News (10.27.20): Woman Punches TLC Driver in the Face on Ludlow Street, Port Authority Suspends Fee for Taxi & Rideshare, NYC Council Considering Bill Requiring Shared Moped Safety Precautions
Select news headlines for Tuesday, October 27th 2020
Woman Punches Uber Driver in the Face on Ludlow Street (Bowery Boogie)
On Sunday night at approximately 10pm, a woman allegedly punched a TLC driver in the face outside 121 Ludlow Street.
The driver sustained a fat lip, but is reported to otherwise be okay.
The woman was arrested and charged with misdemeanor assault.
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Port Authority suspends fee to use taxi, Uber and Lyft at airports (NJ.com)
A fee to take a cab, Uber or Lyft to take you to or from NYC area airports has temporarily been suspended by the Port Authority.
The fee, which was part of a toll, fee and fare increase approved by the Port Authority’s board in September 2019 will be put on hold until April 5, 2021.
Officials cited low volumes at the three major NYC metro area airports and the finalization of implementation plans for the change.
Travelers using for-hire vehicles were going to pay a higher $2.50 pick-up and drop-off fee vs. a $1.25 fee for taxis (taxis fees will increase to $1.75 in 2022).
The original $4 airport fee proposed in 2019 was reduced in recognition of a downturn in taxi industry earnings and testimony by cab drivers.
The fees will help fund a smartphone app that would replace a taxi dispatch system that results in drivers waiting hours in taxi hold lots at the airport.
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New York City Council Considering Bill Requiring Shared Moped Companies To Implement More Safety Precautions (CBS NY)
City Council is considering a bill that would require shared moped companies to implement more safety precautions, including a way to make sure riders are wearing helmets.
“According to a 2019 NAFTA study, shared e-scooter systems have a fatality rate five times higher than that of bike share systems…The Revel crash rate in September was 50% lower than in June, when the rate peaked at about three crashes per 10,000 trips.” - New York City DOT Commissioner Polly Trottenberg
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