“Serving The wwwwww..bbllaacckkccaarrnneewwss..ccoomm For-Hire Vehicle Industry”

GGoooodd aanndd BBaadd NNeewwss:: Vol. 34 No. 11 NOVEMBER 2019 NNeeww DDrriivveerr BBeenneeffiittss aanndd IInnccrrFHeeVa adrssiveeersdd ca nEE gennt FffRoEoE rfrlucc seheotmms theeis nntt month, bathrooms were added to airport FHV lots and the city is cracking down.

Our Deepest Condolences to the Family & Friends of Seth Berman

TLC Adds TLC Honors Ira Goldstein Check Repair 60% More Hundreds of Named VP of Costs Before Officers Drivers in Oct. Int’l Assoc. Buying a Car 2 • BLACK CAR NEWS • NOVEMBER 2019

TLC INSURANCE APP

INSHUR INSHUR has been used b y thousands driv ers sinc e 2016. No more paper work. Manage y our documents in the app. Buy a policy in the app in minut es, no more c alling or visiting a brok er. INSHUR is back ed b y one o f the largest and most financially stable insur anc e groups.

Try the app f or free t oda y and w e'll send y ou a $25 Ama zon v oucher, use VIP c ode: BCN

Subject t o the App’s t erms and c onditions. NOVEMBER 2019 • BLACK CAR NEWS • 3

9

150K Warranty! BLOWOUT PRICING

Call For Details

• Last Year for the Livery MKT •

Livery Navigator 2019

150K Warranty! 4 • BLACK CAR NEWS • NOVEMBER 2019 Neil Weiss EDITORIAL Editor/Publisher AIRPORT LOT BATHROOMS, FREE FLU SHOTS AND INCREASED ENFORCEMENT There is some good news to report New York City Taxi and Limousine monitor vehicles blocking bus lanes. this month, along with a warning that Commission (TLC) recently graduated They are currently installed on 51 buses the city is beefing up enforcement. its latest class of TLC Police Cadets, in - on the M15 SBS route in Manhattan, of - Let’s start with the good news… creasing the number of enforcement offi - fering “fine-free warnings” during the Thanks to the efforts of the Inde - cers in the field by 60% – bringing the program’s first 60 days. That will change pendent Drivers Guild (IDG), there is total number of officers to 144. in early December, so be sure not to now running water restrooms at the TLC officers must complete a rigor - break the law, or you will receive a $50 FHV lots at JFK, LaGuardia and ous, 21-week training regimen, which fine for a first offense, with fines increas - Newark airports. includes training in the safe perform - ing gradually for each violation within a ance of car stops involving aggressive 12-month period. The second offense will Free Flu Shots drivers, conflict defusing, defense tac - cost drivers $100, the third $150, the Through the combined efforts of the tics and TLC rules and relevant fourth $200, with all subsequent offenses IDG, the Black Car Fund (BCF) and City/State laws. costing $250. Drivers Benefits, FHV drivers who pro - Few drivers like to hear there be in - The cameras will be expanded to two vide work for a BCF member base are creased enforcement in any capacity, but additional routes, the B44 SBS and the also eligible to get FREE flu shots again the TLC has said their focus will be on M14 SBS, by the end of November, this year. The flu can be devastating, “supporting the taxi, for-hire vehicle, and bringing cameras to 123 buses across both to your health and your wallet – as commuter van drivers and businesses, three routes. The automated cameras it can keep you out of work for weeks at who follow the rules but are financially capture license plate info, photos, videos, a time – so I strongly urge drivers to take impacted when illegal operators steal locations and timestamps of vehicles advantage of this. All you have to do is their passengers and therefore, crucially- blocking bus lanes. Violations are re - sign up for a voucher for the free shot at important income.” viewed and processed by the Department driversbenefits.org/flu or call 1-855-979- According to Acting TLC Commis - of Transportation (DOT) and the Depart - 1445. The voucher is redeemable at any sioner Bill Heinzen, “[By] getting unli - ment of Finance. Rite Aid. censed drivers and vehicles off the road, Speaking of the BCF… We would like TLC police officers keep our streets safer West Side Highway Speed Limit Drops to congratulate Ira for passengers, pedestrians and fellow As you may already know, the speed Goldstein, the Fund’s motorists. TLC Police also protect TLC limit on the West Side Highway – be - Executive Director, for drivers from those who try to steal their tween 59th Street and Battery Place – being named Vice Pres - trips and their ability to support their dropped from 35mph to 30mph in Octo - ident of The Trans - families.” ber. There are three speed cameras along portation Alliance “Their work is critical to stopping that five-mile strip, so take note. (formerly known as the hustlers at our airports, enforcing Taxicab Limousine & against illegal van operations, Vision New Rear-Facing Car Seat Law in Effect Paratransit Association). Mr. Goldstein Zero enforcement, and deterring illegal If you ever transport children in your has done a tremendous amount to bene - street hails citywide,” added Deputy vehicle, it’s important to follow a new law fit drivers in NYC, and I’m sure his ex - Commissioner of Enforcement Dianna that went into effect Nov. 1, requiring car pertise will be greatly appreciated by Pennetti. seats for children under two-years-old to members of The Transportation Alliance Meanwhile, the MTA’s on-board au - be buckled into a rear-facing car seat. If on an international level. tomated bus lane cameras caught more a child exceeds the height and weight than 1,500 vehicles in the first couple limits listed on the seat, forward-facing Increased Enforcement weeks of implementation. The cameras, models are fine. All FHV drivers should note that the which became operational on Oct. 7,

Remembering Seth Berman It is with a heavy heart that we celebrate the life and mourn the passing of a friend and pillar of the industry: Seth Berman, who passed away after a lengthy bout with pancreatic cancer in the early morning hours of October 10. Seth was Executive Vice President and General Counsel at Town Car Interna - tional, but I personally remember him best dressed as Santa in years past, volun - teering at the Long Island homeless shelter/soup kitchen, Harvest for the World (http://www.harvestfortheworld.com/ ), where he handed out gifts to needy children around Christmas.

“LIKE” BLACK CAR NEWS FOR BREAKING NEWS. NOVEMBER 2019 • BLACK CAR NEWS • 5 ALPINELPINE LIMOUSINEIMOUSINE SERVICEERVICE A TheThe leadingleading Lchoicechoice inin thethe corporatecorporate Sworldworld

20 YEARS IN BUSINESS SSECUREECURE YYOUROUR CCHAUFFEUR’SHAUFFEUR’S AAFFILIATIONSFFILIATIONS HHERE,ERE, ALWAYS ON TIME LLIMITEDIMITED SSLOTSLOTS AAVAILABLEVAILABLE

Take Your Driving Skills To The Next Level Make Money Here

FForor more information contact our Fleet Department at: 646-558-2055 Ext 800 Or email [email protected]

You can do our trips or we can help you do yours! Your vehicle must be 2015 or newer, black on black, with TLC. Sedans, Hybrids & SUVs Welcome

NO MORE Scan this QR Code DUES!!! follow us: www.AlpineLimoNYC.com B01871 6 • BLACK CAR NEWS • NOVEMBER 2019

IRA’S INSIGHTS BY IRA J. G OLDSTEIN Hello to all. I hope that everyone has been changing the face of the American labor move - known as the Taxicab, Limousine and Para - enjoying the Fall so far. Thanksgiving and the ment. The Fund received this award in recog - transit Association, TLPA) Annual Conference December holidays will soon be upon us and nition of our outstanding efforts “in improving and Expo in Las Vegas, called Mobilize 2019. then it will be Winter before we know it. Octo - the working conditions of the masses,” as Each year, this conference brings together peo - ber has been a busy and eventful month for us Samuel Gompers would say. Improving the ple from across the country to learn about new at The Black Car Fund, and there was also working conditions of our covered drivers and and emerging technologies, practices and issues some news in the industry that I wanted to pass bringing them benefits that that affect the various sectors of the along to you. Let’s get right into it. they wouldn’t have any - ground transportation industry. October started off strong While every state in the U.S. and with The Black Car Fund being The BCF Wins Third Annual every sector of the industry has announced as one of two winners Mitchell mPower Award. their own unique struggles, there of the Third Annual Mitchell Inset: The BCF was also given are many issues that affect us as the 2019 Samuel Gompers mPower Awards. Over the past Award from the IAIABC. a whole and this conference is a three years, Mitchell has used the great place to stay ahead of the mPower awards to highlight and curve and work towards common recognize companies who are de - goals. I was also proud to be livering better outcomes for their sworn in as a Vice President of clients and customers through in - the Transportation Alliance and novative usage of technology, look forward to continuing my models and business transforma - work with them. tions. I have spoken many times I’ll finish this month’s article about The Black Car Fund’s by touching upon a report issued unique model, the only one of its by the TLC that analyzed compli - kind in the United States. We are ance with their new rules on grateful to be recognized by wheelchair accessible vehicles Mitchell for the work we have (WAV) during the first six done in providing workers’ com - months since they went into ef - pensation to independent con - fect in January of 2019. It showed tractors in the black car industry that Uber has far and away throughout New York. proven to be the most successful At Mitchell’s annual Property and Casualty where else in the country is what we do every in satisfying the WAV requirements. They also Conference in Boca Raton, our Executive Chair - day at The Black Car Fund. accounted for 84% of all the WAV trips made in man, Berj Haroutunian, accepted the award on With that said, I want to once again encour - this period. Also, while Lyft and Via had some behalf of the Fund and was joined by a few age everyone reading to start taking advantage corrective action needed to be taken to make more of our team members. Mitchell also put of the benefits you are entitled to as a black car them compliant, the issues they faced were not together a short story and video about us which driver in New York. The telemedicine benefits overly serious. can be seen at the following link. will be especially useful in the coming winter When it comes down to the numbers, this https://www.mpower.mitchell.com/black-car- months in order to nip illnesses in the bud and report truly substantiates the position taken by fund-delivers-future-benefits-independent- to save yourself and your family from having to the FHV industry against the original 25% workers-today/ take a trip to the doctor. Taking care of your vi - WAV mandate, showing that the actual usage It’s always an honor to win an award, but sion is important too, so make sure to visit a does not warrant such an arduous requirement, winning two in one month is of special note. GVS location or our Vision Van at the Cell Lot which would have devastated struggling tradi - Just a couple of weeks after receiving the at JFK Airport to get your free vision exam and tional bases. mPower Award, The Black Car Fund was also pair of glasses if you need! The full report can be read here: awarded the 2019 Samuel Gompers Award by All these benefits can be easily accessed by www1.nyc.gov/assets/tlc/downloads/pdf/fhv_wh the International Association of Industrial Ac - signing up for Drivers Benefits at https://dri - eelchair_accessibility_report_2019.pdf. cident Boards and Commissions (IAIABC). If versbenefits.org or by giving them a call at 1- As always, thank you for reading and you haven’t heard of Samuel Gompers, he was 833-814-8590. please don’t hesitate to reach out to us if you the first and longest serving president of the October was also a busy month for the have questions or would like to learn more American Federation of Labor (AFL), and ground transportation industry. Many organi - about The Black Car Fund and the benefits we helped grow the organization from 50,000 mem - zations held conferences and I was happy to at - offer to black car drivers throughout New York. bers in 1886 to almost three million by 1924, tend The Transportation Alliance’s (formerly Until next time! Ira J. Goldstein is the Executive Director of the New York Black Car Fund, Chief Operating Officer of the Black Car Assistance Corp. (BCAC), and Treasurer of the Coalition of Transportation Associations (COTA).

BLACK CAR NEWS Editorial ...... 4 714 Crestbrook Avenue • Cherry Hill, N.J. 08003

E Ira’s Insights — By Ira Goldstein ...... 6 Tel: 800-723-9119 • Local: 856-751-0656 • Fax: 856-751-0657 News ...... 8 Email: [email protected] • Web: www.blackcarnews.com U Features ...... 13 S Editor/Publisher: Taxi & FHV Relief Stands ...... 22 Neil Weiss Copyright NOVEMBER 2019 © S

I From the Desk of Diana Clemente ...... 24 Adv. Sales Mgr./Art & Design: The Black Car News is published Michele Norton monthly on the first Tuesday of Commissioner's Corner — By Bill Heinzen ...... 28 Direct line: 856.262.2368 each month except holidays. All S [email protected] I IATR Outlook — By Matthew W. Daus ...... 30 inquires should be directed by Contributing Writers: mail to the above address. The

H Black Car News is not liable for Defensive Driving – By Bertram Merling ...... 32 Laurence I. Cohen any typographical errors in its ad - Matthew W. Daus, Esq.

T Drivers United — By Brendan Sexton ...... 36 Ira Goldstein vertisements. The views ex - Attorney’s Corner — By Laurence I. Cohen ...... 38 Bill Heinzen pressed in the articles of Bertram Merling contributing columnists are N Street Stories — By RH Stovall, Jr...... 40 Roberta C. Pike solely those of the author and not I Brendan Sexton necessarily those of the Black Industry News ...... 42 RH Stovall, Jr. Car News. Classifieds ...... 49 NOVEMBER 2019 • BLACK CAR NEWS • 7 Concord Limousine

DRIVERS WANTED

no dues, no radio fees

GET YOUR CHECK NEXT DAY! No need to bring your vouchers to the base

CALL 917-882-9100 This advertisement is not an offering. An offering can Waheed only be made by prospectus filed first with the Depart- ment of Law of New York State. Such filing does not constitute approval by the Department of Law of the 646-642-2302 State of New York. Base License # B00628. Eugene N8 • BLEACKW CAR NS EWS • NOVEMBER 2019 CITY COUNCIL EYES NIGHTTIME DELIVERIES TO BATTLE CONGESTION

