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(a) TSP Required. Every Street Hail Livery must be equipped with a Technology System.
(b) Trip Data Collection and Transmission.
(1) All Trip Data must be transmitted to the Commission in a form and format and delivery method as specified by the Commission.
(2) To the extent necessary to facilitate data transfer, the Commission may mandate that each Street Hail Livery be equipped with external antennas.
(3) No equipment designed to comply with the provisions of this section may be installed unless it has been approved by the Commission based on a determination that the equipment conforms to the specifications set herein, is safe, and fulfills the intended purposes for such equipment.
35 RCNY § 59B-22(b)(1)-(3) | Fine: $500 | Appearance NOT REQUIRED |
(Amended City Record 8/19/2019, eff. 9/18/2019; amended City Record 2/2/2023, eff. 3/4/2023)
(a) Rates Must Not Exceed Scheduled Rates. A Base Owner must not quote or charge a fare that is more than the fare listed in the Rate Schedule filed with the Commission.
35 RCNY § 59B-23(a) | Fine: $200 for Passenger overcharge, whether from any quote or from schedule of fares required to be filed with the Commission. | Appearance NOT REQUIRED |
(b) Rate Quotes – Livery Base Only.
(1) Each time a prospective Passenger contacts a Base for transportation, regardless of the means by which the Passenger contacts the Base, the Base Station Owner must ask the Passenger to specify a destination and any intermediate stop(s). If the Passenger specifies a destination and any intermediate stop(s), the Base Station Owner must provide the prospective Passenger with an accurate and binding price quote for travel to the specified destination and any intermediate stop(s). If the Passenger does not specify a destination and any intermediate stop(s), the Base Station Owner must then provide the Passenger with an accurate and binding statement of how the fare is to be calculated, which can be by time, mileage, zones, or other means.
(2) Disclosure. For requests for transportation made by means other than a telephone call, the Base Station Owner must ask the Passenger to specify a destination and any intermediate stop(s), and must prominently disclose in writing to the Passenger, as the Passenger books the trip, that the Passenger will receive an accurate and binding price quote for the trip upon entering his or her destination.
(3) Honoring Rate Quotes. If the Passenger agrees to receive the transportation, the Base Owner must honor the price quoted unless the Passenger changes the date, time, or location of the pick up; the destination or number of stops; or the vehicle type requested, if any.
35 RCNY § 59B-23(b) | Fine: $75 if plead guilty before a hearing; $100 if found guilty following a hearing. | Appearance NOT REQUIRED |
(c) Special Rule for Street Hail Liveries. Fares for Hail Trips in Street Hail Liveries will be as set forth in 35 RCNY § 82-26.
(d) Transportation by Pre-Arrangement Only.
(1) A Base Owner must be responsible for ensuring that transportation is provided only by pre-arrangement through the Base.
(2) A Base Owner must ensure that a For-Hire Vehicle does not accept passengers except by pre-arrangement through the base. Exception: A Street Hail Livery affiliated with a Street Hail Livery Base can provide transportation by accepting hails from passengers in the street in the Hail Zone.
(3) A Base Owner is responsible and can be issued a summons if Vehicles improperly accept Passenger. A Base Owner's liability will be based on a three month weighted average of total vehicles affiliated with the Base. It will be a defense to any summons issued under this rule that the Base can demonstrate an average of ten Pre-Arranged Trips per affiliated vehicle per day.
(e) (1) A Street Hail Livery Base Owner must ensure that no Street Hail Livery affiliated with the Street Hail Livery Base, or any other Vehicle affiliated with the Street Hail Livery Base, will provide transportation by accepting hails from passengers in the Hail Exclusionary Zone.
(2) A Street Hail Livery Base Owner is responsible and can be issued a summons if Vehicles improperly accept Passengers. A Street Hail Livery Base Owner's liability will be based on a three month weighted average of total vehicles affiliated with the Street Hail Livery Base. It will be a defense to any summons issued under this rule that the Base can demonstrate an average of ten Pre-Arranged Trips per affiliated vehicle per day.
