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The commission shall approve one or more hybrid electric vehicle models for use as a taxicab within ninety days after the enactment of this law. The approved vehicle model or models shall be eligible for immediate use by all current and future medallion owners. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the commission, to the extent practicable, shall within ninety days of the effective date of the chapter of the laws of two thousand seventeen that amended this section, permit one thousand three hundred fifty of such medallions to use any hybrid electric vehicle, excluding accessible vehicles as defined by section 19-534 of this chapter, that also meets all of the requirements for use as a for-hire vehicle. For the purposes of this chapter, a hybrid electric vehicle shall be defined as a commercially available mass production vehicle originally equipped by the manufacturer with a combustion engine system together with an electric propulsion system that operates in an integrated manner.
(Am. 2017 N.Y. Laws Ch. 503, 12/29/2017, eff. 3/29/2018; Am. 2018 N.Y. Laws Ch. 339, 11/5/2018, eff. 3/29/2018)
Editor's note: For related unconsolidated provisions, see Appendix A at L.L. 2005/072.
a. Definitions. For the purposes of this section only, the following terms shall have the following meanings:
(1) "Accessible vehicle" shall mean any taxicab or for-hire vehicle approved for use by the commission as a taxicab or for-hire vehicle that meets the specifications and requirements for accessible vehicles pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended, and rules promulgated by the commission.
(2) "Clean air vehicle" shall mean any taxicab or for-hire vehicle approved for use by the commission that receives an air pollution score of 9.5 or higher from the United States environmental protection agency or its successor agency and is estimated to emit 5.0 tons or less of equivalent carbon dioxide per year by the United States department of energy or its successor agency; provided that such vehicle is powered by the fuel for which such vehicle meets the above-specified standards. In the event the test method used by the United States environmental protection agency or its successor agency for determining fuel economy is adjusted in a way that impacts United States department of energy or its successor agency estimates of equivalent carbon dioxide emissions for motor vehicles, the commission shall, for vehicles that fall within the affected model years, modify by rule the equivalent carbon dioxide emissions estimate included herein so as to appropriately reflect such adjustment's impact consistent with the intent of this section.
b. No later than one hundred eighty days after the effective date of this section, the commission shall develop and approve a plan to significantly increase the number of clean air and accessible vehicles in New York city. Such plan shall include, but not be limited to:
(1) a description of specific measures the commission will implement, or recommend to the mayor and the council for implementation through local law, to increase the number of clean air and accessible vehicles and periodic goals for achieving such increases;
(2) a schedule, including interim and final milestones, for implementing such measures; and
(3) an education campaign regarding clean air and accessible vehicles that provides taxicab and for-hire vehicle owners and prospective owners with information regarding the availability, costs and savings, and benefits of such vehicles for such owners. Such information may include, but is not limited to: (i) for available clean air vehicle models: the fuel economy of such vehicles, as compared with other models typically used as taxicabs and for-hire vehicles in New York city; costs and savings associated with the purchase and use of such vehicles; the estimated air quality benefits associated with the use of such vehicles; and any available governmental and manufacturer incentives for the purchase of such vehicles; and (ii) for available accessible vehicle models: the fact that such vehicles can be used to serve specific clients that non-accessible vehicles cannot serve; costs and savings associated with the purchase of such vehicles; and any available governmental and manufacturer incentives for the purchase of such vehicles. Such information shall be posted on the commission's website and shall be provided to owners of taxicabs and for-hire vehicles upon issuance or renewal of a license in accordance with section 19-504 of this chapter; by sending such information directly to such owners with other commission documents and notices; during informational workshops open to all commission licensees; or in any other manner deemed appropriate by the commission.
c. The commission shall implement the plan developed and approved pursuant to subdivision b of this section.
d. The commission shall conduct or participate in at least one informational workshop regarding clean air and accessible vehicles in each of the two calendar years following the development and approval of the plan pursuant to subdivision b of this section.
e. The commission shall in every annual report submitted to the city council pursuant to section twenty three hundred two of the New York city charter, include the following information: (i) the implementation status of the measures included in the plan developed and approved pursuant to this section; (ii) the numbers of clean air and accessible vehicles in New York city, disaggregated by vehicle model, and how such numbers compare to those of the previous year and with the goals set forth in such plan; and (iii) to the extent practicable, the estimated air quality benefits and fuel savings associated with the use of each clean air vehicle model in operation as a taxicab or for-hire vehicle in New York city and the aggregate air quality benefits and fuel savings associated with the use of all such vehicles.