New York’s City Council voted plicitly apply to agency spaces in Man - cles account for a quarter of all carbon through a measure obligating Mayor hattan south of 60th Street, and to at dioxide emissions and recalled his ex - Bill de Blasio’s administration to study least two other high-traffic areas. perience managing a toy store prior to the feasibility of requiring municipally These areas will be determined based becoming a politician, when he owned or rented facilities in certain on the findings. arranged for shipments to arrive in the parts of the city to receive packages Councilman Costa Constantinides, early morning hours to minimize traffic only at night. A plan must then be pre - the bill’s sponsor, says it’ll help clear up and pedestrian disruption. sented for implementing the policy the air and streets of New York. He “wherever possible.” The bill would ex - cited studies finding that motor vehi - Source: Crain’s New York Business BILL TO CAP REPORTER RACES UBER COPTER LEASE COSTS WITH SUBWAY TO JFK The New York Post put Uber’s new lyn and Queens below were gorgeous. helicopter shuttle to JFK to the test, rac - The flight lived up to its promise of a FOR FHVS ing the app-based company and its chop - six-minute trip, touching down at JFK at per from Midtown to the hub against 2:31pm. The reporter had to take a final old-fashioned New York City Transit. Uber to the agreed-upon finish line at INTRO’D IN SEPT. Starting from the Post’s Midtown head - 2:40pm, or one hour and 25 minutes after quarters at 1:15pm on Oct. 4, two re - leaving Midtown. On Sept. 25, Council Member porters competed to be the first to reach Meanwhile, the rail-riding contest - the airport’s new TWA Hotel. Spoiler ant’s trip began with an admittedly lucky Francisco Moya introduced a bill in alert: the City Council aimed at protecting The copter lost by three minutes. break, swiping into Rockefeller Center for For-Hire Vehicle (FHV) drivers from The chopper contestant pre-booked an $2.75 and catching a Queens-bound F predatory lease and rental agree - Uber Copter flight, which costs between train as it approached the platform. The ments. The legislation would man - $200 and $225, depending on the time of journalist had a six-minute wait on a date that the Taxi and Limousine day. Uber Copter promises a six-minute platform at Forest Hills-71st Avenue to Commission (TLC) extend its author - flight to JFK. But first, the journalist had transfer to the E train, which finished off ity to regulate leases, rentals, lease- to grab an Uber to Lower Manhattan, as the MTA’s leg of the trip to the Sutphin to-own and conditional purchases to the service only picks up south of Hous - Boulevard-Archer Avenue-JFK Airport FHV drivers, including Liveries, ton Street. Slowed by midday traffic, the stop. A $5 ride on the Port Authority-run Black Cars and High-Volume FHVs. Uber took 24 minutes (at a cost of $30.67, JFK AirTrain got the reporter to Termi - This regulatory protection al - before tip) to reach Spring Street’s Balt - nal 5 by 2:25pm, right as the Uber Copter ready exists for yellow cab drivers. hazar, where the reporter caught a sec - was taking to the sky in Lower Manhat - Currently, when a driver leases a car ond Uber to the heliport. That 13-minute tan. A 12-minute stroll from the terminal for use as a yellow cab, the TLC caps ride brought the reporter to the heliport to the TWA Hotel got the subway-riding the cost of that car at $42,900 over near the South Street Seaport. reporter there by 2:37pm… three min - 156 weeks, or $275 a week. There are Before leaving, the reporter and other utes before her Uber-Copter counterpart reports of FHV drivers paying more fliers-to-be sat through a two-minute arrived. than twice that amount – well beyond safety video. The Uber Copter took off at Uber contends that the copter service the value of the vehicle. 2:25pm, and the reporter complained the is only intended for customers already in The bill has been assigned to the ride was rocky and, without an offer of Lower Manhattan, so a traveler starting Transportation Committee, which is any ear protection, very loud. On the up - off there would have beaten the subway. Source: New York Post chaired by Council Member Ydanis side, the reporter said the views of Brook - Rodriguez. Some industry advocates are call - ing for the TLC to limit lease pay - ments to roughly $350 a week, NYC BANS MOST VEHICLE TRAFFIC including insurance fees. They say that, without a safeguard in place, FHV drivers are being swept into a FROM 14TH STREET downward spiral of deepening debt. New York City’s 14th Street is being crosstown M14 bus line, which advocates TLC spokesperson Rebecca turned into a pedestrian and mass-tran - hope will see dramatic service improve - Harshbarger said the agency is “in - sit thoroughfare as part of an 18-month ments. It’s currently one of the city’s vestigating the issue and will deter - experiment to improve cross-town traffic slowest routes. mine whether to take action.” at the northern edge of Lower Manhat - Locals worry the ban will simply di - Uber spokesperson Harry Hart - tan. The ban, which went into effect in vert traffic to neighboring roads, result - field said that the TLC “should allow early October, prohibits through traffic ing in no net gain. The plan was initially drivers to use their own vehicles.” on 14th Street between 6:00am and held up by a temporary restraining order Drivers say that setting limits on 10:00pm – although residents and busi - brought by neighboring residents. A state payments would give them more sta - ness owners still have access to the appellate court panel ruled 3-2 to end bility to plan a life without constant street, and pick-ups and drop-offs are that order, paving the way for implemen - onerous financial burdens. permitted. tation, even as legal action against it con - Sources: The City , The only other vehicles with access tinues. New York City Council will be emergency services and the Source: Motor Authority NOVEMBER 2019 • BLACK CAR NEWS • 9 Professional Owner/Operators With 2017 and Newer Cars Only Non-smoking cars only All pre-arranged work. Work given out 24 hours prior to jobs.

No waiting list No weekly dues Long Island Drivers, a lot of No franchise fees No radio fees Long Island work! Drivers who live in New Jersey also welcome Our company has been serving New York’s most affluent clientele for over 20 years. Come join us and experience the difference. Average job/voucher $140 AVERAGE EARNING $1,700FOR DRIVERS Call between 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. only Stop per week working hard steady work 516-792-1736 and work smart

B02253

y Base d Luxur Car an Black RKER A RD WO E A HA OF YOU AR E LOTS IF TO MAK ACE OKING THE PL LO THIS IS , THEN MONEY 185-08 UNION TPKE SUITE 108 FRESH MEADOWS, NY 11366 CALL TODAY: Very Busy with Corporate Accounts ASK FOR GREG 718-454-2900 Keeping Drivers Happy Since 1985 800-342-7378 [email protected] Happy Drivers = Happy Customers! 10 • BLACK CAR NEWS • NOVEMBER 2019 NEWS MUSICIAN SAYS ATTACK BY LYFT DRIVER ENDED HIS CAREER

Jonathan Melville Pratt claims his once- “smashing Mr. Pratt’s head so hard he lost day of the assault without a valid TLC li - promising career as a musician was cut consciousness.” cense; allowing the driver to drive at least short, due to an alleged 2017 attack by a dis - “The Lyft Driver stomped on and kicked 841 Lyft customers to their destinations gruntled Lyft driver. A lawsuit filed by Pratt Mr. Pratt’s head, hands, arms, legs and gen - without a valid license; disregarding com - in Sept. in New York Superior Court Kings itals. He finally succeeded in ripping the plaints that the driver’s previous passengers County alleges the composer and musician phone out of Mr. Pratt’s hand. He then had lodged with the TLC against him for, suffered broken bones, two concussions and smashed the phone on the sidewalk so vio - among other things, “threatening, harassing a traumatic brain injury after he canceled a lently that it broke, bouncing 15 feet,” the and abusing”; ignoring the driver’s 28 previ - Lyft ride. He’s suing Lyft and the man he lawsuit says, adding the driver then tried to ous TLC violations, suspensions, or revoca - says attacked him. punch Pratt’s female companion. tions of his license; and allowing thousands The alleged incident, which was captured According to the complaint, Lyft did not of other Lyft drivers to drive unlicensed, in on video by a nearby surveillance camera, terminate the driver from its platform until violation of New York City law. can be viewed here: https://www.nbc - six months after the assault. Lyft allegedly Pratt’s claims against Lyft and the driver newyork.com/news/local/Lawsuit-Lyft-Dri - let the driver provide almost 700 rides to its include negligence, liability for not including ver-Attack-in-Brooklyn-Ends-Musicians-Car customers after learning of the attack. a panic button within Lyft’s app, liability for eer-New-York-City-561353811.html According to the suit, the attack stripped Lyft’s failure to cross-check its roster of driv - On May 24, 2017, Pratt, who was accom - Pratt of wrist stamina, dexterity, memory ers against the TLC’s public list of licensed panied by a female companion, says he re - and concentration to perform. Pratt’s com - drivers, violating New York’s Transportation quested a Lyft from a Brooklyn restaurant plaint also alleges that Lyft is operating ille - Law, negligent in hiring and training, fraud and the driver accepted. The driver, identi - gally in New York City by using drivers – and negligent misrepresentation, violating fied as Kouame Nguessan, says he got lost on including the one who allegedly assaulted New York’s General Business Law, assault his way due to GPS issues. Pratt – without a New York City Taxi and and battery, and intentional infliction of Pratt says he tried to guide the driver to Limousine Commission (TLC) license. Pratt’s emotional distress. He is seeking punitive his location, but after waiting 10 minutes complaint goes on to allege the driver who at - damages, court costs, attorney fees and other cancelled the Lyft ride and decided to hail a tacked him also has at least 28 violations, relief. taxi. The lawsuit goes on to say that before suspensions, or revocations of his TLC li - In a statement to News 4, A Lyft spokes - Pratt hailed the taxi, Nguessan located him cense. woman said: “Safety is fundamental to Lyft. and his friend “and began screaming profan - The complaint alleges Lyft puts its New The incident described is terrifying, and the ities, including sexually demeaning and as - York City-area riders in danger and flouts driver was permanently banned from the saultive profanities.” the law by: failing to conduct a criminal back - Lyft community.” After demanding they get in his car, ac - ground check on the Lyft driver who al - The TLC declined to comment, citing the cording to the lawsuit, Nguessan then ran to - legedly assaulted Pratt; hiring the driver pending litigation of which they are not a ward Pratt, who was filming the interaction, despite him not having a valid TLC license; party. and slammed him headfirst on the ground, allowing the driver to drive for Lyft on the Source: NBC New York STUDY: NYC INFRASTRUCTURE THREATENED BY CLIMATE CHANGE

This past spring, Susanne DesRoches, very well informed and had excellent mate resiliency, and that a multi-layered a graduate of Columbia University’s mas - questions. Given the executive branch’s approach incorporating diverse solutions ters program in Environmental Science inaction, it was inspiring to see members – ranging from infrastructure hardening and Policy, testified in front of the U.S. from both sides of the aisle show concerns to social cohesion initiatives – are neces - House of Representatives Committee on about the impacts of climate change on sary to prepare for the impacts of a chang - Space, Science, and Technology about their communities today and ask for ideas ing climate.” transportation resiliency. According to from the panel about how federal agencies When asked about the greatest cli - DesRoches, who currently serves as could take immediate action.” mate change threats facing NYC’s trans - deputy director for infrastructure and en - DesRoches says the U.S. Department portation industry/systems, DesRoches ergy in the New York City Mayor’s Office of Transportation should require all proj - said, “The greatest future risk to the city’s of Resiliency, climate change is “a multi - ects that receive federal funds to ensure transportation network is storm surge, be - faceted problem that requires cross-cut - resilient design by incorporating regional cause so many pieces of critical transit in - ting collaboration to address,” adding that climate change projections through their frastructure are located within the “New York is a city that is both vulnerable useful life, holding states accountable for existing 100-year floodplain. Sea level rise to climate impacts and a long-standing ensuring their transportation infrastruc - will cause the 100-year floodplain to ex - leader of ambitious climate policy.” ture is resilient today and in the future. pand, and will put more of the city’s trans - DesRoches is directing a transition to “Almost seven years ago, Hurricane portation network at risk of storm surge 100% clean electricity by 2040 in NYC and Sandy devastated New York City with un - inundation in the years to come. The 100- oversees policy initiatives promoting the precedented force, claiming 44 lives and year floodplain already includes 12% of adoption and integration of clean energy causing over $19 billion in damages and the city’s roadway network, all of the technologies. She also leads city efforts to lost economic activity,” DesRoches re - major tunnel portals except for the Lin - adapt regional infrastructure systems to called. “It was the costliest natural disas - coln Tunnel, a portion of both airports lo - a changing climate, which includes the de - ter we have ever faced. As we took stock cated in the city, and many commuter rail velopment of the NYC Climate Resiliency of the damage, it was clear that we could and subway assets, particularly in lower Design Guidelines and leads the NYC Cli - not just plan to simply recover from the Manhattan. Further, by 2100, 20% of mate Change Adaptation Task Force, storm. Instead, we needed to use the mo - lower Manhattan could be subject to daily which works to identify climate risks and ment to address the risks of ‘another tidal inundation, greatly impacting the coordinate adaptation strategies. Sandy’ while broadening our approach to ability of our transit links to maintain “It was very exciting to testify before prepare for the chronic impacts of climate functionality. Extreme rainfall and heat the U.S. House of Representatives Com - change, particularly sea level rise and will stress our networks further through mittee on Space, Science, and Technol - storm surge. Sandy reminded us that localized disruptions and outages.” ogy,” said DesRoches. “The members were there is no silver bullet solution for cli - Source: State of the Planet NOVEMBER 2019 • BLACK CAR NEWS • 11 12 • BLACK CAR NEWS • NOVEMBER 2019

The Welcome Executive To ETTTransportation Group

CHOOSE THE COMPANY THAT’S RIGHT FOR YOU

BO1197 All these well-known B00013 and successful companies B00280 under one roof B00014

GOLD SEAL LUXURY LIMOUSINES CORP. B00608 B02566

•The Largest Consortium of B01875

Black Car Bases in the Industry NJ

•Branches in Brooklyn, LIC, B00888 B00411 Bronx and Jersey City •The Most Line Work in the Industry B00381 B00277 B01877 • 5000 Corporate Clients B00296 • Franchises, Co-Op Shares B02003 VITALVVIVITVITA or Leasing Available B00053 B00789 Call 718-438-1100 For An Appointment Come to Randy Eng At Ext.3201 or Scott Harwood At Ext.3219 our Corporate Headquarters & The Executive Transportation Group One Stop Shop for Driver Services Office the Base That’s 1751 Bath Avenue • Brooklyn, NY 11214 Right For You!

