NOVEMBERJULY 20102014 •• TAXITAXI INSIDERINSIDER •• PAGEPAGE 11

INSIDER VOL. 15, NO. 11 “The Voice of the NYC Transportation Industry.” NOVEMBER 2014

Letters Start on Page 3 EDITORIAL • By David Pollack Insider News Page 5 • Taxi Drivers and Ebola Updated Relief Stands Thankfully there is a radio show where you can Taxi Dave (that’s me!) not only had the Chairwoman get fi rst hand information needed to answer any of of the TLC, Meera Joshi discuss fears of the Ebola Page 6 your questions whether industry related or even virus, but I had Dr. Jay Varma, a spokesperson from • health related. the NYC Department of Health answering all ques- Taxi Attorney Before we get into Ebola, TLC Chair- tions that drivers brought to “Taxi Dave’s” By Michael Spevack woman Joshi stated that the TLC will attention. How does Ebola spread? What be sending out warning letters to drivers is the best means of prevention and pro- Page 7 instead of summonses for a red light tection? • camera offense. “Vision Zero is not Chairwoman Joshi stated, “Thank you How I Became A Star about penalties,” she stated. To hear this for reaching out to the Department of By Abe Mittleman and much more, listen to this link: http:// Health. The myth of how Ebola spreads is www.wor710.com/media/podcast-the- spreading incredibly faster than the actual Page 15 taxi-dave-show-TaxiInsider/the-taxi-dave- disease ever could. It is really important to • show-102614-25479519/ separate facts from fi ction and the Depart- Street Talk Folks, if you want fi rst hand infor- ment of Health has been doing an amazing By Erhan Tuncel mation, every Sunday evening at 8:00 job in getting that message out there and PM listen to WOR-710 radio to TAXI DAVE. The reaching out. The spokesperson on your show is a Page 17 Commissioner of the DOT, Polly Trottenberg is our tremendous idea.” • guest this Sunday November 2nd. You can call or “We are coordinating with the Port Authority and Quotable Quotes email this live show. with the Department of Health to make visits to JFK Page 19 Worried about contracting the Ebola virus, taxi and LaGuardia this week, where we here we can driver Avner called Taxi Dave’s radio show and asked have some information booths, some regular health • if it was ok to pick up from the JFK Terminal where screening, and to get the plain facts out there on how About Your Taxes passengers arrive from Africa. So this past Sunday (Continued on Page 6) By Robert J. Mackle Summonses STOPPED AT, at 148th Street. He pulled me over and Page 19 gave me a summons for not stopping. I asked him how • far away he thought he was from the stop sign and he IATR Release responded the same as always, 50 yards. I measured By Matthew W. Daus the distance that the offi cer observed me at 147 yards away, defi nitely enough to impair his ability for a clear Page 21 observation. • Recently at 10:00 AM, I was turning onto 7th Economy Avenue from 35th Street. I waited in the left lane on Page 27 & 34 35th Street until I could turn left legally. When I fi nally turned onto 7th Avenue, the vehicle in front of me was • stopped as the traffi c light changed. So I went around Hotel Listing the car in front of me and that is when a police offi cer Page 28 and 30 waved me over to tell me that I did nothing wrong, • but he wanted my driver’s license. I asked him why, and he stated that he saw me in the left lane on 35th Insider Directory Street and that I turned onto 7th Avenue LEGALLY. Page 32 Dear Taxi Dave, But when the offi cer returned from his car he gave me • I have been driving since 1984 and it is unbelievable two summonses: One for improper turn and one for what is going on with summonses in today’s driving Events and More failing to yield to a pedestrian! He did this without environment in New York city. Until very recently, it saying one word. Start on Page 29 was a rarity for me to ever get a summons. I have a I especially feel sorry for new immigrants just begin- • pilot’s license and I am an electrical engineer. I can ning.We cannot be slaves any more. I now understand Around The World judge distances extremely well as I use this skill as a why drivers do not prefer driving yellow cabs. pilot. A Port Authority police offi cer was about 150 Youssef M. Ibrahim Page 46 yards away from a stop sign THAT I DEFINITELY See more drivers starting on page 2. PAGE 2 • TAXI INSIDER • NOVEMBER 2014 JULY 2010 • TAXI INSIDER • PAGE 1 LETTERS INSIDER More Info TLC! NYP Targeting Publisher & Yellow Cabs Editor-in-Chief David Pollack

Columnists Matthew Daus, Esq. Tony Falese Larry Fisher

Ira Goldstein, Esq. Dear Taxi Dave, I have been driving for 14 years and I have never Bob Mackle seen NYPD target yellow cabs like they are today. Abe Mittleman Dear Taxi Dave, When you look at every police car that has stopped I agree with all the regulatory changes made in a vehicle, 80% are yellow cabs. I was turning by Alan Plafka the taxi industry. I wish the TLC would have more Junction Blvd by the Sears Mall on Queens Blvd. information about rules on their website. And an- and turned through a clear crosswalk. A police of- Michael Spevack, Esq. other thing, many drivers do not have computers so fi cer was writing a ticket to another vehicle to my the TLC should have a newspaper to give drivers right. On the next block, that offi cer drove behind Mark Twain information. me and gave me a summons for failing to yield to Atalanta Abdullah a pedestrian, a complete lie. He never even looked Driver 25 years at the empty crosswalk. I know how to drive safely because this license is my living. If I lose it I am not Layout & Graphics TLC trained to do anything else. I pay about 20-25% of Dragonfl y Graphics LLC It’s Not Our Problem my money for TLC, DMV, parking tickets and taxi related expenses. Parvez M. Essani Driving 14 Years without a problem till recently Taxi Insider Fare Stealing 14 Alexander Drive Washingtonville, NY 10992 Phone: (718) 706-TAXI(8294) — E-mail:[email protected] —

Copyright © 2014 by TAXI INSIDER. All Dear Taxi Dave, My father had Parkinson’s Disease which natu- rights reserved. Neither this newspaper nor Dear Taxi Dave, any part therof may be reproduced, copied, rally deteriorated his body and ultimately he could not move. I was with him most days for two years Although I believe the fare structure is good from or transmitted in any form, electronic or an owner operator point of view, there are a few things mechanical including photocopying, mi- lifting him, doing his cleaning etc. This was the documented reason I could not drive 180 shifts over the Taxi Commission needs to know. Town cars and crofi lming, recording or by any information UBER cars are stealing our fares. On any given day retrieving system without the express written a two year period. I spoke with offi cials at the TLC who did not want to hear my problems. The TLC one can see this from 2:30 - 8:15 PM on 5th Avenue. permission of the publishers. The copyright I also see town cars with license plates from Carolina, is extended to the design and text created would not negotiate the $6,000 and $7,000 settlement letter amounts. New Jersey and private plates getting Out-Of-Town for advertisements. This publication will and airport fares from doormen at many hotels. Green not be responsible for errors in advertise- Terence Canahan ment beyond the cost of the space occupied Driver (Continued on Page 3) by the error. Bylined articles represent the sole opinion of the writer and are not neces- sarily in accordance with the views of TAXI TAXI DAVE’S RADIO SHOW INSIDER. This Publication reserves the right to WOR-710AM limit or refuse advertising it deems objec- tionable. TAXI INSIDER is published monthly at 8:00 – 9:00 PM a subscription rate of $48.00 per year. EVERY SUNDAY! NOVEMBER 2014 • TAXI INSIDER • PAGE 3 LETTERS

(Continued from Page 2) taxis with their roof-lights off are constantly solicit- Dear Taxi Dave, ing fares with their roof-lights off and their windows As a Yellow Cab Driver I always come to JFK to down, below 96th Street. drop or pickup passengers. But on October, 20th, 2014 Finally, I used to average driving between 100 - the Monday morning I came to Terminal 4 to pickup my 110 miles every day. NOW I average only 70 miles wife. But when I saw the following ad just in front of driven each day. You simply cannot move anywhere the welcome center and ground transportation counter it with this traffi c. really hurt me by thinking that how it’s possible to hang Michael Chan an ad like this which is totally lie. Taxi Driver for 28 years Anwar Illegal Advertisements Avoided Robbery Taxi Damage Instead

Bronx River Parkway, where I noticed a group of about 15 teenagers. Half of them held large rocks or stones and the other half held antennas. I had that feeling that something would happen so I locked my doors and closed my windows. As I approached one teenager asked me to open the window. At this point I felt extremely threatened. All I could think about was my three children and my wife as all of the teens started punching my cab and hitting my cab with the antennas. I pulled away and they threw those stones at me, smashing the entire rear windshield and making dents on the body of my cab. I called the police, but in the 8 minutes it took the NYPD to get to me, the teenagers had already left the area. Subeg Singh Proud Driver for 11 Years You’re Right The City Is Shrinking

Dear Taxi Dave, Dear Taxi Dave, On October 28th I picked up a fare at JFK Airport West End Avenue from 72nd Street to 116th that took me to 232nd Street and White Plains Road. Street has been changed from 4 lanes of traffi c to one After I dropped off the passenger, I was approaching lane on each side of the street. The DOT parks trucks in 230th Street and Carpenter Avenue in order to go to the (Continued on Page 16) PAGE 4 • TAXI INSIDER • NOVEMBER 2014

