BILL NUMBER: S9358
SPONSOR: COMRIE
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in
relation to allowing commuter vans to accept hails from prospective
passengers in the street
 
PURPOSE:
This legislation authorizes duly licensed commuter vans in the City of
New York to accept street hails from prospective passengers, in addition
to providing service through telephone contract or other prearrangement.
The bill further requires the Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC) to
evaluate and report on the impact of this authorization on safety and
operational efficiency.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 amends subdivision p of section 19-502 of the Administrative
Code of the City of New York to clarify the definition of "commuter van"
and conform language to the authorization allowing such vehicles to
accept street hails.
Section 2 amends section 19-504 to maintain the licensing requirement
for commuter vans while removing the prohibition against accepting
street hails.
Section 3 amends subdivision b of section 19-516 to expressly authorize
commuter vans to accept passengers via street hails in addition to tele-
phone contract or prearrangement.
Section 4 amends section 19-529.7 to require the TLC to include in its
reporting an evaluation of the impact of permitting commuter vans to
accept street hails on safety and the efficient operation of commuter
van services.
Section 5 provides for an immediate effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Commuter vans play a critical role in transporting residents in neigh-
borhoods underserved transit deserts by traditional yellow taxi service
and mass transit. For decades, commuter vans have operated in working-
class and transit-limited neighborhoods across Southeast Queens, the
Bronx, and parts of Brooklyn. The continue to provide flexible and
affordable transportation to residents traveling to employment centers,
transit hubs, and commercial corridors.
Unlike taxicabs, commuter vans are limited by statute to operating sole-
ly through prearranged service. This restriction does not reflect how
commuter van service functions in practice or how riders in transit
deserts access transportation. Requiring a "telephone contract or other
prearrangement" imposes an artificial barrier that reduces operational
efficiency, limits consumer convenience, and places commuter van opera-
tors at a competitive disadvantage relative to other licensed for-hire
transportation providers. Authorizing licensed commuter vans to accept
street hails modernizes the regulatory framework while preserving essen-
tial consumer protection. Only vehicles duly licensed by the TLC, oper-
ating under valid commuter van service authorizations, may provide such
service. All existing safety, insurance, inspection, and enforcement
standards remain in full force and effect.
This legislation also ensures accountability by requiring the TLC to
evaluate the impact of this policy on safety and system efficiency. By
mandating formal review and reporting, the bill provides data-driven
oversight and allows policymakers to assess operational outcomes. In
communities where public transportation options may require multiple
transfers or extended travel times, commuter vans provide direct routes
and responsive service. Allowing street hails aligns the law with the
practical realities of how riders seek transportation, improves access
to mobility, and supports small, locally owned transportation businesses
that employ New Yorkers. The bill is also a match to 939-2024 in the
city council.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
New bill.
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None to the State.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.

Statutes affected:
S9358: 19-502 administrative code of the city of New York as amended by local law, 19-502(p) administrative code of the city of New York as amended by local law, 19-516 administrative code of the city of New York as amended by local law, 19-516(b) administrative code of the city of New York as amended by local law