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COUNCILMAN STANDS WITH LIVERY DRIVERS TO ANNOUNCE LEGISLATION

Legislation will require bases enter into written agreements with other bases before dispatching drivers affiliated with that other base

New York, NY - Today, Transportation Chairman Ydanis Rodriguez, surrounded by his colleagues, livery drivers and stakeholders announced the introduction of legislation that would help increase equity and accountability in the rapidly changing livery market. The legislation would require that all livery bases enter into written agreements with other bases before dispatching the other bases drivers.

Equity is the priority of this Council, and today Council members, advocates, and drivers alike stand to call for the regulation of this rapidly changing industry. Veterans and newcomers alike deserve the opportunity to succeed and this legislation will make sure the playing field again becomes level.

The text of the legislation will read as follows:
Be it enacted by the Council as follows:
Section 1. Chapter five of title 19 of the administrative code of the city of New York section is amended to add a new section 19-544 to read as follows:
§ 19-544 Livery base station agreements. A base station shall not dispatch a vehicle that is not affiliated with that base owner’s base unless the base owner’s base has an agreement with the base with which the vehicle is affiliated authorizing the base owner’s base to dispatch affiliated vehicles of the base with which the vehicle is affiliated.
§ 2. This local law shall take effect 90 days after its enactment into law, except that the Taxi and Limousine Commission shall take all necessary action, including the promulgation of rules, prior to such effective date.

“This morning drivers, stakeholders, and Council members stood together to call for the regulation of the rapidly changing livery industry." said Councilman Rodriguez. “Today's action shows that drivers want this legislation. Drivers crave more equality in their rapidly transforming industry and we at the Council have heard their call. With this legislation we will bring an end to the confusion and inequities that have recently plagued the industry."

"The variety of transportation options is one of New York City’s greatest features, but as this market grows, it is important to take the steps necessary to ensure fairness and accountability for livery cab drivers and dispatchers. I applaud Council Member Rodriguez for taking the lead on this critical transportation issue." said Council Member Rafael Espinal

“This legislation will make sure livery bases are being held accountable for their drivers in an industry that is rapidly changing with the creation of virtual hailing businesses,” said Council Member Daniel Dromm. “I thank Council Member Rodriguez for working to create equity in the taxi industry.”

"An agreement between bases protects the customer, protects the drivers, protects the bases, and eventually protects the entire livery industry - so thank you again Chairman Rodriguez for doing the right thing for the livery industry" said Avik Kabessa, President of the Livery Round Table

"We appreciate the efforts of Chairman Rodriguez for attempting to address this important issue and we look forward to working with him." said Cira Angeles, President of the Livery Base Organization