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139-30 Queens Blvd., INSURANCE Briarwood, NY 11435 Phone: (718) 523-1300 Fax: (718) 526-1205 A Melrose Credit Union Service Organization www.memberbrokerage.com NOVEMBER 2014 • TAXI INSIDER • PAGE 5 Insider News Muni-Meters Changing Times 25 MPH Press Conference By David Pollack Article and Photo By David Pollack In case you did not know, muni- city over the coming months to accept meters will NOT accept any money payments an hour before they go into until they actually go into service for service. the day. “The meter is there. It doesn’t Hikind said when you deposit work until 9 o’clock,” Assemblyman money an hour early, your clock won’t Dov Hikind. “You’re in your car at start ticking until the meter goes into 8:30 parked at the meter. You can’t do effect. anything.” Hikind said the city’s De- “This makes life very, very simple, partment of Transportation has agreed and it’s sort of a no-brainer,” Hikind to reprogram every muni-meter in the said. “It makes sense.” UPDATE WC Insurance in the Taxi / Livery Industry By Alan Plafker, PRESIDENT & CEO Member Brokerage Service LLC A Melrose Credit Union Service Organization One year ago, I wrote an article The “Outer Boro Street Hail” Taxi about the Workers Compensation and is a new license that was recently Disability Benefi ts Law as it applies approved despite much controversy, On October 15th, just 25 days to the TLC Licensees. At that time, and presents more challenges to WC before the 25 Mile Per Hour New the “Boro Taxis” were just beginning compliance because licensees must York City speed limit begins, the New to operate and a lot has evolved since be affi liated with a dispatch base and York City Department of Transporta- then including many types of vehicles drivers can now also do non-dispatched tion held a PRESS CONFERENCE trying to operate within the NYC mar- street hails. This Dual use complicates on Vanderbilt Avenue in Prospect ketplace. the defi nition to determine if, how, and Heights. In attendance was NYC Taxi Beginning this month, the TLC has when a driver is subject to coverage & Limousine Commissioner Meera informed us: under workers compensation, and who Joshi, DOT COmmissioner Polly They are beginning to enforce is to provide it. Trottenberg, NYPD Transportation regulations requiring DBL (Disability In general, a Medallion Taxi driver Chief Thomas Chans, Transportation Benefi ts Law) coverage in addition to that is an owner and the only driver, Chairman of the NYC Council Ydanis WC (Workers Compensation) for the without any other drivers can fi le an Rodriguez, Amy Cohen- a founding Taxi Industry. exemption and does not need WC or member of Families for Safe Streets, They are beginning to enforce regu- DBL coverage. Recently, the TLC and and community members. lations requiring WC coverage for Boro Workers Compensation Board (WCB) “As the ‘Safest Big City’ in the Taxis that are have drivers other than have agreed that any non-exempt owner nation, it is time to extend that safety an owner driver. (one that has drivers) must also cover to our city’s roadways,” said NYPD our streets, especially the most vulner- I have included the following ex- DBL for drivers, in addition to WC. Chief Chan. “Speed is a leading factor cerpts from last year to better explain This has not been the understanding able, safer and sends an important mes- in traffi c fatalities across our city. Ad- sage to all New Yorkers: slow down regulations from the Workers Com- or practice until now, but they have hering to the speed limit will decrease pensation Board and the TLC. Please informed us it will be required and and help stop the epidemic of traffi c both the probability and severity of violence on our streets, said Amy contact me if there are any questions. enforced. injuries and damages. Over the past 20 years, the evolution Here is a recap of how WC relates Cohen, founding member of Families “As part of the TLC’s Vision Zero for Safe Streets. “For those of us who of the Taxi / Livery industry has caused to each type of license: effort, we’ve been communicating to challenges for owners, bases, and driv- Yellow Taxi Medallion - Owner/ drive, this change should be seen as both passengers and drivers that the an opportunity to become a lifesaver. ers to be in compliance with the NY Drivers are exempt, but all other drivers priority for every taxicab and for-hire State Workers Compensation laws. must be covered by the owner for WC A 25 mph speed limit gives motorists vehicle ride must be safety and not more time to react when the unex- Simply: The law says that all and now also DBL. speed and the change to 25 mph as a employers are required to cover their Black Car & Luxury Limousine pected happens, as it so often does on default speed limit will certainly help our streets. And even if a crash can’t employees for Workers Compensation Base License - Drivers are independent us to magnify that message,” said TLC (WC) and Disability Benefi ts Law and affi liated with a licensed base. be avoided, it’s less likely to be fatal Commissioner and Chair Meera Joshi. at 25 mph. If this new and safer speed Coverage (DBL). Those drivers may be covered for WC “Many of our driver licensees have WC - covers injuries on the job for through the New York Black Car Fund. limit is obeyed and properly enforced, already shown themselves to be ef- New York City can reduce the num- medical expense and loss of earnings. The Fund was created by statute (Chap- fective partners in the Mayor’s Vision DBL - covers injuries off the ter 49 of the laws of 1999) to provide ber of people senselessly killed and Zero plan, and the new speed limit will seriously injured in traffi c. Families job for loss of earnings to a maximum workers’ compensation coverage for bring many more of our drivers into of 6 months. Black Car operators in New York State, for Safe Streets exists to remind the that very important fold.” public of our shared responsibility to Here is the complexity: and signed into law by Governor George “Going from 30 mph to 25 mph is In our taxi /livery industry, drivers Pataki in May of 1999. If the base does slow down so that no more New York- not just a speed reducer—it is a life ers need to know the serious injuries do not simply get a paycheck like other not qualify for membership in the fund saver,” said DOT Commissioner Polly employment. There are many rules, (more than 50% of vehicles are owned or loss that we have been forced to Trottenberg. “We are embarking on a live with.” interpretations and guidelines to deter- by the base or any other reason) then broad public awareness campaign in mine when workers are considered em- they must have a WC policy. order to establish 25 mph into New ployees or independent contractors and Livery Base License – Drivers Yorkers’ minds. Our leaders and Telephone to determine who the employer is. are independent and affi liated with a communities are united in putting The NYC TLC has defi nitions for licensed base. Those drivers may be the brakes on the culture of exces- Scams Alert various types of “For Hire” vehicles. covered for WC through the New York sive speeding and reckless driving in Be vigilant when receiving tele- Now another type has been added to the Independent Livery Drivers Benefi t the city.” phone solicitations or emails from list to make things more complicated Fund (NYILDBF). This fund was “The change to a 25-mile-per-hour persons identifying themselves as and has caused changes to the WC created by Statute (Chapter 392 of the citywide speed limit is a lifesaving employees of the Internal Revenue requirements. (Continued on Page 20) change. It makes everyone who uses Service. PAGE 6 • TAXI INSIDER • NOVEMBER 2014 Thousands Hospitalized that Ebola is NOT the highest priority. Our highest priority this time of year (Continued from Page 1) TAXI AND FOR-HIRE VEHICLE is a virus that circulates a lot, that in- RELIEF STANDS (Ebola) it is spread. I was not 100% fects a lot of people, that hospitalizes DOT is not responsible regulating taxis. Taxis are regulated by the New York convinced (oh how hard it is to catch) thousands of people and there is a way City Taxi and Limousine Commission. DOT does regulate taxi relief stands until I asked -What does it mean - the to prevent it! And this is the fl u! We Taxi relief stands allow drivers to park their vehicles for up to one hour. This Exchange of Bodily Fluids?” The fact encourage taxi drivers and other adults affords drivers the opportunity to leave their vehicles and take care of personal is, you get Ebola Virus if you exchange to get a fl u-shot. It is one way to protect needs. Taxi relief stands should not be confused with taxi stands, which are bodily fl uids with someone who is yourself against a virus that we know locations where drivers can wait, in their cars, to pick up passengers. symptomatic. That is, bodily fl uids that gets a lot of people sick,” Dr. Varma The type column indicates if the relief stand is for taxis alone, or both taxis spread by entry through some mucus concluded. and For-Hire Vehicles (FHVs). Staten Island currently has no relief stands. membrane. So that’s your nose and your Some local politicians along with eyes. If somebody sweats and you rub the Mayor and two Governors held press BRONX them, you are not going to get Ebola conferences reporting on the preven- TYPE LOCATION CROSS STREET virus that way. Getting information tion of EBOLA spreading. Since those Taxi Jerome Ave. (E. Side) Eliot Pl. & E. 170th St. from the Department of Health will press conferences, some have changed Taxi Metropolitan Ave. (N. Side) Purdy St. & Red Oak Dr. give confi dence with the message that their messages. Was this virus used as it is ok to pick up passengers at JFK,” a scare tactic and a platform before MANHATTAN EAST SIDE ABOVE 23RD STREET she continued. the election. What do you think? We Taxis E.77th St.(N. Side) First & Second Aves. My next guest was Dr. Varma from never from Connecticut, but that state Taxis E. 86th St. (N. Side) Henderson Pl. & York Ave. the Department of Health who cleared has instituted a mandatory 21 day Taxis E. 78th Street (N. Side) Lexington & Third Ave. up a number of Ebola related issues. quarantine for folks with symptoms Taxis E. 78th St. (S. Side) Lexington & Third Ave. Here was ours fi rst question: If I am returning from certain areas in Africa Taxis & FHVs E. 29th St. (S. Side) Madison & Fifth Ave. at the holding lot at JFK Airport, is without any fanfare. Taxis E. 27th St. (N. Side) Park Ave. S. & Madison Ave. it safe for me to pick up passengers • • • • • • • • Taxis & FHVs E.28th St. (N. Side) Park Av. S. & Lexington Ave. from a Terminal where planes from Taxis & FHVs Madison Ave. (W. Side) E. 26th & 27th St. WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW Taxis E. 26th Street (S. Side) Third & Second Aves. Africa have landed? “I would say it is Attention Yellow Taxi Drivers! absolutely safe! People need to under- You MUST TAKE A WHEELCHAIR stand this outbreak only affects three ACCESSIBLE COURSE WHEN RE- MANHATTAN WEST SIDE ABOVE 23RD STREET small countries in Africa and in those Taxis W. 55th St. (S. Side) Tenth & Eleventh Aves. NEWING YOUR HACK LICENSE or countries the vast majority of people Taxis & FHVs Sixth Ave. (W.Side) W. 55th & 56th Sts. it will not be renewed! Taxis & FHVs Eighth Ave. (E. Side) W. 52nd & 53rd Sts. are completely healthy. Even though Attention FHV drivers: You can no Taxis Broadway (E. Side) W. 48th & 47th Sts. this outbreak has been going on for longer drive for a car service, black Taxis Eighth Ave. (W. Side) W. 46th & 47th Sts. six months, there have only been two car or luxury limo with a hack license! Taxis & FHVs Sixth Ave. (W. Side) W. 39th & 40th Sts. cases of this disease imported, and it is YOU WILL GET SUMMONSES. Taxis & FHVs Sixth Ave. (W. Side) W. 38th & 39th Sts. SAFE. All the other cases people hear Get an FHV license before you get Taxis Broadway (E. Side) W. 43rd & 42nd Sts. about are people who contracted the penalized. Taxis Ninth Ave. (E. Side) W. 42nd & 41st Sts. disease in Africa and made the deci- Many drivers are now reporting Taxis West 39th St. (S. Side) Eighth & Ninth Aves. sion to bring the disease back here for driving a maximum of 70 miles per Taxis Ninth Ave. (E. Side) W. 30th & 29th Sts. medical care. So yes, it is perfectly day compared with 100 miles a day safe for taxi drivers to continue doing before the bike lanes and pedestrian MANHATTAN BELOW 23RD STREET their jobs that they always have.” malls were constructed. Taxis E. 23rd St. First & Second Aves. I asked the Dr. how we can protect The SHL’s were supposed to stop il- Taxis & FHVs Sixth Ave. (W. Side) W. 22nd & 23rd Sts. ourselves and prevention from getting legal passenger solicitations throughout Taxis Third Ave. (W. Side) E. 14th & 15th Sts. the Ebola virus. Here is the Dr.’s answer: lower Manhattan. UBER cars are now Taxis & FHVs Third Ave. (W. Side) E. 15th & 14th Sts. “One of the most important things is doing the same thing, soliciting passen- Taxis & FHVs Sixth Ave. (W. Side) W.13th & 14th Sts. for people not to be worried. The only gers off the street.(5th Avenue anybody?) Taxis Sixth Ave. (W. Side) Thompson & Grand Sts. way to get it, is to have direct physical Getting reports of SHL’s verbally solicit- Taxis & FHVs Canal St. (N. Side) E. Broadway & Essex St. contact with body fl uids. Even though ing passengers below 96th Street with Taxis Park Row (SE. Side) Ann & Beekman Sts. people are worried about crowded their roof-lights off. HELP! Taxis & FHVs Fulton St. (S. Side) Broadway & Church St. subways, or taxis having lots of people 2015 Camry Hybrids were approved Taxis & FHVs South St. (N. Side) Old Slip & Broad St. coming into them, the frequency in by the TLC. Of course ONLY yellow Taxis & FHVs Water St. (W. Side) Whitehall & Broad Sts. which you would come into contact cabs need approval, everyone else can Taxis Whitehall St. (W. Side) South & State Sts, with someone very ill and their body put virtually ANY four door sedan on fl uids is really close to zero.” the road.How fair is that? BROOKLYN “I think it’s important for your listen- Have a Happy Thanksgiving. I am Taxis N. Sixth St. (N. Side) Berry St. & Wythe Ave. ers to know that there are lots of things thankful for life itself! Enjoy our num- Taxis Fourth Ave. (W. Side) Third & Sixth Sts. in the world to be worried about, and if bered days as best you can, and LOVE they are concerned about their health what you do! Tell someone you love QUEENS and infectious diseases, we would say them each day! Taxis & FHVs 43rd Ave. (N. side) 11th & 12th Sts. Taxis 44th Rd. (N. Side) 21st & 11th Sts. Taxis & FHVs Hunterspoint Ave. 27th & 30th Sts. Taxis 31st St. (W. Side) 34th & 35th Aves. Taxis & FHVs 43rd Ave. 36th & 37th Sts. Taxis 34th St. (W. Side) 37th & 38th Aves. Taxis Skillman Ave. 37th & 36th Sts. Taxis Queens Blvd. (S. Side) 50th & 51st Sts. Taxis Queens Blvd. 55th & 54th Sts. Taxis & FHVs 45th Ave. (S. side) Jackson Ave. & 23rd St. Taxis & FHVs Pearson St. (W. Side) Jackson Ave. & dead end Taxis 49th St. Newtown Rd & Northern Blvd. Taxis 55th St. Queens Blvd & Roosevelt Ave. Taxis Van Dam St. Queens Blvd & Skillman Ave. Taxis & FHVs 36th St. Skillman & 43rd Aves. Don’t risk a summons trying to fi nd a Relief Stand on the list 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 for future use!
NOVEMBER 2014 • TAXI INSIDER • PAGE 7 The Taxi Attorney Taxi Driver Puzzle Hello everybody, I hope that you are your license. Fight every yellow or pink working hard and making good money. ticket you receive from NYPD and every Do you know the stories behind each word? The busy season is upon TLC ticket you receive. I You would if you listened to Taxi Dave’s Radio us with Christmas and will do an excellent job Show, Sunday’s at 8:00 PM on WOR710. Brought New Years within view. advocating for you at a fair First, all drivers need and reasonable price and to you by Melrose Credit Union. You will also a will and important es- I have been doing this for understand the puzzle better if you read our tate documents such as a about 20 years now. Please articles. power of attorney, living call me at 212.754.1011 will, health care proxy, or 866.LAW.MIKE to B U S R A P I D T R A N W etc. If you own a medal- discuss your DMV or TLC O N S T E K C A T M 5 S E lion, you must have a will; problem. Visit my website otherwise your family at www.traffi cticketnyc. D T C T I C A L A E 0 I S will have trouble with, com. I am here to help I N L A T I P J X O 0 T T among others, the TLC, you. after you die. Also, if you The bottom line. Be L A P Y Y S A O I T A X E have young children – you need a will. careful. Watch out for speeding tickets, Even if you don’t own a medallion, you red light tickets, turn tickets, fail to yield Y C L A N U E U D R I O N need to do a will and a power of attorney. to pedestrian tickets, etc. It is a time of F I H G D R V A R M A F D IF YOU TRAVEL OUT OFTHE US, change at TLC and that means drivers YOU NEED A POWER OF ATTOR- must be extra careful in their attempt L R I R E I S R O M O T A NEY EVEN IF YOU DON’T OWN to make a living. I understand how dif- U F T L B V I R O W O I V A MEDALLION. Every driver needs fi cult the job is and how tough the City these documents. PROTECT YOU makes earning a living for drivers of I A N E N I O N Z E R H E AND YOUR FAMILY! taxicabs. Do your best and I am always D K D T F L U S H O T S P Second, if you are arrested and you here to help if a problem arises. Take possess a TLC license, it is imperative care this month and I wish you the best S F R T I O F E T O O J E that you hire the best criminal attorney of luck and happiness. Y J O U N B K D S P A A E POSSIBLE. The TLC will hold your Thank you for reading this article. license until the criminal case is fi nished Until next month, be well. T R N Y F E I B D R R T D and the TLC will take it permanently Mr. Spevack thanks you for reading R A G O V A M E E V 7 E Y from you if the criminal matters is NOT this article which is for entertainment resolved to the TLC’s satisfaction. I purposes only and does not constitute Find the following words/accronyms in the puzzle above work with a very high quality criminal legal advice. For legal advice, contact attorney who can speed up criminal Mr. Spevack.http://www.traffi cticket- •NOVEMBER 7 • EBOLA VIRUS • matters and obtains excellent results, nyc.com . • DR. VARMA • FLU SHOTS • TLPA • so please call me at 212.754.1011 if See his advertisement on page 36 you get arrested. of this issue. • MEERA JOSHI • MIKE FOGARTY • Third, please listen to the Taxi • TROTTENBERG • VISION ZERO • Insider radio show on 710 am WOR, on Sunday evenings between 8pm and • WEST END AVE • TAXI DAVE • 9pm. David Pollack is the host. He is smart, entertaining, informative and • MTA CAPTIAL PLAN • TAXI TAX • best of all, knows the truth about what • BUS RAPID TRANSIT • BODILY FLUIDS • is happening in your Industry. So, please tune in to listen. • JFK AFRICA • NO TLC TICKETS • Fourth, As my ad states, there is a • 500 TAXI OF TOMORROW • special price for readers of this publica- tion. You can reach me at 212.754.1011 • SPEED TRAPS • HIT AND RUN • to set up an appointment. Fifth, pick up a copy of a great new novel: Matthew Thomas’s “We are Not Ourselves.” He is a friend of mine and a great author. He is a friend to taxi drivers and he is a credit to New York City, having grown up in Queens. Buy the book and recommend it to your customers. You will be happy that you did and you will likely get great tips from educated customers for your winning recommendation of this fine book which was recently on the New York Times bestseller list for hardcover fi c- tion books. Sixth, please read this newspaper and this column for advice about how to deal with the new Vision Zero rules that are coming or have recently come into effect. The TLC has modifi ed its rules and enforcement is sure to ramp up with these modifi cations. Remember, bring me your DMV and TLC tickets. It is important to fi ght all your DMV (issued by NYPD) and TLC tickets. Be careful. Don’t lose PAGE 8 • TAXI INSIDER • NOVEMBER 2014 NYPD Offi cer Anthony J. Coyne, Except for the Republican-turned- tickets are written. Some tickets are independent Bloomberg, all are liberal for failure to provide documentation of The Most Evil Cop Alive Democrats. None responded. insurance, which every driver gets at the By Mark Twain There is documented proof of beginning of his shift. Coyne frequently Through Thursday, October 9, 2014, Former mayor Mike Bloomberg, Coyne’s abuse of power in the form confi scates drivers’ licenses. NYPD offi cer Anthony J. Coyne has mayor Bill de Blasio, NYPD commis- of hundreds of sets of three New York Seven DMV points in single traf- shattered and traumatized over 2000 sioners Ray Kelly and Bill Bratton; 51 State DMV website printouts, of sets of fi c stops have resulted in operating mostly innocent, inarticulate Bengali, NYC council members, NYC council three moving violation tickets written license suspensions of medallion cab Bangladeshi, West African and Haitian president Melissa Mark Viverito, public by Coyne in single traffi c stops. Coyne drivers, who are independent con- little people. As an editorial writer for advocate Letitia James, U.S. District stops a Yellow Medallion cab in the tractors and have no unemployment the NYC transportation industry trade Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr., New York early a.m. every night in Lexington, insurance. Some drivers have been newspaper, the Taxi Insider, I have writ- State Attorney General Eric Schnei- 3rd or 2nd Avenue traps in the East 40s, rendered unemployed and destitute. ten two front-page, four-page, 4000- derman, U.S. Attorney GeneralEric near the 17th Precinct headquarters at Sheehan, Coyne’s boss, has ignored word articles about Coyne, published Holder, New York governor Andrew 167 East 51st Street. three detailed registered letters, from in July 2013 and January 2014. Cuomo, senators Chuck Schumer All cab drivers get the same three which proof of Sheehan’s receipt has I mailed, with cover letters, com- andKirsten Gillibrand, the NYPD or four illegible yellow tickets for the been received. plete 60-page copies of each Taxi Civilian Complaint Review Board, the same redundant unsafe lane change, David Pollack, publisher of the Taxi Insider issue to the following recipi- NYPD Department of Chief of Police failure to signal and crossing a solid Insider, and I along with 6 other drivers ents, with the title of the January issue Self-Investigative Unit, NYPD 17th white line. There is no solid white line met for 90 minutes with the NYPD’s being “Dear Mayor de Blasio, Please precinct captainJames T. Sheehan – and between 57th Street and 42nd Street on Internal Affairs Unit and I met with Help us”: Anthony Coyne himself. Lexington Avenue, where most of the the Civilian Complaint Review Board at NYPD headquarters two years ago. MANHATTAN POLICE PRECINCTS The CCRB promised action. We call. Precinct Address Direct line 1 Precinct 16 Ericsson Place 1-212-334-0611 Police Precincts No one is ever in. Voice mail messages are never returned. 5 Precinct 19 Elizabeth Street 1-212-334-0711 In New York City The meat-grinder NYC government 6 Precinct 233 West 10 Street 1-212-741-4811 money extraction conspiracy could 7 Precinct 19 1/2 Pitt Street 1-212-477-7311 Taxi Insider Info care less. They want money. Everyone 9 Precinct 130321 AvenueEast 5th C Street 1-212-477-7811 in power knows that everyone else 10 Precinct 230 West 20th Street 1-212-741-8211 71 Precinct 421 Empire Boulevard 1-718-735-0511 doesn’t care one bit. Our letters and 13 Precinct 230 East 21st Street 1-212-477-7411 72 Precinct 830 4th Avenue 1-718-965-6311 newspapers were probably tossed into Midtown South Precinct the garbage, unread. 73 Precinct 1470 East New York Avenue 1-718-495-5411 MSP 357 West 35th Street 1-212-239-9811 Coyne spends most of his time at the 75 Precinct 1000 Sutter Avenue 1-718-827-3511 17 Precinct 167 East 51st Street 1-212-826-3211 fi fth fl oor traffi c court at 2 Washington 76 Precinct 191 Union Street 1-718-834-3211 Midtown North Precinct Street in Manhattan. All medallion cab 77 Precinct 127 Utica Avenue 1-718-735-0611 MNP 306 West 54th Street 1-212-767-8400 drivers plead innocent to their sets of 78 Precinct 65 6th Avenue 1-718-636-6411 three unjust tickets issued in one traf- 19 Precinct 153 East 67th Street 1-212-452-0600 79 Precinct 263 Tompkins Avenue 1-718-636-6611 fi c stop. All get lawyers and pray for a 20 Precinct 120 West 82nd Street 1-212-580-6411 81 Precinct 30 Ralph Avenue 1-718-574-0411 righteous judge. All attempt to defend Central Park Precinct 83 Precinct 480 Knickerbocker Avenue 1-718-574-1605 against Coyne’s felony abuse of power 86th St & Transverse Road 1-212-570-4820 84 Precinct 301 Gold Street 1-718-875-6811 to enforce the law. 23 Precinct 162 East 102nd Street 1-212-860-6411 88 Precinct 298 Classon Avenue 1-718-636-6511 Coyne commits perjury at every 24 Precinct 151 West 100th Street 1-212-678-1811 90 Precinct 211 Union Avenue 1-718-963-5311 hearing. He lies and fi ghts like a hyena 25 Precinct 120 East 119th Street 1-212-860-6511 to get convictions on all three tickets. 94 Precinct 100 Meserole Avenue 1-718-383-3879 26 Precinct 520 West 126th Street 1-212-678-1311 Each of the 20 New York State DMV administrative law judges at Washing- 28 Precinct 2271-89 8th Avenue 1-212-678-1611 QUEENS POLICE PRECINCTS 30 Precinct 451 West 151st Street 1-212-690-8811 ton Street has seen Coyne with three Precinct Address Direct line clearly unjust, frivolous redundant 32 Precinct 250 West 135th Street 1-212-690-6311 100 Precinct 92-24 Rockaway Beach Blvd. 1-718-318-4200 tickets — at least 100 times. All tickets 33 Precinct 2207 Amsterdam Avenue 1-212-927-3200 101 Precinct 16-12 Mott Avenue 1-718-868-3400 penalize cabbies for the same driving 34 Precinct 4295 Broadway 1-212-927-9711 102 Precinct 87-34 118th Street 1-718-805-3200 violations at the same place, at the same early a.m. hour. 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 Each judge knows that Coyne is a Precinct Address Direct line criminal. All judges are complicit in 105 Precinct 92-08 222nd Street 1-718-776-9090 40 Precinct 257 Alexander Avenue 1-718-402-2270 this intricate NYC criminal conspiracy 106 Precinct 103-53 101st Street 1-718-845-2211 41 Precinct 1035 Longwood Avenue 1-718-542-4771 themselves. 107 Precinct 71-01 Parsons Boulevard 1-718-969-5100 42 Precinct 830 Washington Avenue 1-718-402-3887 Some drivers get lucky. If a driver 108 Precinct 5-47 50th Avenue 1-718-784-5411 43 Precinct 900 Fteley Avenue 1-718-542-0888 has a good lawyer and catches a mer- 109 Precinct 37-05 Union Street 1-718-321-2250 44 Precinct 2 East 289th Street 1-718-590-5511 ciful judge, he gets two of his three 110 Precinct 94-41 43rd Avenue 1-718-476-9311 45 Precinct 2877 Barkley Avenue 1-718-822-5411 tickets dismissed. Hanging judges nail 111 Precinct 45-06 215th Street 1-718-279-5200 drivers on all three tickets, with $500 46 Precinct 2120 Ryer Avenue 1-718-220-5211 112 Precinct 68-40 Austin Street 1-718-520-9311 in fi nes and seven DMI penalty points. 47 Precinct 4111 Laconia Avenue 1-718-920-1211 113 Precinct 167-02 Baisley Boulevard 1-718-712-7733 Coyne rakes in millions of dollars for 48 Precinct 450 Cross Bronx Expressway 1-718-299-3900 114 Precinct 34-16 Astoria Boulevard 1-718-626-9311 NYC. No one knows what Coyne gets 49 Precinct 2121 Eastchester Road 1-718-918-2000 115 Precinct 92-15 Northern Boulevard 1-718-533-2002 out of it. 50 Precinct 3450 Kingsbridge Avenue 1-718-543-5700 Coyne is the only one of his kind 52 Precinct 3016 Webster Avenue 1-718-220-5811 in NYPD history. He is the only STATEN ISLAND POLICE PRECINCTS scumbag of his kind in the history of BROOKLYN POLICE PRECINCTS Precinct Address Direct line the world. Precinct Address Direct line 120 Precinct 78 Richmond Terrace 1-718-876-8500 Do you to want to live in NYC? 60 Precinct 2951 West 8th Street 1-718-946-3311 122 Precinct 2320 Hylan Boulevard 1-718-667-2211 Mayor de Blasio knows everything 61 Precinct 2575 Coney Island Avenue 1-718-627-6611 123 Precinct 116 Main Street 1-718-948-9311 there is to know about Anthony J. Coyne. He doesn’t care. Do you want to 62 Precinct 1925 Bath Avenue 1-718-236-2611 work in NYC and be a victim yourself? 63 Precinct 1844 Brooklyn Avenue 1-718-258-4411 Questions? Comments? Do you want to commute to, or visit 66 Precinct 5822 16th Avenue 1-718-851-5611 NYC? Do you want to start a business 67 Precinct 2820 Snyder Avenue 1-718-287-3211 E-Mail Taxi Insider at in NYC? 68 Precinct 333 65th Street 1-718-439-4211 Taxi Insider Newspaper neither 69 Precinct 9720 Foster Avenue 1-718-257-6211 [email protected] agrees or disagrees with the views of 70 Precinct 154 Lawrence Avenue 1-718-851-5511 the above writer. NOVEMBER 2014 • TAXI INSIDER • PAGE 9

