📰 BLACK CAR NEWS (March 2024 Summary)
Short video summary of this month's Black Car News (March 2024, Vol. 39 | No. 3)
Led by longtime Editor & Publisher Neil Weiss, Black Car News (BCN) continues to be one of the most important voices in the NYC for-hire transportation (TLC) industry.
Its monthly publication continues a near four decade tradition of providing thoughtful, NYC for-hire transportation (TLC) industry insight, from Neil himself and other market thought leaders, including:
Ira Goldstein, Executive Director of the NY Black Car Fund (BCF)
David Do, NYC TLC Chair & Commissioner
Matthew W. Daus, Esq., Former NYC TLC Chair & current President of the International Association of Transportation Regulators (IATR)
AND…many others, including industry lawyers, TLC drivers, base owners, driver advocates and insurance companies
You can directly access the March 2024 issue here.
Notable quotes from this month’s issue.
“In February, Streetsblog NYC reported that City Council Member Lincoln Restler was re-introducing a bill (originally titled Intro 501) to allow people to receive a 25% bounty on violation fees for reporting drivers who block bike or bus lanes near a school entrance. The “vigilante” aspect of the bill had been removed when it originally went through the legislative process last year… and for good reason…TLC-regulated drivers performing LEGAL pickups and drop-offs would be a prime target, I’m not sure what to say. Let’s hope it doesn’t pass into law.”
- Neil Weiss, Black Car News, Editor & Publisher
“I don’t want to sound like a broken record, but I think it is vitally important to understand that for every exemption that is granted, that money needs to be made up somewhere and the for-hire vehicle (FHV) industry is an easy target. If more exemptions or crossing credits are granted, I believe the MTA will first look to increase the fees that FHV passengers will pay. That is why we have submitted testimony during the public comment period focused on preserving the tolling structure that was recommended by the TMRB.”
- Ira Goldstein, Executive Director of the Black Car Fund
“Thanks to the TLC’s minimum driver pay rules, which also account for inflation, Uber and Lyft drivers will see a 3.49% raise. On a 30-minute, 7.5-mile trip, for example, that amounts to about a dollar extra (we also have a handy driver pay calculator that you can bookmark if you’re ever wondering about a fare). If you suspect you’re getting shorted on fares, reach out to driverprotection@tlc.nyc.gov”
– David Do, NYC TLC Chair & Commissioner