NYC Council Recap: Drivers Demand Curb Space For Bathroom Breaks, AV Fears & Commuter Vans (Part 2)

Summary of joint NYC Taxi & Limousine Commission (TLC) and Department of Transportation (DOT) presentation during City Council Transportation & Infrastructure Committee public hearing.

From granting FHVs access to commercial parking space to addressing illegal commuter van activity and enforcement to expanding the TLC Board with two additional seats for licensed drivers, the City Council proposals sought to address long-standing industry issues and driver concerns.

Proposed legislation could eventually have major implications for city curb space, enforcement, and, we recently discussed, the value of TLC plates and medallions.

The hearing lasted over 2.5 hours and is best divided into two parts.

Part 1: Formal NYC Taxi & Limousine Commission (TLC) and Department of Transportation (DOT) presentation, including City Council Q&A (~51 minutes)

Part 2: Public testimony, including City Council Q&A (~1 hr 38 minutes)

LINKS

NYC Council direct link: https://legistar.council.nyc.gov/Meet...|&Search=

Part 1:    • NYC Council Recap: TLC, DOT, EV Charging M...  
Newsletter: https://automarketplace.substack.com/...

#nyctaxi #citycouncil #nyctlc #ubernyc #lyftnyc #commutervans #autonomousvehicles

TABLE OF CONTENTS

00:00 – Chair Brooks-Powers opens public testimony
05:05 – Fernando Mateo (NYS Federation of Taxi Drivers (NYSFTD)) – supports Intro 1000 (increased driver restroom access via commercial parking access)
08:05 – Dr. Paul Tallaj (NYSFTD CMO) – testifies on medical harms of lack of restroom access
10:34 – Tensions in chamber; testimony cut short - Fernando Mateo (NYSFTD) escorted out
11:20 – Janice Hernandez – shares story of father (TLC driver) suffering kidney disease
13:34 – Jeremy Moskowitz (Voyager Mobility / Buggy & Fast Track) – warns of insurance crisis
16:35 – Leroy Morris (Commuter Van Association) – calls for insurance reform, commuter van support, more designated stops.
18:49 – Dinara Zhanpeissova (IDG) – urges passage of Intro 1000; daily restroom struggles.
21:00 – Andrew Greenblatt (IDG Policy Director) – supports Intro 1000
23:13 – Michele Dottin (IDG) – supports Intro 1000; raises AV job loss concerns.
25:32 – Arjun Lal (IDG) – supports Intro 1000; describes lack of restroom access.
27:50 – Bhairavi Desai (NYTWA Executive Director) – supports Intro 1000, warns against AVs using relief spaces; on Intro 139, calls for driver reps without changing commission balance.
31:29 – Mohamed Mohamed (Uber / Lyft TLC driver) – supports Intro 1000 but wants 90 mins
33:45 – Richard Chow (NYTWA, yellow cab driver) – describes health issues from lack of restroom
35:15 – Adalgisa Payero-Diarra (UTANY) – supports Intro 1000; highlights female drivers’ challenges; opposes Waymo AVs.
36:33 – Hector German (UTANY) – testifies in Spanish; supports Intro 1000
39:33 – Zach Miller (Trucking Association) – warns Intro 1000 could worsen truck-TLC driver conflicts; suggests reporting requirements for curb use.
42:00 – Jose Altamirano (Livery Base Owners) – supports Intro 1000; opposes TLC board expansion
44:15 – Jose Lebron (NY Independent Drivers Union) – supports Intro 1000
46:31 – Peter Mazer (MTBOT) – supports stronger enforcement; alt idea re. TLC board expansion.
48:52 – Eman Rimawi-Doster (NYLPI) – calls for accessible EVs
52:29 – Raul Rivera (Driver advocate) – advocates TLC reform
54:44 – Christopher Leon Johnson – criticizes divisions among driver groups
56:54 – Anwaar Malik (IDG) – supports Intro 1000; cites health toll and AV concerns
59:00 – Khalid Khattak (IDG) – supports Intro 1000; urges more flexible break time for religious obligations
01:01:10 –Larbi Aitaabou (IDG) – supports Intro 1000, about human dignity
01:09:45 – Sonam Lama (IDG) – supports Intro 1000, opposes AVs.
01:12:01 – Pedro Acosta (IDG) – supports Intro 1000
01:14:06 – Madjed Kamel Zegrar (IDG) – supports Intro 1000, warns of AV risks using Tesla autopilot example
01:17:19 – [Lisa Rosa / unconfirmed] (IDG) – supports Intro 1000, opposes Waymo AVs, cites insurance issues
01:20:03 – Desmond West (Royal Rose Transportation) – commuter van industry, calls for stronger enforcement against illegal vans
01:22:12 – Paul Bader (TLC Board Commissioner, testifying personally) – Attempts to speak on all five bills; backs enforcement (1347), van study (1346), EV app (115), time expired
01:25:02 – Driver testimony (translation by Jacky Lin) – supports Intro 1000, highlights ticket costs
01:29:01 – Jacky Lin (IDG) – supports Intro 1000, opposes AVs, cites “dignity” issue for drivers
01:31:34 – Corey Bearak (Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU)) – warns illegal vans undermine bus service; supports Int 1346 & 1347 with stronger enforcement
01:34:35 – Michael Simon – historical perspective; critiques expansion of FHVs and e-hail
01:37:17 – Chair Brooks-Powers closes hearing; written testimony invited