To All Interested Parties:
Industry Notice #12-31
September 06, 2012
For Immediate Release
Electronic Hailing and Payment
The New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC) reminds medallion taxicab drivers and owners that it has NOT authorized any electronic hailing or payment applications (“apps”) for use in New York City taxicabs.
In light of the recent release of applications which may permit the electronic hailing of taxicabs and payment of taxi fares, including a release by UBER, taxicab drivers and owners are reminded that:
- Taxi fares must be accurately entered into the TPEP system. A passenger paying by credit or debit card must use the TPEP system.
- TLC rules also require that medallion owners maintain accurate trip records; if a driver accepts payment of taxi fares through a payment app not connected to the TPEP system, the trip records will not be accurate and the medallion owner will be summonsed.
- A driver cannot charge a passenger more than the fare on the meter for a taxi ride. If a driver uses a payment app that charges the passenger more than the fare on the meter for a taxi ride, the driver is responsible for a passenger overcharge.
- A driver must not use any electronic communication device, including a cell phone or smartphone running a hail or payment app while operating a taxicab. Any driver using such a device at any time except when the taxi is legally standing will be summonsed.
Drivers and owners are reminded that violations of Commission rules can lead to fines and, in some cases, the suspension or revocation of their TLC license.
Visit Taxi and Limousine Commission website at:
http://www.nyc.gov/taxi
Why would a driver need an app to get a fare? What if a cabbie sees a hail? Is he going to pass it by for a passenger that may not show? With the new fare increase the driver would have to be an idiot to pay an app credit card fee when he has a good deal now. Passing a phone around, what if the passenger runs away with the phone. Is he going to leave a 20% tip on a cell phone? How can you stop someone who starts to press pay with a card? Wait a second sir, here is my phone. What is this app that gets you a fare anyway? I have seen some TV ads for swipers but we all have one in the back. I don’t see the need for this stuff. Who would use this stuff znyway?
the tlc must come up with a real solution as soon as possible. we the drivers need an application at least to save gas and reduce some tention. i cant run around nyc after midnight chasing darkness looking for aliens. we must have a nyc hailing application free for drivers to use as puplic space and find passengers. my bones hurt just driving a garbage cab after midnight with no hope. enough is enough. the tlc must look for the benefit of its drivers and passengers first. the way they build the nv200, also they can build a minicomputer that combines the hailling application and gps and the meter all in one device. they can hire samsung or apple to manifacture the system. what are we waiting for. the only thing we can add to the application is the speed of the car. if the gps says zero miles/hour then the driver can operate the application and use it to find passengers/so what the problem here. technology can make possible and safe.
It is all about how to get more money out from the drivers pocket
TLC had better jump on the apps which allow anyone with an email to sign up. Black cars will use it all day to poach fares, unencumbered by TLC oversight.
There is a personal reward for a NYC cabbie who has an exceptional day making more money than average — the cabbie is entitled to feel that his competitive skills, his thinking ability, general cabbie ingenuity helped him make more.money. What a difference if every NYC cabbie received his work electronically through no skill of his own. Just a bean in a seat waiting for what he is given. True, the NYC cabbie might still get a street hail or two, but also probably get into ‘ cabbie fights ‘ about whose job it is. Hey, I got a dispatch on this rider — ho ho ho. What a boring job it would be, besides high stress and dangerous race trying to get to the rider before rider disappears!!!
There is a rumor that Boston has approved the ‘ Square ‘ card slider that attaches to the cell phone – if so, this will undercut the two giants operating in Boston – the same two operating in NYC!
All cabs in San Francisco use square
What are the fines for using an app to accept a credit card? What are the fines for getting a customer using an app? For medallion cabs.
Mr. Daus released a timely report on smartphone apps for “electronic hailing” in the August issue of Taxi Insider. Click here http://taxisafety.com/taxiinsider/ti0812.pdf n read page 25. Right now the work is in progress. The pie’s new ingredients r in the bowl n ready to be spinned. Hope it doesn’t take time for the pie to be baked n ready for a scrumptious piece. The issue is much bigger n complex than I naively fancied. It involves international n global taxi industry. Things r always changing. It’s like somebody thought GPS map in the back screen was cool in 2007 but now passengers have it in their own phone n like to give direction from Google search. I believe APPs for “electronic hailing” or “couch hailing”, “lounge hailing”, “map hailing” ( terms coined by me) are KILLER APPs which will change the paradigm of Taxi Industry.
I don’t think all pick ups will be by electronic hailing in the future. It’s like all media evolution, we still listen music n talk show from regular radio station or satellite radio. It will be a blended pick ups depending location ( Midtown or Washinton Height ) or time ( rush hour or midnight especially for ladies ). N information is more sophisticated. Passenger data will show the record to give warning if he or she doesn’t show up without cancelling. Driver data also shows the record if he or she picks up other on the way. Some app gives driver info with a photo to waiting passenger.
I mentioned the app to the manager of Mondrian Hotel whom I picked up on Canal n Lafayette midnight, because he had to walk down to get a cab. He was excited but I had to warn him about safety n overcharge. Tavern on the Green is scheduled to reopen next year. Flashing taxi light at the CPW entrance may not operate because doorman may start using the app.
Drivers do not use Hailo! The TLC is using the app as an undercover passenger and will fine you if you pickup the fares.
Fine is how much?
Taxi Talk; Are you a shill scaring drivers from using apps? It really does not matter the taxi medallion is on the way out. Nothing lasts forever. Too bad, I like the system and hope Im wrong.