Release #566-96

Contact: Colleen Roche (212) 788-2958 or Dwight Williams (212) 788-2972

1. Bills 1 and 2. Authorization to Operate Commuter Van Services in the Boroughs of Brooklyn, Queens and Manhattan
   The first two bills before me, Introductory Number 700-A, and Introductory Number 849-A, were introduced by Council Member Dear in relation to the approval of the applications of Chi-Elm Transportation Services and Fung Wah Transport Vans for authorization to operate commuter van services in the Boroughs of Brooklyn, Queens and Manhattan.

   Under Local Law 115 of 1993, van companies seeking to provide commuter van services in the City must submit an application to the Taxi and Limousine Commission, which conducts a review of the fitness of the applicant, including a background and fingerprint check. The application is also reviewed by the Department of Transportation for the purpose of determining whether the proposed van operation meets statutory service criteria. If the agencies have approved the application, the application may be reviewed by the City Council for its approval or disapproval.

   Chi-Elm Transportation Services has fulfilled the public convenience and necessity criteria set forth by the Department of Transportation and has also been approved after careful review by the Taxi and Limousine Commission as fit to operate a commuter van service. The applicant has requested authorization for one commuter van from a residential area in Queens to and from a central work-related area in Manhattan between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m., daily. I expect Chi-Elm Transportation Services to provide New York City residents with a valuable service by providing a new and convenient transportation resource in a safe and convenient manner.

   Fung Wah Transport Vans, Inc. has fulfilled the public convenience and necessity criteria set forth by the Department of Transportation and has also been approved after careful review by the Taxi and Limousine Commission as fit to operate a commuter van service. The applicant has requested authorization for four vans to provide twenty-four hour daily service between an area in Brooklyn to and from a central work-0related area in Manhattan. I also expect Fung Wah Transport Vans, Inc. to provide a valuable service by providing a new and convenient transportation resource in a safe manner.

   I have long supported the need for alternate transportation to complement the limited mass transit resources available in certain areas of the City. Commuter van transport has proven to be responsive to the needs of special markets and also has the potential for promoting economic opportunity in various communities.

   I encourage Council Member Dear and the City Council to continue to productively serve the transportation needs of New York City residents by continuing to approve commuter van applicants that wish to operate in the city.

   I will first turn to the sponsors of these bills and to any other elected official wishing to speak.

   Now I will turn to the general audience. Is there anyone in the general audience to be heard in opposition?

   Is there anyone in the general audience to be heard in support?

   There being no one else to be heard, and for the reasons previously stated, I will now sign these bills.

2. Bill 3. The Installation of Thermal Shock Protection Devices on Water Faucets
   The final bill before me today is Introductory Number 792-A, introduced by Council Members Spigner and Eristoff. This bill would amend the administrative code of the City of New York in relation to the installation of thermal-shock protection devices.

   This bill would require bath and shower valves of individual showers or bathtubs, or multiple gang showers, to be installed with valves that protect against sudden changes in water temperature. In addition, water temperature control valves must be equipped with high-limit stops that are adjusted to a maximum hot water setting of 120 degrees Fahrenheit, 49 degrees Celsius. This bill would only require installation of these valves in new construction and plumbing alterations covered by the Building Code. The bill would also establish a civil penalty of not less that one hundred dollars but not more than five hundred dollars for any person who distributes, sells, offers for sale or imports any bath and shower water supply control valve which does not meet the standards set forth in the bill.

   I would like to recognize the efforts of the New York Junior League in educating the public, engaging elected officials and advancing the principles embodied in this legislation, which I am confident will prevent devastating burns to some of the most vulnerable of our society, including young children and the elderly.

   I will now turn to the sponsors of the bill and to any other elected official wishing to speak.

   I will now turn to the general audience. Is there anyone wishing to be herd in support of this bill?

   Is there anyone wishing to be heard in opposition?

   There being none, and for reasons previously stated, I will now sign the bill.

   
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