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250 NORTHERN BLVD., GREAT NECK, NY 11021 (917) 842-5500 PAGE 14 • TAXI INSIDER • NOVEMBER 2014 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 Defensive Driving • The National Safety Council’s concept of “Defensive Driving” should DEFENSIVE DRIVING be used as criteria for determining “preventability”. A preventable accident is one in which the driver failed to exercise every reasonable precaution to COURSE SCHEDULE prevent the occurrence of the accident. If the driver contributed as much as Classes will be offered 1% to the cause of the accident, it should be considered preventable. The preventability of all vehicle accidents should be included as permanent entry the following Saturdays: on company accident records and in the driver’s personnel fi le. December 20, 2014 February 28, 2015 QUICK TIPS OF THE WEEK April 25, 2015 Under No Circumstances Should A All Hereford insured will receive the course at no cost: Classes will be held in the third floor event room at: Driver Leave An Accident Scene HEREFORD INSURANCE COMPANY • If a driver is involved in any accident, no matter how insignifi cant or minor 36-01 43RD AVENUE, LIC, NEW YORK 11101 it may appear, DO NOT LEAVE THE SCENE WITHOUT EXCHANGING Our classes are recognized by: INFORMATION WITH ALL INVOLVED. • Taxi and Limousine Commission for required license renewals. • Many uninjured pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorists will state that they are • Department of Motor Vehicles for the Point Reduction. okay at an accident scene only to later fi le a claim. Call the Police to the scene • Insurance carriers for rate reduction. whenever a pedestrian requests the Police. If you leave the scene of an accident ALL CLASSES BEGIN AT 9:00A.M., AND END AT 3:00P.M. with an alleged pedestrian injury you may be arrested and charged with a crime. Reservations Are Necessary. • Always invest a few minutes to avoid loosing a greater amount of time All drivers must provide proof of Insurance. in the future. • Show your passengers that you are as helpful, courteous and as charming PEDICABS as the popular pedicab operators so that they will want to return to riding in your • Always anticipate a pedicab will make an unsafe maneuver to respond to vehicle which is safer, more comfortable, and cheaper than a pedicab. a potential passenger. • Use special caution & be prepared to use your Defensive Driving skills in • We can eliminate excess numbers of pedicabs by giving personalized ser- areas frequented by pedicabs such as Times Square, Central Park South and in vice to your passengers. That means talk to your passenger instead of talking Central Park. on your cell phone which is illegal. • Remember you must treat pedicabs as pedestrians and bicycles: yielding at • Point out the sights of New York to your tourist passengers. all times regardless of the circumstances. NOVEMBER 2014 • TAXI INSIDER • PAGE 15 $100. for this job and that I had no street bridge. We would stop several How I Became a Star right to ask for more at anytime in the times along the way in order to let the By Abe Mittleman future. I had never before been a part rest of the crew that was taping from One weekday afternoon in Sep- much about the TV show. She asked of a TV show. I had no idea that this outside the taxi, to catch up. tember 1991, while driving my taxi, if I could pick up a girl at La Guardia TV show would be broadcast in reruns The ride ended in Soho at Broad- I happened to be cruising east on East airport on Sunday and take her to for years to follow. I was giving up way and Prince street. Julie paid me 94th street in search of a fare. I turned Manhattan. She said she wanted me my rights to residual royalties. But, the taxi fare in addition to the $100 my attention north as I began to cross to talk to this girl during the ride. She had I not done that, they would have I was paid to be in the show. I was 3rd Ave. I saw a man standing on the said the ride would be video taped and called off the TV shoot and produced permitted to keep that. She was a very corner of East 95th street. I then made I would be paid $100 for this. I said the show without me. So, I signed. generous tipper. left turn and picked him up. “JFK” he OK. I could do this. She then told me Next we went to La Guardia airport At this time, I had no idea what the said, and off we went. she would call me back a little later. main terminal upper level. They had show was about. I would later fi nd out After my passenger was seated The rest of the day went by and I already arranged with the authorities that it was about fi ve young unmarried comfortably, I began to talk. I don’t didn’t get a call back. I thought perhaps to do this TV shoot. So, there was people, both male and female, who always talk to my passengers. But, on I didn’t make a very good impression no problem with me waiting with had never met before. These young this day the ”Gift of Gab” was with on Ms. Lewis. So, the next day I called my taxi for a prearranged fare at this adults would be put together in an me. I talked about myself. I talked her back. This time I reached a voice location. It wouldn’t be too long until apartment in New York City. Their about the taxi business. I talked about mail. The Voice Mail said that I have “Julie” one of the main characters of everyday life and interactions with life in New York City. Whatever was reached “MTV’s “Real World.” I the show, who had just arrived on a each other would be recorded and on my mind that day was food for froze and hung up without leaving a plane from Alabama, was escorted made into a story for broadcast. It conversation. My captive passenger message. It was then that I recalled by the crew to my taxi. The TV shoot was a big hit that they would produce listened and said very little. But, he the ride to JFK. would now begin. in different places for years to come was interested and would maybe in- It was now apparent to me that the They wanted me to talk, and talk I with different people. ject a word or two here and there to producer, who I would later fi nd out did. I was on a roll. For the next hour The show I was in was the very fi rst keep me talking. I didn’t know who was Jonathon Murray, was auditioning and a half my mouth wouldn’t close. I edition of the very fi rst production. he was. A few months later I would me on that ride to JFK fi ve months knew that they were only looking for My spot was broadcast over the years fi nd out why he was very interested earlier. I was being hired to be in the a minute or two of video to put into more times than I could guess. I only in my conversation a lot more than I TV show! They didn’t just want my the show. So, I gave them a lot more got 39 seconds of air time, but to the would assume at that time. taxi. Yes, they wanted a taxi. But, the than they needed to choose from. I millions of people that watched it, it In 1991 I was already a 22 year vet- taxi they wanted was the one that had was very entertaining to my passenger was very memorable. The part I had eran of the taxi business. In my early me as the driver! They wanted me to and I could tell she was really enjoy- can be seen on You Tube . If you go days as a taxi driver I wouldn’t ask play myself in a “Reality” TV show ing the ride. to this web site and do a search for too many questions about the personal to be broadcast on MTV, one of the If you saw the show on TV it would The Real World New York- Episode lives of my passengers. But, a few most popular TV stations at that time. appear to you that Julie and I were 1 Part 1 you will fi nd it. years later I decided that I would from This was a great opportunity. the only ones in the taxi. But, sitting After this experience, I would later time to time ask my passengers what I picked up the phone and called next to Julie in the back of the taxi go on to do some other fi lm and TV they did for a living. What I did for a once again. This time Ellen Lewis was a camera man who was taping work. I had gotten a bit of the bug. living was obvious to my passengers answered. We then had a lengthy every word we said. In order to keep It was a fun hobby for a while that and we all know how often we are conversation. Ellen confi rmed to me the conversation going they had me didn’t amount to much. But that’s questioned about our business. So, I that yes, it was Producer Jonathan take the streets in Queens to the 59th another story for another time. wanted to know what other people did Murray who had rode in my taxi to to earn money. Perhaps I could get an JFK. She told me that my role was to idea from the answers should I ever just talk naturally as I would to any NYS DMV Point System want to change my profession. of my passengers. She said yes, if it So, as we were getting close to JFK went well I would be in the show on Speeding (mph over posted limit) airport, I asked this man what he did MTV. “This is your big shot, Abe” for a living. He told me he was in TV were the exact words she used. After 1to10...3points Production and was currently doing we spoke, I could tell that she knew 11 to 20 . . 4 points some projects for MTV. Back in 1991 she had the right person for the job. MTV broadcast mostly music videos. We then arranged the TV shoot. We 21 to 30 . . 6 points So, I half jokingly asked him if he was would meet in Manhattan on Sunday ever in need of a taxi to shoot a video. at 4:45 PM. 31 to 40 . . 8 points He said, that he was coming back to On Sunday, the day of the shoot, I More than 40 . . 11 points New York in a few months to do a proj- made sure I felt good. I was too excited ect called “Real World” and he may to sleep well the night before. Still I Reckless Driving ....5points be able to use me. I then gave him my felt good. I made sure I gave myself contact information. Although I could enough time to prepare for the meet- Failure to stop for a School Bus .5points sense he was being entertained by my ing. I wanted to be in a talkative mood. Following too closely (tailgating) 4 points conversation, I didn’t really believe he I stopped driving at 3PM and went to took me seriously. I dropped him off the Cheyenne Diner on 9th avenue. I Inadequate Brakes ..4points at JFK then drove away. I didn’t give wanted to make sure I wouldn’t be him a second thought after that. hungry. Being hungry would interfere (while driving employer's vehicle)2 points Five months later, long after I had with my talkative mood. So, I had a Failing to Yield Right-Of-Way...3points forgot about this ride I arrived home good dinner. Also, I had a brand new, one morning at 6AM after working the never been worn before, shirt that I Violation Involving Traffic Signal, night shift. There was a note with a purchased the day before just for this telephone message waiting for me. It occasion. While at the Cheyenne Diner Stop Sign, or Yield Sign ...3points was from a woman named Ellen Lewis. I changed into this shirt. Railroad Crossing Violation3 points I read the note that asked if I would When I was done at the diner, I be available for a TV shoot with my headed for 3rd avenue and 94th street, Improper Passing or Lane Use ..3points taxi on Sunday? A telephone number the same location where I had picked Leaving scene of an incident involving property was given for me to call back. I hadn’t up Jonathan Murray fi ve months ear- “Call Sunny& Save Money” a clue who it was from or how they lier, to meet the camera crew and Mr. damage or injury to an animal .. 3points got my number. I thought maybe they Murray who was with them. wanted to do a commercial with my We followed in two vehicles, my Safety restraint violation involving person taxi. I wondered how much money I taxi and the vehicle with the camera could get. crew over the Triborough Bridge to under 16 .3points After a few hours sleep, I called a diner on Astoria Boulevard where Any other moving violation 2 points Ellen Lewis. The conversation was I was presented with a contract. The short and Ellen Lewis didn’t tell me contract stated that I would be paid Note: Speeding when speed not indicated is 3 points PAGE 16 • TAXI INSIDER • NOVEMBER 2014 Letters...... belts to make it easier to facilitate get back across town to my office. I ALL EZ-PASS Henry Hudson Bridge obtaining a taxi. As I moved past the was in front of an A-list Central Park with no cash lanes and soon realized (Continued from Page 3) belt with my luggage, and towards a West building and time was short. that the poorest drivers were being the middle of West End Avenue and taxi, I heard someone screaming ob- At the curb, I paused to check my discriminated against. New Yorkers are if another truck stops, you can’t go scenities at me from a Port Authority BlackBerry and used the other hand smart and know they can save $ with around them without going into the vehicle. He wanted me to replace the to hail a taxi. EZ-Pass but just can’t afford another safety zone which is against the law. retractable belt. I had every intention As a taxi emerged, a man in a mortgage while living day to day with Thanks to the stupid DOT and mayor of doing so, and I told him to mind short navy jacket and cap came from maxed-out credit cards. for this one. And, many other major his own business. He told me that it behind the cars parked a few yards Cromanous streets also got smaller. was his business. jumped out of the north of where I was standing. Dis- Avner Port Authority vehicle and continued tracted, but focused on my lack of verbally abusing me with words I have time, I watched the taxi slow down What If An Bikes never used in my entire life. for him, not me. Ebola Patient Dear Taxi Dave, A taxi dispatcher then directed me We’ve all been there. Sometimes to Taxi Medallion 9V37 and apolo- you yell and say, “Excuse me, you Took A Cab Bikes are still riding on sidewalks, Dear Taxi Dave, bikes are going the wrong way, bikes gized to me for the horrible behavior saw me standing here,” and other of the Supervisor. He also stated that times you might let it go. This time, Bodily fluids where do they come are going through red lights. I see it from?I’m not an expert on ebola but every day in Manhattan. This city he would be more than happy to come I decided to just talk to myself and is perspiration a form of bodily fluids? threw SAFETY out the window! forward to make a statement verify- stomp one foot. The “Ebola Czar” made no mention Where’s the enforcement? If the ing the atrocious behavior displayed As I focused my gaze beyond the of that. As a matter of fact, I think if streets of NYC was an OSHA shop, by the Supervisor. After entering the man and his taxi, I noticed the taxi we just do nothing and wait for the they would write them up everyday. taxi, my driver said that the person was now in front of me. The gentle- next iphone everything will be okay. Anti-safety actions continue every screaming and cursing at me was a man then walked to the taxi, grabbed Iguess it’s okay to handle a suitcase day because the police never write supervisor for the Port Authority Taxi the handle and opened the door for that has perspiration from an infected tickets to bikers. Dispatchers. me. It was Robert De Niro. Charbel I would appreciate your investigat- In true New York fashion, I didn’t person.Meera joshi told us on Sunday ing this incident in an effort to prevent make a fuss and thanked the incred- night that she’s concerned about the others from being subjected to such ible and very polite movie star. After ebola but didn’t offer any precautions For The TLC & horrible behavior. I thank you for I told the driver my destination, I that drivers should take. Where’s your attention to this matter. proceeded to call my husband, mother my driver health care fund ? Over Port Authority Yvonne U. and sister: “Guess who just opened a 1.2 million dollars collected from the To whom it may concern, (Agencies may contact Editor for cab door for me?” drivers,and we can’t even get some On Monday September 24, 2014, writer’s information) L. Johnson bleach or latex gloves. at approximately 2:00 a.m. I arrived R. Goolcharran on Delta Flight #1728 from Las Ve- Tolls gas, Nevada. (The flight had been Chivalry Dear Taxi Dave, delayed for two hours.) I retrieved Is Not Dead The problem seems to be that scrap- Gas Thief my luggage and was struggling with ing up $10 at a time is easier than a $400 Dear Taxi Dave, Dear Taxi Dave, it. As I approached the taxi line, I a month replenishment for an EZ-Pass Last Monday I went to my assigned removed one of those retractable Years ago, I had just come from account. The powers that be tried an a doctor’s appointment and had to (Continued on Page 18)

By Appointment Only

* At Beaver Street ONLY! NOVEMBER 2014 • TAXI INSIDER • PAGE 17 Fare Hikes and Taxi Tax? Street Talk Editor’s Note: The writer of the blog to-back four percent hikes scheduled By Erhan Tuncel - Managing Director LOMTO below, enforces my editorial belief in for 2015 and 2017. If the MTA has to MAYOR DE BLASIO MOTORISTS DO A LESS- last month’s Taxi Insider, believing the issue more debt to pay for the capital APPOINTS FIDEL DEL ER JOB ON TRAFFIC state legislature may raise the TAXI program, DiNapoli calculates that riders VALLE AS COMMIS- SAFETY THAN CAMERA TAX on each fare. should expect an additional 1 percent SIONER AND CHIEF INSTALLED WITHOUT Without a commitment from the hike for every $1 billion borrowed. JUDGE OF THE OFFICE THE SIGN? If the answer is state to close the $15.2 billion gap in MTA debt is already set to exceed OF ADMINISTRATIVE YES - it defi es logic and if the MTA’s capital program, the cost $39 billion by 2018, according to Di- TRIALS AND HEARINGS the answer is NO - it suggests of a MetroCard is likely to spike as Napoli, more than double the amount in *** !!! *** that cameras have an ulterior the MTA adds to its cumbersome debt 2003. Servicing that debt consumes an We applaud Mayor De motive. Matter of fact, I load, according to a new report from ever-greater share of the MTA’s operat- Blasio for his decision and believe that a camera with a Comptroller Tom DiNapoli [PDF]. ing budget, which is already squeezed feel that there is no one better sign informing approaching The warning comes as Governor An- by rising labor and health care costs. suited for the position. We motorists will do a much drew Cuomo and the legislature begin Who pays? Transit riders, who have to wish Mr. Del Valle all the best. better job on traffi c and pedestrian safety the very early stages of negotiations deal with higher fares and suboptimal CENTRAL PARK LOOP: The than a camera without the sign. over funding the capital plan, which service, as the agency spends more on City is looking to close the Central Park HAILO: LOMTO endorsed Hailo maintains, upgrades, and expands the interest payments and less on running Loop to vehicles during the summer of e-hail app as soon as they were approved transit system. trains and buses. 2015 and do a study during this closure by the TLC. They came to our industry By some measures, the MTA is doing Adding more debt could also to determine its impact on the vehicular with the best intentions, played by all the well: Ridership is reaching new highs, threaten the authority’s bond rating and street traffi c around Central Park. Many rules - written or unwritten - and always the authority is making progress on cost ability to borrow down the road. Avoid- believe that this will lead to a year round did the right thing by the drivers. They savings, and an improving economy has ing that scenario would likely require full closure of the Central Park Loop to were never interested in fi nding loop holes buoyed its fi nances. But there’s trouble new revenue sources. Transit advocates vehicles – only time will tell. We do not to advance themselves. They believed in around the corner: Labor and health care are backing theMove New York plan, need a study, we know that the closure of old fashioned hard work and that’s why expenses are already rising faster than which adds tolls to crossings into the the loop will have a very negative impact we identifi ed with them the most – we the MTA can pay for them even as new Manhattan business district while on the vehicular street traffi c around the know what hard work is and believe that labor deals pile on more costs, federal reducing them on outlying bridges. park. We feel that any decision for a full it’s the only way to earn an honest living. funding isquestionable, debt is at record While the de Blasio administration closure would lack common sense, espe- We were very saddened to hear that Hailo levels, and the next capital plan is only hasn’t ruled it out, Cuomo has been far cially if it’s done without the necessary has decided to cease their activity in New halfway funded. Without new sources cooler to the idea. alterations to traffi c regulations in order to York. We wish them all the best. of revenue, issuing more debt to pay Yesterday, Cuomo offered a glim- alleviate the increased traffi c in residential LOMTO HAS JOINED THE FACE- for system upkeep and expansion will mer of hope. “I think everything is on neighborhoods around the park. BOOK FAMILY - WWW.FACEBOOK. translate into more fare hikes. the table, from my point of view. And RED LIGHT and SPEED CAM- COM/LOMTOTAXI - Visit and like The authority is already planning that’s where the conversation should ERAS: A question begs to be asked. our page to turn on notifi cations and get on issuing $6.2 billion in debt for the start, with all options,” he told Capital WOULD A RED LIGHT OR SPEED important industry updates and informa- next capital plan. Even with that bor- New York. MTA Chairman and CEO CAMERA INSTALLED WITH A tion. rowing, there’s still a $15.2 billion gap. Tom Prendergast, a Cuomo appointee, SIGN INFORMING APPROACHING Until next time, stay well. Without action in Albany to bring in has urged the creation of new fund- new revenue, the MTA will likely do ing sources instead of an increasing what it did last time: Cut the capital reliance on debt. Can Cuomo actually program while issuing even more debt. lead on transit? We’ll see in the months That means fare hikes. ahead. Fares are already scheduled to in- Reprinted with permission by Ste- crease faster than infl ation, with back- phen Miller and Streetsblog NYC. Bus Rapid Transit Press Conference By David Pollack On Tuesday October 21st on the on bus service every day. What BRT steps of city hall, I attended a press brings to the streets are Protected conference hosted by NYC Council- Bus Lanes with Center-Median Sta- man Donovan. The press conference tions.” Also in attendance support- was a sign of support to bring Bus ing the BRT press conference was Rapid Transit (BRT) to Queens, spe- Councilmembers Rodriquez, Lander, cifi cally along Woodhaven and Cross Constantinides, Crowley, Dromm, Bay Blvds. into Far Rockaway. More Ferreras and Koslowitz, a very strong than 30,000 commuters currently rely Queens contingent.

Committee for Taxi Safety 21-03 44TH Avenue LIC, NY 11101

PAGE 18 • TAXI INSIDER • NOVEMBER 2014 A Message From Councilman Van Bramer A downed pedestrian crossing sign (pictured below) may not seem like a big problem to some but at the end of the day it could make the difference between life and death. Recently when a constituent contacted me via Twitter about this serious situation my offi ce jumped into action. We helped expedite the case and were able to immediately fi x the problem. This case represents the 15,000th constituent my offi ce has assisted.

Press Conference Under The 7 Train By David Pollack On October 24th, I attended the Press Conference for opening of the Lowery Plaza located in the former parking area right under the 7 train on Queens Boulevard at 40th Street. Attendees included Council Majority Leader Jimmy Van Bramer, State Asssemblywoman Cathy Nolan, State Senator Mike Gianaris and NYCDOT Queens Borough Commissioner Dalia Hall. Lowery Plaza has tables, chairs and colorful planters for residents and commuters to chill. The new public space will be opened year-round from 9:00 AM to Dusk. Sunnyside Shines board member I have always been proud to work for you – and my team feels the same way. Chris Wnichester said, “We are so proud to be able to bring greenery and From the biggest of issues to the smallest, we strive to deliver results. From the a new public space to the middle of the neighborhood.” moment we get up to the time our heads hit the pillow, we never lose sight of our mission: good constituent service. In under fi ve years we have tackled a wide variety of issues. We have success- fully restored tuition assistance for students; we have reinstated rent exemptions for seniors; and we have installed much-needed traffi c signals to deter speeding on residential streets. Whatever the issue, my offi ce works hard to deliver the results you deserve. Below is a breakdown of all the cases we have worked on since I took offi ce. To date we have recorded victories for nearly 15,300 con- stituents and that number continues to grow each day.

