mark1447 Posted December 22, 2009 Share #1 Posted December 22, 2009 Cabs have a new code of silence. The Taxi and Limousine Commission passed stiff new rules Thursday that bans hacks from speaking on any cell phone, including hands-free devices. Those caught chatting away will be slapped with a $200 fine and a mandatory course that includes a “truly horrifying video” about distracted driving, the TLC said. Drivers would lose their TLC license after the third infraction. "This was a major victory for the riding and walking public," said TLC Commissioner Matthew Daus. The taxi industry came around on supporting the rules once they allowed drivers to talk to dispatchers through a phone mounted on their dashboards. “We all realize there are some pitfalls to speaking on the phone. Who doesn’t want to be safe?” said Sergio A. Sanchez, president of the Luxury Base Operators Association, which represents 3,000 area drivers. The rules take effect later next month. In other taxi news: - The TLC has chosen eight locations to set up group ride stands, where strangers could share cabs along common routes. The locations are scattered around midtown and major transportation hubs, with the pilot program starting in the next few weeks. - The agency is soliciting designs for the “Taxi of Tomorrow,” a more compact, fuel-efficient vehicle that would be intentionally designed as a cab. The cab will be cleaner, more comfortable and feature updated safety elements instead of interior partitions, the TLC said. The agency expects the cabs to hit the streets by October 2014, with all retired vehicles replaced with the new design. ' “The time to develop the taxi of tomorrow is today,” said Daus, in an announcement Thursday. SOURCE: AM- New York Dec. 17, 2009 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
metsfan Posted December 22, 2009 Share #2 Posted December 22, 2009 About time! - A Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark1447 Posted December 22, 2009 Author Share #3 Posted December 22, 2009 About time! - A Are they saying Drivers get a ban or everyone inside including passengers? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
INDman Posted December 22, 2009 Share #4 Posted December 22, 2009 Are they saying Drivers get a ban or everyone inside including passengers? Drivers can't use hands free devices even if they have no passengers. I think thats BS, but I never take cabs so... I don't really care. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark1447 Posted December 22, 2009 Author Share #5 Posted December 22, 2009 Drivers can't use hands free devices even if they have no passengers. I think thats BS, but I never take cabs so... I don't really care. w0w, that totally suck sh*t.. I hope this does NOT include off duty.. Because then this would be so stupid.. I dont even use yellow cabs.. Sometimes just the regular cabs and of course NYCT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
metsfan Posted December 22, 2009 Share #6 Posted December 22, 2009 This only affects cabbies while driving, not pulled over to get a fare or parked. I say good because I was hit once and all most hit several times by cabs running red light & ignoring the law that gives pedestrians the right of way at cross walks. - A Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RTS CNG Command Posted December 22, 2009 Share #7 Posted December 22, 2009 About time! Now we may hopefully see more cabbies actually DRIVING! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DevilBus65 Posted December 22, 2009 Share #8 Posted December 22, 2009 Well just like the MTA, your number one priority should be the safety of your customers not chatting with your homeboys while you are working. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Posted December 22, 2009 Share #9 Posted December 22, 2009 Exactly, the hacks are responsible for people's lives when they are carting passengers around town. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrooklynBound Posted December 23, 2009 Share #10 Posted December 23, 2009 Metro Transit just instituted a new Electronic Device policy. Bus and Light Rail operators are prohibited from having devices on them, while behind the wheel. The device must be turned off and stowed in a work bag or a coat that is not on. The device cannot be on silent or vibrate. Penalty - 1st offense, 20 day suspension (unpaid, of course), 2nd offense, termination. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Posted December 23, 2009 Share #11 Posted December 23, 2009 That seems tough to enforce. If they can't have the device concealed on their person, they need someone to frisk the operators. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DevilBus65 Posted December 23, 2009 Share #12 Posted December 23, 2009 Well you don't need to get yourself into trouble,leave it off. Is it worth disciplinary action to find out whether or not Mavis won the Lotto? Wait til the end of your trip. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Posted December 23, 2009 Share #13 Posted December 23, 2009 Of course. It's not worth getting canned for text message or two. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrooklynBound Posted January 2, 2010 Share #14 Posted January 2, 2010 Yeah, I agree. I'm at top pay with some things to pay for! However, there will be those who will protest the wrong way and get pinched. Also, mgmt say that third party notifications will be treated as a direct observation by a supervisor. Yes, they have created a culture of tattlers! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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