start UBER’s drive Driving Skills the passenger was tracked down and reunited to devalue the medallions that we worked so hard (Continued from Page 11) with the money, which turned out to be a recent to build for our retirement. How can he speak with their driving skills and help stave off decline through inheritance. She said police detectives were able a straight face? various types of exercise and physical therapy. to confi rm the money was rightfully his. Abe New research by the Yale University School of “He had proof that it was his, he had the trust Medicine, for example, found that even a moderate agreement, he provided the proof the money was How Is This Possible regimen of physical therapy specifi cally designed for his,” McGuire said. “Thank goodness for the the task — only 15 minutes of exercises a day — could honest cab driver.” signifi cantly improve fl exibility, coordination and speed Reached by phone after the money was re- of movement of extremities in drivers 70 years old turned, the passenger declined to comment. and older who were affl icted with various limitations For MacCausland, the episode brought back such as arthritis. The success of the therapy, in turn, is memories of 30 years ago. projected to improve driving performance by at least “Thirty-something years ago, I took a man an 8 percent lower crash occurrence over two years. to the airport and he left $10,000 in a briefcase “Our hope was to make small improvements on the front seat,” MacCausland said. The brief- in several areas of physical functioning that, taken case was returned but wasn’t exactly met with together, were meaningful, and that’s essentially gratitude, he said. what we found,” said Dr. Richard Marottoli, associ- This time, when he reunited with the passenger ate professor of medicine at Yale. “Next, we want to at police headquarters, MacCausland said, he was look at whether people who might not yet have these rewarded with $100. limitations could relatively easily incorporate some “Thirty-something years ago, I took a man of these activities and prevent [driving] problems to the airport and he left $10,000 in a briefcase down the road.” on the front seat,” MacCausland said. The brief- case was returned but wasn’t exactly met with gratitude, he said. This time, when he reunited with the passenger at police headquarters, MacCausland said, he was Dear Taxi Dave, rewarded with $100. Look at this Texas license plate, he has UBER AUGUST 2016 • TAXI INSIDER • PAGE 21 UBER MIAMI (CBSMiami) – An Uber driver has been arrested after Miami police conducted an anti-gun violence operation in Coconut Grove. Miami police said they received a tip that a narcotics deal was going down Tuesday at the Quick Stop on Grand Ave. in Coconut Grove. Several units converged on the location where they arrested Ilitch Muñoz who they said was selling cocaine. Detectives said upon further re- view, Muñoz – who is an Uber driver – was in possession of a handgun. Of the 40 busiest U.S. airports, 10 don’t allow pickups unless drivers have a chauffeur’s license or livery plates, including Atlanta, Orlando, Detroit, Boston and Philadelphia. Uber and Lyft are aggressively ne- gotiating agreements with airports, agreeing to pay the same fees taxis pay for pickups in many cases, usually about $2 to $4 per ride. MUMBAI STRIKE UBER Mumbai’s traditional taxi drivers went on strike yesterday, protesting against the car-hailing service Uber that they say is undercutting their fares and threatening to drive them out of business. Drivers of Mumbai’s “black and yellow” cabs, as well as fleet SATURDAYS, SUNDAYS & LABOR DAY • 10AM TO 7PM taxi and auto rickshaw drivers, took part in the strike in their thousands, organisers said. Hundreds of drivers AUG. 6- OCT. 2 gathered at Azad Maidan, the sports 600 Route 17A, Tuxedo, NY 10987 • 845.351.5171 • Open Rain or Shine • ground in south Mumbai, to protest RENFAIR.COM against Uber and its Indian rival, Print and present coupon at Faire Box Office to receive one of the following: Ola. The drivers are demanding that the app-based companies bring their OPENING WEEKEND SAVINGS 2ND WEEKEND fares in line with the rates set by the CHILDREN ADMITTED FREE* local government authorities. Failing One Adult Ticket - $20 *When accompanied with one adult ticket purchase. 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Not valid with online ticket sales. No pets or smoking, please. Rickshaw Sanghatana, a union that led the protest against what it described SAVE UP TO $5 ON TICKETS AT as an unfair pricing strategy. Santosh Singh, 39, a fleet taxi driver who took part in the strike, said that before Uber and Ola came into the market he was generating revenues of 80,000 to 90,000 rupees a month – but now Listen to Taken by Elias Schwartz his revenues amount to only 25,000 to 30,000 rupees a month. “I have a loan Podcasts of on my taxi to pay off, 18,000 rupees a month, but I haven’t been able to pay the instalments for the past two The Taxi Dave months,” he said. “I’m worried that the bank will take my car from me.” Show and Read He has a son and daughter who are teenagers and he said he could no Taxi Insider longer afford to pay for their educa- tion, so he has been forced to borrow money from the bank earlier this on-line @ month. “There are some people who NYCTAXINEWS. want to hang themselves because of Ola and Uber,” he said. COM PAGE 22 • TAXI INSIDER • AUGUST 2016 AUGUST 2016 • TAXI INSIDER • PAGE 23 Illegal Street Hail Law Member Brokerage Services, LLC Must Be Enforced By Abe Mittleman DEFENSIVE DRIVING In New York City Medallion Taxis didn’t listen to the show on July 31, have the exclusive right to passengers 2016 you are still able to listen. COURSE SCHEDULE that hail them from the street. Other Taxi Dave had as his guest the Classes will be offered the following Saturdays: For Hire Vehicles are licensed to do Honorable Peter Mazer. Mr. Mazer is October 1st pre arranged passenger work. This is an attorney with lots of experience. the law. There is no arguing that if a He formally was the Chief Council November 5th person raises a hand that this work is for the TLC and presently is the Legal November 5th – will remain Pending for a Medallion Taxi. Representative for the Metropolitan For many years other vehicles, Taxicab Board of Trade (MTBOT). Mr (depending on amount of interest) some not licensed by the TLC, but Mazer knows a lot about how things Time: 9am – 3pm mostly For Hire Vehicles that are li- work at the TLC. Contact Lori at Member Brokerage Service, LLC censed to do pre arranged work have Here is what was explained: been stealing passengers that are When a TLC licensed driver re- DDC given on third fl oor at Melrose Building hailing from the street. As a poten- ceives a summons he first receives 139-30 Queens Blvd. tial passenger raises a hand, an FHV a notice encouraging the driver to 718 523-1300 Extension 1037 vehicle will often approach and the plead guilty and pay a reduced fine. In driver will attempt to negotiate a deal the case of a driver who violated the with the potential passenger. This is law in subject here the fine would be illegal. And, the driver knows it. But $250, not $2000. If the driver instead with out heavy handed enforcement chooses to continue to trial then the TAXI DAVE’S the driver will not fear chancing it. $2000 fine would be in play. Natu- This happens every day of the week, rally, this driver knows he has very hundreds if not thousands of times. little chance of winning this case. So, RADIO SHOW The TLC was doing a very good job the $250 fine is paid and there are no of discouraging this illegal activity by penalty points. So, the driver is free setting up and stinging these drivers. to continue this illegal activity. They were seizing the vehicles and Why is this done? It is done for the WOR-710AM putting them out of business until most ridiculous reason imaginable. It fines and towing costs were met. Even is done because there is a competition so, that wasn’t enough because the for the revenue between the TLC and 8:00 – 9:00 PM amount of these expenses were just The Offi ce of Administrative Trials and not enough to discourage this illegal Hearings (OATH). If the case goes to activity from continuing. And further trial OATH gets the money. If the driver more, a court ruling ended the seizing pleads guilty by mail and pays the re- EVERY SUNDAY! of these vehicles. duced fi ne the TLC gets the money. So, the New York City Council THIS IS AN OUTRAGE! WHAT stepped in with a bill that would GOOD IS A LAW IF IT CAN’T BE OLDEE raise the fine for this illegal activ- APPLIED! WHO IS OUR CITY ity. Local Law No. 52 was passed GOVERNMENT WORKING and signed by Mayor DiBlasio on FOR? April 21, 2016. The fines passed for Government is supposed to protect Taxi Instruments violation of the law were as follows. the citizens rights and enforce the laws A Name You Can Trust Since Your Grandfather Drove a Cab! $2000 for the 1st offence, $4000 for that are on the books that are created the 2nd offence and $10,000 plus loss for this purpose. We have rights and of drivers DMV license for the 3rd they are being violated day after day. Taxicab Owners: offence. So, finally the law had teeth When and how will this injustice end? and it would figure that this blatant If a law is passed to protect citizens Need a meter? violation of the property rights of rights there should be not be a back medallion taxis would have a chance door way around it. Need advertising? of being controlled. Editor’s Note: The TLC had an But no, not so fast! And this writer opportunity to read this before pub- Need a GPS System? can not believe the reason why. lication and TLC Spokesperson Allan Many of us listen to the Taxi Dave Fromberg responded with the follow- Need Roof-lights? Show on Sunday night. We can listen ing:.... in fact, we are not offering live on WOR radio at 8PM. If we miss $250 fines for $2,000 violations. We Need Security Cameras? the show archived shows are available review these summonses on a case- any time you want to listen on the by-case basis and thus far, offers have Need a partition? WOR Taxi Dave archived page and ranged between $1,000 and $1,250 NYCTAXINEWS.COM. So, if you for first-time offenders. Need Upholstery? Need a Checker Cab?