This advertisement is not an offering. An offering can only be made by prospectus filed first with the Department of Law of New York State. Such filing does not constitute approval by the Department of Law of New York State. BLACK CAR NEWS FEATURES NOVEMBER 2019 • • 13 RESEARCH VEHICLE REPAIRABILITY COSTS PRIOR TO PURCHASE

Fall is one of the busiest seasons for new homework before the purchase, they can pair processes, as do hybrid and elective ve - vehicle purchases, since many new makes understand what might be needed to re - hicles. and models are introduced at this time of store their vehicle to pre-accident condition “It is important to carefully choose a col - year. Today’s cars have more technology and what collision repair partner they lision repair partner who is certified and and advanced safety systems than ever be - should select.” equipped to repair your vehicle back to pre- fore – but what if you’re in an acci - There are hundreds of computer collision quality,” said Champley. “Research dent and need to repair your codes required to manage the op - repair locations who are certified by the vehicle? New technologies can erations of a vehicle. By having manufacturer of your vehicle.” be more expensive to repair, the repair facility scan those Don’t overlook talking with your insur - often requiring trained and codes before the repair, they ance carrier when you purchase your vehi - certified repair professionals – and you – can get a more cle to understand what repair processes are to restore all of the systems complete evaluation of covered on your policy, added Champley. accurately. what’s needed. A scan after - “You should evaluate your insurance For those reasons, car ward ensures that all of the coverage not just by the deductible,” he buyers should examine a ve - repair needs have been met. said. “You need to understand if it requires hicle’s safety systems and re - A high-quality collision repair OEM or aftermarket parts, if pre- and post- pair guides before buying. This facility will always conduct repair scanning are covered, if calibration can help protect you on the road pre- and post-repair scans of a is required and if OEM repair standards and preserve the value of your ve - vehicle. guide the repair process. This helps ensure hicle in the event of a collision. Many vehicles with advanced tech - your safety on the road in your repaired ve - “When you drive in a city… with nology have cameras around the exterior to hicle and preserves the value of that invest - tremendous traffic, collisions are bound to provide lane warnings, backup alerts and ment.” happen,” says Karl Champley, an automo - front distance notifications. Following cer - While no one wants to think about their tive and home improvement expert. “Many tain types of collisions, these may need to new vehicle being in a collision, a little re - people here want the latest car with the be recalibrated to ensure they are perform - search will help ensure it’s repaired cor - most technology, and when they’re in a col - ing correctly. Vehicles with advanced mate - rectly, protecting you and your investment. lision, they’re surprised by the cost and rials like carbon fiber, aluminum and complexity of the repair. By doing some high-strength steel also require special re - Source: CARSTAR.com

Constantly stripped out…All DayLong! SIIOONNAALL mmTM PRROOFFEESSS P TTEEDD RIIVVEERRSS WWAANN DDR y Jobs with Luxur $54 HR More $$$ HOURLY Earn $60 HR A solid, reputable firm + 20% gratuity! that has not missed a EARN $500 TO $27 LOCALS commission payday $3,000 PER WEEK $45 in 24 years. + 20% gratuity! A Unique Opportunity for $54 Experience 20% LGA Tips on Experienced, Professional, $59 dispatchers All Jobs Well-Dressed Owner/Operators + 20% gratuity! wanted! $69 Email resume to JFK [email protected] If You Own a 2013 or Newer model Town $74 Car, Mercedes, SUV or Van We Need You! + 20% gratuity! $69 EWR 718-937-7500 $74 + 20% gratuity! Base Number B1913 extension 3007 14 • BLACK CAR NEWS • NOVEMBER 2019

B01907 DRIVERS WANTED New Drivers 6 MONTHS FREE Connection Fee $1000 BONUS After One Year with Bens

Tons of PM and Evening OT's and Hourly CALL FOR INFORMATION 718-433-1212 RESERVATIONISTS AND DISPATCHERS WANTED

We Help Move NEW YORK

Specialists for the New York City Transportation Industry

TLC INSURANCE SPECIALISTS FOR OVER 50 YEARS Workers Compensation & Liability Black Car Yellow Taxi Car Service Green Car ▪ ▪ ▪ Physical Damage Easy Online Payments Renew Your Policy Online Medallion Black Cars Make Policy Changes Online Car Service● • Ambulette Download Policy Documents Great Customer Service HEREFORD INSURANCE COMPANY 6 Offices in NYC 36-01 43RD Ave. • Long Island City, NY 11101 NO Tel: 718.361.9191 | www.HerefordInsurance.com BROKER Help STOP Insurance Fraud! FEES To Report Fraud Call 1-866-HEREFORD 36-01 43RD Ave. Long Island City, NY 11101 Tel: 718.361.0033| [email protected] www.PearlandNY.com NOVEMBER 2019 • BLACK CAR NEWS • 15

3 BIG, NEW ACCOUNTS Were Just Opened & We Are in Urgent Need of 35 NEW DRIVERS! (Sedans & SUVs – 2016 or Newer) ATTENTION UBER & LIFT DRIVERS IF YOU ARE TIRED OF DOING $4 & $8 TRIPS YOU SHOULD CONSIDER DRIVING FOR NYBLACKCAR WHERE THE AVERAGE TRIP IS $125

SPECIAL PROMOTION

For Experienced Black Car Drivers! (Call for details)

NOW ACCEPTING: Infiniti QX60 Lexus RX350/ES350 Lincoln MKT/Continental (2016 or newer)

Interested? Please call Amnon at (718) 937-6677 EXT # 139 (NYBC) / [email protected] 32-72 GALE AVENUE, 3RD FLOOR, LIC, NY 11101 | WWW.NYBLACKCAR.COM 16 • BLACK CAR NEWS • NOVEMBER 2019

A Black Car Group TLC LICENCE #B00280 The Way To Go Sedan & Limousine Service Since 1973

BLACK CAR & LIMOUSINE 59-01 37TH AVENUE WOODSIDE, NY 11377 IF YOU HAVE A TLC VEHICLE IN CLEAN CONDITION YOUR FUTURE AND WANT TO EXPERIENCE QUALITY ACCOUNTS ANY MAKE MODEL OR COLOR CARS WILL BE CONSIDERED IS HERE JOIN US FOR NEW DRIVERS ONLY!!! • NEW RATE BOOK IN EFFECT • PLEASE CALL OR SEE • MORE OT WORK THAN ANY OTHER COMPANY • TOMMY CAPPIELLO • AME DISPATCH SYSTEM • PRESIDENT FROM: 10AM TO 6PM • MANY NEW LARGE ACCOUNTS • 718-651-7300 • LINE UP WORK • • PACKAGE WORK • • DRAIN EVERY DAY • FFOROR AA LIMITEDLIMITED TIMETIME • ALL CLIENT DISCOUNTS ARE ABSORBED FREEFREE DUESDUES FORFOR BY THE COMPANY AND DO NOT EFFECT NEWNEW DRIVERSDRIVERS YOUR VOUCHERS

BORROWERS HEAVEN.COM LLC Where Your Dreams Direct Lender for Over 20 Years Become Need us to find you a vehicle? Reality We got you covered! Need financing for a vehicle? We got you covered! Need us to find a vehicle AND finance it? We got you covered! WeWe Sell,Sell, FinanceFinance andand LeaseLease NewNew && Pre-owned:Pre-owned: LimousinesLimousines // SedansSedans // SUVsSUVs // VansVans // BusesBuses // FuneralFuneral CarsCars

Special Deals for Black Car Drivers Flexible Credit Terms / 24-72 Months / Nationwide Funding

Call 877.368.6894 or email [email protected] • Visit us online at BorrowersHeaven.com NOVEMBER 2019 • BLACK CAR NEWS • 17

11/30/19 18 • BLACK CAR NEWS • NOVEMBER 2019 ATTENTION LUXURY TLC BASED VEHICLE OWNER-OPERATORS

BUSY MANHATTAN BASED RATE LUXURY LIMO CO. IS LOOKING FOR A FEW TOP OWNER-OPERATORS For our overflow work. Owners must have a 2013 or newer luxury vehicle. Your SUV can be GMC, Escalade, Suburban, Expedition or Navigator. Luxury Sedans can be BMW 7, Mercedes Benz S550, Cadillac XTS, Lincoln Continental, MKT or MKS vehicles. The vehicle MUST be registered with a NYC TLC Luxury Base and have 1- 1.5 million auto insurance.

We are a growing 45 year old, Luxury First Class Ground Transportation Company with top Manhattan Based rates. We are seeking OWNER/OPERATORS who are polished, seasoned professionals with exemplary experience. This is NOT for Uber experienced drivers! This is for very experienced chauffeurs. We are Not a Black Car Service - We bill garage times - We don't have 'Taxi Cab' flat rates. CALL FOR AN INTERVIEW APPT., CALL MR. CHUCK @ 718-585-6450. PLEASE ONLY CALL MONDAY THRU FRIDAY FROM NYC TLC 11 AM – 4 PM. BASE 00078 NOVEMBER 2019 • BLACK CAR NEWS • 19 “STOP DRIVING YOU CAR… DRIVE ONE OF OURS”

Addison Lee is looking for professional chauffeurs to join our team, utilizing our fleet of vehicles to provide safe and enjoyable rides for our Customers. Comprehensive training is provided to all new hires, regardless of years of experience, to acclimate you with Addison Lee's values and standards for excellence.

Upon successful completion of the training program, chauffeurs will be provided with a company vehicle and a gas card for company use only.

There is no out of pocket expense Upon for our drivers and there are no completion rental fees to use our vehicle! of 90 days of employment, new Requirements: drivers will receive a · Minimum age 25 due to insurance regulations sign-on bonus · Valid driver's license with a clean record of $500 · TLC Required · FULL TIME PM Shifts available/Must work one weekend day · Possess excellent customer service and communication skills · STRONG knowledge of NY Metro area (NY/NJ/CT)

OFFICE: Applicants are welcome 90 McKee Drive Monday to Thursday 10AM-4PM or Mahwah, NJ on Sundays by appointment ONLY

OR Call Today to Get Started: 888-888-LIMO54 66 Lorenzo Geroso Ext 20644

This advertisement is not an offering. An offering can only be made by prospectus filed first with the Department of Law of New York State. Such filing does not constitute approval by the Department of Law of the State of New York. Flyte Line #B02970. Addison Lee#B02060. 20 • BLACK CAR NEWS • NOVEMBER 2019

$0 D OWN F OR A MER CED ES -BEN Z M ETRIS Join T OD AY a nd d rive a Me tris.

Se rvice fe e Unlimited a ccess t o V ia's Daily a nd w eekly Up t o $ 1,000 as l ow a s 1 0%. hig hes t h ourly r ates * rental de als a vailable Ne w D river P rom otion **

Apply a t m y.dr ivewithvia .com/bcn

*Access m ay b e l imited d uring b rief p eriods f or p ayment p rocessi ng p urposes. **Available e xclusi ve ly t o n ew d rive r p artners. T erms a nd C onditions a pply. Availabl e a t n yc .dr ivewithvia.com/met ris1k BLACK CAR NEWS FEATURES NOVEMBER 2019 • • 21 DATA SECURITY TIPS DURING BUSINESS TRAVEL Conducting business via a smart - rity is gaining more attention than phys - unattended. A staggering 41% of all phone, computer or tablet while traveling ical security in the business world. Con - breaches occur from stolen devices, as re - for business can be risky, if you’re not em - sider installing the latest systems with ported by Trend Micro . It is best to avoid ploying proper security protocols. It is es - remote activation and monitoring capabil - public Wi-Fi, which is notoriously unse - sential for business travelers to take ities. cure. If it’s an emergency and you have to precautionary steps to reduce those risks access the internet with public Wi-Fi, Preventive Measures for the Road and mitigate any potential losses by fol - stick to pages secured by https. lowing specific measures before, during When on the road, never leave luggage With the protection of VPN – tunnel - and after the trip. ing, encryption, and authenticated con - nections – avail security to data while What to Do Before Departure online, making it harder for hackers to According to Verizon’s data breach snoop around. A privacy screen filter is investigations report, 81% of the hack - also a good idea; it will decrease visibility ing-related breaches leveraged either from various angles and restrict others stolen or weak passwords. The key is to from viewing potentially sensitive con - make sure all devices have been locked tent. and secured with a strong password or pin. The best practice is to turn off the What to Do After Returning Bluetooth, disable features like auto-con - Despite applying all the best prac - nect and clear the cache files frequently tices and efforts, the possibility of a data as they can contain sensitive data. breach during travel remains. Get into A company’s IT team should always the habit of running checkups on all de - set up security protocols in case of a data vices after every business trip, to scan breach; and cross-check and verify proce - for spyware, malware, etc. dures to avoid emergencies as cybersecu - Source: CFO Tech Outlook

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT WWW.BLACKCARNEWS.COM OUR AD RATES

COMING SOON: NEW App-Based Company Smart Ride Nationwide, LLC

Why we are different Drive Smart with Smart Ride 1. We have over three decades of combined What we are looking for? industry knowledge and experience. 1. Professional drivers / chauffeurs who can fol- 2. Through our Equity Deal, drivers can become low our dress code a part-owner in our company on a first come, 2. Sedan dress code: Dress shirt, pants and first served basis – 300 drivers will have the shoes. opportunity. Others can join as drivers, too 3- All others: Suit with tie – black, grey or navy (requirements apply). colors. 3. We accept only NYC TLC registered cars and 4. Drivers who believe in providing courteous licensed drivers from NY and New Jersey. and helpful service. 4. We will accept Sedans, Luxury Sedans, SUVs, Mercedes and Sprinter Vans. Think in the long term, think of your future. Become part of a business that welcomes you when others are thinking of driverless cars. Secure your income! Join us and together we will make difference. Inquire about our Equity Deal by email: [email protected] 22 • BLACK CAR NEWS • NOVEMBER 2019

Taxi and For-hire Vehicle relief stands allow drivers to park their ve - hicles for up to one hour. This affords drivers the opportunity to leave their vehicles and take care of personal needs. Taxi relief stands should not be TAXI AND confused with taxi stands, which are locations where drivers can wait in their cars to pick up passengers. DOT is not responsible for regulating taxis. Taxis are regulated by the New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission. DOT regulates taxi relief stands. FOR-HIRE VEHICLE The type column indicates if the relief stand is for taxis alone, or for both taxis and For-Hire Vehicles (FHVs). Staten Island currently has no relief stands. The following information was found at www.nyc.gov/html/dot/html/motorist/taxirelief.shtml ( as of July 24, 2018 ). RELIEF STANDS We recommend checking back periodically, in the event changes are made to these lists.

