Black Car Assistance Corporation

04/18/2022

Last week, the CDC extended its mask mandate for public transportation (including FHVs) for another 2 weeks. It was set to expire today, 4/18, and was extended through 5/3. However, a federal judge has now struck that down. For NYC, the TLC has not yet changed its mask mandate for drivers and passengers. Read more below

A federal judge in Florida on Monday struck down the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) mask mandate for travel on planes, trains and buses.  Judge Kathryn Kimball M…

11/30/2021

Mayor de Blasio has announced the return of temporarily expanded pedestrian space on the streets around Rockefeller Center and Radio City Music Hall.

As of Friday, November 26th, the City will use movable barriers to institute full or partial street closures to alleviate swelling foot traffic along sidewalks. Changes include:

• Pedestrian-Only Side Streets: 49th and 50th Streets between 5th and 6th Avenues will be open only to pedestrians during the most congested hours.

The City will close these streets to vehicle traffic between 11 a.m. and midnight daily.

Stricter crowd-control protocols are expected to be in place for the tree-lighting scheduled for Wednesday, December 1st.

• 5th Avenue: Movable barriers will be placed on the east and west sides of 5th Avenue between 48th and 52nd Streets, eliminating a lane of traffic on each side of the avenue to create more pedestrian space. Additionally, there will be no turns allowed onto 47th, 49th, or 51st Streets.

• 6th Avenue: Movable barriers will be placed on the east side of 6th Avenue between 48th and 52nd Streets, eliminating one lane of traffic to create more pedestrian space.

• Buses: MTA buses will bypass all stops between 48th to 52nd Streets, and all crosstown buses will be re-routed around Rockefeller Center during pedestrian-only hours.

For more information, please visit: http://ow.ly/Iefa50H0hEb

11/17/2021

The Black Car Fund's Seatbelt Stickers Are LIVE!

Member Bases and Covered Drivers, may pick up theirs today at Vital Transportation:

4124 38th St.
Queens, NY 11101

Available for pick up:

Monday - Friday
9:00 AM - 2:00 PM.

Please keep in mind, there is a limit of 200 stickers per Member Base request. Covered Drivers may also request stickers; however, please note, there is a 2 sticker limit per Driver.

Reach out to Charlie, Vital's General Manager, with any questions on the stickers, at 718.472.2500, ext. 3029.

For questions regarding more information, contact BCF here: https://www.nybcf.org/contact

11/12/2021

The Black Car Fund will be providing seatbelt stickers for their Member Bases for FREE in compliance to NY's latest seatbelt law requiring Drivers to remind their passengers to buckle-up.

Stickers are available for pick up for Member Bases at Vital Transportation:

4124 38th St.
Queens, NY 11101

Available for pick up Monday-Friday, between 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM.

Please be aware there is a limit of 200 stickers per Member Base request. Covered Drivers may request stickers, as well, but be aware there is a 2 sticker limit per Driver.

For questions regarding stickers, please contact Charlie, Vital's General Manager, at 718.472.2500, ext. 3029.

For questions regarding more information, write to BCF here: https://www.nybcf.org/contact

09/22/2021

Despite the promises of Vision Zero, traffic fatalities have jumped 30% since the pandemic started. Mayor de Blasio has vowed to address this after a new report showed the NYPD has pulled back from enforcement against reckless driving. Read more:

https://gothamist.com/news/traffic-deaths-mount-de-blasio-vows-intensify-lagging-enforcement

Mayor Bill de Blasio vowed to address the mounting traffic deaths on New York City streets, after a new report showed the NYPD has pulled back from enforcement against reckless driving.

09/02/2021

Due to severe weather, there is a travel ban in effect beginning now until 5:00 AM on 9/2. All non-emergency vehicles must be off NYC streets and highways.

03/30/2021

Governor Cuomo announced that the U.S. Transportation Department has given NYC the green light to move forward with its next step towards implementing congestion pricing: an environmental assessment. Read more below:

http://ow.ly/3WXc50EcvuU

New York City can proceed with the nation's first congestion pricing program, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Tuesday. The U.S. Transportation Department will allow the state to proceed with a federally required environmental assessment and public outreach for the program, Cuomo said …

03/09/2021

A new NYS bill aims to create an advisory committee within the MTA to draw up a plan for bike and pedestrian access on the agency’s bridges and public transportation stations. Read more below.

http://ow.ly/RaMM50DUpfv

As COVID-wary Brooklynites take up biking in masse to avoid crowded public transportation, a cadre of New York State legislators are looking to open the Verrazzano Bridge and other city spans to pedal-pushers.

02/18/2021

Please be advised that due to the inclement weather, all TLC vehicle inspection appointments on 2/18 and the morning of 2/19 have been rescheduled. Drivers who have any questions can reach out to the TLC at [email protected]

02/09/2021

Beginning tomorrow, Feb. 10, CitiField will serve as a vaccination site and half of all the appointments are being reserved for TLC Licensees and food delivery workers! You can make an appointment at vaccinefinder.nyc.gov

http://ow.ly/c3ul50DvS6S

Citi Field will be activated as a COVID-19 vaccination hub beginning Wednesday, according to Mayor Bill de Blasio.

02/08/2021

The TLC has issued an important reminder to TLC licensees. Please see the message below!

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Your safety is a top priority for the Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC). As you may be aware, this past summer, TLC established a process by which Licensees can report physical and verbal assaults or if they have been victim of a crime while on the job. TLC works closely with New York City Police Department to ensure that anyone who assaults a TLC Licensee is brought to justice, and that TLC Licensees who are victims of verbal and physical attacks or robberies receive the assistance and advocacy they deserve.

If you ever feel in danger or are the victim of a crime – CALL 911. Filing a police report is important so law enforcement can investigate and prevent future incidents from occurring. After you have called 911, please report it to TLC at [email protected]. We can help connect you with important services for crime victims.

Try to avoid potentially dangerous situations and please do not put yourself at risk! The most violent assaults were by passengers who did not request a trip through a licensed base. Accepting trips that were not dispatched by a licensed base is dangerous, and you are potentially putting yourself at risk if you illegally pick up a passenger. Additionally, New York State workers' compensation benefits are only available for TLC-licensed drivers who become injured while completing a trip dispatched by a licensed base in a TLC licensed vehicle. Drivers who are operating without a TLC driver license or vehicle license are not eligible for workers' compensation.

Remember, the most important trip you will take is back home to your loved ones. Thank you for doing your part to ensure that our Industry remains safe for all.

11/17/2020

The MTA's Congestion Pricing Plan is likely to have more support from the federal government under President-elect Joe Biden. Despite this and the MTA's optimism of implementation, some transportation experts are suggesting halting the program. John Corlett, director of public and government affairs for AAA Northeast said, MTA officials "need to hit the reset button".

Adding a surcharge to drivers entering New York's "Central Business District", amidst the pandemic, will further hurt financially struggling drivers and discourage many workers from safely commuting to work.

To read more points of view and to learn more about the project visit: http://ow.ly/GSUC50Cn2lu

Some transportation experts are advising the MTA to pump the brakes on its congestion pricing plan, arguing that the number of people driving into New York City — and their reasons for doing so — has