OLDEE DOES IT ALL! From Taxi Security to Advertising

Phone 718 482-6533 / Fax 718 - 482-7144 24-50 47th Street • Astoria, New York 11103 (4 Blocks from the TLC Inspection Site) Open: Monday to Fridays 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Saturdays 9:00 am -1:00 pm PAGE 24 • TAXI INSIDER • AUGUST 2016

TAXI AND FOR-HIRE VEHICLE My Solution RELIEF STANDS By Abe Mittleman DOT is not responsible regulating taxis. Taxis are regulated by the New York In New York City the number of 12am- 4am when taxi service is still City Taxi and Limousine Commission. DOT does regulate taxi relief stands hours that taxi drivers have to drive to needed but diminished could be avail- Taxi relief stands allow drivers to park their vehicles for up to one hour. This earn an acceptable living along with able to drivers who only want to work affords drivers the opportunity to leave their vehicles and take care of personal the availability of taxicab service dur- those hours. So, not only will the needs. Taxi relief stands should not be confused with taxi stands, which are ing high demand times have been a evening rush be covered but all hours locations where drivers can wait, in their cars, to pick up passengers. problem for both taxi drivers and the will be covered, even during switch The type column indicates if the relief stand is for taxis alone, or both taxis general public for a very long time. times that would be staggered. and For-Hire Vehicles (FHVs). Staten Island currently has no relief stands. The solution to these problems seems But, this wouldn’t work if a driver to have evaded the regulators of this can’t earn a decent living wage. Based BRONX industry for many years Despite ef- on the current fare structure. If a driver TYPE LOCATION CROSS STREET forts to solve this problem, it seems switches hours from 12 to 9 hours the Taxi Jerome Ave. (E. Side) Eliot Pl. & E. 170th St. to go on and on. . But is this really a earning potential is reduced by 25%. If Taxi Metropolitan Ave. (N. Side) Purdy St. & Red Oak Dr. complicated problem to solve? a driver switches hours from 12 to 10 There are 24 hours in a day. There hours the earning potential is reduced MANHATTAN EAST SIDE ABOVE 23RD STREET is demand for taxi service around the by 16%. The average between the two Taxis E.77th St.(N. Side) First & Second Aves. clock, all of these 24 hours. Statis- scenarios is 20.5%. Therefore a fare Taxis E. 86th St. (N. Side) Henderson Pl. & York Ave. tics show that the high point of the increase of 20.5% should give incentive Taxis E. 78th Street (N. Side) Lexington & Third Ave. demand is during the morning rush for drivers to accept this change. And Taxis E. 78th St. (S. Side) Lexington & Third Ave. and the evening rush hours. Drivers still drivers can at times still work 12 Taxis & FHVs E. 29th St. (S. Side) Madison & Fifth Ave. for many years have been generally hours if they needed to. But, the pressure Taxis E. 27th St. (N. Side) Park Ave. S. & Madison Ave. working 12 hour shifts beginning at for a driver to work more than 9 or 10 Taxis & FHVs E.28th St. (N. Side) Park Av. S. & Lexington Ave. 4am to 6am and ending 12 hours later hours will be greatly diminished. Taxis & FHVs Madison Ave. (W. Side) E. 26th & 27th St. at 4pm to 6 pm. The morning rush Now, one may argue that there Taxis E. 26th Street (S. Side) Third & Second Aves. hour is covered with this arrange- are not enough drivers to do all this. ment. However, the times of change That may be true with the way things MANHATTAN WEST SIDE ABOVE 23RD STREET over 4pm to 6pm leaves a gap in are now. But, the ability to work less Taxis W. 55th St. (S. Side) Tenth & Eleventh Aves. availability of service at the highest hours and still earn decent money Taxis & FHVs Sixth Ave. (W.Side) W. 55th & 56th Sts. demand time of the day. will attract many new drivers to the Taxis & FHVs Eighth Ave. (E. Side) W. 52nd & 53rd Sts. So, I am proposing this idea for all industry as well as bringing back Taxis Broadway (E. Side) W. 48th & 47th Sts. Taxis Eighth Ave. (W. Side) W. 46th & 47th Sts. to think about: 9 or 10 hour shifts. drivers that have left. I might even Taxis & FHVs Sixth Ave. (W. Side) W. 39th & 40th Sts. A shift can start at 4am-6am then renew my hack license that I retired Taxis & FHVs Sixth Ave. (W. Side) W. 38th & 39th Sts. end at 1pm-3pm. The next shift can 4 years ago afer 42 years! Taxis Broadway (E. Side) W. 43rd & 42nd Sts. start at 1pm-3pm then end at 10pm- I think this is worth considering , Taxis Ninth Ave. (E. Side) W. 42nd & 41st Sts. to1am. The over night hours from How about you? Taxis West 39th St. (S. Side) Eighth & Ninth Aves. Taxis Ninth Ave. (E. Side) W. 30th & 29th Sts. InsiderYou News Be The Judge ! MANHATTAN BELOW 23RD STREET —by ContinuedTONY from FALESE page 3 — • Authorized TLC Representative Taxis E. 23rd St. First & Second Aves. Here's how this works. We give you the facts exactly like they were given to Taxis & FHVs Sixth Ave. (W. Side) W. 22nd & 23rd Sts. a TLC Judge. We give you the defense that was made before the judge. You Taxis Third Ave. (W. Side) E. 14th & 15th Sts. make up your mind whether he or she is guilty or not guilty. Once your vote Taxis & FHVs Third Ave. (W. Side) E. 15th & 14th Sts. is in, we'll give you the TLC Judge's decision. Taxis & FHVs Sixth Ave. (W. Side) W.13th & 14th Sts. CHARGES: in the right lane all driving about 30 Taxis Sixth Ave. (W. Side) Thompson & Grand Sts. 2-21A reckless driving miles per hour. The taxi saw a man Taxis & FHVs Canal St. (N. Side) E. Broadway & Essex St. 2-21B3xi improper passing on the right hand sidewalk hailing for Taxis Park Row (SE. Side) Ann & Beekman Sts. 2-21B3xii unsafe lane change a cab. Without waiting for the traffi c Taxis & FHVs Fulton St. (S. Side) Broadway & Church St. 2-21Bvi fail to yield right of way to pass and without signaling, the taxi Taxis & FHVs South St. (N. Side) Old Slip & Broad St. 2-61A2 action against public interest raced diagonally across three lanes to Taxis & FHVs Water St. (W. Side) Whitehall & Broad Sts. get the fare. He almost caused a three Taxis Whitehall St. (W. Side) South & State Sts, FINES: car accident by being very greedy or 2-21A $350-$1,000 and/or 30 day very careless or both. BROOKLYN susp 4 pts Taxis N. Sixth St. (N. Side) Berry St. & Wythe Ave. 2-21B3xi $250 3 pts DEFENSE: Taxis Fourth Ave. (W. Side) Third & Sixth Sts. 2-21B3xii $250 3 pts I did pick up that fare but there was 2-21Bvi $250 3 pts no danger. There were no sounds of QUEENS 2-61A2 $150-$350 and/or 30 day brakes, no horns, nothing out of the Taxis & FHVs 43rd Ave. (N. side) 11th & 12th Sts. susp 3 pts ordinary happened I don’t remember Taxis 44th Rd. (N. Side) 21st & 11th Sts. the traffi c from three months ago. Since Taxis & FHVs Hunterspoint Ave. 27th & 30th Sts. FACTS: nothing happened, I apparently made a Taxis 31st St. (W. Side) 34th & 35th Aves. There were only three cars on the safe maneuver. This person probably Taxis & FHVs 43rd Ave. 36th & 37th Sts. avenue headed uptown at 5:00 A.M. has something against cabbies or is not Taxis 34th St. (W. Side) 37th & 38th Aves. Taxis Skillman Ave. 37th & 36th Sts. The taxi was in the left lane, the com- accustomed to driving in Manhattan. Taxis Queens Blvd. (S. Side) 50th & 51st Sts. plainant in the middle lane and an SUV (Continued on Page 28) Taxis Queens Blvd. 55th & 54th Sts. Taxis & FHVs 45th Ave. (S. side) Jackson Ave. & 23rd St. Would You Like To Receive...... Taxis & FHVs Pearson St. (W. Side) Jackson Ave. & dead end Taxis 49th St. Newtown Rd & Northern Blvd. • Weekly Traffi c Advisories Taxis 55th St. Queens Blvd & Roosevelt Ave. • Important Messages from The TLC Taxis Van Dam St. Queens Blvd & Skillman Ave. Taxis & FHVs 36th St. Skillman & 43rd Aves. • Important Industry Notices Don’t risk a summons trying to fi nd a Relief Stand on the list E-mail: [email protected] that the TLC web site provides. Texting or searching on-line while in your cab is against the law. Keep this list in your taxi And we will place you on our for future use! Industy E-Mail List. AUGUST 2016 • TAXI INSIDER • PAGE 25 YOUR ACCESSIBLE VEHICLE HEADQUARTERS

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Doubletree Times Square Hotel Holiday Inn Midtown Hotel 1568 Broadway 440 W 57th Street TAXI INSIDER between 47th & 48th Streets between 9th & 10th Avenues