f. The commission shall establish a web page or pages or modify its existing website to make available information regarding clean air and accessible vehicles, which shall include, but not be limited to, the information provided pursuant to paragraph three of subdivision b of this section and the numbers of clean air and accessible vehicles in New York city, disaggregated by vehicle model, which shall be updated, at a minimum, every four months.
g. The commission shall annually review the plan required to be implemented pursuant to subdivision c of this section to determine, among other things, whether such plan has helped to increase the number of clean air and accessible vehicles and whether scheduled milestones and goals included in such plan have been met. The commission shall revise such plan as necessary to accomplish such goals.
a. Definitions. For the purposes of this section only, the following terms shall have the following meanings:
1. "Accessible taxicab" shall mean any vehicle approved for use by the commission as a taxicab that meets the specifications and requirements for accessible vehicles pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended, and rules promulgated by the commission.
2. "Level one clean air taxicab" shall mean any vehicle approved for use by the commission as a taxicab that receives an air pollution score of 9.5 or higher from the United States environmental protection agency or its successor agency and is estimated to emit 5.0 tons or less of equivalent carbon dioxide per year by the United States department of energy or its successor agency; provided that such vehicle is powered by the fuel for which such vehicle meets the above-specified standards. In the event the test method used by the United States environmental protection agency or its successor agency for determining fuel economy is adjusted in a way that impacts United States department of energy or its successor agency estimates of equivalent carbon dioxide emissions for motor vehicles, the commission shall, for vehicles that fall within the affected model years, modify by rule the equivalent carbon dioxide emissions estimate included herein so as to appropriately reflect such adjustment's impact consistent with the intent of this section.
3. "Level two clean air taxicab" shall mean any vehicle approved by the commission for use as a taxicab that receives an air pollution score of 9.0 or higher from the United States environmental protection agency or its successor agency and is estimated to emit 6.4 tons or less of equivalent carbon dioxide per year by the United States department of energy or its successor agency and that does not meet the definition of a level one clean air taxicab pursuant to paragraph 2 of this subdivision; provided that such vehicle is powered by the fuel for which such vehicle meets the above-specified standards. In the event the test method used by the United States environmental protection agency or its successor agency for determining fuel economy is adjusted in a way that impacts United States department of energy or its successor agency estimates of equivalent carbon dioxide emissions for motor vehicles, the commission shall, for vehicles that fall within the affected model years, modify by rule the equivalent carbon dioxide emissions estimate included herein so as to appropriately reflect such adjustment's impact consistent with the intent of this section.
b. Extension of retirement period.
1. The retirement period for any accessible taxicab or level one clean air taxicab shall be extended by two years beyond the applicable standard retirement period for taxicabs established pursuant to rule of the commission; provided that the retirement period for any such taxicab that must be retired and replaced pursuant to rules of the commission no later than thirty-six months after the vehicle is hacked up, shall be extended by one year beyond the applicable standard retirement period for taxicabs established pursuant to rule of the commission. The two-year extension period established pursuant to this paragraph shall also apply to any vehicle, as specified by rule of the commission, which is not a level one clean air taxicab as defined in this section, but which meets or exceeds the standards established pursuant to paragraph 2 of subdivision a of this section.
2. The retirement period for any level two clean air taxicab shall be extended by one year beyond the applicable standard retirement period for taxicabs established pursuant to rule of the commission.
3. The commission may modify the extended retirement period established pursuant to this subdivision for any taxicab where such vehicle does not pass two of the inspections, not including reinspections, conducted at the commission's inspection facility pursuant to section 19-504 of this chapter in the twelve-month period immediately preceding the time at which such vehicle would otherwise be required to be retired pursuant to rule of the commission, or where such vehicle does not pass an inspection conducted at the commission's inspection facility pursuant to section 19-504 of this chapter after the time at which such vehicle would otherwise be required to be retired pursuant to rule of the commission.
c. Nothing contained herein shall affect the authority of the commission pursuant to subdivision f of section 19-504 of this chapter to order an owner to repair or replace a licensed vehicle where it appears that such vehicle no longer meets the reasonable standards for safe operation prescribed by the commission.