MANHATTAN QUEENS

Tayxpi/eFH V s 1S0t rAeveet ( E.. .s .i d.e .) ...... W. . C26r oSst s& SWtr 2e8e tSs t Tayxpi e 3S1t rSete (t W .. s. id. e. ) ...... 3C4r Aovses &S t3r5e eAtvse Taxi/FHVs 11 Ave (E. side) ...... W 45 St & W 46 St Taxi 31 St (E. side) ...... 37 Ave & 36 Ave Taxi/FHVs 3 Ave (W. side) ...... E 14 St & E 15 St Taxi 31 St (E. side) ...... 38 Ave & 37 Ave Taxi/FHVs 3 Ave (W. side) ...... E 15 St & E 14 St Taxi 34 St (W. side) ...... 37 Ave & 38 Ave Taxi/FHVs 6 Ave (E. side) ...... Thompson St & Grand St Taxi/FHVs 35 St (S. side) ...... Starr Ave & Bradley Ave Taxi/FHVs 6 Ave (W. side) ...... W 22 St & W 23 St Taxi/FHVs 36 St (E. side) ...... Skillman Ave & 43 Ave Taxi/FHVs 6 Ave (W. side) ...... W 38 St & W 39 St Taxi 43 Ave (N. side) ...... 35 St & 36 St Taxi/FHVs 6 Ave (W. side) ...... W 39 St & W 40 St Taxi/FHVs 43 Ave (N. side) ...... 11 St & 12 St Taxi/FHVs 6 Ave (W. side) ...... W 55 St & W 56 St Taxi 44 Rd (S. side) ...... 21 St & 11 St Taxi/FHVs 8 Ave (W. side) ...... W 46 St & W 47 St Taxi/FHVs 43 Ave (N. side) ...... 36 St & 37 St Taxi 9 Ave (E. side) ...... W 30 St & W 29 St Taxi 49 St (W. side) ...... Newtown Rd & Northern Blvd Taxi Ave A (W. side) ...... E 2 St & E. Houston St Taxi/FHVs 45 Ave (S. side) ...... Jackson Ave & 23 St Taxi/FHVs Church St *E Rdway (W. side) ...... Franklin St & White St Taxi/FHVs 47 Ave (S. side) ...... 11 St & Vernon Blvd Taxi/FHVs E 116 St (S. side) ...... 3 Ave & 2 Ave Taxi 55 St (E. side) ...... Queens Blvd & Roosevelt Ave Taxi E 15 St (N. side) ...... Irving Place & Union Square E Taxi 64 St (W. side) ...... 34 Ave & 35 Ave Taxi E 23 St (N. side) ...... 1 Ave & 2 Ave Taxi/FHVs 61 St (E. side) ...... Roosevelt Ave & 39 Ave Taxi E 26 St (S. side) ...... 3 Ave & 2 Ave Taxi Queens Blvd (S. side) ...... 50 St & 51 St Taxi E 27 St (S. side) ...... Park Ave S & Madison Ave Taxi/FHVs Pearson St (W. side) ...... Jackson Ave & DeadEnd Taxi E 28 St (N. side) ...... Park Ave S & Lexington Ave Taxi Queens Blvd (N. side) ...... 55 St & 54 St Taxi/FHVs E 29 St (S. side) ...... Madison Ave & 5 Ave Taxi 37 Ave (N. side) ...... 32 St & 31 St Taxi E 32 St (N. side) ...... Madison Ave & Park Ave S Taxi/FHVs Van Dam St (W. side) ...... Queens Blvd & Skillman Ave Taxi E 77 St (S. side) ...... 1 Ave & 2 Ave Taxi E 78 St (N. side) ...... Lexington Ave & 3 Ave BRONX Taxi E 78 St (S. side) ...... Lexington Ave & 3 Ave Taxi E 86 St (N. side) ...... Henderson Pl & York Ave Tayxpi/eFH V s ES t2r3e3e St t .( S. .. s.i d. e. ) ...... C. a. r.p .e n. t.e .r .A .v .e .& . CWrhoistes P Slatirnese Rtsd Taxi E 87 St (S. side) ...... 1 Ave & 2 Ave Taxi Park Ave (E. side) ...... E 135 St & E 138 St Taxi/FHVs Grand St (N. side) ...... Forsyth St & Chrystie St Taxi Park Ave (W. side) ...... E 135 St & E 138 St Taxi/FHVs Madison Ave (W. side) ...... E 26 St & E 27 St Taxi/FHVs Pelham Pkwy S (S. side) ...... Wilson Ave & Eastchester Rd Taxi/FHVs Maiden Ln (S. side) ...... Front St & South St Taxi/FHVs W 231 St (N. side) ...... Albany Cr & Broadway Taxi Park Row (E. side) ...... Ann St & Beekman St Taxi/FHVs West Kingsbridge Rd (S. side) ...... Sedgwick Ave & Webb Ave Taxi/FHVs South St (W. side) ...... Wall St & Gouverneur Ln Taxi University Pl (E. side) ...... E 13 St & E 14 St BROOKLYN Taxi W 33 St (N. side) ...... 9 Ave & 10 Ave Taxi W 39 St (S. side) ...... 8 Ave & 9 Ave Tayxpi e 4S tArveee (t W . s. i.d .e )...... C . r.o . s.3s SSt t&re 6e tSs t Taxi W 41 St (N. side) ...... 10 Ave & 11 Ave Taxi/FHVs 4 Ave (E. side) ...... Prospect Ave Taxi W 55 St (S. side) ...... 10 Ave & 11 Ave Taxi N 6 St (N. side) ...... Berry St & Wythe Ave Taxi/FHVs W 181 St (S. side) ...... Pinehurst Ave & Fort Washington Ave Taxi New Utrecht Ave (N. side) ...... 55 St & 13 Ave Taxi/FHVs West St (E. side) ...... Laight St & Vestry St NOVEMBER 2019 • BLACK CAR NEWS • 23

A LEADER IN NYC TLC RENT ALS

THE HUB F OR DRI VER S UCCE SS

Fast Track Mobility offers multiple v ehicle options with personaliz ed ser vice to get y ou a TLC ready v ehicle rental in Ne w York City as quickly and affordably as possible.

All our v ehicles come with TLC plates, insur ance and 24/7 emergenc y roadside assistance included in our rental price. Whether y ou are a ne w TLC driv er or current ride-share driv er , the on-boarding process is easy .

• Fle xible Pricing & P ayment Options • V ehic les Inc lude: Hyundai Elantra, T oyota Camr y, T oyota Camr y Hybrid, Toyota Sienna W AV, Mercedes-Benz Metris • Exc lusive Driver Success Rewards Program • Uber P artner Dealership , Via Official P artner , Curb P artner • 24/7 Emergenc y Roadside Assistance • Driver Referral Program

Visit us at www .ftlmobility .com Call Us at 1-877-825-8727 24 • BLACK CAR NEWS • NOVEMBER 2019

FROM THE DESK CLEMENTE OF DIANA President, Black Car Assistance Corp. HOW TO HELP COMMUNITY CATS

Community cats are outdoor, un-owned, free-roaming cats. While some may be friendly, others may be feral – a term for a cat that has never been handled by humans. Feral cats are terrified of humans. But these cats all need our help! The most significant thing anyone can do to help this ever- growing population of cats that suffer in so many ways is to have them spayed or neutered and returned to the area they were taken from. The term TNRM means trap, neuter, return and monitor – it is the best and most humane way to stabilize the population of community cats, and over time reduce the population. And with the colder weather months descending upon us, it’s not uncommon for community cats to seek warmth and protection by climbing under the hoods of recently parked cars to curl up near a recently turned off engine. So please, take an extra moment to bang on the hood of your car and potentially save the life of a cat or kitten that was merely seeking a reprieve from the cold, snow or rain. That simple step can save the life of a cat that deserves so much more from life than fate has afforded it. Please find it in your heart to help them, or to help others who do. On a personal note, I find it too emotional to be a boots-on-the- ground helper, but I put money every month onto a debit card for an angel who feeds seven colonies. And every year I purchase and donate feral cat shelters to rescuers. If you want to do something to help, please email me at [email protected].

e World’s Largest No-Kill Animal Rescue and Adoption Organization

Brando – ID# IR1504 - Brando was rescued all the way from Puerto Rico where we think he lived on the street most of his life. 6is older dachshund mix is mostly a couch potato, but loves going for walks, playing and being silly. Will you give this amazing dog his forever home? #GetYourRescueOn

Carolina – ID #E3653 - Carolina was rescued from a backyard breeder situation during Hurricane Dorian. She is a sweet Pit Bull mix puppy who is shy at first. Carolina would love to go home to a family with a canine sibling to help show her the way to becoming a beloved pet. She had a tough start in life, but is looking towards a new beginning, possibly with you. #GetYourRescueOn

Petra – ID: #BF2630 - Petra is a timid tabby that was brought to us from a local rescuer. If you invite her into your heart and home, Petra’s shyness will melt away with the help of gentle chin rubs. She’d be perfect if you’re looking for a friend for your cat as she’d love to live with a cat sibling or two. Petra’s ideal home Every year, an estimated 2 has older children, who’ll nurture her as she adjusts to being part of a family. million homeless pets are #GetYourRescueOn euthanized. Our goal: a no-kill !eon – ID: #E01583 & Samwell – ID: #E01584 DOUBLE ADOPTION: When 6eon and Samwell arrived at our Adoption Center, each struggled to ad- world where all homeless pets just to this new setting after being rescued from a dangerous situation. Once re- find loving homes. Here are some united, they quickly curled up around each other and we made a promise that they’d never be apart again. We’re looking for a family who’ll enjoy watching sweet, beautiful animals that their friendship flourish. A peaceful home with older children will assure this desperately need a home. bonded pair that the future is bright. #GetYourRescueOn #GetYourRescueOn. For information on how to meet our adoptable pets, please e-mail [email protected], call 516-883-7575 or visit animalleague.org/adopt. NOVEMBER 2019 • BLACK CAR NEWS • 25 NO FEES NO DUES

Consider whether your base can really survive during these very competitive times? Will they miss another voucher check? Will they terminate your contract? Are their doors always closed when you need help most? Are they dispatching you enough calls? Now consider Tel-A-Car. We’ve never missed a voucher check in over 25 years. We’ve never terminated a contract because of an economic downturn. We offer Voucher Payment via Comdata debit card, a driver friendly base, SUV and Business Class Millennium Service work, and we'll even help you earn a bonus when you complete a driver's safety course. Now the only question718-956-9111 left is what are you waiting for? Call us today at to begin your career in a Black Car service that’s truly accelerating into the future. Those who qualify can earn these MILLENNIUM rates: Local $55 •LGA $60 •JFK $83 • NWK $85

0ARASU COMODIDAD PREGUNTE POR NUESTROREPRESENTANTE EN%SPA×OL R#OCCO% 3 ! 2 SACRAMONE2 / $ 2 ) ' 5 % : KEVIN CHANG + % 6 ) . # ( ! . '

718-956-9111 ext 3468 718-956-9111 ext 3470

718 - 956 - 9111 1440 39TH STREET BROOKLYN NY 11218 WE OFFER LINE WORK TOO

This advertisement is not an offering. An offering can only be made by prospectus filed with the Department of Law of New York State. Such filing does not constitute approval by the Department of Law. Base License #BO1197 26 • BLACK CAR NEWS • NOVEMBER 2019 NOVEMBER 2019 • BLACK CAR NEWS • 27 BLACK CAR NEWS 2C8 • OMMIS• NSOVEIMOBER N2019 ER’S CORNER By Bill Heinzen

Safety Honor Roll One driver we recognized was Mr. Chaudhry Hussain, who The best day of the year at the TLC is always our Safety originally came to New York from Pakistan, and has lived in As - Honor Roll. This year marked our sixth, and we had the opportu - toria ever since then. He’s been on the job for 29 years, and he nity in October to recognize more than 480 licensees at a reception told us that he likes to be his own boss and meet new people. in the Queens Theatre in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park. We “Part of what makes my job easier is driving safely,” he said. honored 433 drivers for their safety records – as well as 25 bases, “In order to drive safely, I have [to keep] a cool mind. This is very fleets, and commuter van companies. We also celebrated the important. I don’t drive fast. If someone tries to give me trouble, achievements of drivers who made important contributions to our I say sorry sir, you can go. If someone gives me a honk, I say, you Accessible Dispatch Program – one driver did more than 350 trips go first.” in 10 months – as well as for customer service. He’s right – a major part of what makes a safe driver in a big At the ceremony, one of the top highlights, hands down, is city like New York is keeping your cool. We greatly appreciate the meeting drivers’ families. We are so glad to see them spend such calmness, focus, and positive energy he brings to the job. a special day together. We also enjoy hearing speeches from our “Pedestrians always go first,” he said. “I always give respect driver and base honorees, who have so much wisdom to share. to everyone.” I want to use the opportunity in this column to spotlight taxi driver Howard Kugelman, who has been on the Honor Roll for all six years. The son of a driver, he has been a taxi driver for many decades. We are in awe of his safe driving skills and strong work ethic – thank you, Mr. Kugelman, for helping so many New York - ers get to where they need to go. This year, we also recognized Mavrik Transportation, a Floral Park base that has a great safety record. Their owner, Bijoy Saha, said they’ve never had to report a crash in their 15 years. “We educate our drivers carefully, making sure that they know speeding is one of the top causes for getting into a crash,” he said. “Mavrik is proud to be part of Vision Zero, and to have some of the safest drivers in New York City. It means a lot to our base to be here today.” Well, it means a lot to the TLC that the honorees and their families take time out every year for this special recognition. The number of safe drivers continues to grow every year – and we hope to see many more honorees next year! Customer Service Week With over 300,000 licensees, customer service is of critical im - portance to the TLC. Whether it’s resolving a licensing issue, tracking down a missing item, or helping an applicant prepare for the TLC Driver Exam, customer service is a major part of our work. This year, we decided to recognize TLC staffer Stephanie Toro for always going above and beyond to answer questions and resolve issues that drivers are facing. “I like to give one on one assistance to get to the root of the issue,” she said. To connect drivers with resources, she sends out a newsletter to licensees called Keys to the City. It always includes a spotlight profile to recognize outstanding drivers. Stephanie also handles many of our bilingual efforts, often providing interpretation serv - ices at a moment’s notice, and plays a major role in organizing our Safety Honor Roll every year. We appreciate the important work she does as a touchpoint for industry members and licensees looking to help. Congratula - tions on this important achievement! NOVEMBER 2019 • BLACK CAR NEWS • 29 30 • BLACK CAR NEWS • NOVEMBER 2019 IATR OUTLOOK By Professor Matthew W. Daus, Esq. AIRPORT ACCESS FEES AT JFK, LGA & NEWARK Everything NYC Area & NJ Operators Need to Know to Prepare