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

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

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

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

Holiday Inn Martinique Hotel Broadway & W 32nd Street (Continued on Page 28) AUGUST 2016 • TAXI INSIDER • PAGE 27 Average Gas Prices NYC ECONOMY As of August 4, 2016 New York Regular Mid Premium Diesel Employment Current $2.473 $2.722 $2.901 $2.763 Private sector jobs in New York City rose by 26,400, following May’s decline Week Ago $2.494 $2.741 $2.926 $2.781 of 6,700. Government jobs in the city increased by 600, resulting in a net overall Month Ago $2.555 $2.790 $2.984 $2.797 increase of 27,000 jobs between May and June 2016. Employment gains were led by the Educational Services sector, which saw Year Ago $2.993 $3.231 $3.406 $3.429 an overall increase of 14,200 jobs (note: this sector is historically erratic with gains or losses fl uctuating heavily with the seasons). Construction The Information sector, which lost 3,500 jobs largely due to the Verizon strike For the 12-months ending June 2016: The number of residential con- the previous month, saw an increase of 5,700 jobs as striking workers returned struction projects rose by 12.4% between the 12-months ending June 2016. to work in June. Despite a nearly 24.0% decline in non-building construction projects over Other notable job increases were in the Accommodation and Food Services, this time period, the total number of construction projects was up 6.5%. where 15,900 jobs were added since June 2015. In spite of growth in project numbers, both the value and square footage Private sector employment has risen by 98,500 jobs since June 2015, an of construction projects were down from last year’s June totals. Total new increase of 2.7% (compared to the national growth rate of 2.0%). building square footage was down 25.7%, while the corresponding value of New York City’s unemployment rate fell to 5.0% in June 2016 from May’s new projects was down 28.3%. 5.1%. Transit Ridership Science, Technology, Engineering, Total ridership on MTA subways, trains, and buses was 208.5 million in May 2016, a decrease of 0.3% from May 2015. While subway ridership was and Mathematics in New York City up 0.22% since last May, bus ridership declined 1.8% over this time period. STEM refers to educational and professional fi elds in science, technology, The MTA Long Island Railroad saw the greatest growth in ridership with engineering, and mathematics. STEM is a key driver of innovation, and is vital an increase of 3.0%. to New York City’s status as a leader in the global economy. STEM education Source: Metropolitan Transportation Authority. is on the rise in New York City, with 29,080 students enrolled in science and engineering disciplines in 2015 (an increase of 13% from 2006). This growing education pipeline is vital for expanding the City’s talent pool, as STEM em- Air Traffi c ployment typically requires a high level of education. For example, of the City’s In May 2016, 11.4 million passengers passed through the region’s airports, 217,000 STEM workers, 36.4% hold a postgraduate degree and 81.9% hold at an increase of 4.9% from May 2015. There were 79,805 domestic flights, least a bachelor’s degree. carrying nearly 7.5 million passengers in May 2016. This compares to the 25,144 international flights carrying nearly 4 million passengers in the same month last year. There were over 700,000 taxis dispatched, 713,625 parked cars, and 920,000 passengers riding the Air Train at the region’s airports. Source: Port Authority of New York.

Broadway Ticket Sales Total Broadway attendance was approximately 1,020,886 during the four weeks ending July 17, 2016, up 1.9% from the same period last year. Broadway revenues during this period were about $106.9 million, down 2.1% from last year. Source: The Broadway League Note: Gross revenue and attendance figures may not include all shows.

Hotel Occupancy In April 2016, the average daily hotel room rate was $271, a 5.3% decrease from April 2015. Hotel occupancy was 89% in April 2016, down from 91.3% in April 2015. The average daily hotel room rate decreased the most in the Midtown West submarket, falling 6.3% from last year. Source: PKF Consulting. Business Opportunities In NYC Driving a NYC Taxi has allowed for drivers to make their Dreams a Reality. I know of scored of former drivers who saved money from driving a yellow cab and opened another business while leasing their medallions. That said, rom time to time, leasing opportunities become available for City-owned properties. Find out about these op- portunities in select commercial or industrial properties and retail or wholesale food markets. For more information, please call NYCEDC at (212) 312-3603. Essex Street Market Retail Essex Street Market is meeting the ever-changing needs of the neighborhood and the City as a whole, making it a premiere leasing opportunity and a great place to do business. La Marqueta Building 3 NYCEDC is redeveloping Building 3 at La Marqueta to provide three com- mercial kitchen spaces and eight walk-in cooler spaces for food manufacturers. La Marqueta Retail and Production Space Underutilized market space was recently converted and modernized, giving way to added retail space as well as fully-equipped kitchen facilities. Moore Street Market Moore Street Market is one of Brooklyn’s oldest indoor markets serving East (Continued on Page 28) PAGE 28 • TAXI INSIDER • AUGUST 2016 Political News Business Mayor de Blasio fi nds loophole to spend campaign money on lawyers. (Continued from Page 27) City politicians aren’t allowed to use their campaign cash to pay lawyers Williamsburg and the surrounding neighborhoods for close to 70 years. representing them in criminal matters, but Mayor de Blasio has found a way 2724 Broadway around this problem. Located in the heart of Manhattan’s trendy Upper West Side neighborhood, The mayor – now facing multiple investigations of his campaign fund-raising this ground fl oor retail opportunity is one block from the 103rd subway stop as tactics – is using an obscure loophole in campaign fi nance laws to pay the lawyers well as many city bus routes. defending him. Mayor de Blasio lies again about info kept from investigators in Rivington BKLYN Army Terminal Space House probe. BKLYN Army Terminal is the premier location for companies seeking to lease Mayor Bill de Blasio denied Friday that his team withheld from investigators commercial, light industrial, or back offi ce space in NYC. a crucial memo about a Lower East Side nursing home that would up as condos – but a document obtained by the Daily News shows that’s not true. Brooklyn Wholesale Meat Market Brooklyn Wholesale Meat Market, located in the Sunset Park neighborhood, consists of wholesale companies, engaged in wholesale meat and poultry process- THE BOWERY PRESENTS ing, fi sh, produce as well as distribution. 156 Ludlow St. 5th Floor, NYC 10002 Bush Terminal Industrial 212.260.4700 (p) / 212.780.9418 (f) Campus Space www.BOWERYPRESENTS.com Bush Terminal Industrial Campus is located on the waterfront in the Sunset Park neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York within the Southwest Brooklyn Saturday, August 6 Brooklyn Bowl Empire Zone. JULIETTE LEWIS 61 Wythe Ave, The New Regime Brooklyn, NY East New York Incubator Brooklyn Bowl Doors 6pm / Show 8pm 61 Wythe Ave, Industrial Space Brooklyn, NY Thursday, August 18 Industrial, manufacturing and back-offi ce spaces available for leasing in the Doors 6pm / Show 8pm Fueled by Lagunitas East New York Incubator Industrial Space in Brooklyn. ALO Staten Island Ferry Terminals Retail Sunday, August 7 The Hip Abduction In addition to providing a welcoming and state-of-the-art experience for trav- MAD DECENT BLOCK PARTY Brooklyn Bowl elers, the new Whitehall Terminal in Lower Manhattan and St. George Terminal MCU Park @ Coney Island 61 Wythe Ave, in Staten Island present an exceptional opportunity for retailers seeking a steady 1904 Surf Ave, Brooklyn, NY and reliable stream of potential customers. Brooklyn, NY Doors 6pm / Show 7:30pm Doors 1:30pm / Show 2pm Tuesday, September 13 Insider News Saturday, August 13 A Residency With You Be The Judge ! DONAVON FRANKENREITER TOBACCO (electronic set) (Continued Cifrom Page df 24) 3 Unruly Mane The Stargazer Lilies DECISION: Brooklyn Bowl Brooklyn Bowl I believe the complainant’s version of a dangerous driving incident. I believe 61 Wythe Ave, 61 Wythe Ave, the taxi driver disregarded the safety of other motorists in order to pick up a fare Brooklyn, NY Brooklyn, NY at the wee hours of the morning. Guilty of 2-21A. Fine: $350 + 4 pts. Doors 6pm / Show 8:30pm Saturday, August 13 Summer Residency Wednesday, September 14 GIGAMESH EOTO Sammy Bananas Diamond Saints Brooklyn Bowl Brooklyn Bowl 61 Wythe Ave, 61 Wythe Ave, Brooklyn, NY Brooklyn, NY Doors 11pm / Show 11:30pm Doors 6pm / Show 8pm

