👨⚖️✅ NYC TLC Approves SHL Pilot, Despite Taxi Union Chants
👨⚖️✅ NYC TLC Approves SHL Pilot, Despite Taxi Union Chants
NYC TLC Board (uncontroversially) passed a set of proposed rules. However, SHL Pilot presentation & approval was met with chants from NYTWA, with TLC Chair Do having to call order to meeting
Anytime the NYC Taxi & Limousine Commission (TLC) Chair has to drop their gavel 👨⚖️ multiple times to call the meeting “to order”, it’s probably worth taking note. While the first part of the TLC Board of Commissioners vote on proposed rule changes passed without controversy, the proposed SHL Pilot presentation was met with loud chants from the audience.
Holding signs that read “DON’T STEAL OUR VOICE AND SELL OUR JOBS! VOTE NO!”, it appeared members of the New York Workers Taxi Alliance (NYTWA) were promoting the fairly aggressive public action.
TLC Chair David Do not only had to call order to the meeting several times, but even (briefly) implied security staff might need to get involved! While Commission hearings and meetings can be colorful, that is quite unusual. While we respect the right to protest, we think it’s important for TLC Drivers and other industry participants to respect well known “house rules” of Commission hearings & meetings.
The yellow taxi medallion industry and NYTWA, its most prominent advocacy group, is likely upset because the Pilot essentially calls for the issuance of up to 2,500 *NEW* FHV Licenses (a/k/a TLC Plates). The TLC frames the Pilot as a REISSUANCE of retired Green Cab (SHL) Permits.
The prospective issuance of up to 2,500 more FHV Licenses (a/k/a TLC Plates), albeit restricted in several meaningful ways & to outer borough origin trips, likely does pose a short to medium term risk to still distressed medallion values and overall yellow cab trip market share (even post a recent comprehensive debt restructuring). This announcement also comes after the recent release of 1,000 *NEW* EV-Only TLC Plates.
We understand why the taxi medallion industry is upset.
That being said, whether you agree or disagree with the TLC’s policy decisions, under NO circumstance should the TLC Chair, Commission Board, presenters or others feel threatened or intimidated. Attempting to prevent policy discussion & voting in this manner, is not constructive.
SHL Pilot Presentation
Although we already overviewed what the SHL Pilot calls for, Daniel Goddin, assistant general counsel for the NYC TLC, gave more specifics in a formal presentation directly before the Commission Board voted on the proposed Pilot. Where the TLC can be criticized (again, respectfully), is that a hearing should have been held to discuss the Pilot, rather than publicly presenting the proposal’s specifics and voting for it in the same meeting. Hopefully, the regulator will take that approach the next time they present a Pilot program.
We share the TLC’s video presentation on the SHL Pilot below and will share a link to the slideshow as soon as it becomes available.
As always, let us know your thoughts in the comments section below or by emailing us at info@automarketplace.com.
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