The Port Authority of New York and was called a “work in progress,” where staff cess fees. In fact, much of the doom and New Jersey (Port) is one of the last major was suggesting companies individually get gloom that was predicted in response to the airport authorities in the United States back to them with what they can afford to congestion fees that began in early 2019 did without a ground transportation permit and pay, and what their requests and concerns not come to pass, although there was some access fee system in place for taxicabs, for- were. Despite the existence of many limou - limited grumbling and ridership loss. This hire vehicles or Transportation Network sine and black car trade groups, Port staff may have prompted the Port to take up the Companies (TNCs) at any of its three major went to all of the TNCs and premium luxury access fee issue despite the hostile political airports: Newark, LaGuardia and John F. limousine companies directly. This divide and business climate. Kennedy. There are many reasons this has and conquer strategy led to many complaints In any event, the Port, this time, instead not happened, which include rumors (or leg - from the industry about the process, the tim - of taking a divide and conquer strategy, en - ends) of well-connected taxi owners in Eliz - ing, and whether an access fee was wise gaged in a more open process. The agency abeth, N.J., lobbyists pushing back, and the given many other fees and increased travel met with stakeholders and held many public Port simply never getting around to it, either costs. hearings to gather comments and informa - because they did not need the money, or the The inconveniences for all ground trans - tion before making policy decisions. political hassle of dealing with driver portation created by the construction at La - The Port’s Final & Approved Access Fee Plan protests, or both. Guardia airport, which involved many Before 9/11, there was a shortage of taxi - industry and passenger complaints, also On September 26, 2019, the Port Author - cabs and high demand for air travel, so it happened shortly thereafter and may have ity Board approved the access fees at the made sense not to scare away taxicabs by impacted the decision to wait until things agency’s Airports as part of a package of toll imposing fees to access the airports to pick- calmed down; including allowing the Port to and fare hikes. Starting October 3, 2020, all up and drop-off passengers. Also, the growth show it had new and improved roads, serv - for-hire vehicles – including app-based serv - of TNCs in the last decade has led parking ices, parking, and amenities to justify the ices like Uber and Lyft – will be charged revenue to decline or stagnate at airports fees they planned to charge. The reconstruc - $2.50 for each pick-up and drop-off, pooled across the U.S., including the Port. Initially, tion project also allowed the Port to test FHVs will be charged $1.25 for each pick-up TNCs were sent cease and desist letters, and whether new pick-up areas and curb space and drop-off, and taxis will be charged an banned from airports for duty of care issues reassignments could work from a traffic flow initial fee of $1.25 for pick-ups only, increas - and failure to meet regulatory or permit re - standpoint. So the decision was made to ing to $1.75 per taxi pick-up beginning on quirements, but then, many airport officials delay consideration of this initiative until, October 1, 2022. corralled the golden geese. Not only do 130 conveniently, after the 2018 gubernatorial The compromise that was reached, to the airports in North America now offer TNC election, as it would also have been highly Port’s credit, was a reduction in fees to be service, but many charge access fees and unpopular with passengers. It thereafter be - charged to all groups, less fees for taxicabs bring in millions of dollars in revenue from came a watch and wait strategy for the right (given the hardships the industry experi - contracting for premium curb space access timing, and it was well known in the indus - enced), treating all for-hire vehicles equally, and well-placed advertising privileges. try and in Port circles that it would be a done and, of course, phasing in the fees for taxis Then all of that changed for New York deal that the fees would come at some point. over time. The approved plan scaled back and New Jersey a few years ago in spring What we didn’t know was: how much and the Airport access fees from $4 for each FHV 2017, when Port staff attended a conference when?! passenger pick-up and drop-off and $4 for of the Airport Ground Transportation Asso - As promised and predicted many times each taxi pick-up that was originally pro - ciation (AGTA) that I usually speak at. Staff over the last few years, it finally happened. posed back in June. The approved plan also took copious notes during a presentation by The timing of discussing the fees, however, added a discount for pooled FHV rides and a San Francisco International Airport (SFO) at first appeared to come at a time when in - reduced the cost for FHVs and taxis to ac - official who talked about many millions of creasing the cost of taxi and FHV fares count for the current industry conditions for dollars in permit revenue and administra - would be controversial. Business in the tra - taxis and FHVs. According to the fee sched - tive fines TNCs were generating for SFO. ditional for-hire (limo, black car and livery) ule, “[p]ooled FHV rides are where two or The Port has been looking for new revenue and taxicab industries is declining due to the more paying parties share a single pre- sources for years. The agency is self-funding unprecedented growth of Uber and Lyft – arranged FHV ride and pay separately.” All – meaning it does not rely on taxes or fund - with suicides being committed by medallion of these changes were made following com - ing from the states of New York or New Jer - owners and other for-hire drivers as a result ments that the Port received during the pub - sey. To fund itself, the Port says that it of lost income and medallion investments – lic comment period. “work[s] very aggressively to generate rev - and the implementation of the first-ever con - enue from businesses that use our facilities,” gestion pricing fees which includes passengers and for-hire ve - in Manhattan’s hicles that want to access the terminals. It Central Business has “long been understood that the agency District. The must supplement its revenue – by making protests led by taxi use of its legal authority to collect tolls, and for-hire driver fares, and fees from individual users of its groups, and harsh facilities.” criticism, did not The Port staff, upon returning home, deter the Port from started holding many individual meetings moving forward with various limousine and app-based com - with finally imple - panies, with a draft privilege permit that menting Airport ac - Source: Port Authority of New York and New Jersey5 NOVEMBER 2019 • BLACK CAR NEWS • 31

The Port’s Driver Experience Improvement Plan the scope and exact details have not yet minal fees. The Prevention of Unreasonable been worked out. The Port is meeting with Fees Act (PUFA) would have allowed air - Kudos go to the Port for announcing interested stakeholders and is seriously ports and other transportation terminals to that it will make improvements to the Air - noting input and making policy decisions, charge “reasonable fees” to cover the costs port taxi dispatch systems, traffic manage - so now is the time for the industry to be of “ancillary services,” including restrooms, ment, and facilities and amenities at the heard. and vending machines, information monitor hold-lots for drivers. The near- and long- access for arrivals/departures, and other fa - term improvements include upgrading and Does the Port’s Access Fee Plan Violate the Federal R.I.D.E Act of 2002? cilities “necessary, appropriate, desirable, replacing temporary restroom and break fa - or useful to the business of providing pre- cilities with permanent structures, enhanc - Some in the limousine industry, espe - arranged ground transportation service.” ing cellular service, making healthier cially in New Jersey, have raised the issue Even if PUFA had passed, it seems like for- options available at the holding lot cafete - of whether the Real Interstate Driver’s Eq - hire vehicles would be in the same position rias. These improvements for drivers are uity Act of 2002 (RIDE Act) prohibits the they are now, facing access fees that will be part of the “Driver Experience Improve - Port from charging fees at all for interstate used to cover the costs of ground trans - ment Plan” that the Port Authority Board trips. The RIDE Act, 49 U.S.C. § 14501(d), portation management at the Airports. also adopted via resolution on September is a federal law that prohibits a state from 26th. requiring an out-of-state car service obtain Where Do We Go From Here?! Some Histor - ical Lessons & Guidance The Driver Experience Improvement a license or pay a fee “on account of the fact Plan also calls for increasing the Port’s ef - that a motor vehicle is providing pre- In sum, industry stakeholders should be forts to combat illegal passenger pick-ups arranged ground transportation service.” thankful that the Port, while not giving by educating customers about the dangers Essentially, the law bars states or localities them the result they all wanted (no fees), of illegal drivers and the safety and ease of from requiring a license or fee to provide listened and made changes to apply the a legitimate Airport pick-up. The Port also pre-arranged ground transportation inter - rules with thoughtful consideration for the plans to ramp up enforcement by adding state. macro-challenges being faced outside the extra enforcement officers, including under - It does not appear that the RIDE Act airports. So, while the Port is off to a good cover and specially-trained hack officers, has been used to challenge airport ground start on reducing the fees, more reasonable and coordinating enforcement efforts with transportation fees, at least not success - timing and equitable considerations, the District Attorneys and other relevant agen - fully. On its face, one might contend the law dawn of a new era has begun. Just like the cies, like the New York City Taxi and Lim - does not seem to prohibit a state or airport first time taxicab fares started being regu - ousine Commission (“TLC”). The Port also authority from requiring FHVs obtain a lated, the politics and business implications wants to rebuild trust with the services and permit or pay a fee for access to, or use of, of the impact of airport access fees on other drivers who serve the Airport and plans to an airport terminal as part of an interstate policy decisions made by the TLC and pri - do so by establishing regular and suitably trip. The RIDE Act was enacted to address vate business decisions are here to stay, and high-level communications channels with the problem of car services being regulated will become more complicated over time. Port staff. by multiple jurisdictions while operating in It is rare in the history that when tolls The Plan to Implement & Enforce interstate commerce. Congress clearly in - or fees are imposed they are ever reduced the Access Fees – A Work in Progress tended to prevent states from requiring car or removed. The only recent historical ex - services “purchase additional permits from ample was in the summer of 1997 (an elec - While most industry leaders have ac - a local government in order to provide tion year) when then-New York City Mayor cepted the new fees and compromise, there round trip service” between two states. The Rudy Giuliani removed the fee for the is still some doubt about the impacts of the intent was not to prevent out-of-state FHVs Staten Island ferry, after the borough voted fees, implementation and enforcement con - from being charged any fees if a trip takes overwhelmingly for him in the first election. cerns, and other issues swirling about. With them into another state, such as crossing In 1911, New York City Mayor William J. respect to implementation of the payment tolls or on-street parking meters. Gaynor removed the tolls on the East River of the fees, the Port has indicated payment Airport terminal access fees possibly bridges, never to return until our recent dis - will be similar to the collection of the con - fall within an exemption in the RIDE Act cussions decades later as part of congestion gestion surcharge or MTA taxes, where that allows airport operators to “contract to pricing, MOVE-NY and Fix NYC. Now, bases or licensed companies will be tracked provide preferential access or facilities to there will be constant oversight exerted by using technology, but may be required to one or more providers of pre-arranged the Port on the industry and passengers as pay periodically after receiving invoices, es - ground transportation service.” While some an extra revenue source, just like the Met - timates or some other payment notice – as might argue that an access fee is not neces - ropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) opposed to using costly transponders to gain sarily a contract, the Senate Report simply has been doing for years with the MTA tax access to the airports used around the U.S. states that the RIDE Act does “not prohibit on taxicabs. Industry stakeholders and Regarding enforcement, the Port indi - airport, train, or bus terminal operators drivers will always be looking over their cated it will be enforcing the fees by denying from providing preferential access or facili - shoulders and cringing whenever fees are companies entry to the airport via law en - ties to one or more transportation provider” raised in the future – as they will most cer - forcement checks for delinquent companies, without mention of contracts. It could very tainly go up-and-up-and-up, over time – as though there will be challenges in doing so well be that the Port intends to issue privi - history has shown. given how drivers work for multiple compa - lege permits to all taxi and FHV companies nies and apps, and many taxicab companies in a manner that would allow the access fee in New Jersey do not have GPS app tech - implementation to look like a contract and Professor Matthew W. Daus, Esq. is President, International Association of Transportation nology or credit card payment systems. The not a license. Certainly, the draft privilege Port also indicated it will be issuing permits Regulators ( http://iatr.global/ ); Transportation permits disseminated to companies in the Technology Chair, City University of New York, to companies, to help with collection of the past had the look and feel of a contract. Transportation Research Center at The City fees and accountability. In the past, Congress attempted, unsuc - College of New York ( http://www.utrc2.org/ ); and While there are several software com - cessfully, to pass legislation amending the Partner and Chairman, Windels Marx Transportation Practice Group panies being considered, and a bid will RIDE Act to prevent the airports from im - likely be held to geo-fence and track all ve - (http://windelsmarx.com ). He can be reached at: posing “unreasonable” transportation ter - [email protected] or 212.237.1106. hicles coming onto Port airport premises,

“LIKE” BLACK CAR NEWS FOR BREAKING NEWS. 32 • BLACK CAR NEWS • NOVEMBER 2019 BY BERTRAM MERLING LOSS CONTROL COORDINATOR , DEFENSIVE DRIVING HEREFORD INSURANCE COMPANY BE PREPARED: THE HOLIDAYS AND WINTER WEATHER ARE COMING The holiday season kicks off later this mon – but incorrect – reaction is to con - pushed out of trouble. These situations can month with Thanksgiving, and colder tinue turning the steering wheel. This be avoided by following these suggestions: weather is on the way. This month, we will can make things worse. If the icy condi - • Stay off the road when traveler’s warn - offer tips on holiday parties, dealing with tions end and the front tires regain grip, ings are issued. Winter storm alerts are snow and ice and ways to prepare for the your car will dart in whatever direction a serious business. Many motorists wind months ahead. the wheels are pointed – which could be up stranded because they leave home or oncoming traffic or a telephone pole. work after being warned roads are im - Holiday Parties • Do not rush to pick up a radio or pre - passible. Every year around this time, holiday par - arranged passenger. Offer ETAs that you • If you’re away from home and road con - ties increase the number of people who drive can realistically keep. Remember: Your ditions suddenly become impassible, stay while intoxicated, so keep an eye out and use safety and the safety of your passengers where you are. As much as you might extra caution in the months leading up to are of utmost importance. want to get home, you don’t want to get New Year’s Eve. • After a snowstorm, continue to use cau - stuck in a snowdrift halfway there. Don’t • Thankfully, people who drink at holiday tion when you are outside your vehicle as - bet your life (or anyone else’s) on four- parties often make the wise choice to take sisting passengers. Slippery sidewalks wheel drive. In a serious blizzard, you’re a taxi or FHV, as suggested by public can cause dangerous falls and watch for not much better off than someone in a service announcements. Please be pre - ice melting and falling from high rise conventional car. pared to be a little more patient than buildings. usual. These passengers may be intoxi - • Children and teenagers often throw “Winterize” Your Vehicle cated – which can be irritating – but re - snowballs at taxis and FHVs as a prank. Before the First Snowstorm member that they are making the roads DO NOT stop and respond out of anger. Many motorists find themselves stuck or safer by requesting a ride from you. The situation could escalate into a more stranded each winter because of car trouble • Passengers are sometimes depressed dur - serious incident. It could be a trap to get that could have been avoided by simple pre - ing the holiday season for personal rea - you out of your car. ventive maintenance. The following items sons. Spreading joy to such a passenger • Make sure the inside of your windows is should be checked before service stations are will make you feel good and help them thoroughly clean, so you can see properly. jammed: through a tough time. We all know how Apply a water-shedding material (like • Battery charge and condition that feels. Please be extra friendly and Rain-X) to the outside of all windows, in - • Radiator coolant, hoses, thermostat, de - understanding. cluding the mirrors. Make sure your froster/heater, wiper blades and washer windshield washer system works and is fluid Before, During and After a Snowstorm full of an anti-icing fluid. • Spark plugs, engine timing • When it’s snowing or there is snow on the • If your windows are fogged, run the air- • Tires. A tire requires at least a 6/32-inch ground, always try to leave early. Expect conditioner and select the fresh air op - deep tread to have good traction. “All-sea - trips to take twice as long as usual. tion. It’s fine to set the temperature to son” tires often don’t have great snow • Plan your route to avoid steep grades and “hot.” traction. It may be worth using snow tires lightly-traveled roads. • Make sure your headlights and taillights during the winter months. Make sure • Slow down. Icy or snowy roads reduce a are clear of snow. If you have an older car your rear tires have at least as much vehicle’s traction and can cause loss of with sand-pitted headlights, get a new tread as your front tires. If you choose control. Under these conditions, the set of lenses. There are products designed winter tires, get four. speed limit is often NOT a safe speed. to prevent future pitting. • Defroster and Heater • Increase your following distance. It can • Watch out for “black ice.” If the road looks • Headlights, taillights and turn signals take from 3 to 10 times longer to stop on slick, it probably is. Black ice is nearly • Brake condition and adjustment winter-slick pavement than a dry road. transparent and often looks like a harm - • Oil (use winter grade oil) The “two-second rule” for determining a less puddle. It’s not harmless. • Windshield wiper blades safe following distance must be increased • Remember where icy roads tend to occur, accordingly to avoid “rear-ender” acci - like bridges and intersections, and drive Keep an emergency Survival Kit in Your Vehicle dents. accordingly. Store the following items in your vehicle • Most vehicles now have ABS (anti-lock • ESC (electronic stability control) and BEFORE winter weather sets in: braking systems). If you have ABS and AWD (all-wheel drive) are great features • Several warm blankets begin to skid, it is recommended that you but technology offers no miracles, and can • Small shovel, sand and/or kitty litter stomp hard on the pedal and hold it down get you in trouble by offering a false sense • Safety flares while steering around the obstacle. Just of security. AWD can help a vehicle accel - • Flashlight with extra batteries remember: A little bit of steering goes a erate or keep moving; but can’t help you • Jumper cables very long way in an emergency. On icy or turn on a snow-covered road or stop at an • A red flag or cloth snow-covered roads, modify your ABS icy intersection. ESC can help prevent • Warm socks, an extra pair of gloves or technique. After you “stomp” and the spinouts, but doesn’t add traction to tires. mittens, a warm hat or cap, extra ABS begins cycling – and you feel pulses • Keep your vehicle interior warm but re - sweaters or shirts or hear the system working – ease up member: An excessively warm vehicle • Spare ice scraper slightly on the pedal until the pulsing can make you drowsy. Alternate vehicle • An extra “fully charged” cell phone bat - happens only once a second. temperatures to prevent drowsiness. tery • If you have an older car without ABS and Open the driver-side window periodically feel your car sliding, push the brake to allow in fresh air. • Several chocolate or high energy food pedal hard until the wheels stop rolling, bars then immediately release the brake long Heed Winter Storm Warnings enough to allow them to begin turning Thousands of motorists get stranded dur - Bertram Merling is the Loss Control again. Repeat this sequence rapidly to get ing the winter months. Some die, others suf - Coordinator for Hereford Insurance Company. maximum grip for your tires. fer injuries and frostbite. Still others must He welcomes your questions and comments, and • Too much steering can be dangerous in a endure delays and the inconvenience of wait - can be reached at 718.361.9191 ext. 7235, or slide. If your front tires lose grip, the com - ing until someone up ahead is towed or via email at [email protected] NOVEMBER 2019 • BLACK CAR NEWS • 33 34 • BLACK CAR NEWS • NOVEMBER 2019 Join Our Team at VITALVVIVITVITA Vital Transportation Inc. LOOKING FOR Base PROFESSIONAL License #B00789 DRIVERS WITH LATE MODEL CARS