AREN RIEDMAN K A. F ATTORNEYS PRESIDENT ATTORNEY AT LAW IN OFFICE Association of WHO PRACTICE: Motor Vehicle Trial (212) 213-2145 PERSONAL INJURY Attorneys MATRIMONIAL FLUENT IN ALL MOVING VIOLATIONS REAL ESTATE LAW FRENCH ALL MOVING COMMERCIAL THROUGHOUT IMMIGRATION VIOLATIONS NEW YORK STATE Speeding; Red Lights; Traffic Signs SUSPENSIONS & WARRANTS LIFTED CRIMINALLY RELATED MATTERS Letters...... station. Online there are many different (Continued from Page 16) Driving While Intoxicated (DWI); methods demonstrated how gas can be cab to start my day shift & noticed siphoned from a car in broad daylight Reckless Driving; the gas tank wasn’t full. I needed to and no one ever questions it. I can only go to the local station to fill up my conclude that a yellow taxi is an easy Aggravated Unlicensed Operation tires so while I was there, I filled it target since we usually always have a up and was surprised that I was able full tank at the end of a shift. to put $15 of gas in the tank. L. Barkin SAFETY HEARINGS Now my partner of over 2 years RD has never ever short me on gas. He Throughout30 East New33 Street York State had used the same exact gas attendant Where & Who Hey Taxi Dave, TH the night before at the station I use 4 Floor With all my respect to the mayor’s to top off the tank. 404 Park Avenue South and police department I don’t see New York, NY 10016 I thought perhaps he had made any enforcement against pedestrians a mistake but he mentioned he had and cyclists. UBER in Germany and EMAIL:New [email protected] York, NY 10016 driven very few miles during his shift Canada are against the law to pick & had watched the attendant fill the WEBSITE:between www.NewYorkTraffi 28th and 29th Streets cLawyer.com any fares.why they are allowed pick tank at the end of his shift and it was fares in NYC, who going to protected definitely topped off. He parked the our investment? — We Accept Credit Cards — car(718) for me within 979-5360a mile of the sta- Fluent in French and Spanish Charbel tion immediately after leaving the NOVEMBER 2014 • TAXI INSIDER • PAGE 19 ABOUT YOUR TAXES Quoteable By Robert J. Mackle, Esq. Don’t Forget To Forward Your Mail I am reminded of an apartment I have to wait until you fi le the follow- moved into years ago, and about 2-3 ing years’ returns, you should keep it Quotes months after moving in, I received a updated as soon as possible so they can visit from someone who told me he stay in touch with you and keep your “ Vision Zero is ultimately about ney on Taxi Dave’s radio show refer- was the former resident, and did I account safe and up to date. safety, it’s not about penalizing drivers. ring to the 2nd Avenue Subway and have any mail for him? I asked him Readers with questions on these It is one part of Vision Zero but it’s not the East Side Access projects. if he thought I was the UPS Store or or any tax and immigration issues can the end goal of Vision Zero. So in that • • • • • what? I told him that whatever I re- contact me directly. My information vain, we’ve decided between now and “The most crowded subway line ceived that did not belong to me, I had is below. the end of the year, we will be sending is the Lexington Avenue line. The returned to the letter carrier, including Robert Mackle is an attorney li- out warning letters to drivers who are second most crowded is the Queens several pieces of Certifi ed Mail from censed by New York State. Mr. Mackle caught in the red light cameras so they Boulevard line. 71% of subway the government. formerly drove both Black Cars as well understand that this behavior is subject riders live within half a mile of a The lesson to be learned is: Always as medallion taxis for more than 10 to stiff penalty. Hopefully it will serve subway,” fi le a forwarding order when you years. He currently serves as MANAG- as a strong deterrent to those drivers MTA Chief Thomas Pendergast change address. Your home address is ING ATTORNEY to BRETZ & COVEN so they don’t get caught again. stating statistics before answering where the government will be trying to LLP a prominent immigration law fi rm. Our goal is by doing a full warning Taxi Dave’s question about raising reach you on a variety of issues, many In the past he served for 8 years as the campaign, we are able to get a strong taxes. of which you will be unable to contest Controller & General Counsel to a message out, and that when we get to • • • • • if you do not object to them in a timely major Black Car limousine company in summonsing the volume of potential “At the end of the trip he didn’t manner. Even after your forwarding New York City. His telephone number violators is greatly reduced. Anything tip me and told me not to pick him order expires, the Post Offi ce will send is (212) 267-2555, Fax number (212) you can do to spread the word we up anymore,” the items back to the senders with a 267-2129. Inquiries can also be sent by greatly appreciated because ultimately Tom O’Connor revealing his ex- yellow sticker showing the forwarding mail to Robert J. Mackle, Esq., c/o Bretz our goal is not to summons for a driver perience picking up Mickey Mantle address so the senders can see it. & Coven LLP 305 Broadway Suite 100 violating traffi c laws, we would just at Yankee Stadium on Taxi Dave’s You can update your address with New York, NY 10007-1109 or by Email rather not have those instants in the Radio Show. the IRS using Form 8822. You don’t to: [email protected] fi rst place.” • • • • • Chairwoman of the NYC Taxi & “Every mayor in New York’s his- Would You Like To Receive...... Limousine Commission, Meera Joshi tory would have liked to have fired the • Weekly Traffi c Advisories at the October TLC meeting. comptroller on multiple occasions, • • • • • which is why the people in their • Important Messages from The TLC “The two largest construction collective wisdom decided, a long • Important Industry Notices projects for mass transit are in the time ago, the comptroller should be E-mail: [email protected] district I represent. We are the mass separately elected.” transit capital of our country,” Former New York City Comptrol- And we will place you on our Industy E-Mail List. Congresswoman Carolyn Malo- ler John Liu. WHAT ARE YOU DOING ABOUT YOUR TAXES??? Call Bob Mackle: 212-267-2555 Reasonable Fees – Decades of Industry Experience Great Service – Every Return is Signed By an Attorney

PROBLEMS WITH IMMIGRATION? Through my new affiliation with Bretz & Coven LLP, a prominent Immigration Law Firm, I can help. Bretz & Coven LLP is located at 305 Broadway • SUITE 100, on the corner of Duane Street.

Call Bob Mackle: 212-267-2555 PAGE 20 • TAXI INSIDER • NOVEMBER 2014 are key gateways to the record number mately $53 billion in annual economic Gov Cuomo & VP Biden Hold of tourists—more than 50 million— activity to the New York-New Jersey that the city welcomes annually”, said metropolitan region. Press Conference on NYC Airports the Gov. JFK and LaGuardia have Cuomo also said that the airports By David Pollack fallen far behind the caliber of air don’t cater enough to commerce At a press conference I attended, improvements by the Port Authority transit in other major cities. He pointed by having amenities like suffi cient Vice President Joe Biden and Governor that are already underway. out that it takes nearly an hour to get hotel, conference and entertainment Cuomo unveiled a comprehensive plan There is going to be a competi- from the central business districts of space. “Airports around the world are to modernize and revitalize LaGuar- tion to design and make NY airports Manhattan to those two airports, triple designed with a different purpose,” dia, John F. Kennedy International, more competitive with other world the time it takes to make the same con- the Governor continued. “People do Republic and Stewart International airports. nection in London and Beijing. business there, and they don’t even Airport. The Governor stated, “This Governor Cuomo’s plan can LaGuardia and JFK Airports were leave the airport.” is more important for New York than change the NYC taxi industry: The constructed in 1939 and 1960, respec- The governor said the process of ever before, which is why the State competition would include ways to tively, and have since experienced creating a master plan for LaGuardia is ambitiously investing in roads, create a Long Island Rail Road stop substantial growth in customers. Last would not set back the Port Authority’s bridges and tunnels on a scale that we at LaGuardia and provide ferry ac- year, the two airports served more selection of a private-sector team to haven’t seen in decades. Our airport cess to both LaGuardia and JFK. “We people than at any other time in their handle the $3.6 billion redevelopment modernization plan not only enhances want to hold a master plan design history – a total 77 million passen- of LaGuardia’s main terminal building, how our individual airports look and competition that asks for modern gers, or roughly one-quarter of the which has been ongoing for the past act in the 21st Century – but addresses designs and visions,” the Governor entire U.S. population. Collectively, two years. The redevelopment includes how they must fundamentally work also stated. Vice President Biden sat LaGuardia and JFK Airports employ erecting a new terminal and surround- together to strategically grow New next to the governor during the press 50,000 people and generate approxi- ing infrastructure like roadways. York’s economy.” The Master Plan conference. Design Competitions for LaGuardia “It is also an acknowledgement of and JFK Airports will complement how vital air infrastructure is to the Kindly Patronize Our Advertisers hundreds of millions of dollars in region’s economy. LaGuardia and JFK

WC Insurance new form of taxi service in New York in the ILDBF. This fund provides cov- ers’ Compensation policy unless the City. The NYC Taxi & Limousine erage for limited catastrophic injuries vehicle is owner-operated and driven by (Continued from Page 5) Commission is in the process of imple- and injuries due to a crime, but only the owner more than 40 hours per week Laws of 2008). On July 26, 2008, NY menting the new legislation which will while the driver is on a dispatched or is not leased to other drivers. Governor David Paterson signed leg- expand street-hail taxi service outside call from a base. All other injuries are Anyone holding two or more islation that created the Livery Drivers of the Manhattan Central Business eligible for no-fault benefi ts through handicap-accessible street-hail livery Benefi t Fund, providing compliance District and the airports. The Boro an automobile liability policy. licenses must obtain a full Worker’s with The WC laws. Taxis will provide legal taxi service to Due to these limitations, drivers Compensation policy. That statute allowed livery bases the seven million New Yorkers living performing street-hail services in Boro A Boro Taxi base that also owns a in New York City, Westchester and in Northern Manhattan and the four Taxis cannot be covered for Workers’ street-hail livery license must obtain Nassau Counties, to qualify as “in- other Boroughs. Compensation benefi ts through the a full Worker’s Compensation policy dependent” bases if they met certain New York City will make a total ILDBF. If the base that the driver af- to cover Boro Taxi drivers for injuries criteria typically used by the courts of 18,000 street-hail livery licenses fi liates with is a member of the ILDBF, not covered by the ILDBF. to determine independent contractor available, with an initial set of 6,000 the ILDBF will cover the driver only Bases that will continue to operate status. Specifi cally, the statute stated being sold for $1500 starting in June while he is on a dispatched call from vehicles solely on a dispatch basis and that independent bases would pay 2013. The Boro Taxis associated with that base, but not while performing not as Boro Taxis are reminded that into the Fund which would purchase each license will have a unique color street-hail services. Additional com- they must join the ILDBF or obtain a special coverage that would provide (green) and markings, as well as roof pensation coverage is required because full Workers’ Compensation policy. If workers’ compensation benefi ts for the lights, and taxi meters. of this gap in coverage. the base does belong to the ILDBF and most serious injuries, including those The legislation also requires that The lessors of yellow medallion also has employees working in the base, resulting from crimes and deaths. The each Boro Taxi be affi liated with a base cabs are universally required to pro- such as mechanics and dispatchers, a Fund provides Workers’ Compensation that is licensed to affi liate such taxis. vide full Workers’ Compensation and full Worker’s Compensation policy benefi ts for serious injuries and crimes The following describes who is Disability Benefi ts coverage for their is required to cover these non-driver committed against drivers dispatched responsible for providing Workers’ drivers unless they qualify for the employees. by qualifying independent livery bases. Compensation and Disability Ben- owner-operator 40-hour exemption. As We are beginning to see how this The Livery Fund Law has helped solve efi ts coverage, under existing law, the new Boro Taxis will be providing new license and other changes will a workers’ compensation problem that for drivers operating under these new identical street-hail services as the yel- affect the industry from all aspects has spanned three decades. licenses. low medallion cabs, the employment including Insurance, Regulations, and If the base does not qualify for Application relationship between the owner of a Enforcement, as well as the effects it membership in the fund (more than Under the current Workers’ Com- street-hail livery license to operate a will have on the values and operations 50% of vehicles are owned by the base pensation Law and Article 6-G of the Boro Taxi and the driver is the same of other licenses like Medallion and or any other reason) then they must Executive Law, livery drivers of bases as it is for the yellow cabs. Black Car. I welcome any inquiries have a WC policy. who are members of the Independent As such, the owner of any street-hail on this topic. Now, since TLC has a new License Livery Driver Benefi t Fund (ILBDF) livery license to operate a Boro Taxi Your Professional Insurance Agent – the “Green” Outer-Boro Taxi, there are deemed employees of the ILBDF must provide full Workers’ Compensa- … We want you to know about the are exposures and guidelines issued if the accident occurs during the per- tion coverage for any driver who is hired insurance you’re buying. by the NYS Workers Compensation formance of a dispatched call. If an or who leases the vehicle. Accordingly, Alan Plafker is President of Member Board (WCB). These Taxis have a “dual independent livery base is not in the proof of that coverage must be provided Brokerage Service LLC, a Melrose use” - they can do street pickups inde- ILDBF, the drivers are deemed employ- to the Taxi & Limousine Commission Credit Union Service Organization. pendently but must be affi liated with a ees of the base. The employer for all in order to obtain the street-hail livery He is a licensed Insurance Broker livery base that also does dispatches. other livery drivers is the lessor of the license. An owner-operator who drives and also serves as President of PIANY These vehicles at times are covered vehicle(s) unless the owner-operator their vehicle 40 or more hours per week (Professional Insurance Agents Asso- by the NYILDBF when dispatched, or also drives the vehicle 40 or more hours who is seeking an exemption to the ciation of NY), Treasurer for the New when a driver is providing street pick per week. This owner-operator exemp- Workers’ Compensation requirements York Independent Livery Driver Benefi t up, may be covered by the owner’s WC tion only applies to sole proprietors; must complete the Board’s exemption Fund Board of Directors. or as an owner driver may be exempt. other legal entities such as corporations certifi cate (form CE-200), available on His Agency insures thousands of This can cause problems in the event and partnerships are not eligible for the its home page, and submit it to the Taxi polices for TLC Insurance as well as of a claim. exemption. Owner-operators that do and Limousine Commission. many policies for all types of PERSON- Overview not lease their vehicle to other drivers The following summarizes Work- AL and COMMERCIAL insurance. On February 17, 2012, Governor are not required to cover themselves. ers’ Compensation coverage require- You can reach him in his Briarwood, Cuomo signed into law Chapter 9 of the Bases are allowed to provide Work- ments related to Boro Taxis: Queens offi ce at (718) 523-1300 ext. Laws of 2012, which amended Chapter ers’ Compensation protection for their Anyone holding a single street-hail 1082, or visit the website at: www. 602 of the Laws of 2011 establishing a affi liated drivers through membership livery license must obtain a full Work- MemberBrokerage.com NOVEMBER 2014 • TAXI INSIDER • PAGE 21 establishment of a government regula- Held on Proposed Model Regulations “Daus Re-Elected IATR President at tor training certifi cation or accreditation for Accessible Taxicabs and For-Hire Most Attended & program; and (3) the issuance of a Re- Vehicles quest for Information (RFI) to explore The IATR unveiled its fi rst draft Successful Conference!” the establishment of an IATR driver of proposed model regulations for ac- By Matthew W. Daus, Esq. training certifi cation program. cessibility, and held an international The IATR welcomed government tors over time. We do not necessarily Transportation Technology – public hearing to solicit comments transportation regulators and vendors know what the new transportation world Insurance & Background Check from regulators and stakeholders alike. from around the world in New Orleans, will look like, but it will defi nitely be Experts & Keynote Speakers! The internationally-comprised IATR Louisiana (NOLA) from September 21- different than it is now. There could The program included many ses- Accessibility Committee expended 24, 2014. A record number of confer- be further reforms and more stringent sions on the very important technology considerable time and effort in devel- ence attendees were educated regulations as a backlash to front. Two excellent keynote speakers oping this fi rst draft of reform-oriented on the latest in technology, more high profi le accidents, provided insight into pressing issues regulations, and commenced the rule- accessibility and regulatory incidents and litigation rul- involving Transportation Network making process. Opening remarks were developments everywhere. I ings, or there could be partial Companies (TNCs). First, the former delivered by the original author and was pleased to hear from al- or complete deregulation of New York State Superintendent of original sponsor of the Americans with most everyone that it was not the industry followed by re- Insurance, Gregory Serio, delivered a Disabilities Act (ADA), United States only the best IATR confer- regulation in a new paradigm. commanding speech simplifying and Senator Tom Harkin, from Iowa, whose ence ever, but the best confer- There already is and will be a demystifying the complex issues sur- speech can be viewed on the IATR’s ence they had ever attended in shift in the balance of power rounding the world of vehicle insurance website. The proposed model regula- their lives. After engaging in and the regulatory framework, coverage and TNC related insurance tions can be accessed at http://www. workshops and action packed by not only the private industry issues. Also, Mayor Paul Soglin of windelsmarx.com/public_document. sessions chock full of relevant stakeholders, but possibly by Madison, Wisconsin, provided insight cfm?id=388&key=8I0, and written information, our conference attendees and among government regulators. into how he handled the introduction of comments can continue to be submitted “Let the Good Times Roll” in the “Big The IATR has been and will be at TNC services in his jurisdiction. Mayor on or before December 22, 2014 to Jason Easy” - with networking activities and the table in a leadership capacity. The Soglin’s command of transportation Mischel at [email protected]. entertainment that will be remembered disruptive events of the last few years, issues and commitment to sustain- IATR Honors Safest NYC Cab forever. I am also honored and privi- coupled with proactive leadership and ability were impressive and inspiring. Driver as IATR’s International leged to have been recognized by my advocacy by the IATR, have certainly Other critical sessions provided detailed Driver of the Year & Carlton Thomas IATR colleagues, who unanimously led to a New World Order at the IATR briefi ngs, analysis and discussion of of Austin, Texas, as IATR Regulator re-elected me pro bono President for - as a vital organization that is a major pending and recently promulgated TNC of the Year. many years to come. transportation policy player. The IATR legislation and regulations, the prolif- The IATR named Frederick Amo- The State of the IATR & Our New now has board membership represent- eration of lawsuits, as well as a primer afo of New York City its International World Transportation Order. ing almost every world continent, in understanding criminal background Driver of the Year. Mr. Amoafo was The theme of this 27th Annual Con- including Asia, Australia, and Europe, checks in general, and in a post-TNC recognized for his dedication to Mayor ference of the International Association in addition to members from the U.S. world. Discussions and debate took Bill de Blasio’s Vision Zero traffi c of Transportation Regulators (IATR) and Canada. Membership levels and place on how technology is changing safety plan, and for having a spotless was “A New World Order for Ground conference attendance have never been our regulatory paradigm around the safe driving record for a minimum of Transportation Regulation,” which was higher, and many new members from world, including presentations from fi ve years. He distinguished himself also the title of my State of the IATR all over the world joined the ranks technology companies and regulators in that fi eld, having driven his cab speech delivered at the conference. This over the past year, including: Russia; from near and far, discussing where the 190,000 miles without a single viola- speech, and all others, may be viewed Germany; Belgium; Australia; Malay- app and technology movement is go- tion or injury-producing crash. Having on the IATR’s You Tube Channel by sia; Singapore; Dubai, UAE; Doha, ing. We also introduced new policy and graced the cover of the New York Daily visiting www.iatr.org. Qatar; Abu Dhabi, UAE; Milan, Italy; technology-related initiatives involved News, the honoree continued to turn In sum, we are at a turning point London, U.K.; and many others. Our in the “Vision Zero,” movement, includ- heads by driving from New York City on our regulatory axis, where several membership and infl uence has grown ing black boxes and big transportation to New Orleans in a taxicab provided worlds are colliding: technology disrup- due to the value added by membership, data analysis platforms. by Mobility Works for the trip – painted tion; the sustainability, disability rights, conferences and our involvement on the The Debate between the Industry half yellow and half green in a nod to and “Vision Zero” traffi c safety move- world stage as a major transportation and Transportation Network Com- both of the NYC’s predominant hail ments; and decreased public tolerance player – submitting testimony, reports panies! services. He was accompanied on for poor taxicab service. These political and advocating for common sense regu- The conference ended with a the trip by the Daily News’ veteran and technological catalysts have led lations to protect the public in the face “Big Bang,” with a high-energy de- transportation reporter/columnist Pete transportation regulators around the of predatory and disruptive technology bate between industry leaders and Donohue, who chronicled the jour- world to rethink the regulatory chem- transportation companies. TNC executives moderated by Pete ney along with photographers and a istry and institute bold reforms and We have identifi ed and put to good Donohue, a very experienced, smart, videographer. New York City Mayor adaptations. Technology has not only use best practices and approaches in- and objective transportation reporter Bill de Blasio even issued a statement broken down the barriers between volving the analysis of common facts, from the New York Daily News. The on the IATR’s award to Mr. Amoafo: sub-modes and the taxi and limousine issues, data and challenges, culminating TNC team included Geoff Mathieux of “We are so proud to have one of New industries, but it has also brought in international model regulations for Wingz, Wesley Hottot of the Institute York City’s own honored for his service for-hire services, regulators and the smartphone technology, accessibility, for Justice, and three empty seats for to our city and its riders. Taxi drivers industry closer together, not just locally pedicabs, safety cameras and parti- Lyft, Sidecar and Uber - all of which re- set the tone for our streets, and when but worldwide. The New World Order tions, as well as the fi rst-ever IATR fused to participate. The industry team they drive safely and treat their fellow already involves or will involve global International Fact Book. In addition, consisted of Rich Antonacci, COO of New Yorkers with respect, it helps brands, apps everywhere, seamless inte- the IATR is gaining momentum on Signature Financial, Bill Rouse, former protect all of us. We congratulate Mr. gration and aggregation services. Sepa- implementing important reforms and Taxicab, Limousines and Paratransit Amoafo on his award.” Upon arriving rate industries are merging together into integrity enhancements for its members Association (TLPA) President, and in New Orleans, an elated Mr. Amoafo one regulatory Pangea, whether it be: via the Passenger Safety and Security Blair Davies, CEO of the Australian was made grand marshal of a parade (1) limousine, taxi, livery and sedan Act (PASS Act) in Congress, as well as Taxi Industry Association. The event through the famed French Quarter, service all at once via one company or the issuance of a Request for Proposals took on the fl avor of a political debate, waving and tossing beads as tradition app as the gateway; (2) the privatization or Qualifi cations for vendors to develop with pre-debate posturing that involved demands, to the cheers of onlookers. of accessible public transit with private a national criminal background check an outright refusal by Uber to partici- The next evening, the humble cabbie wheelchair accessible sedan and taxi clearinghouse for regulators, which pate, and a last minute confi rmation that was offi cially presented with his title at services, involving dispatch systems will allow IATR to collect and share was rescinded by the CEO of Sidecar. the IATR’s gala dinner, on the Creole and apps; and (3) supplemental services data of licensee criminal convictions A representative from Lyft attempted to Queen riverboat. that include logistics or messenger from other states. In addition to these deliver a speech at the end of the debate, To view articles published about services, and/or “business-to-business” ongoing initiatives, I am pleased to and, well, to see what happened next, his journey and award see the follow- (B2B) solutions. All of these changes announce the IATR Board’s approval I recommend you view the debate by ing links: are happening alongside the collection to commence the following new initia- visiting the IATR website to access its http://www.nydailynews.com/ and mining of data by private compa- tives: (1) the fi rst-ever IATR Journal You Tube channel. new-york/queens-cabbie-driving- nies, and possibly government regula- of Transportation Regulation; (2) the International Public Hearing (Continued on Page 22) PAGE 22 • TAXI INSIDER • NOVEMBER 2014 Daus to be displayed in Texas this year. MTA Press Conference The IATR “Let the Good Regula- (Continued from Page 21) By David Pollack tory Times Roll” in NOLA! – Mon- At a Press Conference on 6th Now we all know about the 2nd midtown-new-orleans-award-article- treal is Next! Avenue and 52nd Street, Metropoli- Avenue subway and radio listen- 1.1947050?cid=bitly New Orleans was the place where tan Transportation Authority (MTA) ers heard Congresswoman Carolyn http://www.nydailynews.com/nyc- we not only learned about important Chairman and CEO, Thomas F. Pend- Maloney state that those two trans- cabbie-newser-flora-country-folk- transportation issues that affect all of ergast answered my question request- portation projects are the largest in road-trip-article-1.1948308 us, but where regulators enjoyed one ing if MTA taxes will increase, or if the entire country. For justifi cation http://www.nydailynews.com/ of the most unique cities in the United the MTA has new taxes planned. I he told us that the Lexington Avenue new-york/queens/queens-cabbie- States. Among the networking and will get to that later because prior to line is the most crowded subway crowned-driver-year-new-orleans- educational activities, we held a city my question, Mr. Pendergast gave line in NYC. (2nd was the Queens article-1.1950750 tour, a visit to the Basin Street Station listeners some statistics about the Blvd. line) The IATR Board of Directors was Transit Museum, a dinner gala event MTA. Pendergast told us that $32 was pleased to present the distinguished and on an authentic steamboat known as MTA riders total 8.7 million fares necessary to replace 86 miles of coveted Regulator of the Year Award the Paddlewheeler Creole Queen, as a day, I guess most are round trip com- tracks, to improve the result of add- to Carlton Thomas, the regulator from well as the fi rst-ever IATR parade and muters. The MTA has 8,000 subway ing air conditioned subway cars – to Austin, Texas. Mr. Thomas was a true “second line” festivities – with authentic “trains” and 1500 commuter trains. fi x the environmental nightmare of profi le in regulatory courage in stand- NOLA musical entertainment, fl oats There are 468 subway stations and an subway platforms temperature ris- ing up to disruptive app companies and a parade of accessible taxicabs additional 245 suburban commuter ing 12 degrees during the summer, and seeking to implement the IATR’s and the IATR Driver of the Year as stations making MTA the biggest in to expand bus service and select bus model regulations against stiff lobbying our parade’s grand marshal. The 2014 the world. service, and to install “Positive Train and political pressure – putting safety IATR NOLA conference was not only Mr. Pendergast stated that 71% Controls to make sure operators are and consumer protection – not politics a regulatory “game changer” that will of subway riders live within half a doing their jobs.” – fi rst. He has attended IATR confer- re-order our regulatory tectonic plates, mile of a subway station as compared He asked for contractors and ences in the past, as a former Norma but all of our attendees had fun and with 73% of Long Island railroad consultants to “fi nd ways for a better Reyes IATR scholarship recipient, and enjoyed fantastic food and company passengers living within two miles product at a cheaper cost.” Finally, has not only learned regulation from in the birthplace of Jazz. of their station. He bragged about he wants everyone to realize the the ground-up, but instituted reforms While every year I am told that we the MTA’s fl at subway fare and get- importance of the capital program to in many other areas. He is a true role cannot top last year’s conference, I ting express trains for the same fares the region. And, then he states that model for regulators, and a much de- promise we will do it again in 2015, as local trains. Rerouting subway “the MTA has the capacity to do what serving recipient of the “Crystal Taxi” in Montreal, Quebec, Canada! lines when one becomes inoperable needs to be done to fi nance.” The burly cop walked back 125 feet of his ticket, with its $130 fi ne and two due to an emergency is something Back to my question: “Will the to offi cer Auyang. He came back 10 penalty points. “New Yorkers take for granted,” he MTA be increasing any current taxes minutes later with a high beam traffi c Offi cer Auyang was never within continued. or has any new taxes planned?” The ticket. The cabbie looked at the illegible 125 feet of the cabbie, but she said she And then we got the pitch for the answer was not yes, it was not no, but handwriting. He asked, “How much is alone spoke to him. She lied, denying MTA’s capital plan: a $32 billion plan it was a political answer that I still the fi ne, and are there points?” “Get out that the cabbie ever tried to explain to for repair, enhancements and expan- cannot fi gure out. Since the answer of here,” the cop sneered. “Look at it her or anyone else about the failure of the sion. Pendergast spoke of MTA’s total was not NO, we must all beware of the somewhere else.” out-of-stock electronic part. The cabbie assets inclusive of LIRR, Para-transit, MTA requesting an increase in the 50 The cabbie pleaded innocent by mail. told the judge that Auyang was lying. subways, buses, Metro North total- cent Taxi Tax. Melrose Credit Union He paid $31 to park in lower Manhattan, He insisted that the other male cop was ing $965 billion, thereby justifying a will do everything in their power to near Ground Zero, on Sept. 18, 2014, the the only cop who had communicated smaller $32 billion “required.” prevent any increase in this tax. day of the two Washington Street traffi c with him, and that Auyang was always court hearings. The cabbie showed the 125 feet away. Ed Rodriguez, the shrill NYPD’s Suy Auyang Commits Perjury judge a letter from his taxi garage’s general 5-foot-2 Heinrich Himmler-lookalike To Win Conviction manager. His taxi fl eet owns 350 Toyota DMV judge, shrieked, “Guilty!” By Mark Twain Prius vehicles. The letter said the fl eet has The cabbie insisted Auyang was ly- a 24/7/365 service maintenance shop. It ing. Rodriguez screamed, “Get out of A good example of Blue evil is the of the frivolous high-beam ticket written would have replaced all of its failed instru- here. I’m going to arrest you!” Rodriguez passive, tiny Suy Auyang of the NYPD. by Auyang on May 10, 2013. ment clusters were they available. called in a goon with a fi ve-day stubble Auyang committed perjury in court, win- A cabbie dropped off a couple at The evidence letter said that failed to arrest the cabbie. ning a $130 fi ne and two-point convic- West 39th St and 8th Avenue, south of electronic clusters made it impossible Taxi Insider Newspaper neither tion. Her victim, an elderly cab driver, the Port Authority Bus Terminal. He for drivers to know that their high beams agrees or disagrees with the views of spends 70 hours a week crisscrossing was stopped by a burly cop standing 125 were on. The cabbie expected dismissal the above writer. 305 square miles of New York City. He feet in front of him, next to a tiny Asian drives every waking hour to pay medi- female. The brute sneered, “Your high In Response to EPoch Times cal bills for his wife at Memorial Sloan beams are on. Give me your license and Kettering Cancer Center. registration.” I have given many interviews to loop will have a VERY NEGATIVE New York City has stolen the De- The cabbie explained, “The high journalists. Having my words twisted impact on the street traffi c and that partment of Motor Vehicle’s mission beam dashboard indicator light on my a bit to fi t their article is a common the City will have to alter the traffi c of motor vehicle safety. Every year, the dashboard doesn’t work.” The brute occurrence, but I’ve never been as regulations if it wants to alleviate the DMV meat grinder extracts hundreds sneered, “Shut your face.” grossly misquoted as in the Epoch increased congestion in residential of millions of dollars from random and A failed electronic instrument cluster Times article - Imagine a Car Free neighborhoods around the park. unsuspecting motorists. Most cops in that controls electronic dashboards of Central Park - by Catherine Yang. The Some people take pride in their NYC are honest, but offi cer Auyang is every 2010 Toyota Prius left thousands article’s highlight quotes me as saying work and some will do anything to rotten to the core. This predator writes of dashboards dark, with no visible “There’s no need to spend months to get ahead. I guess Ms. Yang belongs frivolous and vicious tickets; she denies warning lights, gauges or indicators other study [a car free park]... THE IMPACT in the latter category!!!... common sense breaks to good drivers. than directional lights. The directional WILL BE VERY MINIMAL.” ..... My Erhan Tuncel Offi cer Auyang works out of the light control lever is an inch in front comments to Ms. Yang were clear as Managing Director Midtown South 14th Precinct on 357 of the steering wheel. It is easily tilted a bell and it’s MY ONLY OPINION The League of Mutual Taxi West 35th Street. “Kojak,” aka Telly forward during 12-hour shifts, activat- that the closure of the Central Park Owners Savalas, made Midtown South famous in ing the high beams. In the “Great White the 70s. Savalas died of prostate cancer Way,” with no high beam indicator lights, Would You Like To Receive...... a day after his 72nd birthday on Jan. 22, Prius drivers can’t know that their high • Weekly Traffi c Advisories 1994. Viewers wouldn’t miss a minute beams are on. of Kojak. Savalas turned Midtown South One factory made the problematic • Important Messages from The TLC into their own living rooms. part that causes the issue, and because the • Important Industry Notices Times Square’s bright lights make factory was damaged by the Fukushima E-mail: [email protected] Midtown South the land of the midnight earthquake and tsunami, the part was And we will place you on ourbIndusty E-Mail List. sun. These bright lights are the context unavailable anywhere in the world. NOVEMBER 2014 • TAXI INSIDER • PAGE 23

