Oh hooorah! the Judges, in their infinite wisdom, have struck a blow for disabled people everywhere! (NOT!)Th judges, in an effort to make themselves feel good about themselves, have once more stomped into a market they know nothing about, and thrown around their weight in the interest of social engineering. When are New Yorkers ever going to get sick and tired of these Dudley Do-
Rights, who come riding in on their chargers, ostensibly to save the day but in reality leaving mile long trails of economic destruction in their wake?
Here is an idea NYC: since you are so enamored of the idea of government control of industry, why not just let the city take over and run the taxi industry themselves? Quit the half measures. Quit the farting around. Just steal the taxis, seize the businesses, and run the thing top to bottom. I am very sure the City of New York government can run the taxi industry equally as well as they run the schools, and pave the roads.
Pity Party for Poor Paulie. I guess you’ll be happy when the euthanasia campaign kicks in and all those miserable little crips get sent to the toaster, or locked up where they belong, or just ignored behind the cinderblock walls out of State. Who’s next, the ___? (fill in the blank)
Fool. Access is for everyone, not just the able-bodied. If a taxpayer cannot make it into the subway system because there isn’t an elevator, they may be able to take a bus. Maybe. Or they can call for an Access-a Ride for a big city-paid bill. For private access, though, would you deny getting paid by anyone? Are some folks’ dollars any less green? Do you earn your tips, or do you just spew bitter nastiness when you have to stoop?
Reality Bites seems to think that because I do not want transportation for the disabled to be controlled or regulated by the government, that i don’t want it at all. Nothing could be further from the truth. Then, he zooms to the illogical conclusion that I favor euthanasia, which would be insulting were it not so ridiculous.
For the record, no euthanasia campaign was ever kicked off by a private enterprise. That has always been the purview of governments, although some corporations with government connections gleefully get involved once the policy has been set. Winchester Arms provision of rifles to the vaunted US Government so they could slaughter the Cheyenne and Sioux leaps to mind.
As for wheelchair access taxis, in New York City there are enough disabled (both permanent and temporarily disabled) to make this an extremely lucrative market. IF the taxi and limo commission just gets out of the way. I own a cab company in Phoenix Arizona, (http://www.paulstaxi.com) and several of our regular passengers are disabled, and guess what? They get rides on time every time from us. And they pay their own way. And if someone needs a wheelchair accessible cab, I have several companies I can refer them to. Disabled access to transportation is not an issue in a free market. NYC would be wise to implement a free market. Unfortunately, too many citizens are idol worshipers of the State, and see the only possible solution as more government interference in more areas of our lives. This restricts the ability of creative people to meet the needs of the traveling public. And the ones that suffer the most are the very disabled that the city claims to want to help. I don’t want the disabled to not have rides; I simply think it is idiotic for the government to tell us how it should be provided.
Of course the euthanasia comments were farcical as was most of the post. My only real point is that wheelchair vans or otherwise-equipped units have been available to operators yet few have made the investment in accessible vehicles. If the market doesn’t fill the void, then who else has the authority to void the void?
And how does the riding handicapped public determine which of the multitudes of yellow cars are accessible from a street corner? No way to tell, other than making the assumption that the ones who won’t stop, can’t handle their mobility chairs etc.
In NYC, very little is done via call centers unlike other cities. Most cars are street-hailed. In Manhattan at least. Of course a call can be made to an equipped operator, but that defeats the purpose of the yellow system.
Hacking is a tough business no doubt. In NY cars are used 24/7 on shifts. Its best to have multipurpose units for whatever the needs are. Especially with the aging of the population.
You’re assuming there is a free market in cabbing in NYC. There isn’t one. Access to the market is controlled by the Taxi and Limo commission and its medallion scheme. And why would a cab company spend money on a medallion for a wheel chair accessible cab when a standard one is easier to lease out and makes more money?
If the city of New York were to ditch its foolish, socialistic, protectionist Taxi and Limo Commission and allow market freedom to reassert itself, most of the problems that are occurring in NYC with the taxis would disappear. Now, granted, cab companies are run by humans and staffed by humans, so the system would not be perfect, however it would be a far better picture than it is now. The lack of taxis in the outer boroughs of New York would be a thing of the past, since some drivers, sensing the opportunity for better earnings would gravitate there. The wheelchair accessibility issue would be mitigated, since some companies would instantly see the profit potential in providing more wheelchair accessible vehicles.
But as it is now, with the plethora of rules and restrictions, you cannot even call a cab driver that you like and ask him to pick you up personally. A cab with its “duty light” lit must pick up anyone that hails it, and taxi drivers are no longer allowed to talk on the phone while driving.