As Proud Members of The Black Car Fund, Our Drivers Receive: • Workers’ Compensation insurance at NO • A $50,000 Driver Death Benefit, in the event a COST to them – with wage replacement and driver passes away while on the job. Loved ones medical benefits if they are injured on the job. are eligible for a $50,000 payment to help them Medical expenses, hospital fees and medication recover from the tragedy. costs related to an injury are also covered. • A FREE Vision Plan, entitling them to a full • $300 every three years for taking The Fund’s annual eye exam and a FREE pair of glasses. Defensive Driving course, which also helps • Access to a FREE Telemedicine Program that reduce points on your license and fulfills TLC provides them AND their families with free requirements. doctor’s consultations by telephone or video • $150 for completing The Black Car Fund conference, even if the health issue is not related Wellness, Safety and Education Program to a Workers’ Compensation claim. (STEP), which offers seminars on maintaining a • Access to the Black Car Fund’s Driver healthy lifestyle – both physically and mentally. Wellness program, which provides a suite of free Topics include Stress Reduction, Healthy Driving, counseling, case management services and classes Hands-Only CPR training, Transportation-on- to address and prevent crisis situations – available Patrol, Share the Road and AMBER Alert in English, Spanish, Urdu, Bengali, and Mandarin. Response Training.

• More than 35 years in business • Never missed a paycheck • Plenty of Out-of-Town work • Long standing customer relationships • No Favoritism • Financing for Vehicles CALL Visit Our Convenient Location at: 718-472-2500 41-24 38th Street 718-472-2500Ext. 3010 Ext.Long 3010 Island City, NY 11101 NOVEMBER 2019 • BLACK CAR NEWS • 35

No appointment or car necessary, but if you do have a 2011 or newer model car please call Patricio to see if your vehicle is acceptable. Come see and talk to us. Find out how you can become part of our family. Where you can exceed your expectations. For further information call Patricio Martinez (718) 482-8585 Extension 3233. 36 • BLACK CAR NEWS • NOVEMBER 2019 DRIVERS UNITED BY BRENDAN SEXTON RUNNING WATER RESTROOMS AT LAST! PLUS, FREE FLU SHOTS THROUGH NOV. For-hire vehicle drivers can breathe a that port-a-potties were a temporary The last thing drivers need is to get sick sigh of relief that at long last there are measure and we demanded running water and have to miss a week of work, and the running water restrooms at the FHV lots facilities, as well as a washing station and flu can be brutal. Get your free flu shot at at JFK, LaGuardia and Newark airports. suitable space for prayer or meditation. any Rite-Aid (many of them have parking). As of this fall, there are running water We began holding regular conferences Sign up to get your voucher for the free restroom trailers at all three airport wait - with Port Authority, and over two and a shot (redeemable at any Rite Aid) at dri - ing lots for the very first time. Port Au - half years we worked with them to re - versbenefits.org/flu or call 1-855-979-1445. thority also passed a measure to build search the costs of obtaining and main - When you activate your Drivers Bene - permanent running water restrooms and taining restroom trailers, getting water to fits to get your flu shot you will also get ac - prayer/meditation space at its airport lots. the lot and insuring the facilities. cess to other free benefits. Our Nearly three years ago, the Independ - We are pleased that the more than telemedicine benefit allows you to connect ent Drivers Guild launched the campaign 100,000 for-hire vehicle drivers who serv - with a doctor via phone or video chat 24 for restrooms at the airports. We organ - ice these airports now have the dignity of hours per day, seven days per week. The ized petitions and calls to Port Authority sanitary facilities. vision benefit entitles you to a free vision and brought the media out to the lots to check and free glasses. There are also a expose the problem. After years with no fa - FREE FLU SHOTS number of other benefits available from cilities at all at the JFK airport lot, we won We are also pleased to be able to offer free classes to accident support. More than the first ever port-a-potties at the JFK lot free flu shots again this year to Black Car 300 drivers came out to learn about these in 2017. and App-based drivers in partnership with benefits and sign up at a recent Drivers We made clear to the Port Authority Drivers Benefits and the Black Car Fund. Benefits event in Queens.

Brendan Sexton is Executive Director of the Independent Drivers Guild, an affiliate of the International Association of Machinists, which represents and advocates for more than 80,000 app-based drivers in New York City. We’re Uber, Lyft, Juno and Via workers united for a fair industry. Follow the IDG on twitter at @drivingguild. FIND OUT MORE ABOUT WWW.BLACKCARNEWS.COM OUR AD RATES WWEE WONWON NYC is the first city to set a minimum wage for App-Based Drivers

We won the fair pay campaign for FHV drivers in New York City. Effective mid-January of 2019 over 77,000 drivers will benefit from the pay floor rule which is a 44.7 percent increase in take-home pay. We've also won tipping in the app!

For MoreDRIVE Info Text64336 to message and data rates may apply

Become a dues-payingUnlock full benefits. member today! IDG.ms/BCNjoin NOVEMBER 2019 • BLACK CAR NEWS • 37 CHECK OUT THE NEW BB-I-C-I-C BROKERAGE ONLINE EDITION OF BRONX INSURNACE CENTER 660 E Fordham Rd. • Bronx, NY, 10458 BLACK CAR NEWS www.bicinsurance.net Phone: 718-220-1111 / Fax: 718-220-1161

ALL FORMS www. OF INSURANCE: Black Car Yellow Taxi Car Service Green Car BLACK Personal Auto Home Commercial Business CAR Mon-Fri: 9am - 7pm Sat: 11am - 5pm Sun: closed

Call Us For A Free Quote NEWS English, Spanish, Hindi, Urdu, Bangla What We Have To Offer You: • Help With Claims • High Limits of Liability Up to • Great Customer Service $1.5 Million Available .com • Multiple Carriers to Shop From • Staff With Up To 30 Years of Experience

New Opportunities for Experienced Independent Operators in NY, NJ and CT

NYC TLC Base License # B00837 Interested please call 718‐784‐5717 38 • BLACK CAR NEWS • NOVEMBER 2019 ATTORNEY’S CORNER BY LAURENCE I. CO HEN NEW YORK ENACTS GREATER WORKPLACE PROTECTIONS FOR VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE On August 20, 2019 New York State amended its Human Rights • Refuse to hire or terminate someone because they are a victim Law to provide victims of domestic violence with greater protections of domestic violence; in the workplace. This amendment, which has an effective date of • Terminate someone because they are a victim of domestic vio - November 18, 2019, provides domestic violence victims with greater lence; protections against discrimination and also requires employers to • Discriminate against a victim of domestic violence with respect provide “reasonable accommodations” to workers who have experi - to compensation, or terms, conditions, or privileges of employ - enced domestic violence. ment; The following is a summary of these recent changes, and an • Print or circulate a statement, advertisement, or publication overview of what employers need to know in order to prepare for and that discriminates and/or expresses any limitation about some - comply with the new requirements. one’s status as a victim of domestic violence; or • Use an employment application or make an employment-related Who is Protected by This Law? inquiry that expresses any limitation, specification or discrimi - While the current law already prohibits employers from discrim - nation about someone’s status as a victim of domestic violence. inating against employees who have experienced domestic violence, this new amendment broadens the definition of “victim of domestic What Reasonable Accommodations are Required? violence” to comport with the definition contained in the NYS Do - Employers are required to provide employees who are victims of mestic Violence Prevention Act. That law defines a victim of domestic domestic violence with reasonable accommodations, unless doing so violence as “any person over the age of 16, any married person or would present an “undue hardship” to the employer and its business. any parent accompanied by his or her minor child or children in sit - Reasonable accommodations include time off in order to: uations in which such person or such person’s child is a victim of an • Seek medical attention for injuries caused by domestic violence act which would constitute a violation of the penal law, including, to the employee and/or the employee’s child; but not limited to acts constituting disorderly conduct, harassment, • Obtain services from a domestic violence shelter, program, or aggravated harassment, sexual misconduct, forcible touching, sexual rape crisis center; abuse, stalking, criminal mischief, menacing, reckless endanger - • Seek psychological counseling for the employee and/or the em - ment, kidnapping, assault, attempted assault, attempted murder, ployee’s child due to a domestic violence incident; criminal obstruction of breathing or blood circulation, strangulation, • Participate in safety planning or take other actions to increase identity theft, grand larceny or coercion” where the “act or acts have safety for the employee and/or the employee’s child; or resulted in actual physical or emotional injury or have created a sub - • Obtain legal services, assist in the prosecution of an offense, or stantial risk of physical or emotional harm to such person or such appear in court proceedings related to the domestic violence in - person’s child” and “such act or acts are or are alleged to have been cident. committed by a family or household member.” Employees are required to provide reasonable advance notice of the need for an accommodation if same is possible. For example, an What Does the Law Prohibit? employee would be expected to provide notice of the need to attend The law makes it an unlawful discriminatory practice to: a court proceeding scheduled months in advance, but not to seek medical attention for injuries sustained the previous evening. Time off may be counted against any paid time off the employee has accrued. If the employee has no such accrued time (e.g. paid sick and safe leave time for New York City employers; vacation time; etc.), the time need not be paid, though employers may obviously choose to do so voluntarily. With respect to employer refusals based upon undue hardship, all such refusals should be carefully considered, preferably with the assistance of counsel, and based upon a compelling business reason. The fact that the employer will be inconvenienced is neither a com - pelling nor valid reason, nor is the fact that the employee may have already taken too much time off. An invalid reason will be regarded as a violation of the law, and like any other violation of the Human Rights Law (which, in addition to discrimination based upon domes - Wants to Expand its Readership! tic violence victim status protects against discrimination against race, color, creed, national origin, sex, age, disability, sexual orien - Are there any locations in NYC tation, marital status, military status and predisposing genetic char - where you would like us to deliver the paper? acteristics), there are potent penalties for violations. Summary • Car Washes We strongly recommend that managers and supervisors be brought up to speed with respect to these changes to the law. Do - • Restaurants mestic violence is no laughing matter, and while most employers will • Gas Stations bend over backwards to help an employee who has experienced such violence, there is always the risk that an ill-informed managerial or • Repair Shops supervisory employee ignorant of the law’s requirements will im - • Bases properly handle an accommodation request. It is your company that will ultimately pay the price should that occur. •If itE's ta cpl…ace i n NYC where drivers As always, we recommend that should you have questions re - congregate or visit regularly, we are garding compliance with this or any other law, those questions happy to deliver bundles FREE of charge. should be discussed with your attorneys, PEO and/or other advisors. Email us at [email protected] with Kenneth R. Tuch, Esq. and Laurence I. Cohen, Esq. are partners with Tuch & recommendations and we will do our best to Cohen, LLP, with offices at 1025 Old Country Road, Suite 411, Westbury, NY have the paper delivered there every month. 11590. The firm specializes in commercial and employment litigation, including misclassification, wage and hour, employment practices, franchising and business Please include the name of the business, the practice matters, and transactional matters. The foregoing is provided solely as address (full address, if possible – but as general information, is not intended as legal advice, and may not be applicable much info as you have otherwise) and a within your jurisdiction or to your specific situation. contact phone number (if possible). You are advised to consult with your attorneys for guidance before relying upon any of the information presented herein. NOVEMBER 2019 • BLACK CAR NEWS • 39

DRIVING THE BLA CK C AR INDUSTR Y FOR WARD

WE FIGHT ON BEHALF OF THE BLACK CAR INDUSTR Y ALL DA Y, EVER Y DA Y. BECOME A MEMBER TODA Y TO HELP PROTECT OUR INDUSTR Y’S FUTURE.

A SM AR T, AFFORD ABLE PLAN FOR ACCESSIBLE VEHICLES We r ec en tly cr ea ted our o wn ac cessible vehicle dispa tch ser vic e, a voiding an una or dable TL C manda te while ensur ing wheelchair r iders get the ser vic e they deser ve.

OUR BIG WIN ON FEES Ear lier this y ear , our adv ocac y led t o a new sta te la w tha t will f or ce y ello w cabs t o pa y the same c ongestion pr icing f ees as black cars— ev ening the pla ying eld and pot en tially impr oving tr ac .

UNITING THE INDUSTR Y

The BC AC cr ea ted a w or king g roup tha t is uniting tr aditional black car pr oviders with Uber , L yf t and others t o w or k t ogether suc cessfully on issues tha t e ec t our en tir e industr y.