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• Healthcare spending in the NYC MSA grew 16% from 2002/2003 to 2012/2013. In NYC, this corresponded with an increase in the uninsurance rate from 12% in 2002 to 20% in 2012.2 It is likely that medical expenditures will decrease with subsequent rounds of the CE, as the Affordable Care Act now requires that all individuals be covered by health insurance. • Between 2002/2003 and 2012/2013, average annual expenditures in the NYC MSA declined 7.0%, while annual household income fell 6.6% to $80,862 (See Figure I.). Consumer expenditures in the NYC MSA comprised 75.2% of Transit Ridership total household income in 2012/2013—the second-lowest share among the ten Total ridership on MTA subways, trains and buses in August 2014 was MSAs (Atlanta had the lowest share with 73.6%). 218.9 million, a decrease of 1.2% from August 2013. Subway ridership in • Relative to other MSAs, residents of the NYC metro area spent a lower August 2014 was 139.3 million, which was a 0.5% decrease from August share of total expenditures on transportation (13.5%), likely due to the avail- 2013. ability of affordable public transit options, as well as on entertainment (4.2%), Source: Metropolitan Transportation Authority. again likely the result of the abundance of free cultural and recreational activities offered throughout the city. Air Traffi c In July 2014, 11.2 million passengers flew into and out of the region’s airports, an increase of 3.6% from July 2013. Domestic air carriers ac- counted for 7.0 million passengers, a 2.4% increase from July 2013. 4.2 million passengers traveled with international air carriers in July 2014, a 5.6% increase from July 2013. Source: Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. Broadway Ticket Sales Total Broadway attendance was approximately 880,000 during the four weeks ending September 28, 2014, up 12.9% from the same period last year. Broadway revenue during this period was about $86.8 million, up 14.1% from last year. Source: The Broadway League. Hotel Occupancy In August 2014, the average daily hotel room rate was $264, a 3.1% in- crease from August 2013. Hotel occupancy was 94.1% in August 2014, up from 91.8% in August 2013. The average daily hotel room rate increased • In 2012/2013, residents in all ten MSAs allocated nearly a third or more of the most in hotels charging between $190 and $225 per night. their annual spending towards housing, with the highest share (39.8%) recorded in NYC (see Figure II.). Interestingly, while the NYC MSA was highest in terms of owned dwelling expenditures (15.5%), it was third behind Los Angeles and Employment San Francisco in terms of rented dwelling costs as a percentage of total annual Private sector jobs in New York City rose by 8,000 in August 2014 after expenditures (9.8%). As alluded to above, however, infrastructure in these cities a rise of 24,200 jobs in July 2014. Government jobs in the city rose slightly, may allow residents to allocate a greater percentage of their budget to housing resulting in a net overall increase of 8,300 total private and public sector needs. Spending data such as these thus need to take into account “local differ- jobs in August. Since August 2013, private sector employment has risen by ences” before claims can be made about relative affordability between cities.1 105,400 jobs or 3.1%. New York City’s unemployment rate was 7.3% in • At nearly $2,400 per year, residents of the NYC MSA outspent all other August 2014, down from 7.8% the month prior. Between July and August MSAs in the area of education. This amount is more than 2.5 times that spent in 2014, the number of employed city residents decreased by 1,300, while the Dallas-Fort Worth and is nearly a third higher than the amount that New Yorkers number of unemployed city residents fell by 19,300. spent in 2002/2003. (Continued on Page 34) PAGE 28 • TAXI INSIDER • NOVEMBER 2014

Carlyle Hotel 1568 Broadway 35 E 76th Street between 47th & 48th Streets TAXI INSIDER between Madison & 5th Avenues Drake Swissotel Hotel MANHATTAN HOTEL LIST !!! Carnegie Suites Hotel 440 Park Avenue at 56th Street 229 W 58th Street between 7th & 8th Avenues Dream Hotel Dear Readers of TaxiInsider, 210 W 55th Street bet. Drivers always tell me that they cannot know the location of every hotel in Casablanca Hotel 7th & 8th Aves. Manhattan. A lot of work went into the list of Manhattan Hotels below. Drivers, 147 W 43rd Street please send Taxi Insider any corrections or additional hotels not mentioned. between 6th & 7th Avenues Dylan Hotel Also, when you are finished reading this issue of Taxi Insider, do not throw this 52 E 41st Street at Madison Ave. Chambers Hotel newspaper in the garbage, give it to another taxi driver ! Thank you ! 15 W 56th Street Eastgate Tower Suites Hotel between 5th & 6th Avenues 222 E 39th Street 60 Thompson Street 226 W 54th Street at Broadway Benjamin Hotel between 2nd & 3rd Avenues Between Broome and Spring Streets between 7th & 8th Avenues 125 E 50th Street at York Avenue Hotel Chandler 12 E 31st Street off 5th Avenue Edison Hotel 70 Park Avenue Amsterdam Inn Hotel Bentley Hotel 228 W 47th Street at 38th Street 340 Amsterdam Avenue 500 E 62nd Street at York Avenue Chelsea Hotel between 7th & 8th Avenues at W 76th St. Best Western Convention Center 222 W 23rd Street 414 Inn Hotel between 7th & 8th Avenues Elysee Hotel 414 W. 46th Street Arlington Hotel 522 W 38th Street 60 E 54th Street between 9th & 10th Avenues 18 W 25th Street at 5th Avenue between 10th & 11th Avenues Chelsea Lodge Hotel between Park & Madison Avenues 318 W 20th Street Affi nia 50 Suites Avalon Hotel Best Western Hospitality between 8th & 9th Avenues Embassy Suites Hotel 155 E 50th Street at 3rd Avenue 16 E 32nd Street House Hotel 102 North End Ave. between Madison & 5th Avenues 145 E 49th Street Chelsea Savoy Hotel World Financial Center, Manhattan Affi nia Dumont between 3rd & Lexington Avenues 204 W 23rd Street 150 E 24th Street Beacon Hotel between 7th & 8th Avenues Fairfi eld Inn & Suites Chelsea- between 3rd & Lexington Avenues 2130 Broadway at 75th Street Best Western President Hotel 116 W. 28th St 234 W 48th Street Chelsea Star Hotel (near 6th Ave) Affi nia Manhattan Hotel Bedford Hotel between 7th & 8th Avenues 300 W 30th Street at 8th Avenue (formerly the Southgate Tower Hotel) 118 E 40th Street Four Points Manhattan SoHo- 371 Seventh Avenue at 31st Street Best Western Seaport Inn Hotel City Club Hotel 66 Charlton St. Beekman Tower Hotel 33 Peck Slip at Front Street 55 W 44th Street (near Spring St) Algonquin Hotel 3 Mitchell Place 49th Street between 5th & 6th Avenues 59 W 44th Street & 1st Ave. Blakely Hotel Fairfi eld Inn & Suites Times Square between 5th & 6th Avenues 136 W 55th Street Clarion Park Ave. Hotel 330 W. 40th St Belleclaire Hotel between 6th & 7th Avenues 429 Park Avenue South at (near 9th Ave) Allerton Hotel 250 W 77th Street at Broadway 29th Street 302 W 22nd Street Broadway Plaza Hotel Fairfi eld Inn & Suites Fifth Avenue Belnord Hotel 1155 Broadway at 27th Street Club Quarters Downtown Hotel 21 W. 37th St Americana Inn Hotel 207 W 87th Street 52 William Street 69 W 38th Street between Amsterdam & Bryant Park Hotel between Pine & Wall Streets 5th Avenue Club Hotel between 5th & 6th Avenues West End Aves. 40 W 40th Street 3 W 51st Street at 5th Avenue between 5th & 6th Avenues Club Quarters Midtown Hotel Ameritania Hotel Belvedere Hotel 40 W 45th Street Fitzpatrick Grand Central Hotel 230 W 54th Street at Broadway 319 W 48th Street Carlton New York Hotel between 5th & 6th Avenues 141 E 44th Street between 8th & 9th Avenues 88 Madison Avenue at 29th Street between 3rd & Lexington Aves. Amsterdam Court Hotel Comfort Inn Central Park Hotel 31 W 71st Street Fitzpatrick Manhattan Hotel between 687 Lexington Avenue at 57th St. Central Park West & Columbus Ave. Four Points Sheraton Chelsea Hotel Comfort Inn Manhattan Hotel 160 W. 25th Street 42 W 35th Street between 6th & 7th Avenues between 5th & 6th Avenue Four Points Midtown Times Square Comfort Inn Midtown Hotel 326 W. 40th St (near 9th Ave) 129 W 46th Street between 6th & 7th Avenues Four Seasons Hotel 57 E 57th Street Comfort Inn New York Hotel between Park & Madison Aves. 442 W 36th Street between 10th & Dyer Avenues Flatotel International Hotel 135 W 52nd Street Cosmopolitan Hotel between 6th & 7th Avenues 125 Chambers Street at W Broadway Franklin Hotel Courtyard Manhattan 5th Avenue 164 E 87th Street 3 E 40th Street between 3rd & Lexington Avenues between Madison & 5th Avenues Gershwin Hotel Courtyard Midtown East Hotel 7 E 27th Street 866 3rd Avenue between Madison & 5th Avenues between 51st & 52nd Streets Giraffe Hotel Courtyard Times Square Hotel 365 Park Avenue South at 26th Street 114 W 40th Street between 6th & 7th Avenues Gramercy Park Hotel 2 Lexington Avenue at 21st Street Crowne Plaza Times Square Hotel 1605 Broadway Grand Hyatt New York Hotel between 49th & 50th Streets Park Avenue & 42nd street

Crowne Plaza UN Hotel Grand Union Hotel 304 E 42nd Street 34 E 32nd Street between 1st & 2nd Avenues between Park & Madison Avenues