Wednesday, August 17 JESSE BOYKINS III PRESENTS BARTHOLOMEW

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

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NEW 2016 TOYOTA CAMRY LE AUGUST 2016 • TAXI INSIDER • PAGE 33 EVENTS AND MORE IN THE BIG APPLE Recommendations to passengers always increase the opportunity for a big tip! Here is is a listing that will help keep all taxi drivers in the loop on what's going on NYCNYC in New York City! Mention these events & promotions and watch the tips grow ! Movie Guide For New York City Thursday, August 25 Sunday, August 7 Screening choice to be selected by public vote (Movies with a View): Pier 1, Brooklyn Bridge Park, DUMBO - 6 p.m. “Rocky Business” (Habana Outpost Events): Habana Outpost 757 Fulton “Zootopia”: LIC Landing at Hunters Point South Park, Hunts Point Street, Fort Greene - 8 p.m. Sundown Monday, August 8 Sunday, August 28 “High Plains Drifter” (Bryant Park Summer Film Festival): Bryant Park Lawn, “Inside Out” (Outdoor Movie Night): Touchdown of the 103rd Street Foot- 42nd Street - 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. bridge, Randall’s Island Park - 8 p.m. Tuesday, August 9 “House Party” (Habana Outpost Events): Habana Outpost 757 Fulton Street, “Reservoir Dogs” (Red Hook Flicks): Valentino Park and Pier Fort Greene - 8 p.m. 8:30 p.m. or as soon as it’s dark enough Tuesday, August 30 “My Blind Brother” (LOFT’s The LOL Movie Series), Solar One at the pier, “Aliens” (Red Hook Flicks): Valentino Park and Pier, Red Hook 23rd Street and FDR, Peter Cooper Village - 7:45 p.m. 8:30 p.m. or as soon as it’s dark enough Wednesday, August 10 Thursday, September 8 Audience selection (SummerScreen): McCarren Park, Williamsburg “Girlhood” (Films on the Green): Columbia University, Morningside Heights Sundown - 7:30 p.m. Audience vote: “Mary and Max” vs. “Carol” vs. “The Warriors” (Summer on the Hudson): Pier I, Riverside Park South, Upper West Thursday, September 16 Seating starts at 6:30 p.m.; screening begins at dusk around 8:30 p.m. “Ghost”: LIC Landing at Hunters Point South Park, Hunts Point, Long Island “Suzhou River”: International Film Festival at Socrates Sculpture Park, As- City - Sundown toria Pre-screening performance at 7 p.m.; fi lm screening at sundown For news and information Thursday, August 11 “Selma” (Movies with a View): Pier 1, Brooklyn Bridge Park, DUMBO - 6 regarding efforts to ensure that all p.m. “August Rush”: LIC Landing and Hunters Point South Park, Long Island livery vehicles are complying with City - Sundown “Grease”: (Summer in the Square): Union Square Park, North Plaza (17 Street the law, go to and Union Square East) - Film begins at dusk Sunday, August 14 www.ourridenyc.com “The Land Before Time” (FMCP Movie Night): Lawrence Playground, Flush- ing Meadows Corona Park, Corona - 8 p.m. “The Good Dinosaur” (Outdoor Movie Night): Randall’s Island Connector, Randall’s Island Park - 8 p.m. “Viva Las Vegas” (Habana Outpost Events): Habana Outpost 757 Fulton Street, Fort Greene - 8 p.m. Monday, August 15 Dragonfl y “The Big Chill” (Bryant Park Summer Film Festival): Bryant Park Lawn, 42nd Street - 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. Tuesday, August 16 “Pitch Perfect” (Red Hook Flicks): Valentino Park and Pier, Red Hook Graphics llc. 8:30 p.m. or as soon as it’s dark enough Wednesday, August 17 •Design and Print “Auntie Mame” (Summer on the Hudson): Pier I, Riverside Park South, Up- per West Side media experts. Seating starts at 6:30 p.m.; screening begins at dusk around 8:30 p.m. “Aguirre, the Wrath of God”: International Film Festival at Socrates Sculpture •Over 25 years Park, Astoria experience in Pre-screening performance begins at 7 p.m.; fi lm screening at sundown Thursday, August 18 Graphics. “A League of Their Own” (Movies with a View): Pier 1, Brooklyn Bridge Park, DUMBO - 6 p.m. •Certifi ed Union Saturday, August 20 Printers. “Rooftop Shots: Closing Night Shorts” (Rooftop Films): Industry City, Sunset Park - Doors open at 8 p.m. Monday, August 21 4 Court Square “Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan” (Bryant Park Summer Film Festival): Bry- Long Island City, NY 11101 ant Park Lawn, 42nd Street - 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. (718) 392-3460 “The Last Dragon” (Habana Outpost Events): Habana Outpost 757 Fulton Fax (718) 786-5931 Street, Fort Greene - 8 p.m. www.dragonfl ygraphics.info Tuesday, August 23 e-mail: dragonfl [email protected] “Norm of the North” (FMCP Movie Night): 111th Street Parking Lot, Flush- ing Meadows Corona Park, Corona - 8 p.m. “Labyrinth” (Red Hook Flicks): Valentino Park and Pier, Red Hook 8:30 p.m. or as soon as it’s dark enough Wednesday, August 24 “Embrace of the Serpent”: International Film Festival at Socrates Sculpture Park, Astoria Pre-screening performance at 7 p.m.; fi lm screening at sundown PAGE 34 • TAXI INSIDER • AUGUST 2016 Upcoming Events Around Town Harlem Week NYC Island Hopping Move over, Manhattan. The 13-mile long island may be the city’s most (July 31st - August 27th) famous (and populated), but with dozens of tiny islands littering NYC’s Harlem is one NYC neighborhood with a rich cultural history, and even a waters, it’s certainly not alone. Most of these are owned by the government month-long celebration doesn’t cover it all. Throughout August, Harlem is of- and kept as bird sanctuaries to protect the local wildlife, but a handful are fering a jam-packed schedule of more than 100 