WWW .NYBCAC.ORG/MEMBERSHIP 40 • BLACK CAR NEWS • NOVEMBER 2019 STREET STORIES BY RH S TOVALL , J R. PANHANDLERS

Encountering panhandlers is a regular ex - enue. At 86th Street, a young man asked me perience for most people in the tri-state area for $20 to buy a bus ticket to Poughkeepsie, to around New York City. FHV chauffeurs are es - visit his sick mother. I went to an ATM – with pecially vulnerable targets because we are (or Elwood in tow – took out $20 and handed it to at least we should be) dressed nicely, with a him. I can’t believe I did that; he could have suit and tie. Also, we usually drive a nice car. killed me! I think Elwood saved my life. Damsel in Distress - asked him why and he said, “to buy cigarettes.” Panhandlers therefore naturally think we have I’m such a sucker for a I told him to stop smoking. I also stopped giv - lots of money. lady. One day, a “damsel in distress” asked me ing him money. Boy, I felt like a chump. Spoiler alert: I don’t. for money while I was filling my gas tank. She Parkway Panhandler - Mr. Gullible - I’m still not sure if I One of my (many) faults is said she needed it for her and her baby. I felt should have believed this one. Early one morn - that I am “Mr. Gullible”… trusting and quick so badly for her. She said, “I need money, but ing, I was at a gas station filling my tank and to believe people that I meet. don’t ask me to do anything for it.” a guy pulled up to me in a really nice pickup In the early 1980s, I went to NYU for four Befuddled, I said I would help her but I truck. He said, “I lost my wallet and I need years, and lived in and around Manhattan for wasn’t going to give her money. Instead, I $1.50 to pay the Parkway toll to get home.” I 10 years after college, in the Yorkville neigh - brought her to a nearby convenience store and said, “That’s a new one.” He scowled at me and borhood. I would walk from 88th Street and said, “Buy what you want to eat and I’ll pay for said he was telling the truth. I handed him two York Avenue to the “Number 6 local” 86th it.” bills. He snatched them, then jumped back into Street subway on Lexington Avenue. I saw Twenty dollars later, she happily walked his pickup without saying a word. I said “you’re panhandlers every single day on my walk to out of the store with two bags of food and dia - welcome” to him as he sped away in the dark. the subway. pers. A week later, I saw her and bought her Now, I offer panhandlers a bottle of water While I was attending NYU, I regularly three things. She was very grateful. The Smoking Doorman - and a Nature Valley granola bar. Most are saw a panhandler on the corner of 8th Street Every morning, I grateful for this small offering. and University Place. It irked me to see him fill my gas tank and get a cup of coffee at the The moral of this street story is, don’t be - out there day after, so one day I said something same gas station and convenience store. For a lieve everything you see or hear – but if you to him that I have since regretted: “Get a job.” few months during the Spring and Summer, can help someone in need, do your part to make I had no right to say that to him, but there there was a man who would open the door to their day. it is. We all do things we regret, I suppose. the food store for customers, just like a door - His reply surprised me: “This IS a job.” man on Park Avenue in Manhattan. Thinking RH Stovall, Jr., is a Senior Executive Chauffeur, Poughkeepsie Panhandler - I’m a little “that could be me,” I would hand him a dollar Trainer & Mentor for Royal Coachman Worldwide ashamed to admit that I fell for one of the old - bill every time I would go in for a cup of coffee. (Denville, NJ) and Leros Point to Point (Valhalla, est scams in the book. I was walking my Early one morning, I handed him a dollar NY). He can be reached at [email protected] friend’s Bulldog, Elwood, down Columbus Av - bill and he said, “I need another dollar.” I or call / text him at 908.358.4172.

Third Generation Brokerage, Inc.

TAXI and BLACK CAR INSURANCE SPECIALISTS & TAXIMedallion and BLAC K CAR INSURANCETransfer, SPECIALISTS Inc. & Medallion T ransfe r, Inc. Licensed TLC B roker #R0018 • Insuring the For Hire Industry — Taxi & Black Car • Providing You Service the Way It Should Be — FAST & COURTEOUS • Insuring the F or Hire Industry – Taxi & Black Car •• Convenient Providing Y Mid-Townou Service Locationthe W ay It — Should Hack StandBe – FAST In Front & COURTEOUS of Office •• Medallion Conv enient Sales, Mid- LeasingTo wn Location and Financing – Hack Stand In F ront of O ffice • Medallion Sales, Leasing and F inancing • Over 25 Years of Industry Experience • Ov er 25 Y ears of Indust ry Experience

435 W 45th St. (Between 9th & 10th Avenues) ~ New York, N.Y. 10036 Phone: 212-582-5721 Fax: 212-582-5722 435 W est 45th St. (Between 9th & 10th A venues)~New York, N.Y. 10036 Lou BakalarPhone: 212 582-5721 F ax: 212 582-5722 Jon Goldbetter Lou BakalarJ on GoldbetterLicensed TLC Broker R0018 NOVEMBER 2019 • BLACK CAR NEWS • 41

B02087

IF YOU ARE NOT GETTING THESE RATES {THEN JOIN US AND INCREASE YOUR PAY!} IF YOU ARE WORKING FOR AN APP COMPANY YOU CAN WORK PART TIME WITH US

AIRPORT LGA ...... $55 JFK ...... $70 EWR ...... $70 TETERBORO . . . . $85 WESTCHESTER . . $106 MACARTHUR . . . $140

$15 Rush Hour fee between 2-6 pm • Personal Loans • Credit Union Loans OTHER • Automatic Deductions For Personal Expenses BENEFITS: • One Of The Strongest Franchises In The Industry No appointment necessary! Free parking in our lot Between 22nd & 23rd Streets @ 718 3rd Ave., Brooklyn NY 11232 We sell and finance cars on site REGARDLESS OF YOUR CREDIT 7.5% APR. with a small down payment • MUST HAVE AT LEAST A 2015 VEHICLE & CURRENT TLC LICENSE •

• Ext 3220 212.629.8833 • Felix ext 3009 This advertisement is not an offering. An offering can only be made by prospectus filed with the Department of Law of the State of New York. Such filing does not constitute approval by the Department of Law. 4I2 N• BLADCK CUAR NSEWS T• NORVEMYBER 201N9 EWS FREE FLU SHOTS FOR BLACK TLC PUBLISHES CAR FUND MEMBER DRIVERS FHV WHEELCHAIR Drivers who work for member companies of The Black Car Fund can get FREE flu shots at any Rite Aid, from now until Nov. ACCESSIBILITY REPORT 30, thanks to The Fund and the Independent Drivers Guild. Health experts highly recommend flu shots, as the illness can The TLC released a compliance report for the first be dangerous, it can spread easily and it is serious, often keeping six months of its new For-Hire Vehicle (FHV) Wheel - drivers out of work for weeks at a time. chair Accessible Vehicle (WAV) program, which went To get a FREE flu shot, drivers must enroll in Drivers Bene - into effect in January 2019. fits by calling (855) 979-1445. Drivers will be given a free When the TLC was developing its new WAV require - voucher, redeemable at any Rite Aid. ments, FHV industry leaders sued the TLC and pushed Source: Local SYR for legislation in Albany to overrule the requirements. This ultimately led to the TLC negotiating a compro - mise, allowing FHV bases to develop centralized dis - BLACK CAR FUND WINS 2019 patch locations to ensure the deployment of more WAVs and holding them to specific wait-time standards. The Black Car Assistance Corp. (BCAC), which was MITCHELL mPOWER AWARD among the groups leading the FHV Coalition, selected In October, The Black Car Fund was one of only two winners Uber as their preferred WAV provider. According to the of the 2019 mPower Award, presented at the Annual Property BCAC, Uber serviced 74% of trips in under 15 minutes and Casualty Conference in Boca Raton Fla. Berj Haroutunian, and 93% of trips in under 30 minutes, which satisfied Executive Chairman of The Black Car Fund and President of both of the TLC’s response time requirements for 2019 Vital Transportation, accepted the award on behalf of The Fund. and positions them well to exceed the 2020 require - The Black Car Fund was recognized for providing Workers’ ments. Compensation and related health benefits to Black Car drivers According to the BCAC, 156 bases did not sign up through their one-of-a-kind model. Watch a video about The with a WAV dispatcher – and of these, only 34 succeeded Black Car Fund’s work here: https://vimeo.com/363321459 in being compliant with the WAV requirements. The Alex Sun, President and CEO of Mitchell, presented the other 122 bases are facing corrective actions from the award. Mitchell is a provider of technology, connectivity and in - TLC. formation solutions to the property and casualty claims and col - Sources: Black Car Assistance Corporation , City & State lision repair industries. Source: The Black Car Fund CARMEL LAUNCHES “CARMEL POOL” Tuch & Cohen LLP OPTION TO ALLOW CUSTOMERS TO SHARE Attorneys at Law RIDES AND FIGHT TRAFFIC CONGESTION

1025 Old Country Road, Kenneth R. Tuch Carmel Car & Limousine announced in October it is join - Suite 411 ing efforts to reduce traffic in Manhattan’s most congested Laurence I. Cohen areas (below 96th street) by launching Carmel Pool, a new Westbury, New York 11590 option that allows passengers to request, and make them - selves available to share rides with another party that has similar pick-up and drop-off locations. Effective Management-Side Representation “We thought it was important to do our part to try to re - to the Ground Transportation Industry duce congestion by pooling likeminded parties located close to each other and going to the same general area,” explained Avik Kabessa, Carmel’s CEO. “In addition to the benefit of SPECIALIZING IN having fewer vehicles in congested areas, those that share rides with another party enjoy a discount on the fare and Litigation and Administrative Proceedings, split the cost of tolls, if they are used.” Contract and Transactional Matters, Carmel’s Pool Option will initially be offered only to cus - tomers calling 866-666-6666 to reserve a car, allowing the Regulatory Issues, and General company to test the program in a controlled environment and determine customer demand. In the coming months, the Business and Corporate Law Pool Option may also be made available for online reserva - tions ( www.CarmelLimo.com ), and for customers booking rides on the Carmel App. Tel: 516-783-0062 “Carmel transports thousands of passengers to and from New York’s airports daily, making the Pool Option a great Fax: 516-783-0082 opportunity for savings, as many of our customers are al - ready going to the same airport,” adds Kabessa. “Once [email protected] pooled, customers sharing a ride [can save] between 20% to 30% on the fare and split the cost of tolls. It can amount to a large saving with very little inconvenience. Our goal is to minimize travel time, adding no more than 15 minutes to a customer’s journey.” Source: Carmel Car and Limousine Service NOVEMBER 2019 • BLACK CAR NEWS • 43 INDUSTRY NEWS NYU TEAM WINS TTA/IATR MICROTRANSIT HACKATHON The Transportation Alliance (TTA) an - received a $5,000 nounced that an engineering team from prize – courtesy of New York University won the association’s The Taxicab, Limou - 2019 Microtransit Hackathon. The TTA sine and Paratransit partnered with the International Associa - Foundation (TLPF) tion of Transportation Regulators (IATR) to and Curb Mobility, host the 2019 Microtransit Hackathon, LLC. which ran Sept. 13-18. The winning team, “Regulators and named NYU BUILT, was one of four teams the for-hire industry to participate in this industry first. must be ahead of the Competing university students exam - curve with new tech - ined anonymized taxi trip data from nology and services to Toronto and St. Louis. They were tasked meet the needs of with identifying efficiencies and profit op - passengers and driv - portunities that could be used to map out ers,” said Matthew possible microtransit routes for eight-pas - W. Daus, President of senger vans also capable of serving as IATR and Trans - Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles. portation Technology Professor Matthew W. Daus, Esq. with the Hackathon Winners The winning team was comprised of Chair at CUNY’s City team advisor Dr. Joseph Chow, team man - College Transport ager Ziyi Ma, and team members Gyugeun Center. “One way that IATR and TTA are tion services for the public through compe - titions involving the academic community.” Yoon, Jinkai Zhou and Yueshuai (Brian) both realizing this vision is by using data- Source: The Transportation Alliance He. For their innovative solution, the team driven approaches to improving transporta -

CHECKOUT OUR ONLINE EDITION 24/7 ACCESS TO THE INDUSTRY WWW.BLACKCARNEWS.COM

Wants to Expand its Readership! Are there any locations in NYC where you would like us to deliver the paper?

• Car Washes If it's a place in NYC where drivers • Restaurants congregate or visit regularly, we are • Gas Stations happy to deliver bundles FREE of charge. • Repair Shops • Bases Email us at [email protected] with recommendations and we will do our best to have the paper delivered there every month. Please include the • Etc… name of the business, the address (full address, if possible – but as much info as you have otherwise) and a contact phone number (if possible). BLACK CAR NEWS 4I4 N•DUSTRY NEWS • NOVEMBER 2019 TLC SAFETY HONOR ROLL RECOGNIZES HUNDREDS OF DRIVERS IN OCT.

The New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC) hosted its sixth annual Vision Zero Safety Honor Roll ceremony in October, recognizing the safety achievements of more than 430 professional drivers. The TLC also celebrated licensees who pro - vided exceptional customer service and the highest number of Ac - cessible Dispatch trips, as well as bases and fleets that set a high bar for safety. All TLC Honor Roll drivers work full-time, have not had any safety violations over the past four years and were not involved in any serious crashes in that time. Combined, they completed a staggering 4.7 million+ trips during that period. “Professional, TLC-licensed drivers do over a million trips a day in New York City, and their commitment to safety while sharing the streets with cyclists and pedestrians has a tremen - dously positive effect on our streets,” said Acting Commissioner Bill Heinzen. “We are excited to recognize this elite group of driv - ers, as well as the bases who make safety part of their mission.” “It is an honor to be a guest for this year’s Annual TLC Safety Honor Roll,” added Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez, Chairman of the Committee on Transportation. “As our streets become more traversed by cyclists and pedestrians seeking alternative modes of transportation, we need to make sure we continue to highlight the importance of road safety. We must also recognize the serv - ices of the men and women who work very hard to make a living driving their livery vehicles and taxis while providing an impor - tant service to our city.” Chaudhry Hussain, a driver for almost 30 years, who was honored and spoke at the event, offered this advice to drivers just starting out: “I would advise her or him to make sure their mind is cool when they are on the job. Always give way to everyone. You will meet many new people on the job, and by respecting everyone on the street, you will help them get to their destination safely.” The following data was provided by the TLC regarding its 2019 Honor Roll. On this year’s Safety Honor Roll, there were 307 Yellow Taxi drivers, 186 For-Hire Vehicle (FHV) drivers, 58 Green Taxi driv - ers and 28 Commuter Van drivers. Of those honored, 39% hailed from Queens, 23% reside in Brooklyn, 18% live in The Bronx, 9% are Manhattan residents and the final 3% call Staten Island home. Seven of the drivers honored were women. Six of the Honor Roll drivers have been recognized each year since 2015. One driver, Howard Kugelman, has been honored all six years the Honor Roll has been in existence. Safest Fleets, Bases and Van Companies The TLC honored 4 Yellow Taxi fleets, 16 car services, and 5 commuter van companies for outstanding safety records. Achievements in Accessibility Through the TLC’s Accessible Dispatch program, passengers are receiving wheelchair accessible service on-demand in all five boroughs. The TLC recognized what they called “Accessibility Leaders” – those that have averaged more than 250 accessible trips since the start of the program in 2017. One honoree com - pleted more than 350 Accessible Dispatch trips between Sept. 2018 and June 2019. Customer Service The TLC also recognized 10 licensees for providing “outstand - ing service” to the riding public, including drivers who went above-and-beyond providing Access-a- Ride trips, and others who went to great lengths to find and return lost property. Learn more about the Vision Zero Driver Safety Honor Roll at: http://www.nyc.gov/html/tlc/html/industry/tlc_safety_honor _roll.shtml . Source: New York City TLC NOVEMBER 2019 • BLACK CAR NEWS • 45 46 • BLACK CAR NEWS • NOVEMBER 2019 INDUSTRY NEWS THE TRANSPORTATION ALLIANCE INSTALLS NEW PRESIDENT, RECOGNIZES INDUSTRY LEADERS AT MOBILIZE 2019 In October, The Transportation Al - liance elected its newest president, be - stowed top awards on fleet executives, From left to right: Al and hosted educational sessions, fun LaGasse, CEO of The networking events and an industry Transportation trade show at Mobilize 2019, the Alliance (TTA); Berj Haroutunian, group’s annual convention and expo, President of Vital held at Bally’s in Las Vegas. Transportation; Tom Arrighi, President of A&A newly-elected TTA Metro Transportation of Bridgewater, President, Thomas Arrighi and Greg Mass., was sworn in as the association’s Haroutunian 2019-2020 president. In his acceptance speech, Arrighi pledged to ensure the association remains focused on diversi - fication, expansion and advocacy as an industry voice in Washington, DC. Attendees also celebrated several well-deserved honors to industry lead - ers, including: • Lifetime Achievement Award: Mark Joseph, former CEO of Transdev North America • Executive of the Year: Dave Gauer, CEO of VIP Taxi in Phoenix, AZ • Honorary Directors: Jim Bell, former CEO of Diamond Taxicab Dispatch service, Toronto, Canada; and Geof - frey Riesel, former CEO of Radio Taxis Group, London, England. Mike Fogarty, President of Addison Lee Group North Avik Kabessa, Carmel Car & Limousine America (left) and Jamie Campolongo, Pittsburgh The 30,000 square foot trade show (right) and Orly Mulero Transportation Group CEO/President floor allowed fleet executives to peruse the latest industry equipment and serv - ices, from vehicles to software to insur - ance, and more. On the educational side of the event, the show featured Learning Labs and three separate tracks of edu - cational sessions: Innovation & Tech - nology, Diversification & Market Trends, and Operational Execllence. Attendees could choose among nine dif - ferent discussions on topics including call center infrastructure, tactics for re - ducing fleet downtime, microtransit business opportunities, new business advice for the procurement of NEMT work, and more. As part of the convention, the asso - ciation’s sister organization – the Taxi - cab, Limousine & Paratransit Foundation – unveiled two new driver recruiting and retention videos avail - able for free to any member. The videos The Curb team answers questions for a are now available on the association’s potential customer on the show floor website in the Members Resource Cen - (from left to right): Athan Rebelos, Emily (customer), Tarek Mallah, Silvio Fontes, ter section. Michael Mintz and Aristeo Layson The association now looks ahead to its next major event: it’s Spring Confer - ence & Expo, which will be held March 18-20 in Boston at the Westin Copley Place. For more information, visit www.thetransportationalliance.org . Arif Choudhury (left) and Gary Taneja from DDS Wireless NOVEMBER 2019 • BLACK CAR NEWS • 47 INDUSTRY NEWS HEREFORD ANNOUNCES DEFENSIVE DRIVING COURSE SCHEDULE