DaVinci Hotel (Hampshire Hotel) 244 W 56th Street Quality Times Square Hotel between 6th & 7th Avenues 157 W 47th Street between 6th & 7th Avenues Deauville Hotel 103 E 29th Street Hampton Inn between Park & Lexington Avenues Times Square Hotel 851 8th Avenue at 51st Street Doubletree Times Square Hotel (Continued on Page 30) NOVEMBER 2014 • TAXI INSIDER • PAGE 29 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 ! The Best Museums In NYC The Museum of the City of New York is located at 1220 5th Ave in East Screw the Smithsonian, the Louvre, collection of modern and contemporary Harlem (212-534-1672, mcny.org) $10 the Prado and the Uffi zi Gallery. The art is nothing to sneeze at. suggested admission. best museums in the world are right And the last-but-not-least of these here in NYC, and there are about a most celebrated New York institutions million of them, boasting everything is the American Museum of Natural from 13th century folk art to curious History, where we presume gigantic sex positions and embalmed baby dinosaurs and the Ghost of Teddy kittens. It’s hard to suss out which of Roosevelt haunt the halls at night. You The Museum of The City of NY these are the best of the best, but we’ve don’t have to like science to appreciate MUSEUM OF THE CITY OF NEW sorted out some of our favorites for these adorable penguins, but this mu- YORK: The MCNY’s been culling art, you. Leave yours—and your preferred seum touches every aspect of biology, photos and objects out of New York’s mummifying techniques—in the com- ecology and geology imaginable, and history since it was housed in Gracie ments, and be sure to check out our you can even take a trip into space at Mansion in the 1920s. And now they’ve list of some of the city’s lesser-known the Hayden Planetarium next door. The Morgan Library & Museum got a collection of about 750,00 artifacts museums, too. The Museum of Modern Art is MORGAN LIBRARY & MUSE- squirreled away in a landmarked man- located at 11 West 53rd Street in Mid- UM: J.P. Morgan may be better known sion at the northern tip of Museum Mile; town West (212- 708-9400, moma. for his fi nancial services empire, but it these include images made by 19th cen- org) $25 admission. The Metropolitan turns out he was a pretty prolifi c art and tury printmaking fi rm Currier and Ives, Museum of Art is located at 1000 5th manuscript collector, too. The Morgan classic Broadway theater scripts, and a Ave at Central Park (212) 535-7710, houses this collection, along with newer 12-room dollhouse that once belonged metmuseum.org) $25 recommended acquisitions, in its Midtown East space, to socialite Carrie Walter Stettheimer admission. The Whitney Museum of boasting everything from original Sir and features tiny doll-sized artworks by American Art is located at 945 Madison Walter Scott and Charles Dickens man- artists like Marcel Duchamp. MCNY Ave on the Upper East Side (212-570- uscripts, ancient Neo-Babylonian stone unleashes some of its collection through 3600, whitney.org) $20 admission. The cylinder seals, renowned Renaissance The Met ongoing and temporary exhibitions, Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum is artwork and Einstein’s “Fundamentals THE BIGGIES: MOMA, MET, like “Activist New York”, “City As A located at 1071 5th Ave on the Upper and Methods of the Theory of Relativ- WHITNEY, GUGGENHEIM & Canvas” and the erstwhile “The Greatest East Side (212-423-3500, guggenheim. ity.” Past and present exhibitions have AMERICAN MUSEUM OF NATU- Grid: The Master Plan of Manhattan, org) $22 admission. And the American included a look at The Little Prince RAL HISTORY: These fi ve museums 1811-2011.” Museum of Natural History is located (Continued on Page 42) include four internationally-renowned at 79th Street and Central Park West on art institutions and arguably the best the Upper West Side (212-769-5100, science museum in the world, and amnh.org) $22 suggested admission. though each one warrants its own sprawling encomium, their virtues have been extolled so often we’re clumping them together to save space for some Dragonfl y of the city’s other worthy destinations. Even without a mind-blowing special exhibit, The Met’s permanent collection is worth a fi ve hour visit alone, boast- Graphics llc. ing everything from Greek sculpture to modern Pop art; the Cloisters, which •Design and Print is also under the Met’s jurisdiction, The Frick features some of the most spectacular FRICK COLLECTION: The Met media experts. medieval and religious art in the coun- might have the city’s most famous col- try. MoMA’s (and its Queens satellite lection of art, but the Frick may have •Over 25 years PS1) permanent collection of modern the most elegant. The museum, housed and contemporary art is unparalleled, in the former home of art collector experience in and the special shows that migrate and former Andrew Carnegie partner through its galleries are nothing short Henry Clay Frick, boasts an elegant Graphics. of breathtaking. Past exhibitions have collection of primarily European art, focused on Salvador Dali, Andy Warhol, including works by Johannes Vermeer, •Certifi ed Union Vincent Van Gogh and Rene Magritte, Francisco Goya, Gian Lorenzo Bernini, Printers. and ne’er forget recent Drudge Siren Rembrandt van Rijn and François blog events like The Clock, Sleeping Boucher. And though the art itself is Tilda and the Rain Room. certainly a draw, it’s the presentation 4 Court Square As for The Whitney, well, that that draws you in here; much of the Long Island City, NY 11101 Upper East Side standby and famed collection on view remains arranged (718) 392-3460 Biennial holder is on its way to a new as it was during Frick’s lifetime, spread Fax (718) 786-5931 out through the mansion’s rooms, halls, home in the Meatpacking District at www.dragonfl ygraphics.info vestibules and galleries. Be sure to save the end of the year. But for now, it’s e-mail: dragonfl [email protected] worth stopping by the bizarre Marcel time for a lengthy visit to the museum’s Breuer bunker to see the museum’s mas- spectacular Garden Court, check out sive Jeff Koons retrospective, on view all the amazing clocks, and note that a through October 19th. And then there’s secret bowling alley, billiards room and the Guggenheim, whose Frank Lloyd woodshop lurk beneath all that art. Wright building itself is perhaps more The Frick is located at 1 East 70th famous and beautiful than some of the Street between 5th and Madison Aves artwork inside, though its compelling on the Upper East Side (212-288-0700, frick.org) $20 admission. PAGE 30 • TAXI INSIDER • NOVEMBER 2014

Moderne Hotel 161 Lexington Avenue at 30th Street Stanford Hotel Manhattan Hotel List 243 W 55th Street 43 W 32nd Street between 7th 7 8th Avenues Ramada New Yorker Hotel between 5th Avenue (Continued from Page 28) 481 8th Avenue at 34th Street & Broadway Hampton Inn SoHo between 2nd & 3rd Avenues’ Morgans Hotel Renaissance Hotel Super 8 Times Square Hotel 54 Watts St 237 Madison Avenue 714 7th Avenue at 48th Street 59 W 46th Street (near Varick St) La Quinta Manhattan Hotel between 37th & 38th Streets between 5th & 6th Avenues 17 W 32nd Street Regency Hotel Hayden Hall Hotel between 5th & 6th Avenues Morningside Inn Hotel 540 Park Avenue at 61st Street Surrey Suites Hotel 117 West 79th Street 235 W 107th Street 20 E 76th Street Le Parker Meridien Hotel between Amsterdam Ave. & Broadway between Columbus & Amsterdam Aves. Rihga Royal Hotel between Madison & 5th Avenues 118 W 57th Street 151 W 54th Street between 6th & 7th Avenues Murray Hill East Suites Hotel between 6th & 7th Avenues Thirty Thirty Hotel Helmsley Carlton House Hotel 149 E 39th Street 680 Madison Ave 30 E 30th Street Lombardy Hotel between 3rd & Lexington Avenues Riverside Terrace Hotel between Madison & 5th Avenues between 61st & 62nd Sts. 111 E 56th Street 350 W 88th Street between Lexington & Park Avenues Murray Hill Inn Hotel between West End Ave. & Riverside Drive Time Hotel 143 E 30th Street Helmsley Middletowne Hotel 224 W 49th Street between Lexington & Park Avenues 148 E 48th Street Lowell Hotel Riverside Inn Hotel between 7th & 8th Avenues Muse Hotel between Lexington & Park Aves. 28 E 63rd Street 319 W 94th Street between Madison & 5th Avenues 130 W 46th Street between West End Ave. & Riverside Drive Travel Inn Hotel between 6th & 7th Aves. Helmsley Park Lane Hotel 515 W 42nd Street Lucerne Hotel 36 Central Park South Riverside Tower Hotel between 7th & 8th Avenues 201 W 79th Street at Palace Hotel between 5th & 6th Avenues 80 Riverside Drive at 81st Street Amsterdam Avenue 455 Madison Avenue TriBeCa Grand Hotel Herald Square Hotel between 50th & 51st Streets Affi nia Gardens Suite Hotel Roger Smith Hotel 2 6th Avenue 19 W 31st Street 501 Lexington Avenue at 47th Street between White & Walker Streets between 5th & 6th Avenues (formerly Lyden Gardens) Newton Hotel 215 E 64th Street 2528 Broadway at 95th Street between 2nd & 3rd Avenues Roger Williams Hotel Trump International Hotel Hilton Garden Inn Time Square 131 Madison Avenue at 31st Street 1 Central Park West Novotel Hotel (formerly the Days Hotel New York) at Columbus Circle Madison Hotel 226 W 52nd Street 790 8th Avenue Roosevelt Hotel 21 E 27th Street at Madison Avenue between 7th & 8th Avenues between 48th & 49th Streets 45 E 45th Street at Madison Avenue W Court Hotel 130 E 39th Street Manhattan Broadway Hotel Off SoHo Suites Hotel Hilton New York Hotel Royalton Hotel between Lexington & Park Avenues 273 W 38th Street 11 Rivington Street near Christy Street 1335 6th Avenue between 7th & 8th Avenues 44 W 44th Street between 53rd & 54th Streets between 5th & 6th Avenues W New York Hotel Omni Berkshire Place Hotel Manhattan Seaport Suites Hotel 541 Lexington Avenue at 49th Street 21 E 52nd Street Hilton Times Square Hotel 219 Front Street Salisbury Hotel between Madison & 5th Avenue 234 W 42nd Street between Pine & Wall Streets 123 W 57th Street W Tuscany Hotel between 7th & 8th Avenues between 6th & 7th Avenues 120 E 39th Street On the Ave Hotel Mansfi eld Hotel between Lexington & Park Avenues 2178 Broadway at 77th Street Holiday Inn 12 W 44th Street San Carlos Hotel Downtown Hotel between 5th & 6t Avenues 150 E 50th Street Waldorf Astoria Hotel Paramount Hotel 138 Lafayette Street between 3rd & Lexington Avenues 301 Park Avenue 235 W 46th Street between Howard & Canal Streets Marcel Hotel between 49th & 50th Streets 201 E 24th Street at 3rd Avenue between 7th & 8th Avenues Shelburne Murray Hill Hotel Holiday Inn Martinique Hotel 303 Lexington Avenue at 37th Street Wales Hotel Maritime Hotel Park Central Hotel Broadway & W 32nd Street 1295 Madison Avenue 363 W 16th Street at 9th Avenue 870 7th Avenue at 56th Street Sheraton Manhattan Hotel between 92nd & 93rd Streets Holiday Inn Midtown Hotel 790 Seventh Avenue Mark Hotel Park Savoy Hotel 440 W 57th Street between 51st & 52nd Streets Wall Street Inn Hotel 25 E 77th Street 158 E 58th Street between 9th & 10th Avenues 9 South William Street between Madison & 5th Avenues between 6th & 7th Avenues Sheraton New York Hotel between Broad Street & Old Slip Holiday Inn Wall Street Hotel 811 Seventh Avenue Marriott Financial Center Hotel Park South Hotel 15 Gold Street at Platt Street 85 West Street between 52nd & 53rd Streets Warwick Hotel 122 E 28th Street between Albany & Carlisle Streets 65 W 54th Street at 6th Avenue between Lexington & Park Avenues Hotel 17 225 E 17th Street Sheraton Russell Hotel Between 2nd & 3rd Avenues Marriott East Side Hotel 45 Park Avenue at 37th Street Washington Jefferson Hotel Peninsula Hotel 525 Lexington Avenue 318 W 51st Street 700 5th Avenue at 55th Street Hotel 31 between 48th & 49th Street Sherry Netherland Hotel between 8th & 9th Avenues 120 E 31st Street 781 5th Avenue at 59th Street Pennsylvania Hotel between Lexington & Park Avenues Marriott Marquis Hotel Washington Square Hotel 401 7th Avenue 1535 Broadway at 44thStreet Shoreham Hotel 103 Waverly Place between 32nd & 33rd Streets Hotel 41 33 W 55th Street at MacDougal Street At Times Square 206 W 41st Street Mayfair Hotel between 5th & 6th Avenues Pickwick Arms Hotel Between 7th & 8th Avenues 242 W 49th Street Wellington Hotel 230 E 51st Street between 7th & 8th Avenues Signature Suites 871 7th Avenue at 55th Street between 2nd & 3rd Avenues Hotel 57 Greenwich Village Hotel 130 E 57th Street Mercer Hotel 160 Bleecker Street West End Studios Hotel Pierre Hotel Between Lexington & Park Avenues 99 Prince Street at Mercer Street between Thomson & Sullivan Sts. 850 West End Avenue 2 E 61st Street at 5th Avenue between 101st &102nd Streets Metro Hotel Hudson Hotel Skyline Hotel 45 W 35th Street Plaza Hotel 356 W 58th Street 725 Tenth Avenue at 49th Street Westin NEw York Grand Central between 5th & 6th Avenues 768 5th Avenue at Central Park South Between 8th & 9th Avenues 212 E 42nd Street Sofi tel Hotel Doubletree Metropolitan Hotel Plaza Athenee Hotel between 2nd & 3rd Avenues Inter-Continental Barclay Hotel 45 W 44th Street 569 Lexington Avenue at 51st Street 37 E 64th Street 111 E 48th Street between 5th & 6th Avenues West Park Hotel between Lexington & Park Avenues between Madison & 5th Avenues Michelangelo Hotel 308 W 58th Street SoHo Grand Hotel 152 W 51st Street Portland Square Hotel between 8th & 9th Avenues Iroquois Hotel 310 W Broadway between 6th & 7th Avenues 132 W 47th Street 49 W 44th Street between Canal & Grand Streets West Side Inn Hotel between 5th & 6th Avenues between 6th & 7th Aves. Milburn Hotel 237 W 107th Street Solita SoHo Hotel 242 W 76th Street Premier Hotel between Amsterdam & West End Aves. Jolly Madison Towers Hotel 159 Grand St between Amsterdam & West End Aves. 133 W 44th Street 22 E 38th Street at Madison Avenue St. Regis Hotel between 6th & 7th Avenues Wolcott Hotel Milford Plaza Hotel 2 E 55th Street at 5th Avenue 4 W 31st Street JW Marriott Millennium 270 W 45th Street at 8th Avenue between 5th Avenue & Broadway 160 Central Park South Days Hotel Broadway 215 W 94th Street between 6th & 7th Avenues. Millenium Hilton Hotel between Amsterdam & West End Aves. 55 Church Street Kimberly Suites Hotel between Fulton & Day Streets Internet Link To 145 E 50th Street Radio City Suites Hotel between 3rd & Lexington Avenues Millennium Broadway Hotel 142 W 49th Street 145 W 44th Street btwn. 6th & 7th Aves between 6th & 7th Avenues Renew Hack License Kitano Hotel 66 Park Avenue at 37th Street Millennium UN Plaza Hotel Radisson Lexington Hotel 1 United Nations Plaza 511 Lexington Avenue at 49th Street Korman Communities at 1st Avenue & 44th Street https://www.nyc.gov/lars/ 234 E 46th Street Ramada Inn Eastside Hotel NOVEMBER 2014 • TAXI INSIDER • PAGE 31 TAXI DAVE’S RADIO SHOW Brought To You by Melrose Credit Union ATTENTION TAXI DRIVERS! If you missed Taxi Dave’s Radio Shows, You’ve Missed; Congressman Rangel, DOT Commissioner Polly Trottenberg, TLC Chairwoman Meera Joshi, Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney, City Council Chairman of Transportation Ydonis Rodriguez, City Council Majority Leader Jimmy Van Bramer, ITLA President Mike Fogarty and more. WOR-710AM Sunday 8:00 – 9:00 PM PAGE 32 • TAXI INSIDER • NOVEMBER 2014

LICENSED BUY MEDALLIONS (718) 349-8448 REPRESENTATIVES LEASE A TAXI Action Medallion Sales LLC AND ATTORNEYS Yellow Cab SLS JET Management 21-03 44th Avenue Bay Ridge Federal Credit Union Tony Falese, Industry Rep. 22-05 43rd Avenue Queens, NY 1750 86th Street TIXFIX Long Island City, NY 11101 (718) 784-9292 • TLC#R0065 Brooklyn, NY 11214 (718) 361-3081 (718) 707-9667 • TLC# A0282 (718) 680-2121 Chelsea Taxi Brokers Michael Spevak, Esq. All Taxi Management 287 10th Avenue LOMTO 29-27 41st Avenue • 2nd Floor 41-25 36th Street NY, NY Federal Credit Union L.I.C., NY 11101 Long Island City, NY 11101 (212) 947-9833 • (212) 695-0601 50-24 Queens Boulevard (212) 754-1011 (718) 361-0055 • TLC#202 TLC#R0004 Woodside, New York 11377 (212) 947-3380 Karen Friedman, Esq. Boulevard Taxi Leasing, Inc. Jericho Taxi Brokers 30 East 33rd Street • 4th Floor 32-56 49th Street 36-16 Skillman Avenue Montauk Credit Union New York, NY 10016 Long Island City, NY 11103 Long Island City, NY 11101 111 West 26th Street (Street Level) (212) 213-2145 (718) 932-3312 • TLC#289 (718) 392-7000 • TLC#R0001 New York, NY 10001 (212) 989-5200 NYCDAC D&J Management of Queens LOMTO Generation Brokerage 34-11 Queens Blvd. 34-14 64th Street 435 West 45th Street Melrose Credit Union Long Island City, NY 11101 Woodside, NY 11377 New York, NY 10036 139-30 Queens Boulevard (718) 729-4700 (718) 458-6609 • TLC#236 (212) 582-5721 • TLC#R0018 Briarwood, NY 11435 (718) 658-9800 Colette Katz, Esq. Eddie’s Management Mike Mellis Brokerage, Inc. Law • DMV • Criminal TLC 40-08 24th Street 32-56 49th Street Rapid Funding [email protected] LIC, NY 11101 Long Island City, NY 11103 657 Tenth Avenue (917) 548-9907 (718) 707-0072 • TLC#A0280 (718) 728-6500 • TLC#R0009 NY, NY 10036 (212) 977-4083 ACCOUNTANTS JTL Management Mystic Brokerage Inc. Bretz & Coven, LLP 36-16 Skillman Avenue 330 McGuinness Blvd. TLC FACILITIES Bob Mackle Long Island City, NY 11101 Brooklyn, NY 11222 TLC Headquarters 305 Broadway, Suite 100 (718) 392-7000 • TLC#213 (718) 349-7610 • TLC#R0050 33 Beaver Street, New York, NY 10007-1109 NY, NY 10006 (212) 267-2555 McGuinness Management Pearland Transfer Corp. (212) 676-10003 330 McGuinness Blvd. 36-01 43rd Avenue • LIC, NY 11101 For Medallion Owners Brooklyn, NY 11222 (718) 361-0033 • TLC#R0020 Licensing and Adjudications Action Tax Services (718) 349-8448 • TLC#A0259 32-02 Queens Boulevard 21-03 44th Avenue Westway Medallion Sales LIC, NY 11101 LIC, NY 11101 On Our Way Management Corp. 657 Tenth Avenue (212) 852-4636 (718) 932-3737 6814 5th Avenue NY, NY 10036 Brooklyn, NY 11220 (212) 977-4590 • TLC#R0039 Uniformed Services Bureau TOW TRUCK (718) 833-8125 • TLC# A0249 24-55 BQE West Mastermind Towing Chelsea Taxi Brokers Woodside, NY 11377 24-Hour Towing Service Queens Medallion Leasing Inc. 287 10th Avenue (718) 267-4555 Reasonable Rates for TAXIS 21-03 44th Avenue NY, NY 10001 Call 718-926-0616 Long Island City, NY 11101 (212) 695-0601 • TLC#R0004 TAXI TECHNOLOGY (888) SEND-1-TOW (718) 784-3217 • TLC#253 VeriFone Transportation Systems INSURANCE (d/b/a Taxitronic) BUY A TAXI CAB S & R Medallion COMPANIES FOR 37-01 21st Street Koeppel Nissan 625 West 51st Street WORKER’S COMPENSATION: LIC, NY 11106 74-15 Norther Blvd. New York, NY 10019 Hereford Insurance Company (718) 752-1656 Flushing, NY 11372 (212) 957-9200 • TLC# A0224 36-01 43rd Avenue (718) 898-7800 Long Island City, NY 11101 CMT Taxifl eet Management LLC (718) 361-9191 (Creative Mobile Technologies) Hudson Toyota 54-11 Queens Boulevard 11-51 47th Avenue 599 Route 440 Woodside, NY 11377 NYTIC Long Island City, NY 11101 Jersey City, NY (718) 779-5000 • TLC#307 55-10 37th Avenue (718) 349-7700 (877) 422-0289 Woodside, NY 11377 Taxifl eet Management LLC (718) 803-9571 PRINT & GRAPHICS SERVICES Lee’s Toyota 34-14 31st Street Dragonfl y Graphics LLC Queens Blvd. & Hillside Ave. LIC, NY 11101 4 Court Square • 2nd Floor Jamaica, NY (718) 361-6363 • TLC#A0308 Friendly Group Ltd. Long Island City, NY 11101 (800) 532-4481 287 10th Avenue (718) 392-7042 Winners Garage New York, NY 10001 Manhattan Toyota 34-14 64th Street (212) 947-9833 645 11th Avenue (corner of 47th St.) Woodside, NY 11377 New York, NY 10036 (718) 458-7000 • TLC#110 LOANS/FINANCING (866) 462-3333 Action Funding of N.Y. LLC YELLOW CAB SALES 21-03 44th Avenue Great Neck Nissan Yellow Taxi SLS Jet Management Corp LIC, NY 11101 Taxi Center 22-05 43rd Avenue (718) 784-9292 250 Northern Blvd LIC, NY 11101 Great Neck, NY 11021 (718) 707-9667 • TLC# A0282 All Boro Funding, LLC (888) 792-9345 330 McGuinness Blvd. (917) 842-5500 LICENSED BROKERS TO Brooklyn, NY 11222 NOVEMBER 2014 • TAXI INSIDER • PAGE 33 TOYOTA TAXI CAB OUTLET! SEE WHAT A GREAT DEAL REALLY IS AT TOYOTA