events, which includes a gospel open to the public—and accessible by public transit. showcase, fashion show, auto show, free gallery tours, outdoor fi lm screenings, a small-business expo, and more. With activities fi t for any age and attendees from City Island around the world, this celebration is sure to highlight this incredible neighbor- With its perfect combination of boutiques, restaurants, and scenic hood’s continued accomplishments. strolls, City Island makes a great date night or daytime getaway. You can even get a 2-for-1 island deal by crossing over to High Island; at low tide, Tap+Cork Brooklyn Beer & Wine Fest the two isles are connected by sandbar. (August 4th - 6th) Roosevelt Island Taste your way through more than 30 brews and 25 wines (all on tap) at this Getting to Roosevelt Island is as easy as swiping your MetroCard. But annual event in Bedford-Stuyvesant. The celebration begins on August 4th, with instead of a sweaty underground slog, prepare yourself for a scenic, romantic two days of free parties to kick off the festivities. The main event on August 6th tram ride over the East River. The island is only two miles long, so you can offers six hours of sampling various craft beers and wine, snacks from dozens of easily stroll from The Octagon at its northern tip to Four Freedoms Park local vendors, plus live music performances and guest DJs. Admission comes in the south in your summer sandals—no walking shoes required. On the with 15 sample tastings and a commemorative sampling cup, and additional sets way, stop by Main Street Sweets for a cold scoop and Island Shakespeare of tasting tickets can be purchased for $5 once you get there. for an outdoor show in the beautiful Eastwood Amphitheatre. Restoration Plaza - 1368 Fulton Street, Bed-Stuy Governors Island Summer Streets Take a free ferry from Manhattan to this scenic little spot, home to festivals like Pig Island, 4Heads, and Fête Paradiso. When the circus isn’t (August 6th, 13th & 20th) in town, the island makes the perfect place for a relaxing picnic—sans After the 2015 turnout of more than 300,000 participants, Summer Streets is wicker basket, thanks to the tasty dishes served up at the Liggett Terrace returning to Manhattan. For three Saturdays this month (between 7AM and 1PM), Food Court. almost seven miles of city streets from the Brooklyn Bridge to Central Park will be free of cars and open to runners, walkers, cyclists, and rollerbladers. What else Canarsie Pol can you look forward to aside from a car-free road? How about a 300-foot-long Also known as Small Marshland Island, this miniscule patch of land infl atable slide, plus a zip line, hammocks, and fi tness classes? is accessible by kayak. Rent a boat from Canarsie Pier and trek out alone or on one of many ranger-led paddle trips. Just be sure not to disturb the LIC Block Party birds, the islands only inhabitants. (August 2oth) Randall’s Island Come one, come all to Long Island City’s SculptureCenter, which, along with While it may be best known as home to some of New York’s biggest the full length of Sculpture Street, will be transformed into a block party later (and rowdiest) music festivals, Randall’s Island offers family-friendly fun this month. Spend the afternoon enjoying live dance performances and DJ sets, all summer long. Come visit the Urban Farm on one of their Exploration art activities for all ages, and even an Artists’ Market. Try your hand at one of Days for a peek at the world of sustainable city agriculture, stroll through the creative activities being offered like donut-making, coffee ground readings, the island’s scenic themed gardens, or walk along the East River enjoying balloon twisting and creating mixed media sculptures, and be sure to visit the the yearly FLOW art installation, open all summer long. social media photo booth. SculptureCenter - 44-19 Purves Street, Long Island City Broad Channel Formally known as Rulers Bar Hassock, this Queens neighborhood Brooklyn Comedy Festival boasts one of the prettiest—and longest—subway rides in all five bor- oughs. Hop off the A train and straight to Smitty’s Fishing Station to rent (August 21st - 28th) a boat and line, or visit Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge to wander through Sit back and laugh your way through Brooklyn during this fourth annual com- the wilderness. Once you’ve worked up an appetite, be sure to swing by edy festival, featuring a diverse mix of known and up-and-coming comedians. All American Bagel for a bite. Created to celebrate comedy and give newcomers the opportunity to perform in numerous Brooklyn venues, this eight-day festival features special editions of the borough’s comedy staples (like Night Train at Littlefi eld), a charity event, a Brooklyn has loads of great rooftop show in Williamsburg, daytime panels, shows from IFC Comedy Road pizza! We’re concentrating on Cobble Tour, and even a children’s festival. Hill every Saturday afternoon and Williamsburg Thursday afternoon & August 7 - Manhattan + Queens Saturday evening. Adventure. Excitement. A pizza lover craves BOTH these things! August 14 - Tri-Borough Pizza Private Tours Bonanza Create Your Own Custom Pizza Let’s make use of the open roads Journey. and hit three different boroughs while • Flexible start times available all the New Yorkers are chillaxing in • Tour by bus or on foot the Hamptons. • DELUXE option includes wine August 21 - Manhattan + Brook- pairings lyn told through three