Department of Motor Vehicles

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Tuesday, November 13, 2018

Contact:
Lisa Koumjian
[email protected]

James Plastiras 
[email protected]

Joe Morrissey 
[email protected]

NEW YORK STATE ANNOUNCES PUBLIC LISTENING SESSIONS TO STUDY ACCESSIBLE RIDE-SHARING SERVICES FOR CUSTOMERS WITH DISABILITIES

Listening Sessions to be Held in Capital Region, Central New York, Mid-Hudson, Long Island, and Western New York Regions

Written Comments May Be Submitted to [email protected] By December 18, 2018

The New York State Transportation Network Company Accessibility Task Force today announced that five public listening sessions will be held across the state to examine the availability of accessible ride-sharing services for people with disabilities. Through these listening sessions, the task force will analyze current service options, the need and demand for accessible services, and identify opportunities and barriers to increasing these options for customers with disabilities.

The task force was established through legislation passed last year to bring ride-sharing services to Upstate New York and Long Island. Members of the task force include representatives from organizations that serve people with disabilities and representatives from transportation network companies such as Uber or Lyft.

“The law authorizing transportation network companies has provided an alternative, safe transportation option to people across this state,” said Betty DeFazio, Task Force Co-Chair and Chief Development Officer at ARISE CNY. “This task force will help ensure that this vital ride-sharing system is meeting the needs of every passenger, especially those who may need it most.”

“The focus of this task force is making sure that all New Yorkers, no matter what their needs may be, have adequate access to reliable transportation,” said Frank Krotschinsky, Task Force Co-Chair and Director of Suffolk County Office for People with Disabilities. “I am proud to serve as Co-Chair of this group, and I look forward to leading meaningful discussions that will help us navigate this important area of the ride-sharing industry.”

The public listening sessions are scheduled as follows:

November 27, 2018
10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Knights of Columbus
261 S. Legion Drive
Buffalo, NY 14220

November 28, 2018
10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
NYS Fairgrounds- Martha Eddy Room
581 State Fair Boulevard
Syracuse, NY 13209

November 30, 2018
10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Westchester County Center
198 Central Ave.
White Plains, NY 10606 

December 11, 2018
10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Empire State Plaza Convention Center
Meeting Rooms 2-3
Albany, NY 12242

December 18, 2018
10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Moose Lodge
631 Pulaski Road
Greenlawn, NY 11740

Each session will begin with a brief presentation from the members of the task force. Following the presentation, interested parties will be invited to provide their feedback on ride-sharing services for people with disabilities.

To submit written comments, email [email protected] by December 18, 2018.

The law authorizing transportation network company (TNC) operation, which took effect June 29, 2017, extended ride-sharing statewide. Previously, ride-sharing services were only available to travelers in New York City.  The law also resulted in protections for passengers and regulations for how TNCs may operate and be licensed. More information for passengers, applicants, drivers and local governments is available on the NYS DMV website at https://dmv.ny.gov/more-info/rideshare-information.

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