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it Back, and over 1,500 have started residents affected by superstorm SERVICES 2,277,594 2,273,174 4,420 78,548 design – both compared to zero at the Sandy are receiving reimbursement beginning of the year. for work they moved forward on after Information 180,233 179,436 797 -189 There have been 727 construction the storm and more housing is being starts and 878 reimbursement checks rebuilt,” said Queens Borough Presi- Professional and Business 660,002 658,657 1,345 12,851 sent to date – also compared to zero dent Melinda Katz. “I look forward Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services 378,839 379,708 -869 10,975 at the beginning of the year. to working closely with the Mayor in Mayor de Blasio announced today order to get every resident back into Management of Companies & Enterprises 69,569 68,524 1,045 1,968 that Build it Back is committing to their homes.” hitting 1,000 construction starts and “We are proud to join Mayor Bill de Administrative Services 211,593 210,426 1,167 -93 1,500 reimbursement checks by De- Blasio today in Broad Channel to an- Educational 216,833 217,631 -798 23,554 cember 31st. nounce the City’s new rebuilding and “Nearly two years after Sandy, reimbursement goals for Superstorm Health & Social Assistance 641,687 637,944 3,743 23,110 there’s nothing more important than Sandy impacted residents. Friends of getting families home – and as a result Rockaway, a nonprofi t construction Arts & Entertainment 78,936 79,126 -190 2,597 of our overhaul, that’s fi nally happen- contractor, is thrilled to partner with ing,” said Mayor de Blasio. “We’re Build it Back and the City of New York Accommodation & Food 320,141 321,286 -1,145 12,999

committed to 1,000 construction starts in the Choose Your Own Contractor Other 179,762 179,094 668 3,625 and 1,500 reimbursement checks by program. This strong partnership and December 31st, while dramatically collaboration between the government TRADE 500,716 499,493 1,223 16,827 expanding our design and construc- and local community organizations tion capacity. We know there’s much will ensure these goals are met, and Retail 356,619 354,638 1,981 15,421 work ahead, and Build it Back will that hardworking families fi nd clear, Wholesale 144,097 144,855 -758 1,406 continue to expedite relief until every prompt, and effi cient paths to recov- homeowner is served.” ery,” said Hunter Johansson, Friends MANUFACTURING 77,390 76,278 1,112 991 Since the beginning of the year, of Rockaway. TRANSPORTATION AND UTILITIES 125,840 125,103 737 4,728

Is Citibike Expansion Progress? CONSTRUCTION 124,977 123,859 1,118 4,092 By David Pollack It is no secret that full time taxi use new bike lanes for racing nor have TOTAL PRIVATE 3,547,632 3,539,613 8,019 108,644 drivers today are driving 30% fewer similar accidents to those publicized miles per shift than before dedicated in Central Park. Here is a new idea for GOVERNMENT 540,606 540,355 251 -3,324 bike lanes and docking stations were bikers: STOP FOR RED LIGHTS just TOTAL (Private + Government) 4,088,238 4,079,969 8,269 105,320 constructed. With multiple streets like vehicles do! And while we are at reduced to one lane making way for it, those city officials in favor of this bike stations and in some cases streets expansion should yell for mandating Manhattan closed, like Park Avenue between helmets, mandating rider insurance Offi ce Market In September 2014, the Manhattan Class A direct vacancy rate 41st Street and 42nd Street, traffic is and mandating license plates just fell to 9.3% while the average rental rate rose slightly to $74 PSF. In the same NOT moving faster as DOT surveys like MTA buses and Access-A-Ride month, the Downtown Class A direct vacancy rate fell to 9.3% and the rental claim. Of course if you conduct a vehicles have. This may be too much rate remained at $54 PSF. The Manhattan Class A sublease vacancy rate was survey at 7:00 AM instead of 8:30 red tape for city regulators who have 1.8% in September 2014—the same as the previous month. AM or a survey at 7:00 PM instead thrown any respect for vehicles out of 5:30 PM, your results will be the window, unless they serve buses Construction extremely different. This way, DOT or bikes. For the twelve months ending August 2014: Building projects (including can still claim traffic moves faster To those who claim biking benefits new, additions, and alterations) that started construction in NYC rose by 24.3%, with designated bike lanes and left like fighting obesity, no fossil fuels, and infrastructure (non-building) project starts were up 4.0% from the twelve turn lanes. Bull! and no pollution, I say look at the months ending August 2013. Planned space for building project starts rose by 6,000 more bikes will initially thousands of cars stuck in traffic in 1.3% from the same period in 2013. 3,093 residential building project starts appear on the streets of Queens and Manhattan causing more pollution began construction, a 28.0% increase from the twelve months ending in August Brooklyn thanks to Bikeshare Hold- and using more fuel as a direct result 2013. These starts contained 24,013 units, an increase of 4.9% from last year. ings investing $30 million and hiring of dedicated bike and bus lanes. Do former MTA Chief Jay Walder. This bikers understand the needs of the all bikers should operate.. Bikes are million, I guess bicycles need Park is the same Jay Walder who once told elderly population in New York City more dangerous in certain instances Avenue closed, I guess bicycles need me that the MTA Taxi Tax of 50 cents who find bikers a threat on the streets than cars. Now why does a bike dedicated bike lanes. I guess the non- per taxi fare will stay, regardless if and who cannot ride a bike due to company need a former MTA chief bike riding majority of NewYorkers the MTA becomes profitable. OH, health reasons? One day, when bikers who also fixed Tokyo transportation need to shut up or they will be ac- and for you dedicated bike users, get old and their knees are aching or issues? And foolish me thought we cused of stopping progress and being your $95 is going to be $149, at least their hips become too brittle to walk were only talking about bicycles. I against the environment. Nothing can for this year. on, only then will they understand the guess bicycles need a former MTA be further from the truth. Is this what Hopefully rogue bikers will not way real biking rules of the road and chief, I guess bicycles need $30 we call progress? Hardly. NOVEMBER 2014 • TAXI INSIDER • PAGE 35 PAGE 36 • TAXI INSIDER • NOVEMBER 2014 GGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG DMV & TLC Summonses Michael Spevack Attorney-At-Law You Can Receive the Finest Representation At Reasonable Fees ! All TLC & DMV Problems G Customer Complaints• Moving Violations•• Wills House Closings Buying Or Selling A Business• Personal Injury Cases & Other Legal Work 212-754-1011Call For An Appointment: SPECIAL LIMITED TIME OFFER 29-27 41ST Avenue COMPLETE SIMPLE WILL PACKAGE nd (212) 754-1011$250 FOR INDIVIDUAL 2 Floor $350 FOR MARRIED COUPLE Long Island City, NY 11101th DON’T LET THE GOVERNMENT TAKE YOUR PROPERTY OR 160 East 56 Street, Floor 7TELL • NY,YOUR CHILDREN NY 10022WHERE TO LIVE! www.traffi cticketnyc.com ACT NOW!

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S8029zs PAGE 38 • TAXI INSIDER • NOVEMBER 2014 NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio Congratulates NYC Taxicab Driver Frederick Amoafo on Receiving the IATR’s International Driver of the Year Award The International Association of Transportation Regulators (IATR) has named Frederick Amoafo of New York City its International Driver of the Year. The honors ceremony was held as part of the not-for-profi t regulatory organiza- tion’s 27th annual conference in New Orleans, Louisiana, on September 23, 2014. This is the fi rst time in the group’s long history that a New York City driver has been chosen for the honor. Welcoming the International Driver of the Year Fred Amoafo (second from left) Amoafo, 46, was recognized earlier upon his arrival in New Orleans in a brand new wheelchair accessible taxicab, are left to right, IATR President Matthew Daus, NY Daily News reporter Pete Donohue, this month by the New York City Taxi IATR Board Chairman Tom Drischler, and Michael Shank of Mobility Works, who and Limousine Commission along with donated the taxicab for the long drive from NYC to NOLA. Photo Wim Faber/www. 294 of his colleagues for his dedication taxiintelligence.com to Mayor Bill de Blasio’s Vision Zero by the Daily News’ veteran transporta- the busiest cities in the world. I would traffi c safety plan, and for having a spot- tion reporter/columnist Pete Donohue, like to use this platform to share a few less safe driving record for a minimum (L-R) Fred Amoafo receives the IATR’s who chronicled the journey along with words with my fellow drivers around of fi ve years. Amoafo distinguished International Driver of the Year Award photographers and a videographer. the world: Please appreciate and respect himself in that fi eld, having driven his on board the Creole Queen Steamboat in New Orleans, accompanied by IATR Said IATR President Matthew W. your passengers. Obey traffi c regula- cab 190,000 miles without a single President Matt Daus and NYC TLC Daus: “Taxi Commissioners around tions and rules and most importantly, violation or injury-producing crash. An Commissioner Meera Joshi. Photo the world hailed Fred for being a true choose safety over speed.” independent medallion owner, Amoafo courtesy of NYC Taxi & Limousine role model for taxi drivers everywhere, Said New York City Mayor Bill de has driven a taxi in NYC since arriving Commission. by selecting him as International Driver Blasio, “We are so proud to have one of there from his home in Accra Ghana award, the honoree continued to turn of the Year for being the safest NYC New York City’s own honored for his in 1992. The married father of three heads by driving from New York City cab driver. Fred also highlighted NYC service to our city and its riders. Taxi (a 17-year-old son, and twin 13-year- to New Orleans in a taxicab provided Mayor de Blasio’s Said IATR Interna- drivers set the tone for our streets, and old girls) purchased his medallion in by Mobility Works for the trip – painted tional Driver of the Year Fred Amoafo, when they drive safely and treat their 2007. half yellow and half green in a nod to “Every day I go to work, my number fellow New Yorkers with respect, it Having graced the cover of the New both of the NYC’s predominant hail ser- one priority is getting all my passengers helps protect all of us. We congratulate York Daily News the day after his NYC vices. He was accompanied on the trip safely to their destination in one of (Continued on Page 42) cessible in the nation by far. Meet The TLC Commissioners She previously served as the First Created in 1971 by Local Law Deputy Executive Director of the No. 12, the Taxi and Limousine New York City Civilian Complaint Commission is a Charter-mandated Review Board, an agency tasked with agency, the purpose of which is the investigating complaints of police continuance, further development misconduct. In addition to improv- and improvement of taxi and for-hire ing the quality and efficiency of the service in the City of New York. The agency’s investigations, she was re- Commission is also responsible for sponsible for initiation of a landmark licensing and regulating for-hire ve- prosecution program that resulted in hicle, commuter van and wheelchair the agency’s ability to independently accessible van services as it relates to prosecute founded complaints against the overall public transportation net- police officers. She also served as work of the city; to establish taxicab an Inspector General for the New rates, standards of service, standards York City Department of Investiga- of insurance and minimum coverage; tion, responsible for investigation of standards for driver safety; standards alleged criminality and corruption two years of active duty during the for equipment safety and design; and at New York City’s Departments Korean conflict. He is also a current standards and criteria for the licens- she was the Deputy Commissioner of Correction, Probation, Juvenile member of Staten Island Council ing of vehicles, drivers and operators of Legal Affairs and General Coun- Justice and the Taxi and Limousine Knights of Columbus as well as a engaged in such services. sel for the New York City Taxi and Commission. Past Grand Knight, a Past Chapter The Commission’s Board consists Limousine Commission. During Commissioner Joshi received her Chairman and Past District Deputy of nine members, eight of whom are her tenure she developed regulatory B.A. and J.D. from the University of of the organization and is currently unsalaried Commissioners to be ap- frameworks for over thirty initiatives Pennsylvania, and resides with her serving his second year as President pointed by the Mayor with the advice which significantly improved for-hire family in Brooklyn. of AARP #1424 of Staten Island. He and consent of the city council; five transportation service in New York ELIAS AROUT is also a Former County Commander of said members, one resident from City. These included such initia- Commissioner Elias Arout was for the Richmond County American each of the five boroughs of New tives as enhancements to the in-taxi born and raised on Staten Island, Legion. York City, shall be recommended for technology, including the ability to graduating from Alexander Hamilton Among the highlights of Commis- appointment by a majority vote of the pay fares by smart phone; accessible Vocational High School, and has ac- sioner Arout’s distinguished tenure councilmembers of each respective dispatch to connect persons who use tively represented his home borough with the TLC was his instrumental borough. The salaried Chair/Com- wheelchairs to wheelchair accessible on the Commission since 1988. role in the opening of the Staten missioner presides over regularly taxis, and rules implementing the A consummate community vol- Island Taxi and Limousine Com- scheduled public Commission meet- Street Hail Livery (green cab) pro- unteer since 1957, Commissioner mission Licensing and Adjudication ings, and is the head of the agency. gram. Commissioner Joshi was also Arout is also a veteran of the Armed Satellite Office. MEERA JOSHI a principal architect of a settlement Forces and a retired member of the He currently lives in Staten Island Chair and Chief Executive Offi cer with disability advocates that will Housing Police. Commissioner Arout with his wife Margaret. Meera Joshi has served New York result in a 50% wheelchair accessible retired as a photographer First Class Taxi Insider will feature moreof City residents in City government for taxi fleet by the year 2020, making from the U.S. Naval Air Reserve the commissioners next month more than a decade. Most recently, New York City’s fleet the most ac- after 26 years of service, including NOVEMBER 2014 • TAXI INSIDER • PAGE 39

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The Museum of American Finance, the nation’s only independent public ... Museum of American Finance, 48 Wall Street Jimmy Page, leader of Led Zeppelin African Burial Ground - corners of Duane and Elk Streets signing copies of Jimmy Page by Jimmy Page American Folk Art Museum 45 W. 53rd St. 11/5/14 7:00 PM at Barnes & Noble American Museum of Natural History 77th St Central Park West Union Square. New York, NY. This a meet and greet. Children’s Museum of the Arts 250 Lafayette St # A, Children’s Museum of the Arts Darryl McDaniels, DMC of Run-DMC Free Art Island Outpost Program at Governors Island signing copies of DMC Harbor Defense Museum - 230 Sheridan Loop, Brooklyn 11/6/14 6:30 PM at Midtown Comics Italian American Museum-155 Mulberry St Fulton Street. New York, NY. Kehila Kedosha Jania Museum-280 Broome St Luxce Project 53 Stanton St Bill Nye, the Science Guy The Morgan Library and Museum-225 Madison Ave. signing copies of Undeniable Museum of Chinese In America-211 Centre St 11/7/14 7:00 PM at Barnes & Noble Museum of Jewish Heritage- Holocaust Union Square. New York, NY. Edmond J. Safra Plaza - 36 Battery Place 11/22/14 6:00 PM at Barnes & Noble Route 17 South. Paramus, NJ. Museum at FIT-Seventh Ave. Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) 11 W 53rd St Bob Odenkirk, star of “Mr. Show” and “Breaking Bad” Museum of Modern Art Design-81 Spring St # A signing copies of A Load of Hooey National Museum of the American Indian 11/9/14 1:00 PM at McNally Jackson Books Alexander Hamilton U.S. Custom House, 1 Bowling Green Prince Street. New York, NY. New Museum of Contemporary Art-235 Bowery New World Art Ctr-250 Lafayette St # 5 Anson Williams, Potsie on “Happy Days” New York City Police Museum-100 Old Slip signing copies of Singing To A Bulldog Poets House - Ten River Terrace 11/11/14 7:00 PM at Barnes & Noble Queens Museum of Art-49th Ave. and 111th St. Broadway. New York, NY. Rubin Museum of Art-150 West 17th Street 11/13/14 7:00 PM at BookEnds Skyscraper Museum - 39 Battery Place East Ridgewood Avenue. Ridgewood, NJ. South Street Seaport Museum - 12 Fulton Street The Tenement Museum-108 Orchard St Andrew Dice Clay, stand up comedian Whitney Museum of American Art-945 Madison Ave signing copies of The Filthy Truth 11/11/14 12:30 PM at Barnes & Noble Fifth Avenue. New York, NY. Brooke Shields, fi lm & TV star 11/11/14 6:00 PM at BookEnds signing copies of There Was A Little Girl East Ridgewood Avenue. Ridgewood, NJ. 11/18/14 7:00 PM at Barnes & Noble 11/12/14 7:00 PM at Barnes & Noble Union Square. New York, NY. Richmond Avenue. Staten Island, NY. 11/14/14 7:00 PM at Barnes & Noble Al Michaels, host of Sunday Night Football Old Country Road. Carle Place, NY. signing copies of You Can’t Make This Up 11/18/14 7:00 PM at BookEnds Andy Cohen, host of “Watch What Happens: Live” East Ridgewood Avenue. Ridgewood, NJ. signing copies of The Andy Cohen Diaries 11/20/14 7:00 PM Book Revue 11/11/14 7:00 PM Book Revue New York Avenue. Huntington, NY. New York Avenue. Huntington, NY. 11/12/14 6:00 PM at BookEnds Ray Lucas, former NY Jets star East Ridgewood Avenue. Ridgewood, NJ. signing copies of Under Pressure 11/13/14 7:00 PM at Barnes & Noble 11/19/14 6:30 PM at Barnes & Noble Union Square. New York, NY. Rutgers University. New Brunswick, NJ. 12/3/14 6:00 PM at Barnes & Noble Fashion Institute of Technology. New York, NY. Russell Brand, star of “Get Him To the Greek” signing copies of The Pied Piper of Hamelin Alicia Keys, singer & songwriter 11/20/14 7:00 PM at Barnes & Noble signing copies of Blue Moon Union Square. New York, NY. 11/12/14 6:00 PM at Barnes & Noble Warren Street. New York, NY. Danny Aiello, star of “Do the Right Thing” and “Hudson Hawk” signing copies of I only Know Who I Am When I Am Somebody Else Amanda Palmer, singer for the Dresden Dolls and solo artist 11/21/14 7:00 PM at Barnes & Noble signing copies of The Art of Asking Route 17 South. Paramus, NJ. 11/14/14 7:00 PM at Barnes & Noble Union Square. New York, NY. Anthony Kiedis, lead singer signing copies of Red Hot Chili Peppers Evangeline Lilly, star of “Lost” and “The Hobbit” 11/21/14 7:00 PM at Barnes & Noble signing copies of The Squickerwonkers Union Square. New York, NY. 11/17/14 4:00 PM at Barnes & Noble Warren Street. New York, NY. (Continued on Page 42) PAGE 42 • TAXI INSIDER • NOVEMBER 2014 The Best Museums In NYC commissioned subway station, and you crisis. You can marvel at a portion of can peek into a functional control room Keith Haring’s Pop Shop ceiling at (Continued from Page 29) to see the whole system at work. the admissions desk, or snap photos author Antoine Saint-Expurey, J.D. special stuff, though, this second largest The New York Transit Museum is of the statues of Abraham Lincoln and Salinger’s love letters, and fi rst edition museum in NYC has a massive perma- located at Boerum Place and Schermer- Frederick Douglass perched outside the works by modern masters like William nent collection, with noteworthy works horn Street in Brooklyn Heights, museum’s two entrances. Faulkner, F. Scott Fitzgerald and Allen including Judy Chicago’s celebrated Brooklyn (718-694-1600, mta.info/ The New York Historical Society Ginsberg; book nerds will also appreci- feminist installation The Dinner Party, mta/museum). $7 admission. is located at 170 Central Park West ate Pierpont Morgan’s sublime library, Gilbert Stuart’s 1796 portrait of George at 77th Street on the Upper West Side which was restored to its 1906 glory a Washington (used on the $1 bill!) and (212-873-3400, nyhistory.org). few years ago. many, many mummies, which once gave The Morgan is located at 225 an acquaintance of my grandmother’s Madison Ave between 36th and 37th a rash back in the 1940s. Street in Midtown East (212-685-0008, The Brooklyn Museum is located at themorgan.org) $18 admission. 200 East Parkway at Washington Ave in Prospect Heights, Brooklyn. (718- 638-5000, brooklynmuseum.org) $12 suggested admission.

