Livery drivers protest against TLC for ‘unnecessary’ fines

Livery drivers are protesting against the agency watching over them, saying the city's Taxi and Limousine Commission has been fining them for no reason.

News 12 Staff

Oct 30, 2019, 4:12 PM

Updated 1,629 days ago

Share:

Livery drivers are protesting against the agency watching over them, saying the city's Taxi and Limousine Commission has been fining them for no reason.
Over 25 union groups gathered Wednesday along East 149 Street and Trinity Avenue to protest in unity.
The protest revolves around the city’s Taxi and Limousine Commission. The agency is being accused of targeting drivers for unnecessary reasons and taking advantage of them.
Union leaders say agents are pretending to hail a cab and once the driver stops they're fined.
Under TLC rules, it’s illegal for livery drivers to pick up anyone flagging down a cab. If drivers do so, they risk a $200 ticket and a possible license suspension. News 12 is told some drivers have racked up to $25,000 in fines.
Drivers News 12 spoke with say they have been asking the TLC to change the rule for years, adding it's becoming harder and harder for independent drivers to find fares, making it nearly impossible to make a living without getting at least seven riders a day.
The livery drivers say they plan to drive down to 193rd Street and Amsterdam Avenue in Manhattan in hope of getting the TLC to listen.

Not only do they want the TLC to make it legal to pick up street hails. They're also looking for better pay on their terms.
A spokesperson from TLC said in a statement, "It’s absolutely true that illegal, unlicensed drivers are being summonsed for illegal pick-up. I understand that’s frustrating for drivers who can’t legally obtain a license for various reasons of their own, but these are very smart laws put in place by both State and City legislation to protect public safety, and our lawmakers have given the TLC the responsibility of enforcing them to protect the riding public and both drivers and legitimate, licensed operators. The vehicles we’re talking about are generally not insured for for-hire use, meaning that passengers have no protection in the instance of a crash, they aren’t inspected by the TLC for safety, and they are driven by people who have not been background-checked or drug-tested by the TLC."


More from News 12
1:56
Police: Student, 17, charged with multiple felonies for bringing unloaded gun and bullets to school

Police: Student, 17, charged with multiple felonies for bringing unloaded gun and bullets to school

2:29
Mostly sunny with highs near 70 for Tuesday; chance for rain by midweek

Mostly sunny with highs near 70 for Tuesday; chance for rain by midweek

2:23
State budget makes no change to foundation school aid; governor signals changes coming in 2026

State budget makes no change to foundation school aid; governor signals changes coming in 2026

1:43
Police: Several people hurt in Garden City bus crash

Police: Several people hurt in Garden City bus crash

1:32
Nassau Community College professors call on state to step in to help school survive

Nassau Community College professors call on state to step in to help school survive

0:58
Police: Man spray-painted antisemitic messages at homes, Jewish center in East Meadow

Police: Man spray-painted antisemitic messages at homes, Jewish center in East Meadow

1:56
State officials: More chemical drums could be buried beneath Bethpage baseball field

State officials: More chemical drums could be buried beneath Bethpage baseball field

1:33
Groundbreaking ceremony marks beginning of Jake's 58 Casino's $210M expansion project

Groundbreaking ceremony marks beginning of Jake's 58 Casino's $210M expansion project

1:32
Nassau residents deliver petition with more than 1,600 signatures against proposal to deputize residents

Nassau residents deliver petition with more than 1,600 signatures against proposal to deputize residents

Police: Driver arrested for fatal Brentwood hit-and-run

Police: Driver arrested for fatal Brentwood hit-and-run

0:26
Police: Central Islip business cited for violation after State Liquor Authority investigation

Police: Central Islip business cited for violation after State Liquor Authority investigation

1:39
Paws & Pals: Dogs up for adoption at Almost Home Animal Rescue

Paws & Pals: Dogs up for adoption at Almost Home Animal Rescue

4:39
Guide: Ways to help you identify and deal with work burnout

Guide: Ways to help you identify and deal with work burnout

1:49
Officials: Fire dispatcher's wife alerts him about blaze at their Centereach home

Officials: Fire dispatcher's wife alerts him about blaze at their Centereach home

0:32
State police: Trooper conducting traffic stop rear-ended on Meadowbrook State Parkway

State police: Trooper conducting traffic stop rear-ended on Meadowbrook State Parkway

0:52
Paws of War service dogs attend candlelight remembrance vigil in Farmingdale

Paws of War service dogs attend candlelight remembrance vigil in Farmingdale

2:04
CDC: Most women do not get a mammogram because of financial difficulties

CDC: Most women do not get a mammogram because of financial difficulties

0:38
'Pearls of Wisdom' tea event in Riverhead aims to empower young Black women

'Pearls of Wisdom' tea event in Riverhead aims to empower young Black women

0:52
Splish Splash hosts 8th annual Polar Plunge fundraiser for Special Olympics athletes

Splish Splash hosts 8th annual Polar Plunge fundraiser for Special Olympics athletes

0:24
Police: Car crashes onto guardrail, overturns on LIE in Brentwood; driver injured

Police: Car crashes onto guardrail, overturns on LIE in Brentwood; driver injured