Editor's note: For related unconsolidated provisions, see Appendix A at L.L. 2006/052.
a. For the purposes of this section, the term "clean air vehicle" shall mean any taxicab approved for use by the commission that receives an air pollution score of 9.0 or higher from the United States environmental protection agency or its successor agency and is estimated to emit 6.4 tons or less of equivalent carbon dioxide per year by the United States department of energy or its successor agency; provided that such vehicle is powered by the fuel for which such vehicle meets the above-specified standards. In the event the test method used by the United States environmental protection agency or its successor agency for determining fuel economy is adjusted in a way that impacts United States department of energy or its successor agency estimates of equivalent carbon dioxide emissions for motor vehicles, the commission shall, for vehicles that fall within the affected model years, modify by rule the equivalent carbon dioxide emissions estimate included herein so as to appropriately reflect such adjustment's impact consistent with the intent of this section.
b. The commission shall develop and provide information to each owner of a clean air vehicle, which shall be made available for viewing in each such vehicle in a manner that is clearly apparent to a passenger located in the back seat of such vehicle, and which (i) identifies such vehicle as a clean air vehicle; (ii) includes the address of the commission web page(s) required to be established pursuant to section 19-534 of this chapter; and (iii) includes, to the extent practicable, the estimated air quality benefits associated with the use of such vehicle and the type of fuel used to power such vehicle.
a. For the purposes of this section, the term "livery" shall have the same meaning as defined under Title 35 of the rules of the city of New York.
b. Every owner of a taxicab, livery or commuter van shall post passengers' bill of rights in at least one conspicuous location in the rear passenger compartment of such taxicab, livery or commuter van in a form and location to be prescribed by commission rule.
c. The taxicab passengers' bill of rights shall state passengers' rights to:
(1) pay for a ride with credit/debit card subject to taxi and limousine commission rules;
(2) go to any destination in New York city, Westchester county, Nassau county or Newark airport;
(3) a car that is in good condition and has passed all required inspections;
(4) a properly licensed driver in good standing, with the commission-issued driver's license information on display;
(5) direct the route taken;
(6) a safe and courteous driver who obeys all traffic laws;
(7) a knowledgeable driver who speaks English and is familiar with city geography;
(8) air conditioning or heat on request;
(9) a quiet trip free of horn honking or radio or other music playing;
(10) clean air, which is smoke and scent free;
(11) working seatbelts;
(12) a clean vehicle, both inside and outside;
(13) be accompanied by a service animal;
(14) a driver who does not use a cell phone (hand-held or hands free) while driving;
(15) decline to tip for poor service; and
(16) a vehicle equipped with an operational e-z pass and payment of tolls with such pass.
d. The livery passengers' bill of rights shall state passengers' rights to: (1) a car that is in good condition and has passed all required inspections; (2) a properly licensed driver in good standing, with the commission-issued driver's license information on display;
(3) a safe and courteous driver who obeys all traffic laws;
(4) a quiet trip free of horn honking or radio or other music playing;
(5) clean air that is smoke and scent free;
(6) working seatbelts;
(7) air conditioning or heat on request;
(8) be accompanied by a service animal;
(9) pay a pre-approved fare quoted by the dispatcher;
(10) a driver who does not use a cell phone (hand-held or hands free) while driving;
(11) decline to tip for poor service; and
(12) request a wheelchair accessible vehicle and be provided with equivalent service.
e. The commuter van passengers' bill of rights shall state passengers' rights to:
(1) a vehicle that is in good condition and has passed all required inspections;
(2) a properly licensed driver in good standing, with the commission-issued driver's license information on display;
(3) a safe and courteous driver who obeys all traffic laws;
(4) a knowledgeable driver who is familiar with the areas where the van is authorized to provide service;
(5) air conditioning or heat on request;
(6) a quiet trip free of horn honking or radio or other music playing;
(7) clean air, which is smoke and scent free;
(8) working seatbelts;
(9) a clean vehicle, both inside and outside;
(10) be accompanied by a service animal;
(11) a driver who does not use a cell phone (hand-held or hands free) while driving; and
(12) decline to tip for poor service.
f. In addition to the rights specified in subdivisions c and d of this section, each passengers' bill of rights shall include a statement of passengers' rights regarding fares and payment and regarding the lodging of passenger complaints and compliments. The content of such statement shall be prescribed by commission rule.
g. The commission may by rule provide for additional rights to be stated in any passengers' bill of rights.
a. For the purposes of this section, "accessible to people with vision impairments" shall mean any taxicab that is equipped with instructions for contacting the commission in Braille and large-print text on the same side and in the same passenger compartment in each taxicab. If such taxicab has payment technology installed, such technology should be in the same passenger compartment in each taxicab, and should also provide a payment option, with the fare audibly announced and with audio instruction, to permit visually impaired passengers to pay unassisted, in such manner as provided for and adopted by the commission.
b. Commencing May 1, 2013, all taxicabs must be accessible to people with vision impairments.
c. The commission may by rule establish greater levels of accessibility for taxicabs than those required by this section.
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