New York Historical Society NEW YORK HISTORICAL SOCI- ETY: When I was a child, there was an Lower East Side Tenement Museum exhibit in the basement of the New York LOWER EAST SIDE TENEMENT Historical Society dubbed “Kid City,” MUSEUM: This is another one for in which the museum had transformed the time travelers. This 19th century The Queens Museum West 82nd Street and Broadway into a fi ve-story tenement building housed QUEENS MUSEUM: The Queens tot-friendly version of its 1901 self. I around 7,000 immigrants from the Museum never gets enough love, and The Museum of Moving Image spent many hours there commandeering 1860s to the 1930s, and the Tene- that’s a real shame. The four-decade old a turn-of-the-century grocer’s market ment Museum’s restored the rooms art institution is a cultural gem, located THE MUSEUM OF MOVING IM- and forcing other children to make de- to mirror what they looked like from in a pavilion building built specifi cally AGE: You don’t have to be a fi lm buff to liveries to the neighboring horse goods the 1860s to the 1930s. Museum staff for the 1939 World’s Fair and used enjoy MoMI’s expansive special exhibi- store, and though “Kid City” has since provide guided tours of the rooms and briefl y as headquarters for the United tions on, say, The Muppets, or Breaking been replaced with a larger children’s businesses, which include a garment Nations General Assembly. Now, the Bad. But if you do love movies, this exhibition, I like to think it taught me workshop and a German saloon; there Queens Museum harbors a hefty col- Astoria museum is stuffed with all sorts a lot about New York’s history—what are even costumed staff members who lection of fi ne arts, Tiffany glass, and of memorabilia, interactive exhibitions nine-year-old knew Central Park didn’t take on the characters of the building’s collections stemming from the 1939 and and special programming that’ll tickle simply sprout fully-formed out of the former residents. Beyond the Orchard 1964 Worlds Fairs, the latter of which is your inner cinephile. MoMI’s ongoing ground? The NYHS underwent a major Street building, the museum provides currently on view as part of temporary exhibition, “Behind The Screen,” runs renovation a few years ago, and it’s walking tours of the neighborhood to exhibition Behind the Curtain: Collect- through the history of cinema, tackling since returned with some excellent remind you of what the LES was like ing the New York Fairs. everything from the earliest moving programming. before Max Fish moved in (and then But the museum’s best and most picture camera to makeup from Sex And There is, for instance, a show featur- out, and then back in again). famous offering is its Panorama of the The City. They also hold frequent fi lm ing 90 artworks by Madeline creator The Tenement Museum is located City of New York, a 9,335-square-foot screenings—all summer long, they’ve Ludwig Bemelmans; through the end at 103 Orchard Street between Broome model of the city’s fi ve boroughs that been continuously showing fi lms from of the month, the museum is showing and Delancey Streets on the Lower East was originally commissioned by Rob- the 1939 and 1964 Worlds Fairs, and re- work by street style photographer Bill Side (212) 982-8420, tenement.org). ert Moses for the 1964 World’s Fair. cent screening offerings have included Cunningham, and past exhibitions have $25 admission. Though the panorama hasn’t under- The Searchers, 2001: A Space Odyssey included works from the 1913 Armory Reprinted with permission from The gone a full-throttle update since 1992, and the original Godzilla. Stay tuned for Show and a look at the city’s AIDS Gothamist and Rebecca Fishbein. developments like Brooklyn Bridge their upcoming permanent Jim Henson Park and Citi Field have slowly gotten installation, planned for 2015. Book Signings added over time thanks to the museum’s The Museum of the Moving Image (Continued from Page 41) “Adopt A Building” program, though it is located at 3601 35th Ave in Astoria, Peter Yarrow, of Peter, Paul, & Mary seems Williamsburg’s condos have yet Queens (718-777-6888, movingimage. signing copies of Peter, Paul, & Mary to receive treatment in miniature. us). $12 admission. The Queens Museum is located at 11/22/14 7:00 PM at Barnes & Noble the New York City Building in Flushing Union Square. New York, NY. Meadows Corona Park (718-592-9700, 12/2/14 6:00 PM at BookEnds queensmuseum.org) $8 suggested East Ridgewood Avenue. Ridgewood, NJ. admission. Newt Gingrich, former Speaker of the House signing copies of Breakout 11/22/14 1:00 PM at BookEnds New York Transit Museum East Ridgewood Avenue. Ridgewood, NJ. NEWYORK TRANSIT MUSEUM: Visiting the New York Transit Museum Chris Hadfi eld, Canadian astronaut is a bit like traveling back in time. signing copies of You Are Here The nation’s only museum dedicated 11/23/14 1:00 PM at Barnes & Noble to public transportation, the NYTM Union Square. New York, NY. boasts an astonishing collection of MTA a positive example for his brother and The Brooklyn Museum NYC Mayor memorabilia, not the least of which is sister professional transportation provid- (Continued from Page 38) BROOKLYN MUSEUM: The its collection of antique subway cars, ers around the world.” complete with antique ads that predate Brooklyn Museum has really been on a Mr. Amoafo on his award.” Upon arriving in New Orleans, an Dr. Zizmor. You can also peruse an roll this century with a series of block- Said NYC Taxi and Limousine Com- elated Amoafo was made grand marshall extensive collection of subway tokens buster exhibits, including 2008’s stellar missioner Meera Joshi, “Fred has just of a parade through the famed French (ah, memories of watching my bus fare Takashi Murakami show, 2012’s Keith inspired us all with his dedication to his Quarter, waving and tossing beads as tradi- roll under a car...) and fare collectors, Haring exhibition, last year’s innovative profession, to his fellow drivers, but most tion demands, to the cheers of onlookers. and for the young and young at heart, Jean Paul Gaultier show, “Ai Weiwei: of all, to the public that he serves so well. The next evening, the humble cabbie was there’s a child-sized taxi cab, trolley car According to What?” which is on view He has shined a well-deserved spotlight offi cially presented with his title at the and bus to play on. It’s also noteworthy until August 10th, and a site-specifi c on our city, but in doing so, he provides IATR’s gala dinner, on a riverboat. piece by street artist Swoon. Beyond the that the museum is located inside a de- NOVEMBER 2014 • TAXI INSIDER • PAGE 43 Events For You and Your Passengers in The Big Apple Broadway Shows Off Broadway Shows

A DELICATE BALANCE MATILDA THE MUSICAL 50 SHADES! THE MUSICAL MY BIG GAY Golden Theatre Shubert Theater Elektra Theatre ITALIAN FUNERAL 252 West 45th Street 225 West 44th Street 673 Eighth Avenue St. Luke’s Theatre 308 West 46th Street A GENTLEMAN’S GUIDE TO MOTOWN THE MUSICAL AVENUE Q LOVE AND MURDER Lunt-Fontanne Theatre New World Stages MY BIG GAY Walter Kerr Theatre 208 West 41st Street 340 West 50th Street ITALIAN WEDDING 218 West 48th Street St. Luke’s Theatre ONCE BEDBUGS!!! 308 West 46th Street ALADDIN Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre ArcLight Theater New Amsterdam Theatre 242 West 45th Street 152 West 71st Street NATIONAL LAMPOON 214 West 42nd Street PRESENTS ON THE TOWN BLACK ANGELS OVER BAYSIDE! THE MUSICAL! BEAUTIFUL Lyric Theatre TUSKEGEE Theatre 80 THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL 214 West 43rd Street Actors Temple Theatre 80 St. Marks Place Stephen Sondheim Theatre 339 West 47th Street 124 West 43rd Street ON THE TWENTIETH OLYMPICS ÜBER ALLES CENTURY BLUE MAN GROUP St. Luke’s Theatre CABARET American Airlines Theatre Astor Plae Theatre 308 West 46th Street Studio 54 227 West 42nd Street 424 Lafayette Street 254 West 54th Street PERFECT CRIME PIPPIN COUGAR THE MUSICAL Snapple Theatre Center CHICAGO Music Box Theatre St. Lukes Theatre 210 West 50th Street Ambassador Theatre 239 West 45th Street 308 West 46th Street 219 West 49th Street SAM EATON’S ROCK OF AGES FOUND THE QUANTUM EYE CONSTELLATIONS Heen Hayes Theatre Linda Gross Theater MENTALISM & MAGIC SHOW Samuel J. Friedman Theatre 240 West 44th Street 336 West 20th Street Theatre 80 261 West 47th Street 80 St. Marks Place R & H’S CINDERELLA GAZILLION BUBBLE SHOW DISGRACED The Broadway Theatre New World Stages SEX TIPS FOR STRAIGHT Lyceum Theatre 1681 Broadway 340 West 55th Street WOMEN FROM A GAY MAN 149 West 45th Street The 777 Theatre SIDE SHOW GOING ONCE! LAUGHING 777 Eighth Avenue HEDWIG AND THE St. James Theatre TWICE!! ANGRY INCH 246 West 44th Street St. Luke’s Theatre SHUT UP SIT DOWN AND EAT Belasco Theatre 308 West 46th Street The Players Theatre 111 West 44th Street THE BOOK OF MORMON 115 MacDougal Stret Eugene O’Neil Theatre HEREAFTER HONEYMOON 230 West 49th Street Snapple Theater Center SISTAS: THE MUSICAL IN VEGAS 210 West 50th Street St. Lukes Theatre Brooks Atkinson Theatre THE COUNTRY HOUSE 308 West 46th Street 256 West 47th Street Samuel J. Friedman Theatre HERE LIES LOVE 261 West 47th Street The Public Theater SLEEPY HOLLOW IF/THEN 425 Lafayette Street THE MUSICAL Richard Rodgers Theatre THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF The Players Theatre 226 West 46th Street THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME ILUMINATE 115 MacDougal Street Ethel Barrymore Theatre New World Stages INTO THE WOODS 243 West 47th Street 340 West 50th Street STALKING THE BOGEYMAN Laura Pels Theatre New World Stages 111 West 46th Street THE ELEPHANT MAN INDIAN INK 340 West 50th Street Booth Theatre Laura Pels Theatre IT’S ONLY A PLAY 222 West 45th Street 111 West 46th Street STOMP Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre Orpheum Theatre 236 West 45th Street THE ILLUSIONISTS IT’S JUST SEX 126 Second Avenue Marquis Theatre Actors Temple Theatre JERSEY BOYS 1535 Broadway 339 West 47th Street TAIL! SPIN! August Wilson Theater Lynn Redgrave Theater 245 West 52nd Street THE LAST SHIP LA SOIRÉE 45 Bleecker Street Neil Simon Theatre Union Square Theatre KINKY BOOTS 250 West 52nd Street 3100 East 17th Street THE BERENSTAIN BEARS Al Hirshfi eld Theater The Marjorie S. Deane Little Theatre 203 West 45th Street THE LION KING LENNON: THROUGH A GLASS 5 West 63rd Street Minskoff Theatre ONION LES MISERABLES 200 West 45th Street Union Square Theatre THE BELLE OF AMHERST Imperial Theatre 100 East 17th Street Westside Theatre 249 West 45th Street THE PHANTOM OF 407 West 43rd Street THE OPERA LIPS TOGETHER, TEETH LOVE LETTERS Majestic Theatre APART THE BULLPEN Nederlander Theatre 242 West 45th Street Second Stage Theatre The Playroom Theater 208 West 41st Street 305 West 43rd Street 151 West 46th Street THE REAL THING MAMMA MIA American Airlines Theatre MONDAY NIGHT MAGIC THE FANTASTICKS Winter Garden Theatre 227 West 42nd Street Theatre 80 Snapple Theater Center 1634 Broadway 80 Saint Marks Place 210 West 50th Street (Continued on Page 44) (Continued on Page 44) PAGE 44 • TAXI INSIDER • NOVEMBER 2014 Tugboats and Taxis of NYC Broadway Tugboats and Taxis of NYC is a col- Shows lection of short stories about the different commuters in the city that never sleeps (Continued from Page 43) from a cab driver’s perspective. It refl ects the daily experiences of the different kinds THE RIVER of people you will see in New York City. Circle in The Square Theatre This witty cab driver in the big apple will West 50th Street surely make your everyday worthwhile. Filled with euphemisms, humor, drama, THIS IS OUR YOUTH love, and even a bit of sarcasm, Tugboats Cort Theatre and Taxis of NYC will defi nitely make 138 West 48th Street you want, or not, to ride this cab. Read on. You never know, you might just read WICKED your own story. Gershwin Theater About the Author 222 West 51st Street Michael Scanlon currently lives in Brooklyn, New York. YOU CAN’T TAKE IT Want to take a ride on an emotional WITH YOU roller coaster? Laugh, cry, cheer and jeer Longacre Theatre with a sense of danger and excitement all within a few minutes. Just read a few of Off-Broadway the short stories from Michael Scanlon’s Shows book, Tugboats and Taxis of NYC. As a taxi driver and deck hand on a (Continued from Page 43) NYC Harbor Tugboat, Michael had to deal with the issues at hand. Michael’s inspiration for the book came from his THE FATAL WEAKNESS work, the play and laughter with constant Mint Theater 311 West 43rd Street - 3rd fl . danger and tensions on the waters that surround NYC twenty-four hours a day. THE HARLEM RENS The book moves you to all sorts of places Actors Temple Theatre emotionally. There are 1,440 minutes a 339 West 47th Street day, now experience a fast pace New York minute with Tugboats and Taxis of THE KILLING OF SISTER NYC. Get ready to be amazed and dazzled GEORGE by these adventurous and misadventure Beckett Theatre moments of emotions. You will ride and 410 West 42nd Street sail, just as Michael has. Drive through the streets of New THE LION, THE WITCH AND York City with your ever so friendly cab THE WARDROBE driver in town. St. Lukes Theatre 308 West 46th Street going on. I try to avoid the small con- Stuck In Central Park struction zone by going over a medium THE WONDERFUL WIZARD I pick up two women from the Port Side. I said o.k. I’ll go through the park which had some construction cones on OF SONG: THE MUSIC OF Authority of New York Bus Terminal it will be faster and cheaper. I take 6th it. Now usually you can run over them HAROLD ARLEN on 42nd Street in Manhattan. They said Ave up to the park. We go inside the without too much of a problem, but St. Luke’s Theatre they wanted to go to the Upper East park and there is some construction problems seem to be my nature. As I 308 West 46th Street get on the medium I get stuck. I lose traction with the road, the rear tires UNDER THE RADAR FESTIVAL are just spinning. A construction cone The Public Theater folded upon itself like an accordion 425 Lafayette Street under my axel, it piled up on itself and raised up the rear of the taxi. I tried to WHILE I YET LIVE push the cab, rock the cab but nothing Duke on 42nd Street changed. Just another one of my, it 229 West 42nd Street can only happen to me moments again I’m thinking to myself. I tell the two women, ladies unfortunately you’re going to have to help me push. They were looking at me as if I were crazy. It’s either you push or you walk from the park. Just open up your door and lean on it, were going to push the taxi together, come on let’s go. They get out and open the door and lean on it as I give a push from the rear. The taxi rolls forward, we now have traction back. We get back inside and I turned off the meter. Ladies this ride is on me due to this minor catastrophe. Thank you one of them replied. Your welcome I said. One of the ladies said Sir you probably don’t realize it but were both wearing high heels. You probably don’t realize it but so am I! Welcome to New York! I guess you can say were just having a New York moment ladies. NOVEMBER 2014 • TAXI INSIDER • PAGE 45

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KOEPPELNISSAN.COM 1-718-898-7800 *Tax & MV Fees are additional Fax (718) 476-8207 NYSDMV7068638. NYSDCA0997779 Lee Komitor PAGE 46 • TAXI INSIDER • NOVEMBER 2014 the airport. I don’t take anyone I ment programmes at the district level. taxi news don’t know in the night,” Umuhoza I got some money to sell vegetables,” explains. Umuhoza says her start up says Umuhoza. She adds that the capital was Rwf 5.5million which she profits from the vegetables were not got as a loan. She attributes her de- enough forcing her to try her luck at from around termination and success to a troubled learning how to drive with hope of life she endured at a tender age. securing a job as a driver. “Within 17 “Getting married at a tender age days, I had learnt how to drive and the world to a man who had another wife is secured a driving permit. The sad bit 36-year-old Amina Umuhoza is the worst thing that could happen was for eight years, no company hired Rwanda one of the very few women in the to anyone because we shared the me because I didn’t have academic The Life of a taxi business in Kigali. “I have been same home with my co-wife. The qualifications.” doing this job for the last six years. man was 25 years older than me. I “There were offers by Banque Female Taxi Driver It’s paying off. I take care of my four was constantly abused. My husband Populaire du Rwanda for women and co-wife would beat me. I didn’t to access loans. One woman could The taxi business is male domi- children and also have money for have anywhere to go. I lived a life of get a loan that was not more than nated and traditionally, society still upkeep,” Umuhoza reveals. “Most bondage,” Umuhoza sadly recalls. I five million Rwandan francs and ten frowns at a woman who works as a of my clients are customers of hotels started attending women empower- women in a cooperative would get taxi driver. who I have to drop to or pick from more. I decided to get a personal loan to avoid the technicalities that come with payment of the loan if you are a group. I used the loan to buy the car that I use for the taxi business,” Um- uhoza narrates. In Rwanda, women have increasingly been empowered to be independent through several programmes. “Today my children are in board- ing school. My eldest son is in senior four along with a son I adopted, the second born is in senior three and the last born is in primary four. I believe education is the best gift I can give to my sons. I want them to live a good life and they can get that through education,” Umuhoza says. She adds: “Empowering a woman is empowering a family and the com- munity. I never went far in academ- ics but the confidence from women empowerment programmes helped me get out of the abusive marriage. I can express myself in English because most of my customers are foreigners. Today I’m a happy woman.”

USA Nevada Taxi Fares Go Up 8% Now that I have your attention, no, it is not in New York city but in Las Vegas. The Nevada Taxicab Au- thority has approved a rate hike that would make Clark County cab rides the second most expensive among mainland metropolitan areas with tourism-based economies. The Authority approved a more than 8 percent rate increase, although Choose Your Car it’s unclear when the new prices will take effect. The authority must first get approval to use funds that will pay overtime for vehicle inspectors and change the meters on about 3,000 cabs operating in Las Vegas. The base taxi rate will rise from $3.30 to $3.45, with the cost per one- thirteenth mile rising from 20 cents to 22 cents. This is the first time the Defensive Driving Class rates have changed since 2008. The new taxi fares will be higher than New York and San Francisco, but lower Available Free than Atlantic City’s rates. NOVEMBER 2014 • TAXI INSIDER • PAGE 47 PAGE 48 • TAXI INSIDER • NOVEMBER 2014 NOT MAKING ENOUGH DRIVING FOR UBER? DRIVE A YELLOW TAXI TODAY!

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