(f) A Street Hail Livery Base Owner must not dispatch a Street Hail Livery for a Pre-Arranged Trip beginning in the Pre-Arranged Exclusionary Zone.
35 RCNY § 59B-23(f) | Fine: $500 | Appearance NOT REQUIRED |
(g) For Black Car Bases, Luxury Limousine Bases, and High-Volume For-Hire Services: Fare Estimates. Each time a prospective Passenger contacts a Base for transportation, regardless of the means by which the Passenger contacts the Base, the Base must provide, upon request, an estimate of the total fare in dollars and cents, inclusive of all fees and any price multiplier, for the specific trip requested, prior to dispatching the trip, subject to the following requirements:
(1) Each Passenger requesting service must be notified of the passenger's right to receive a fare estimate.
(2) A Base must ask any Passenger requesting a fare estimate to specify a destination.
(3) The fare estimate may be expressed in a range in dollar and cents, provided that the higher price in such range shall not be more than 150 percent of the lower price in such range.
(4) A Base may not charge a Passenger a fare that is more than 120 percent of the fare estimate unless the Passenger takes any action to alter the estimated route, including, but not limited to, changing the location of the pick-up, destination, number of stops, or the vehicle type requested, or requests a route change requiring the payment of a toll.
(5) If the fare estimate is expressed in a range, a Base may not charge the Passenger more than 120 percent of the highest price included in that range.
(6) The provisions of this subdivision shall not apply to Black Car Bases while providing line work, as that term is defined in § 19-545 of the Administrative Code.
(7) Affirmative Defense. A Base can offer an affirmative defense to a summons issued under paragraphs (3) or (4) of this subdivision if the Base can demonstrate that the Base reimbursed the Passenger the portion of the fare charged that exceeded 120 percent of the given fare estimate within 10 business days of receiving a request for reimbursement from the Passenger.
35 RCNY § 59B-23(g) | Fine: $500 | Appearance NOT REQUIRED |
(h) Tips and Gratuities. A Base Owner must provide a means to allow passengers to tip Drivers using the same method of payment that passengers use to pay for the fare. A Base Owner must remit to the Driver the entirety of anything designated as a tip or gratuity collected by the Base Owner from a customer on behalf of the Driver.
35 RCNY § 59B-23(h) | Fine: $500 | Appearance NOT REQUIRED |
(Amended City Record 6/29/2015, eff. 7/29/2015; amended City Record 7/7/2016, eff. 8/6/2016; amended City Record 7/20/2017, eff. 8/19/2017; amended City Record 12/9/2020, eff. 1/8/2021; amended City Record 6/30/2021, eff. 7/30/2021)
(a) No Street Hails Permitted. A Base Owner must maintain and enforce rules and policies preventing Vehicles affiliated with the Base or dispatched by the Base and Drivers of these Vehicles from accepting street hails and preventing Street Hail Liveries from accepting Hail Trips in the Hail Exclusionary Zone. NOTE: Street Hail Liveries are permitted to accept street hails in Hail Zone.
35 RCNY § 59B-25(a) | Fine: Suspension until compliance | Appearance REQUIRED |
(b) Prohibited Use of "Taxi." A Base Owner must not hold himself out for business as a "taxi" or "taxicab" service or in any way use the word "taxi," "taxicab," "cab," "hack," or "coach" to describe the business.
35 RCNY § 59B-25(b) | Fine: $250 | Appearance NOT REQUIRED |
(c) Advertising of Commission License.
(1) A Base Owner must clearly state that the Base is licensed by the Commission in all Passenger-facing advertising, whether print, broadcast, electronic or Internet, and in all handbills, fliers, websites, smartphone applications, or other promotional materials and on all business cards and receipts.
(2) All of the advertising and materials listed in (1) above must include the For-Hire Base License number.
35 RCNY § 59B-25(c) | Fine: $100 | Appearance NOT REQUIRED |
(d) Termination of Affiliation.