pizzerias in Soho and • SUPREME option includes August Bus Tours It’s my mom’s birthday! Bring a Greenwich Village. wine pairings, salads, appetizers, and Hop on the Pizza Bus for Outer birthday card for her and I’ll give you *Greenwich Village Pizza Walk - MORE! Borough Adventure an extra slice. Thurs + Sun @ 11:15am • All group sizes welcome Our big yellow school bus leaves August 28 - Manhattan + the The global history of pizza as told Check out Tours @ https://www. Manhattan to explore at least one of Bronx through three pizzerias in Greenwich zerve.com/PizzaTours/Bus/calendar the outer boroughs. Our stops rotate The only time the bus has ever taken Village and Soho. weekly, but always include a variety off without the whole group was on a *LES / East Village Pizza Walk - Sun of styles and locations fit for the Bronx trip. Just letting you know. @ 4:30pm serious pizza adventurer. This tour Pizza hot spots in the Lower East covers the most ground and tackles Side and East Village. Super popular more slices than any other on our Walking Tours with New Yorkers. public schedule. Tours are already Walk the Path of Pizza History *Brooklyn Pizza Walk - Sat @ scheduled through June 2017, but *Crosstown Pizza Walk - Mon, Fri, 11:45am in Downtown Brooklyn, Sat here’s a look at where we’re going Sat @ 11am @ 5pm in Williamsburg, Thurs @ noon this month. The history of pizza in NYC as in Williamsburg AUGUST 2016 • TAXI INSIDER • PAGE 35 THE TAXI DAVE SHOW Brought To You by Melrose Credit Union ATTENTION TAXI DRIVERS! TAXI RADIO EVERY SUNDAY NIGHT NEW YORK’S #1 TALKER WOR-710AM Sunday 8:00 – 9:00 PM PAGE 36 • TAXI INSIDER • AUGUST 2016 cation (TOEIC) Bridge, a one-hour tested over there and, if they pass, multiple-choice exam consisting of then they provide them with a resident taxi news 50 listening and 50 reading questions. visa,” said Ms Dajani. The language testing is needed to Amideast also issues a psycho- ensure that the drivers’ English skills metric assessment to prospective from around are proficient enough to allow them drivers to ensure they have the right to properly communicate with their professional attributes to work as a customers, according to the RTA. taxi driver. the world The drivers’ English language “They do something called the skills are being tested even before WorkFORCE Assessment for Job Fit,” DUBAI they arrive in Dubai, said Rula Dajani, said Ms Dajani, who added that the country director for Amideast, which UAE is the first country in the region Drivers Must Pass English Test administers the assessments on behalf to use the assessment. “It’s a psycho- Prospective taxi drivers must now pass a series of psychometric and of the RTA. metric but it analyses six attributes of English-language assessments to work in the emirate as part of a new pro- “If they need to hire drivers from behaviours for a taxi driver.” gram introduced in advance of Dubai Expo 2020. India, they are being tested there – The Roads and Transport Authority said it expects about 5,000 prospec- India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Kenya, tive drivers each year to sit the Test of English for International Communi- Uganda, Nepal. So they are being Spain Madrid To Get World’s Largest Electric Taxi Fleet Of Nissan Leafs The Nissan Leaf is not only the world’s best-selling electric car, but also probably the world’s most popular electric taxi. Leaf taxis operate in several European countries, enduring the same demanding conditions as gasoline, diesel, and hybrid cabs. One of those countries is Spain, and it’s about to get a whole lot more Leaf taxis. At the 2016 Madrid Motor Show, Nissan and taxi company Ciudad del Taxi announced an order of 110 Leaf taxis for service in the Spanish capital. This is the largest fl eet order for elec- tric taxis so far, according to Nissan. It will also put Madrid in contention with Amsterdam—which has around 100 Leaf taxis in operation—for the world’s largest fl eet of the vehicles. All of the Leafs in the Madrid order have the larger 30-kilowatt-hour battery pack that was introduced for the 2016 model year. Spain is already one of the largest markets for Nissan electric taxis, along with The Netherlands and the U.K. In addition to the Leaf, Nissan sells a taxi version of the e-NV200 electric van. That model is actually built in Spain, at Nissan’s Barcelona plant. The internal- combustion version of the e-NV200— just called NV200—is New York City’s standardized taxi. Nissan has demonstrated Leaf taxis in the U.S. before, but there has been no large-scale attempt to deploy them here. New York studied electrifi cation under the administration of previous mayor Michael Bloomberg, but the effort seems to have lost traction under current mayor Bill De Blasio. Elsewhere, Nissan claims to have sold Choose Your Car more than 800 Leaf and e-NV200 taxis, most of which operate in Europe. Taxi Hochelaga said last year that it would deploy 2,000 electric taxis in Montreal by 2019. If owners follow through with those plans, that would likely give the Canadian city the world’s largest electric-taxi fl eet. Given its popularity elsewhere, it wouldn’t be surprising with the Leaf made up a Defensive Driving Class large portion of that fl eet. In Canada, a Montreal taxi company has also discussed adding a fl eet of elec- Available Free tric cars. AUGUST 2016 • TAXI INSIDER • PAGE 37 Events For You and Your Passengers in The Big Apple Broadway Shows Off Broadway Shows

