Press Release- 11-16-2018

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Friday, November 16, 2018

Contact:
Lisa Koumjian
[email protected]

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

New Time for November 28 Listening Session at NYS Fairgrounds

The New York State Transportation Network Company Accessibility Task Force today announced a new time for the November 28 listening session at the NYS Fairgrounds. The listening session will now be held from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. to better accommodate attendees utilizing public transportation. This is one of five listening sessions being held across the state to examine accessible ride-sharing services for people with disabilities.

The public is invited to provide their feedback on current service options, the need and demand for additional accessible services, and opportunities and barriers to increasing these options for customers with disabilities. Sign language interpreters and closed captioning will be available at each forum so all attendees have equal ability to participate. If additional accommodations are needed please e-mail [email protected].

Participants are asked to pre-register for the session or sessions they wish to attend. For those who cannot attend or do not wish to speak publicly, written comments will be accepted through December 18, 2018. They may be submitted to [email protected].

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
1 p.m. to 4 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

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 company (TNC) operation took effect June 29, 2017. 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.

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Department of Motor Vehicles