A 30-cent surcharge will be applied to every New York City cab fare, officials said Wednesday, in order to fund upgrades that will make half of the taxi fleet wheel-chair accessible.
The Taxi and Limousine Commission unanimously approved the surcharge to the sound of cheering and applause from a packed hearing room in lower Manhattan.
Starting in January 2015, the surcharge will be applied to all fares and put into a fund dedicated to overhauling 7,500 yellow and green cabs so that they are wheelchair accessible by 2020.
There are almost 14,000 taxis across the city and fewer than 700 are currently wheelchair accessible. There are an estimated 90,000 wheelchair users across New York, according to the Mayor’s Office for People with a Disability.
« The complexities of this issue have paralyzed the agency for years, » commission Chairwoman Meera Joshi said.
« Today we move beyond arguing over the mechanics of how, and are taking action towards the greater goal, equalizing access for our iconic taxi system, » she said.
At a public hearing before the vote, speakers—some in wheelchairs—described hardships and inconvenience brought on by having few accessible cabs in the city.
Several described missing important events, such as hospital visits. Many said they have been stuck for hours trying to hail a wheelchair accessible cab from the street.
« I want to have a life that is meaningful, affordable and achievable, » said Ronnie Ellen Raymond, who has campaigned for increasing the number of accessible cabs.
« It is now time and within your authority to make this happen. Please help thousands of people like me, » she said, fighting back tears.
Jean Ryan said living a normal life was not possible under the present circumstances.
« We can’t get to funerals, we can’t get to wakes, » Ms. Ryan said. « My husband has had to go to the emergency room and I haven’t been able to go with him, » she said, adding that ambulances cannot accommodate her wheelchair.
Earlier, the Commission heard from Public Advocate Letitia James, who said the decision would make the city a national leader on the issue.
« I applaud the TLC for the important progress we are making today, » Ms. James said.
Starting in 2017, the program will undergo an annual review, examining whether it is meeting its objectives and if the surcharge should be raised or lowered.
The conversion and modification of existing taxis will start in 2016, officials said.
The 30-cent surcharge will be divided up. Twenty-five cents will go into a fund paying for the upgrades and the remaining five cents will be paid out to drivers from the same fund to cover fuel costs and additional training.
A number of speakers raised objections to the program’s implementation, including associations representing the drivers and taxi owners.
Ethan Gerber of the Greater New York Taxi Association said the idea was hastily put together and impractical.
The fund itself, he said, would be a « bureaucratic nightmare. »
« Keeping track of the funds… Is going to create many issues, » Mr. Gerber said. « A simpler solution would be to raise the fare and dedicate a portion to the driver. »
Source : The Wall Street Journal