(1) Base Owner Termination. A Base Owner can terminate the affiliation of a Vehicle only by:
(i) Giving the Chairperson an agreement signed and dated by both parties in which the Vehicle Owner consents to the termination, or
(ii) Sending notice to the Vehicle Owner's Mailing Address by certified mail, return receipt requested, together with proof of mailing, and sending copies of the notice and proof of mailing mailed to the Commission.
(iii) Termination will become effective either:
A. The date of the Vehicle Owner's signed agreement, or
B. The date notice is mailed to the Vehicle Owner.
(iv) A Base Owner can notify the Commission at any time when a Vehicle is no longer affiliated with Owner's Base; this notification will be a defense to any liability attaching to the Owner for damage to persons or property caused by the Vehicle after the notification.
(2) Automatic Termination of Affiliation.
(i) A Vehicle's affiliation with a Base will terminate automatically when any of the following occurs:
A. The Base License is revoked
B. The Base License is suspended for more than 30 continuous days;
C. The Base License expires
(ii) In addition, a Vehicle's affiliation with a Base will terminate automatically upon expiration or revocation of the Vehicle's License.
(e) Passenger Complaint Notification. Upon receipt of a Passenger complaint related to a Driver, a Base Owner must provide the Passenger with the "311" Commission complaint telephone number and inform the Passenger that only the TLC can suspend or revoke a Driver's TLC License.
35 RCNY § 59B-25(e) | Fine: $250 | Appearance NOT REQUIRED |
(f) Dispatching to Vehicles at Airports. A Base Owner must not dispatch a Vehicle parked or otherwise located at Kennedy Airport or La Guardia Airport unless the Vehicle is parked in an area other than the airport's designated passenger pick up locations.
35 RCNY § 59B-25(f) | Fine: $250 | Appearance NOT REQUIRED |
(g) Base Name and Rates on Booking Tools. If a Base allows a Passenger to request a dispatch through its own publicly available Passenger-facing booking tool without speaking to a dispatcher, the Passenger-facing booking tool must use only the Base Name or the trade, business, or operating name the Base has on file with the Commission pursuant to 35 RCNY § 59B-20(a)(1) and must display the Base's rates or fares within the booking tool.
(h) For Black Car Bases, Luxury Limousine Bases, and High-Volume For-Hire Services: Price Multipliers. If a price multiplier or variable pricing policy is in effect at the time at which a customer requests a Vehicle from a Black Car Base, Luxury Limousine Base, or High-Volume For-Hire Service, such Base must require the customer to affirmatively acknowledge and accept the price multiplier or variable pricing policy prior to dispatching a Vehicle to the customer.
(i) Receipts. If a Base provides a receipt for a trip, the receipt must contain all of the following information:
(1) The Dispatching Base License number;
(2) Vehicle License number;
(3) Vehicle's affiliated Base License number;
(4) Driver's TLC License number;
(5) Total amount due;
(6) Itemized fees charged (if any) including any price multiplier or variable pricing policy in effect for the trip;
(7) The "311" Commission complaint telephone number; and
(8) The public access information the Base has on file with the Commission pursuant to 35 RCNY § 59B-21(c).
(j) Electronic Dispatch Requests to Drivers. If a Base sends dispatch requests to Drivers through an electronic, Driver-facing interface, that interface must be available to a Driver ONLY when the Vehicle is standing or stopped, except that the Driver-facing interface can permit a Driver to accept a dispatch with a single touch using pre-programmed buttons or using voice activation while the vehicle is in motion. All other uses of a Driver-facing interface must be velocity gated to prevent its use while the vehicle is in motion.
(Amended City Record 6/29/2015, eff. 7/29/2015; amended City Record 7/7/2016, eff. 8/6/2016; amended City Record 9/22/2016, eff. 10/22/2016; amended City Record 10/12/2018, eff. 11/11/2018; amended City Record 6/30/2021, eff. 7/30/2021)
(a) Tri-Annual Inspection Required. For-Hire Vehicles must be inspected three times a year at least once every four months and a Base must not dispatch a Vehicle that has missed an inspection until the Vehicle passes inspection.