Here in the free market environment of Phoenix Arizona, if you like a cab driver, or if he has a vehicle you like or need (such as a wheel chair van or a big SUV), you just pick up your phone and call him.
Free markets are not perfect, but they have a built in incentive to improve themselves. The better you are, the more money you make. And this situation is a lot better than the whimsical pronouncements of Judge Dudley Do-Right, or the corrupt, nepotistic system of a Taxi and Limo Commission deciding what is good for everyone in New York.
Paul – recent update from local newspaper Daily News:
“Gov. Cuomo signed into law a bill designed to make it easier for cab and livery car owners to upgrade to handicapped accessible vehicles, the Daily News has learned.
The new law revives an expired state tax credit of up to $10,000 to taxi and livery companies that upgrade to handicapped accessible vehicles.
The tax credit had been in place from 2006 through the end of 2010, but only for cars that were retrofitted to deal with the disabled.
The new law, which passed on June 23 but was only signed this week by Cuomo, has been expanded to also cover new vehicles that are built accessible.
The bill was sponsored by Assemblyman Micah Kellner (D-Manhattan) and Sen. John Flanagan (R-Suffolk County).
“I’m once again thrilled that the governor has continued his commitment to ensuring accessible transportation to all individuals,” Kellner said.
The tax credit is on top of a $15,000 payout the city must give livery cab owners who upgrade their vehicles as part of a recent deal to allow thousands of livery cars to pick up street hails in the outer boroughs and upper Manhattan.”
PLUS: From website for the New York State Energy Research & Development Authority and their New York City Private Fleet Program:
“Federal Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) funds are awarded on a competitive basis for up to 50% of the incremental cost of new light-duty (gross vehicle weight < 14,000 pounds) natural gas or electric vehicles. While Congress did not extend this credit into 2011, it did enact a new bonus depreciation provision that allows companies to expense 50% of the cost of new capital equipment. "
Base price $42k. CNG option $9,000. Net price exclusive of divider etc $36,500. Should make it competitive to run, and with a 330 mile range, a very clean alternative to inaccessible pollution generators.
So, if $15,000 credits are the result of government grants, is all of government such a big bad thing?
Oh hooorah! the Judges, in their infinite wisdom, have struck a blow for disabled people everywhere! (NOT!)Th judges, in an effort to make themselves feel good about themselves, have once more stomped into a market they know nothing about, and thrown around their weight in the interest of social engineering. When are New Yorkers ever going to get sick and tired of these Dudley Do-
Rights, who come riding in on their chargers, ostensibly to save the day but in reality leaving mile long trails of economic destruction in their wake?
Here is an idea NYC: since you are so enamored of the idea of government control of industry, why not just let the city take over and run the taxi industry themselves? Quit the half measures. Quit the farting around. Just steal the taxis, seize the businesses, and run the thing top to bottom. I am very sure the City of New York government can run the taxi industry equally as well as they run the schools, and pave the roads.
Pity Party for Poor Paulie. I guess you’ll be happy when the euthanasia campaign kicks in and all those miserable little crips get sent to the toaster, or locked up where they belong, or just ignored behind the cinderblock walls out of State. Who’s next, the ___? (fill in the blank)
Fool. Access is for everyone, not just the able-bodied. If a taxpayer cannot make it into the subway system because there isn’t an elevator, they may be able to take a bus. Maybe. Or they can call for an Access-a Ride for a big city-paid bill. For private access, though, would you deny getting paid by anyone? Are some folks’ dollars any less green? Do you earn your tips, or do you just spew bitter nastiness when you have to stoop?
Go see the car at http://www.vpgautos.com
Reality Bites seems to think that because I do not want transportation for the disabled to be controlled or regulated by the government, that i don’t want it at all. Nothing could be further from the truth. Then, he zooms to the illogical conclusion that I favor euthanasia, which would be insulting were it not so ridiculous.
For the record, no euthanasia campaign was ever kicked off by a private enterprise. That has always been the purview of governments, although some corporations with government connections gleefully get involved once the policy has been set. Winchester Arms provision of rifles to the vaunted US Government so they could slaughter the Cheyenne and Sioux leaps to mind.
