The question of “is that taxi free or not?” could soon be easier to answer in New York. On Thursday, the city’s Taxi and Limousine Commission voted to do away with the off-duty lights. Here’s a visual:
Whereas once there were two categories of lights, with four combinations:
The city’s Taxi and Limousine Commission voted to just have this — the medallion number:
David Yassky, the TLC commissioner, said off-duty taxi lights “are a relic of bygone days” and that the rules change will make the system easier to understand.
“The only purpose it serves today is to confuse the passenger,” he said, adding that the TLC hears complaints “all time” about rooftop lights. “Taxi roof lights should be simple. If it’s on, it means you can flag the cab down. If it’s off, it’s unavailable.”
(Only one commissioner voted against the proposal: Iris Weinshall, a former NYC transportation commissioner who was in the news last year for her dislike of the Prospect Park West bike lane.)
Yassky said people hailing cabs don’t care about the particulars of the lighting system. “The passenger only cares if the cab is available or not.”
He said he hopes the new system will do away with another perennial vexation — the way some cabbies use the off-duty light to cherry-pick customers. “It’s a source of frustration (for passengers),” he said. “Sometimes they see drivers with the off-duty sign on go from person to person asking ‘where are you going’ and we don’t want that to happen.”
That’s currently possible because the switch controlling the lights is manual. But when the off-duty lights fade away, so will the driver’s control over the roof light.
According to the minutes of the May 2012 public hearing on the rules change, the single light roof light would eliminate the manual switch that controls the off-duty light. Instead, it would be controlled automatically and synched with the meter. So when the meter is engaged, the medallion number light will automatically turn off, and when the trip is over, the light will turn back off.
The new rule technically takes effect 30 days after being posted in the city record. But there could still be off duty lights on top of cabs until April, which is the end of the first quarter inspection period.
One or two pictures, illustrations or drawing could say a thousand words. Too much talk for more confusion wasting time.
“Drivers cherry pick passengers” is only one side of story. Some do, I’m sure, but less than car service in Manhattan. But when drivers have to be off duty especially changing shift in rush hours outerboro bound, it benefits for both sides.
Speaking of confusion, how about dim green light(!) close to red light? Two lights facing Rivington at Allen, one close(north bound) is red while second (south bound) is dim half green. I’ve seen cars only see green n cross north bound while red. So be careful on north bound Allen.
Think tank brains can’t handle beyond dichotomy choice of yes or no. Third option of “YES only if passenger goes same way as driver’s” could be solved with colors like orange or blue on sides instead of off duty small sign unreadable from distance. N the game rule should be driver’s first card flip(talking) for destination without asking.
Actually be careful on southbound of Allen also. I’ve seen cars on east bound Canal with RED CROSSED southbound Allen with GREEN while first car driver looked only second dim green for north bound Allen.
BTW, is it necessary to do all messing up on Allen while blaming no 2,000 medallion sale for city budget deficit.
This is still a great city in the world inspite of all. We take it for granted like having a chance to drive by the lighted tree in RFC while others drive in just to see it risking numerous happy-holiday tickets.
Enjoy the beautiful decoration around this season n one song for you in YouTube: Train – cab (lyrics), sometimes I think = sometimes I wish
Train -get to me (lyrics), is also fun song.
No more “Off Duty Light”..So who cares. All I care about is being able to go pee when I need to. Did they give me a way to go “Off Duty” to do that?
It’s the Apps that concern me. This stupidity will turn the industry upside down while making the App providers rich!
TLC—Don’t Do It..Leave well enough alone…
How much Santta Claus pays to insure rain deers ? If one of them will hit my cab wil I get any money?
This is pretty disastrous. Have these people ever driven a cab? The end of the day is important and can be a big money maker, The off duty light is necessary to avoid being late, and people don’t hail cabs with no light.
It seems like the big dudes have nothing else better to do, I can be sure on one thing, with or without the off duty light , it is still up to the driver to pick up or not. and what can you guys going to do about it. if you have the man power to enforce this , first enforce on the black car’s illegal pick up. they do create enormous uncessary traffic jam, especially in the meat packing .
This is crazy. Try to do something better for cabbies, not only OFF DUTY Lights !!!!!