Int. No. 880-A

By Council Member Garodnick, Arroyo, Avella, Brewer, Fidler, Gonzalez, Jackson, James, Koppell, Lappin, Palma, Reyna, Seabrook, Yassky, Nelson, DeBlasio, Mendez, White Jr., Gerson, Martinez, Sanders, Sears and Liu

A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to displaying a passengers’ bill of rights in taxicabs and liveries.

Be it enacted by the Council as follows:

                     Section 1.  Title 19 of the administrative code of the city of New York is amended by adding a new section 19-537 to read as follows:

§19-537.  Passengers’ bills of rights.  a.  For the purposes of this section, the term “livery” shall have the same meaning as defined under Title 35, §6-01 of the rules of the city of New York.

b.  Every owner of a taxicab or livery shall post passengers’ bill of rights in at least one conspicuous location in the rear passenger compartment of such taxicab or livery 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; and

(15)  decline to tip for poor service.

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; and

(11)  decline to tip for poor service.

e.  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.

f.  The commission may by rule provide for additional rights to be stated in any passengers’ bill of rights.

§2.  This local law shall take effect one hundred and twenty days after it is enacted into law.

PH

LS# 6058

2.9.09 - 4:10 pm