Archives of the Mayor's Press Office

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: Tuesday, June 20, 2000

Release #227-00

 
Contact: Sunny Mindel/Curt Ritter (212) 788-2958
Allan J. Fromberg (212) 676-1013 (TLC)


MAYOR GIULIANI ANNOUNCES RECIPROCITY AGREEMENT
WITH WESTCHESTER TAXI AND LIMOUSINE COMMISSION

Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani today announced the signing of an agreement between the New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC) and the Westchester Taxi and Limousine Commission (WCTLC) that would allow for reciprocity between the two jurisdictions.

The agreement, which would allow for-hire vehicles (FHVs) licensed by the WCTLC to pick-up passengers in New York City for destinations outside of the city, without a previously required TLC permit, would also allow TLC licensed FHVs to make pick ups in Westchester for destinations outside of the WCTLC's jurisdiction. While the City of New York faced some initial hurdles in seeking the ability to enter into such an agreement, the recent creation of the WCTLC in the image of New York City's TLC, as well as the WCTLC's agreement to mirror the high standards of the TLC's licensing criteria, ultimately allowed for the reciprocity agreement.

"Thanks to the hard work and commitment of the New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission and its counterpart, the Westchester Taxi and Limousine Commission, we have an agreement that allows us the continued ability to assure the riding public that the for-hire vehicles they patronize are properly licensed and regulated, and driven by competent professionals," said Mayor Giuliani.

Westchester County Executive Andy Spano said, "No longer will limousine companies have to be licensed by both jurisdictions for their drivers to drop off passengers or pick up a prearranged fare within the other's backyard. This agreement, for the first time, provides reciprocity between our two Commissions. If a Westchester-based company has a license from us, its drivers will be able to go into New York City without fear they will be ticketed, and, likewise, we will honor New York City licenses in our jurisdiction."

New York Taxi and Limousine Commission Chairperson Diane McGrath-McKechnie said, "We are pleased to have worked extremely closely and extraordinarily well with Westchester County, in the creation of its own TLC, as well as in the crafting of this agreement. As the City of New York's sole concern throughout this process has been the safety of the riding public, we are confident that this agreement provides the necessary assurances of public safety and addresses all of our previous concerns."

The reciprocity agreement would require that the WCTLC create specific language in its rules and regulations that would provide for the following:

Notwithstanding the need for a finalization of technical and operational details, such as the WCTLC's promulgation and acceptance of all rule modifications called for in the agreement, it is expected that the agreement would go into effect within 90 days of the date of its having been signed.

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