35 RCNY § 59B-26(a) | Base Fine: $350 | Appearance NOT REQUIRED |
(a) Unsafe or Unfit Vehicles.
(1) No For-Hire Vehicle can be used in a For-Hire Vehicle service after the Commission or the NYS DMV has determined that the Vehicle is unsafe or unfit for use as a For-Hire Vehicle, and the Owner has been directed to remove the Vehicle from service.
(2) If the Commission or the Commission's inspection facility determines that the Vehicle is unsafe or unfit, the Decals must be removed by the Commission.
(3) If the NYS DMV or a DMV inspection facility determines that the Vehicle is unsafe or unfit, the Vehicle Owner must return the Decals to the Chairperson within 72 hours after the determination is made.
(4) If the Chairperson has any reason to believe that any For-Hire Vehicle is unsafe or unfit for use, the Chairperson can order the Vehicle to report to the Commission's inspection facility.
(b) Seat and Shoulder Belts. Each For-Hire Vehicle must have all seat belts and shoulder belts clearly visible, accessible, and in good working order.
35 RCNY § 59B-27(b) | Fine: $100 – 250 | Appearance REQUIRED |
(c) Shoulder Belts Required. In addition to seat belts for each seating position and shoulder belts for both outside front seat positions, all For-Hire Vehicles must be equipped with shoulder belts for both outside Passenger rear seat positions.
35 RCNY § 59B-27(c) | Fine: $100 – 250 | Appearance REQUIRED |
(a) Post-Manufacture Alteration.
(1) No For-Hire Vehicle License can be altered after manufacture:
(i) To increase its length, width, weight or seating capacity, or
(ii) To modify its chassis and/or body design.
(2) Exception for all types of Vehicles. A For-Hire Vehicle can also be altered, after manufacture, provided that the Vehicle, as modified, meets all of the following:
(i) The modification has been made under a program approved in advance by the original vehicle manufacturer, and
(ii) The alteration has been performed by an entity approved and certified by the vehicle manufacturer to perform such alterations.
(iii) An original, unaltered, approved vehicle modifier's certification sticker must be affixed to the Vehicle attached to the left center post or hinge post.
(3) Exception for Vehicles seating 10 or more passengers and NOT exempt from NYS DOT Requirements. A For-Hire Vehicle can be altered, after manufacture, provided that the Vehicle, as modified, meets all of the following:
(i) The Vehicle, as modified, has been approved by the NYS Commissioner of Motor Vehicles under Section 401(1)(b) of the NYS Vehicle and Traffic Law.
(ii) The Vehicle has passed inspection by the NYS Department of Transportation under 17 NYCRR § 720.
(iv) A modified For-Hire Vehicle must still pass a visual inspection at the Commission's Safety and Emissions Division at application and renewal as required by 35 RCNY § 59A-04(e) and (f).
(v) The For-Hire Vehicle must be properly registered with the NYS Department of Motor Vehicles and must have been re-registered after completion of the modification.
(vi) The Vehicle must carry the modifier's sticker certifying that the modification was conducted in accordance with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.
(vii) The modifier of the Vehicle must certify that it is registered with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
(viii) The modifier of the Vehicle must provide a warranty that the vehicle will be free from defects in material and workmanship, including that the chassis and frame will be free from defects for a period of 3 years or 60,000 miles, whichever comes first.
(ix) The modifier of the Vehicle must maintain a General Liability Insurance Policy in a minimum amount of $5,000,000.
(4) Exception for Vehicles seating 10 or more passengers (including the driver) and exempt from NYS DOT Requirements. A For-Hire Vehicle can be altered, after manufacture, provided that the Vehicle, as modified, meets all of the following:
(i) The For-Hire Vehicle must be properly registered with the NYS Department of Motor Vehicles and must have been re-registered after completion of the modification.
(ii) The Vehicle must carry the modifier's sticker certifying that the modification was conducted in accordance with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.