ALADDIN LES MISERABLES AVENUE Q SAM EATON’S New Amsterdam Theatre Imperial Theatre New World Stages THE QUANTUM EYE 214 West 42nd Street 249 West 45th Street 340 West 50th Street MENTALISM & MAGIC SHOW Theatre 80 AN ACT OF GOD LONG DAY’S JOURNEY BLACK ANGELS OVER 80 St. Marks Place The Booth Theatre INTO NIGHT TUSKEGEE 222 West 45th Street American Airlines Theatre Actors Temple Theatre SEX TIPS FOR STRAIGHT 227 West 42nd Street 339 West 47th Street WOMEN FROM A GAY MAN AN AMERICAN IN PARIS The 777 Theatre Palace Theatre LOVE. LOVE. LOVE BLUE MAN GROUP 777 Eighth Avenue 1564 Broadway Laura Pels Theatre Astor Plae Theatre 111 West 46th Street 424 Lafayette Street SHEAR MADNESS BEAUTIFUL New World Stages THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL MATILDA CAGNEY 340 West 50th Street Stephen Sondheim Theatre THE MUSICAL Westside Theatre 124 West 43rd Street Shubert Theater 407 West 43rd Street SISTAS: THE MUSICAL 225 West 44th Street St. Lukes Theatre BLACKBIRD DRUNK SHAKESPEARE 308 West 46th Street Belasco Theatre NAPOLI, BROOKLYN The Lounge at Roy Arias Theatre 111 West 44th Street Laura Pels Theatre 300 West 43rd Street STOMP 111 West 46th Street Orpheum Theatre BRIGHT STAR FUERZA BRUTA 126 Second Avenue Cort Theatre NATASHA, PIERRE AND THE The Daryl Roth Theatre 138 West 48th Street GREAT COMET OF 1812 101 East 15th Street THE BERENSTAIN BEARS Imperial Theatre The Marjorie S. Deane Little Theatre CATS 249 West 45th Street GAZILLION BUBBLE SHOW 5 West 63rd Street Neil Simon Theatre New World Stages 250 West 52nd Street ON YOUR FEET! 340 West 55th Street THE FANTASTICKS THE STORY OF EMILIO AND Snapple Theater Center CHICAGO GLORIA ESTEFAN HIMSELF AND NORA 210 West 50th Street Ambassador Theatre Marquis Theatre Minetta Lane Theatre 219 West 49th Street 1535 Broadway 18 Minetta Lane THE JACKIE MASON MUSICAL St. Luke’s Theatre CIRQUE DU SOLEIL SCHOOL OF ROCK IT’S JUST SEX 308 West 46th Street PARAMOUR Winter Garden Theatre Actors Temple Theatre Lyric Theatre 1634 Broadway 339 West 47th Street THE LION, THE WITCH AND 214 West 43rd Street THE ROBBER BRIDEGROOM SHE LOVES ME MONDAY NIGHT MAGIC Laura Pels Theatre DEAR EVAN HANSON Studio 54 Theatre 80 111 W 46th Street Belasco Theatre 254 West 54th Street 80 Saint Marks Place 111 West 44th Street THE MARVELOUS SHUFFLE ALONG, or THE MY BIG GAY ITALIAN FUNERAL WONDERETTES FIDDLER ON THE ROOF MAKING OF THE MUSICAL St. Luke’s Theatre Kirk Theatre Broadway Theatre SENSATION OF 1921 AND ALL 308 West 46th Street 410 West 42nd Street 1681 Broadway THAT FOLLOWED Music Box Theatre MY BIG GAY ITALIAN WEDDING THE VERY HUNGRY FINDING NEVERLAND 239 West 45th Street St. Luke’s Theatre CATERPILLAR SHOW Lunt-Fontanne Theatre 308 West 46th Street Acorn Theatre 205 West 46th Street SOMETHING ROTTEN 410 West 42nd Street St. James Theatre MY SON THE WAITER: FUN HOME 246 West 44th Street A JEWISH TRAGEDY THE WONDERFUL WIZARD Circle in the Square Theatre Stage 72 at The Triad Theatre OF SONG: THE MUSIC OF West 50th Street THE BOOK OF MORMON 158 West 72nd Street HAROLD ARLEN Eugene O’Neil Theatre St. Luke’s Theatre HAMILTON 230 West 49th Street NAKED BOYS SINGING 308 West 46th Street Richard Rodgers Theatre Kirk Theatre 226 West 46th Stret THE CHERRY ORCHARD 410 West 42nd Street American Airlines Theatre HOLIDAY INN 227 West 42nd Street NEWSical Studio 54 Kirk Theatre 254 West 54th Street THE COLOR PURPLE 410 West 42nd Street Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre JERSEY BOYS 242 West 45th Street PERFECT CRIME August Wilson Theater Snapple Theatre Center 245 West 52nd Street THE CRUCIBLE 210 West 50th Street Walter Kerr Theatre KINKY BOOTS 219 West 48th Street RUTHLESS Al Hirshfi eld Theater St. Luke’s Theatre 203 West 45th Street (Continued on Page 38) 308 West 46th Street PAGE 38 • TAXI INSIDER • AUGUST 2016 June Book