New York Elected Officials Announce Agreement with Taxi Limousine Commission for Taxi Drivers

   For several months, elected officials including Congressman Charles Rangel, Bronx County Democratic Chair Marcos Crespo (who also presides as the Chair of the Puerto Rican/Hispanic Task Force), Senator Adriano Espaillat, Assemblyman Luis Sepulveda, Assemblyman Jose Rivera, Assemblyman Victor Pichardo, and City Councilman Ydanis Rodriguez have been meeting at the office of State Senator Ruben Diaz Sr. with Mr. Jose Villoria, Ms. Cira Angeles and Mr. Marcos De La Cruz, leaders from the private taxi industry. We have worked together to find a way to intercede on behalf of the drivers and try to alleviate some of the undue burdens they face. 

    You should already know that under New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio's Zero Tolerance Initiative, taxi drivers have been facing serious oppression which include double penalties of points and summonses, license suspension and revocation, exorbitant and cumulative fines, and penalties that threaten to shut down taxi bases. After negotiating with New York City Taxi and Limousine Commissioner Meera Joshi about these issues, our coalition of elected officials has come to an agreement with the TLC. The photos below are of the press conference that took place in front of the K.I.S.S. Car Service on Webster Avenue. 

   State Senator Ruben Diaz Sr. was joined by many of the elected officials who were part of the negations with the TLC for fairness to the livery drivers caught in the middle who were being charged for violations that were not their fault. 

Assemblyman Jose Rivera who once was a Livery cab driver knows what today's Livery drivers have to go through. Jose added that "For the 1st time in 46 years, We have a voice and representation for our Livery drivers".

Bronx Democratic County Leader Assemblyman Marcos Crespo stands with the Livery cab drivers who just want a fair shake.

TLC spokesperson Jeff Roth gives the cities side, and that the city will work with the Livery drivers to clear up what has become a problem to the city and the drivers, that being up to 30 summonses to one car. 

Assemblyman Luis Sepulveda, one of the few Latino legislators who is a lawyer played a key role in the negotiations for the Livery drivers.