As for wheelchair access taxis, in New York City there are enough disabled (both permanent and temporarily disabled) to make this an extremely lucrative market. IF the taxi and limo commission just gets out of the way. I own a cab company in Phoenix Arizona, (http://www.paulstaxi.com) and several of our regular passengers are disabled, and guess what? They get rides on time every time from us. And they pay their own way. And if someone needs a wheelchair accessible cab, I have several companies I can refer them to. Disabled access to transportation is not an issue in a free market. NYC would be wise to implement a free market. Unfortunately, too many citizens are idol worshipers of the State, and see the only possible solution as more government interference in more areas of our lives. This restricts the ability of creative people to meet the needs of the traveling public. And the ones that suffer the most are the very disabled that the city claims to want to help. I don’t want the disabled to not have rides; I simply think it is idiotic for the government to tell us how it should be provided.
Of course the euthanasia comments were farcical as was most of the post. My only real point is that wheelchair vans or otherwise-equipped units have been available to operators yet few have made the investment in accessible vehicles. If the market doesn’t fill the void, then who else has the authority to void the void?
And how does the riding handicapped public determine which of the multitudes of yellow cars are accessible from a street corner? No way to tell, other than making the assumption that the ones who won’t stop, can’t handle their mobility chairs etc.
In NYC, very little is done via call centers unlike other cities. Most cars are street-hailed. In Manhattan at least. Of course a call can be made to an equipped operator, but that defeats the purpose of the yellow system.
Hacking is a tough business no doubt. In NY cars are used 24/7 on shifts. Its best to have multipurpose units for whatever the needs are. Especially with the aging of the population.
You’re assuming there is a free market in cabbing in NYC. There isn’t one. Access to the market is controlled by the Taxi and Limo commission and its medallion scheme. And why would a cab company spend money on a medallion for a wheel chair accessible cab when a standard one is easier to lease out and makes more money?
If the city of New York were to ditch its foolish, socialistic, protectionist Taxi and Limo Commission and allow market freedom to reassert itself, most of the problems that are occurring in NYC with the taxis would disappear. Now, granted, cab companies are run by humans and staffed by humans, so the system would not be perfect, however it would be a far better picture than it is now. The lack of taxis in the outer boroughs of New York would be a thing of the past, since some drivers, sensing the opportunity for better earnings would gravitate there. The wheelchair accessibility issue would be mitigated, since some companies would instantly see the profit potential in providing more wheelchair accessible vehicles.
But as it is now, with the plethora of rules and restrictions, you cannot even call a cab driver that you like and ask him to pick you up personally. A cab with its “duty light” lit must pick up anyone that hails it, and taxi drivers are no longer allowed to talk on the phone while driving.
Here in the free market environment of Phoenix Arizona, if you like a cab driver, or if he has a vehicle you like or need (such as a wheel chair van or a big SUV), you just pick up your phone and call him.
Free markets are not perfect, but they have a built in incentive to improve themselves. The better you are, the more money you make. And this situation is a lot better than the whimsical pronouncements of Judge Dudley Do-Right, or the corrupt, nepotistic system of a Taxi and Limo Commission deciding what is good for everyone in New York.
Paul – recent update from local newspaper Daily News:
“Gov. Cuomo signed into law a bill designed to make it easier for cab and livery car owners to upgrade to handicapped accessible vehicles, the Daily News has learned.
The new law revives an expired state tax credit of up to $10,000 to taxi and livery companies that upgrade to handicapped accessible vehicles.
The tax credit had been in place from 2006 through the end of 2010, but only for cars that were retrofitted to deal with the disabled.
The new law, which passed on June 23 but was only signed this week by Cuomo, has been expanded to also cover new vehicles that are built accessible.
The bill was sponsored by Assemblyman Micah Kellner (D-Manhattan) and Sen. John Flanagan (R-Suffolk County).
“I’m once again thrilled that the governor has continued his commitment to ensuring accessible transportation to all individuals,” Kellner said.
The tax credit is on top of a $15,000 payout the city must give livery cab owners who upgrade their vehicles as part of a recent deal to allow thousands of livery cars to pick up street hails in the outer boroughs and upper Manhattan.”
PLUS: From website for the New York State Energy Research & Development Authority and their New York City Private Fleet Program:
“Federal Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) funds are awarded on a competitive basis for up to 50% of the incremental cost of new light-duty (gross vehicle weight < 14,000 pounds) natural gas or electric vehicles. While Congress did not extend this credit into 2011, it did enact a new bonus depreciation provision that allows companies to expense 50% of the cost of new capital equipment. "
Base price $42k. CNG option $9,000. Net price exclusive of divider etc $36,500. Should make it competitive to run, and with a 330 mile range, a very clean alternative to inaccessible pollution generators.
So, if $15,000 credits are the result of government grants, is all of government such a big bad thing?