Signings Museums along Museum Mile El Museo del Barrio at 104th Street Museum of the City of New York at 103rd Street Jewish Museum at 92nd Street Cooper-Hewitt National Museum of Design at 91st Street National Academy Museum and School of Fine Arts at 89th Street Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum at 88th Street Metropolitan Museum of Art from 82nd to 86th Streets Goethe House German Cultural Center at 82nd Street Other Museums The Museum of American Finance, the nation’s only independent public ... Museum of American Finance, 48 Wall Street African Burial Ground - corners of Duane and Elk Streets Asa Akira, adult fi lm star, American Folk Art Museum 45 W. 53rd St. signing copies of Dirty Thirty American Museum of Natural History 77th St Central Park West 8/8/16 6:00 PM at Barnes & Noble Children’s Museum of the Arts 250 Lafayette St # A, Union Square. New York, NY Children’s Museum of the Arts Free Art Island Outpost Program at Governors Island Kiefer Sutherland, star of “24”, Harbor Defense Museum - 230 Sheridan Loop, Brooklyn signing copies of Down In A Hole Italian American Museum-155 Mulberry St 8/13/16 2:00 PM at Barnes & Noble Kehila Kedosha Jania Museum-280 Broome St Union Square. New York, NY. Luxce Project 53 Stanton St The Morgan Library and Museum-225 Madison Ave. Museum of Chinese In America-211 Centre St Amy Schumer, star of “Trainwreck”, Museum of Jewish Heritage- Holocaust signing copies of The Girl With the Lower Back Tattoo Edmond J. Safra Plaza - 36 Battery Place 8/16/16 6:00 PM at Barnes & Noble Museum at FIT-Seventh Ave. Union Square. New York, NY. Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) 11 W 53rd St 8/17/16 7:00 PM at WORD Museum of Modern Art Design-81 Spring St # A Newark Avenue. Jersey City, NJ. National Museum of the American Indian 8/18/16 7:00 PM at Book Revue Alexander Hamilton U.S. Custom House, 1 Bowling Green New York Avenue. Huntington, NY. New Museum of Contemporary Art-235 Bowery New World Art Ctr-250 Lafayette St # 5 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar,NBA Hall of Famer, New York City Police Museum-100 Old Slip signing copies of Writings On the Wall Poets House - Ten River Terrace 8/23/16 7:00 PM at Barnes & Noble Queens Museum of Art-49th Ave. and 111th St. Union Square. New York, NY Rubin Museum of Art-150 West 17th Street Skyscraper Museum - 39 Battery Place James “Slim Jim Phantom” McDonnel, drummer for The Stray Cats, South Street Seaport Museum - 12 Fulton Street signing copies of A Stray Cat Struts The Tenement Museum-108 Orchard St 8/23/16 6:00 PM at BookEnds Whitney Museum of American Art-945 Madison Ave East Ridgewood Avenue. Ridgewood, NJ. 8/24/17 7:00 PM at Book Revue New York Avenue. Huntington, NY. Broadway Shows Jamie Lee Curtis, fi lm and TV star, signing copies of This Is Me (Continued from Page 37) 9/19/16 7:00 PM at BookEnds East Ridgewood Avenue. Ridgewood, NJ. THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE LION KING THE NIGHT-TIME Minskoff Theatre Ethel Barrymore Theatre 200 West 45th Street 243 West 47th Street THE PHANTOM OF THE ENCOUNTER THE OPERA Golden Theatre Majestic Theatre 252 West 45th Street 242 West 45th Street

THE HUMANS THE PRICE Helen Hayes Theatre American Airlines Theatre 240 West 44th Street 227 West 42nd Street

THE ILLUSTIONIST WAITRESS Lunt-Fontanne Theatre Brooks Atkinson Theatre 205 West 46th Street 256 West 47th Steet

THE KING AND I WICKED Lincoln Center Gershwin Theater 70 Lincoln Center Plaza 222 West 51st Street

Photo by David Pollack

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All Your Taxi/FHV Solutions Under One Roof. 36-16 Skillman Avenue Long Island City, NY 11101 (718) 392-7000 Fax: (718) 472-0925 Providing 3 generations of excellence to the Taxi/FHV industries PAGE 40 • TAXI INSIDER • AUGUST 2016