TLC Wheelchair Regs Are Accessible Taxi Setback

Terence J. Moakley, associate executive director of United Spinal Association, a national veterans' service and disability rights organization headquartered in Jackson Heights, testified at a New York City Taxi & Limousine Commission public hearing on May 11 that proposed regulations governing wheelchair-accessible taxicab specifications will create a disincentive for taxi owners to purchase such vehicles and, ultimately, a setback for the movement to increase the availability of wheelchair-accessible taxis in New York City.

The regulations, which were approved by the TLC despite Moakley's protests, will govern next month's auction of accessible-only taxi medallions.

Moakley, who is a member of the TLC Disability Advisory Board and who serves as chairperson of a New York City disability coalition called the Taxis For All Campaign, also testified against the extraordinarily restrictive, anti-competitive nature of this proposal. "While wheelchair-accessible minivan taxis converted by a number of after-market manufacturers operate reliably in many other U.S. cities, this regulation would outlaw all but one conversion company from building accessible taxis in New York City," he said. He emphasized that the proposal stifles competition for price since the conversion mandated by the TLC is estimated to cost between $35,000 and $40,000. "Its existence will serve as a disincentive to existing medallion owners to purchase wheelchair-accessible taxi vehicles in the future," he concluded.

Moakley also testified as to the lack of transparency in the regulatory process. "While the TLC began to develop this proposal in early January of this year, the agency never sought input from either its own Disability Advisory Board or Taxis For All Campaign prior to going public with this rule," he declared.