(a) Hardship Extension. The owner of a Taxicab may apply to the Chairperson for an extension of up to 12 months from the Scheduled Retirement Date. To obtain approval of a hardship extension:
(1) The vehicle owner must demonstrate an economic or other personal hardship that the Chairperson determines would create an undue burden upon the owner if the extension were not granted.
(2) The vehicle owner must submit a request in writing, together with any supporting documentation, to the Chairperson at least 30 days before the Scheduled Retirement Date. This 30-day deadline may be waived by the Chairperson upon a showing of good cause.
(3) The vehicle must continue to meet all safety and emission requirements throughout the extension. The Chairperson shall withdraw any extension granted whenever the vehicle is determined by the Commission to be unsafe for operation.
(b) Compressed Natural Gas Extension. An automatic 24-month extension is granted to any Taxicab vehicle that meets the following requirements:
(1) The vehicle was Hacked-up between March 1, 1996 and April 17, 2007.
(2) The vehicle was dedicated to operating on compressed natural gas (with a maximum reserve gas tank of five gallons) within six months after Hack-up.
(3) The vehicle has remained dedicated to operating on compressed natural gas thereafter and throughout its operation.
(c) Minivan Extension.
(1) Any minivan approved for use as a Taxicab by the Commission that was Hacked-up between March 1, 1996 and April 17, 2007 will have its Scheduled Retirement Date extended as follows:
(i) By 12 additional months of Taxicab service if double-shifted and not driven by at least one long-term driver
(ii) By 18 additional months of Taxicab service under other conditions
(2) A Taxicab whose Scheduled Retirement Date has been extended in accordance with the provisions of this section is not eligible for the extended vehicle lifetime provided for Clean Air and Accessible Taxicabs described in 35 RCNY § 67-19(d) below.
(d) Clean Air and Accessible Taxicab Extensions, Vehicles Hacked-up Prior to 4/20/15.
(1) Extensions of 36-Month Retirement Schedule. The regular 36-Month Retirement Schedule for any Level I or Level II Clean Air Taxicab or any Accessible Taxicab is extended by 12 months.
(2) Extensions of 60-Month Retirement Schedule: Accessible or Level I Clean Air. The regular 60-Month Retirement Schedule for any Level I Clean Air Taxicab or any Accessible Taxicab is extended by 24 months.
(3) Extensions of 60-Month Retirement Schedule: Level II Clean Air. The regular 60-Month Retirement Schedule for any Level II Clean Air Taxicab is extended by 12 months.
(e) Final Retirement Date. A vehicle which cannot pass inspection must be replaced, regardless of whether its Scheduled Retirement Date has been reached. A vehicle that has reached its Scheduled Retirement Date, including any extensions provided for in this section, must be retired regardless of whether it may still pass inspection.
(Amended City Record 6/15/2017, eff. 7/15/2017)