š¤ Illegal FHVs Take Business Away From TLC Drivers & Pose Public Danger
Fernando Mateo warns about the rise of illegal NYC cabs and FHVs operated by TLC-licensed drivers without proper TLC Plates. Call to issue more TLC Plates is controversial
Fernando Mateo, founder of the New York State Federation of Taxi Drivers, warns about the rise of illegal NYC cabs and FHVs without TLC Plates
Reportedly, thousands of TLC-licensed drivers are using privately plated vehicles to complete trips because they lost TLC Plates during pandemic
Mateoās calls for the TLC to issue more TLC Plates as a way to solve problem of illegal NYC for-hire trips is both counterintuitive & controversial
Fernando Mateo, the founder of the New York State Federation of Taxi Drivers, is warning people (and the Taxi & Limousine Commission) about the rise of illegal NYC cabs and FHVs that are not properly licensed or insured (i.e., completing NYC for-hire trips with private āregularā DMV plates and no commercial insurance coverage).
Interestingly, Mateo seems to indicate many drivers might actually be TLC-licensed, but donāt have TLC Plates because their FHV Licenses were retired (i.e., TLC Plates were handed in) during the pandemic. In an interview with PIX 11, the driver advocate states he believes thousands of TLC-licensed drivers are using private cars as livery cabs.
āMy concern is someone picking up someoneā¦raping, robbing, assaultingā
- Fernando Mateo, founder of the New York State Federation of Taxi Drivers
āWe take the operation of unlicensed for-hire vehicles extremely seriously, and our Enforcement and Prosecution Divisions constantly work to prevent illegal ride-hustlingā¦If you order a vehicle that does not have TLC plates, do not get in, as it has not passed a safety inspection and is uninsured for commercial operation.ā
- TLC Chair & Commissioner David Do
Release More TLC Plates?
Where Mateo's claims get political and counterintuitive is the call for the TLC to release MORE FHV Licenses. In one breath, Mateo believes most illegal FHVs are being driven by TLC-licensed drivers. In another breath, he seems to be implying that drivers picking up for-hire trips in non-TLC Plated vehicles might be more prone to criminal acts (e.g., āraping, robbing, assaultingā).
Is Mr. Mateoās main point that illegally operating FHVs, driven by criminals, are becoming more prevalent? If that is the main point, and one that we agree would be highly concerning, how does that relate to the TLC needing to issue more TLC plates?
Let's be blunt - any TLC-licensed driver who is picking up trips with private plates should probably not be in the NYC for-hire transportation business. This is a serious lapse of judgment and illegal. This is not a TLC Plate issue; this is an enforcement issue.
In what will be a concerning development for the taxi medallion industry and, honestly, all NYC for-hire drivers, is the revelation in PIX 11 story that Mateo is working with the TLC āto try and get more plates back on the streets.ā š Until then, Mateo says the best way to protect yourself is to check the license plate before entering a vehicle. The politics behind the decision to (re)issue up to 2,500 new SHL Pilot TLC Plates, despite protests by the taxi medallion industry, is becoming increasingly clear.
As we spoke about recently, there are thousands of taxi medallions in storage and thousands of underutilized single-shift yellow cabs in operation. If a TLC driver wants to operate legally in NYC, there are many options. If a TLC driver breaks the law, puts the riding public at risk, and then complains, using politically connected advocates, that they want *NEW* TLC Plates to be issued - this is not something that should be constructively engaged with.
There are many legitimate complaints and debates, which we've written about extensively over several articles, that can be had about whether to issue *NEW* TLC Plates or not. We are not against those discussions and debates. It is also understood that the TLC or City policymakers can decide to issue *NEW* TLC Plates related to goals like electrification. If that is the outcome after a reasonable public debate is held, then so be it, āWill of the Peopleā š³ļø.
What's going on here is different. This publication believes breaking the law (in this way) as a negotiating tactic to bully the TLC into issuing new TLC Plates is outrageous.
As always, let us know your thoughts in the comments section below or by emailing us at info@automarketplace.com.
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I do not believe they should issue more. They should have kept them in storage. Many of them were deactivated from the apps.
These illegal drivers are terrorists, so why are we engaging with terrorists?