The Hereford Insurance Company has announced the dates of its Defensive Driving classes for the com - ing year. All Hereford insureds receive the course at no cost. Classes will be offered on the following Saturdays: February 22, 2020; June 20, 2020 and October 24, 2020. All classes run from 9:00am to 3:00pm, in the third-floor event room at Hereford: 36-01 43rd Av - enue, Long Island City, New York 11101.

Hereford’s classes are recognized by: • Taxi and Limousine Commission for required li - cense renewals • Department of Motor Vehicles for point reduc - tions • Insurance carriers for rate reductions

Reservations are necessary, and all drivers must provide proof of insurance. For additional information please contact Bertram Merling, Hereford’s Loss Control Coordina - tor at: 718-361-9191 ext. 7235 or bmerling@here - fordinsurance.com.

New TLC Police Grads Increase Street Presence By 60%

The New York City Taxi and Limousine a safe ride, and that licensees are vigilant “Not only will these officers make a Commission (TLC) announced the gradua - as they share the road with pedestrians, cy - major difference in improving public safety tion of its latest class of TLC Police Cadets, clists, and other drivers. Officers are also in New York City by protecting passengers increasing the number of enforcement offi - pivotal to supporting the taxi, for-hire vehi - from unlicensed and underinsured opera - cers in the field by 60%. The graduation, cle, and commuter van drivers and busi - tors,” said Deputy Commissioner of Enforce - held on Oct. 17, brings the number of TLC nesses who follow the rules but are ment Dianna Pennetti. “But their work will Police Officers to 144. financially impacted when illegal operators likewise protect professional licensed driv - Cadets completed a rigorous, 21-week steal their passengers and therefore, cru - ers in the process. Their work is critical to training regimen where they underwent tac - cially-important income.” stopping hustlers at our airports, enforcing tical, fitness, and customer service training “New York City offers the safest for-hire against illegal van operations, Vision Zero – including the safe performance of car stops ride in the world, because of our rigorous enforcement, and deterring illegal street involving aggressive drivers. The Cadets driver background checks and vehicle in - hails citywide.” have become “experts” in conflict defusing, spections,” said TLC Acting Commissioner Thirteen of the new officers are first- defense tactics, as well as the intricacies of Bill Heinzen. “By getting unlicensed drivers generation immigrants, born in Bangladesh, TLC rules and relevant City/State laws. and vehicles off the road, TLC police officers the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Jamaica, Starting in their new roles as TLC officers, keep our streets safer for passengers, pedes - Guyana, Cuba, Trinidad, England, Ecuador, they will continue learning by going out trians and fellow motorists. TLC Police also and the Philippines. with seasoned officers. protect TLC drivers from those who try to According to the TLC, “Enforcement is steal their trips and their ability to support paramount to ensure that passengers have their families.” Source: Metropolitan Airport News

24/7

Newark Airport • BLDG # 349 100 Lindbergh Rd. • Newark, NJ 07114 Ph. 973-642-2886 • Fax. 973-623-2886 www.newarkairportcarwash.com 48 • BLACK CAR NEWS • NOVEMBER 2019

JOIN NO W & $A VE !

L! DEA

Join now and Save 50% on Membership 50% Now Through OFF 2020! Memb ership b enefits include:

• Daily and bi-monthly e-newsletters directly to your inbox discussing the latest transportation news as well as a subscription to our agship, quarterly magazine, Transportation Leader . • Steep discounts to all of our events, including this year ’s annual convention and expo, Mobilize 2019, and opportunities to network with top CEOs and business owners in our industry .

• Access to an exclusive members-only social media portal where eet executives can crowd-source questions, seek advice and connect with fellow operators from across the globe all at the convenience of their smart device. • Members will soon be able to access a new suite of tools and videos to onboard and retain drivers.

• Access new , exclusive members-only discounts on everything from auto part s to ofce supplies.

Visit www .TheT ransportationAlliance.org/Join-Us BLACK CAR NEWS CLASSIFIEDS NOVEMBER 2019 • • 49 CLASSIFIED ADS ARE FREE TO THE DRIVERS IN OUR INDUSTRY!

Want to sell your used vehicle? Want to sell a radio? If you are a • Or, you can mail it to Black Car News at: driver serving our industry, you can sell whatever you like (within 714 Crestbrook Avenue, Cherry Hill, NJ 08003. reason) on our Classifieds page for FREE – including old furni - In all instances, please include your name, phone number, ad - ture, used exercise equipment… whatever you like. dress, email address and the company you are affiliated with. There are three ways to submit your classified ad. • You can visit www.blackcarnews.com, click on the “Classi - All other ads – from bases and the vendors serving our industry fieds” link, enter your information directly into the boxes and – must be display ads. Deadline and pricing information for our hit send. (This is the preferred method.) display ads can be found in the “RATES/DATES” section of our • You can fax your classified ad to 856.751.0657. website, under “Rates and Schedule.”

2016 CADILLAC ESCALADE ESV FOR SALE. Premium Package, black/black Yellow Taxi Drivers Wanted! with 22” chrome rims, new tires, clean Carfax (no accidents). Never used/reg - istered as a livery vehicle. Original owner. Warranty up 70K miles, only • FT/PT – Days/Nights/Doubles - Flexible Schedule 46,850 miles: $51,850. Call Zack 201-290-3660. • Great Location at Subway in Chelsea, Manhattan FOR SALE: 2015 CHEVY SUBURBAN, Black on Black with 96,000 accident- • Prius V Hybrids, Great on Gas free miles. Clean Car Fax. $24,000 firm. Title in hand. Call: 347-384-9201. Get First 6 Shifts 1/2 Price! 2009 LINCOLN TOWN CAR FOR SALE: 349K miles, black, in good shape (runs well). Asking $2,000 or B.O. Call Lewis (retired) at (516) 238-0327. Call Today! 917.374.8538 2011 GMC YUKON XL SLT FOR SALE. Black, 153K upstate NY highway miles, or email [email protected] new trans, tires just one year old, aftermarket headlights, lighted running boards, 22-inch Escalade rims. Needs nothing, detailed and ready to work. Only $12,000. Call: 845-514-5304. BELL RADIO FOR RENT. Bell is part of Executive Charge Transportation Group, PHONE OPERATOR SEEKS OVERNIGHT SHIFT. Highly experienced, will travel cost is $200/month. Please call or text Oscar at 908-477-8524. locally (preferably Brooklyn /Queens), will work ONLY Aleph system. Con - DIAL CAR RADIO FOR LEASE: $50/week. $50/week. Please call/text Mikhail: tact: [email protected] or 917-855-4290. 917-755-5550 NY ONE RADIO FOR LEASE. Voucher work and plenty of line work for serious URGENT: SELLING 2016 LEXUS LX 570. Please directly contact me by email $$. Net $1200+ per week! Just put in the hours. Best deal you will find! for more info: [email protected]. Price: 22,000 Euro. What - Lease $15/per wk. Phone calls only: 917 816-7209. Ask for Irv. sApp No: +919139124955. DIAL CAR FRANCHISE TABLET FOR SALE. Asking $20,000. Contact me at: 2015 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR L FOR SALE: 31K miles, b/b, like new, garage kept, [email protected]. bumper to bumper Lincoln warranty to 100k or 6yrs. Fully loaded, rear enter - 2007 LINCOLN TOWN CAR FOR SALE. Tan on tan, 190,000 miles, many new tainment, trailer hitch, 4+4 22inch wheels, reserve model: $45k. Must be seen parts. Runs good, no major accidents, needs a little work: $2,500 or best and driven! Call Ari: 718-513-9428 or 561-291-2020. offer. Best to reach me by email at [email protected] or leave a mes - DIAL RADIO FOR SALE 10K. Call or text 718-938-1313. sage: (914) 636-0330. 2011 CHEVY SUBURBAN FOR SALE. DIAL CAR FRANCHISE TABLET FOR SALE: 1500 LT 4WD, 270K miles, great car, just $20,000. Please contact: passed TLC inspection in Jan: $12,399. Call Mark (732) 476-7688. [email protected]. 2016 TOYOTA CAMRY SE FOR SALE. 2016 MERCEDES E350 WITH TLC PLATES, leather interior, brand new condition, ready to rent: $500 a week. Plz black/black, 19k miles. Asking price: $17,500. Call 917 968-4487. contact Rashid: 718-666-5511. UTOG RADIO FOR LEASE: $250 per month. Call: 917-545-4960. 2015 FORD FUSION SE FOR SALE. Very low miles (14k), car runs like brand new: $11,999 or best offer. VIN: 3FA6P0H72FR260860. Grey Exterior/Black CAREY LIMO FRANCHISE FOR SALE by owner, 9 years left, retiring: $28K. Call Interior. The car is in Clifton, NJ. Please call Ed: (716) 666-0411. 516-668-6357. 2015 MKT, TLC-READY, MINT CONDITION, lease to own $450/wk. Down pay - (5) 2011 LINCOLN TOWN CARS FOR SALE. Signature, b/b, loaded, all options, ment required. Please call Chris: 718-962-4799. drives perfect, 300k easy Fla. miles. Located in Palm Beach Florida. Call: 561-622-2222. 2015 MKT, TLC-READY, lease to own: $400/week. Please call Chris: 718- 962-4799. LINCOLN MKT TOWN CAR FOR SALE. Like-new condition, covered by man. SKYLINE RADIO FOR LEASE: warranty to 2018/150k miles. Black/black leather, panoramic roof, backup $125 weekly. Please call: (973)866-7797. camera, blind spot package, lane dep. warn, nav, rear-passenger controls. ELITE RADIO FOR SALE: Only $10K. Please call: (917) 731-2923. Maintained by local Lincoln dealer. Motivated, retired owner. Call Solomon: 917-474-5822. UTOG RADIO FOR LEASE (no contract), flat 33% on your booking, the rest you take home! Quality work (like UBER Black), you need a Black Sedan or 2016 TOYOTA CAMRY FOR RENT for Uber, Lyft, Gett, new TLC drivers wel - SUV 2014 or newer! For info, please call: 347-440-3247. come. Excellent condition. Black ext/gray int, touch screen, backup camera. DIAL CAR FRANCHISE TABLET Rent $399/Deposit $399. Ins. and maint. incl. Questions? Call/text: for $20,000. Please contact me at: (718) 740- 347.458.7893. 1079. DIAL RADIO FOR LEASE, with option to buy. Only $50/wk. Call: 516.680.5649. VITAL FRANCHISE RADIO FOR LEASE. Weekly rate is only $50. If you are in - terested, please contact me at 917-215-7193 or email me at 2015 SUBURBAN LT FOR SALE. Black/black, 61K (low miles), Black/black, [email protected]. 61K (low miles), very well maintained and services up to date. Clean Carfax, no accidents, asking price: $38,000. Call if interested: 347.654.1609. “LIKE” BLACK CAR NEWS FOR BREAKING NEWS. 50 • BLACK CAR NEWS • NOVEMBER 2019 OWNER OPERATORS WANTED

Requirements: Experience as black car service chauffeur Valid NYC TLC license for chauffeur and vehicle Professional appearance Clean driving record Able to stay calm under pressure Knowledgable and able to get around in New York Tri-State area Great people skills Pays attention to detail Able to communicate effectively

Computerized dispatching means no favoritism We service all the major car lines Reservation work 24 hours per day We specialize in fortune 500 clients

Apply in person at our Mahwah office. Please ask for Omar Guerra

US Headquarters 90 McKee Drive, Mahwah NJ 07430 • [email protected]

Call Today to Get Started: B02060 B02970 201-529-1452 B02426 Ext: 10015 NOVEMBER 2019 • BLACK CAR NEWS • 51 !!!!!Y OU DESER VE MORE!!!!! TL C O wner -Op er ators a re Mak ing Mone y with C armel Join The La rgest a nd The Busiest Liv er y C ar S er vic e In NY C t A Driv er F riendl y Bas e Wher e Y ou Get S upp or t F rom Real Liv e P eople t More C ash T rips and A irp or t Pick ups Than A ny O ther C ompan y t Us e Y our O wn TL C Lic ens ed C ar We W ill S uppl y and Install TL C R equir ed C amer a and Trouble Light*

* T erms & C onditions Apply TL C BA SE #B00 256 DON’T HA VE A CAR? VISIT OUR B ASE A T 2642 BRO ADW AY, New Y ork, NY 100 25 NO T A PROBLEM OR CALL US A T We Will Put Y ou In One In No Time. 212 -662 -73 93

CARMEL CAR SERVICE IS ALS O BUYING C OMPLETE USED TL C APPRO VED CAMERA S YS TEMS

TL C BA SE #B00 256 For Mor e Informa tion C all K or en At 212-662-7393