(iii) The modifier of the Vehicle must certify that it is registered with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
(iv) The modifier of the Vehicle must provide a warranty that the vehicle will be free from defects in material and workmanship, including that the chassis and frame will be free from defects for a period of 3 years or 60,000 miles, whichever comes first.
(v) The modifier of the Vehicle must maintain a General Liability Insurance Policy in a minimum amount of $5,000,000.
(5) Exception for modified Vehicles seating 9 or fewer and exempt from NYS DOT inspection and operating authority requirements. A For-Hire Vehicle can be altered, after manufacture, even if the original vehicle manufacturer has not approved the program, provided that the Vehicle, as modified, meets all of the following:
(i) The For-Hire Vehicle must be properly registered with the NYS Department of Motor Vehicles and must have been re-registered after completion of the modification.
(ii) The Vehicle must carry the modifier's sticker certifying that the modification was conducted in accordance with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.
(iii) The modifier of the Vehicle must certify that it is registered with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
(iv) The modifier of the Vehicle must provide a warranty that the vehicle will be free from defects in material and workmanship, including that the chassis and frame will be free from defects for a period of 3 years or 60,000 miles, whichever comes first.
(v) The modifier of the Vehicle must maintain a General Liability Insurance Policy in a minimum amount of $5,000,000.
(6) Exception for modified Vehicles seating 9 or fewer and NOT exempt from NYS DOT inspection and operating authority requirements. A For-Hire Vehicle can be altered, after manufacture, even if the original vehicle manufacturer has not approved the program, provided that the Vehicle, as modified, meets all of the following:
(i) The Vehicle, as modified, has been approved by the NYS Commissioner of Motor Vehicles under Section 401(1)(b) of the NYS Vehicle and Traffic Law.
(ii) The Vehicle has passed inspection by the NYS Department of Transportation under 17 NYCRR § 720.
(iv) A modified For-Hire Vehicle must still pass a visual inspection at the Commission's Safety and Emissions Division at application and renewal as required by 35 RCNY § 59A-04(e) and (f).
(v) The For-Hire Vehicle must be properly registered with the NYS Department of Motor Vehicles and must have been re-registered after completion of the modification.
(vi) The Vehicle must carry the modifier's sticker certifying that the modification was conducted in accordance with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.
(vii) The modifier of the Vehicle must certify that it is registered with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
(viii) The modifier of the Vehicle must provide a warranty that the vehicle will be free from defects in material and workmanship, including that the chassis and frame will be free from defects for a period of 3 years or 60,000 miles, whichever comes first.
(ix) The modifier of the Vehicle must maintain a General Liability Insurance Policy in a minimum amount of $5,000,000.
35 RCNY § 59B-28(a) | Base Owner Fine: $1,000 | Appearance REQUIRED |
(b) Proper Vehicle Identification Required. A Base Owner must not dispatch a Vehicle unless the Vehicle complies with the following requirements:
(1) License Plate Number Matches. The license plate number on the motor vehicle tax stamp, on the state registration certificate, and on the Commission Decals must match each other and must match the number on the license plates affixed to the Vehicle.
35 RCNY § 59B-28(b)(1) | Fine: $100 | Appearance NOT REQUIRED |
(2) Vehicle Identification Number Matches. The last six digits of the vehicle identification number (VIN) on the Commission Decals must match the last six digits of the VIN on the state registration, and the VIN on the Vehicle.
35 RCNY § 59B-28(b)(2) | Fine: $100 | Appearance NOT REQUIRED |
(3) T & LC License Plates. A For-Hire Vehicle that is registered in New York must have official "T & LC" license plates.
35 RCNY § 59B-28(b)(3) | Fine: $100 – $350 and Suspension until compliance | Appearance NOT REQUIRED |
(4) License Plates for Street Hail Liveries. A Street Hail Livery must be registered in New York and must have license plates issued by the NYS DMV and embossed with the legend "T & LC". No "vanity" plates are permitted for Street Hail Liveries.
35 RCNY § 59B-28(b)(4) | Fine: $100 - $350 and Suspension until compliance | Appearance REQUIRED |
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