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S 9358

Relates to establishing a pilot program to evaluate the impact of commuter vans accepting street hails

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Leroy Comrie and 2 co-sponsors

The bill lets NYC commuter vans accept street hails in addition to prearranged bookings, expanding pickup options while keeping TLC licensing and safety oversight.

PRINT NUMBER 9358A
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · S 9358

Summary of Bill S. 9358 (2025-2026) – New York

Purpose and intent

  • The bill amends the New York City Administrative Code to allow commuter van services to accept hails from prospective passengers in the street, in addition to continuing to operate with prearranged (telephone or other prearranged) transportation contracts.
  • Chief aim: expand the ways commuters vans can pick up riders, potentially increasing flexibility and service accessibility for riders in New York City.

Key provisions and changes

  1. Definition of "Commuter van" and permissible operations (Section 1)

    • Maintains commuter vans as vehicles with seating capacity between 9 and 20 passengers (or as later set by rule) that are licensed by the NYC Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC).
    • Adds to the definition that commuter vans “shall” include those not currently permitted to accept hails in the street; effectively broadening the scope to allow hail pickups.
    • Requires the Commission to submit to the City Council the text of any proposed rule regarding the maximum capacity of commuter vans at the time the proposed rule is published in the City Record.

  2. Licensing and hail rules (Section 2)

    • Reiterates licensing requirements: a commuter van must hold a valid TLC license to operate in NYC.
    • Historically, no motor vehicle other than a duly licensed taxicab could accept hails from street passengers. The bill modifies this stance for commuter vans by allowing street hails alongside prearranged bookings.
    • Licenses remain valid for 1–2 years and must remain in full force and effect; suspensions or revocations still possible.

  3. Allowance of street hails (Section 3)

    • Explicitly permits commuter vans to accept hails from passengers in the street in addition to prearranged bookings.
    • This is a direct statutory change to permit on-street hail pickups for commuter vans.

  4. Evaluation and oversight (Section 4)

    • Amends ongoing reporting requirements to include discussions on:
      • How commuter van service areas are selected.
      • Whether there is a need for more commuter vans than currently authorized in the TLC rules.
      • An evaluation of the impact of allowing street hails on safety and efficient operation of commuter van services.

  5. Effective date (Section 5)

    • The act takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Who is affected

  • Commuter van operators and owners: They would be permitted to accept street hails in addition to prearranged bookings, subject to TLC licensing and potential future rulemaking on capacity.
  • Riders/passengers in NYC: Potentially more options for on-street pickup from commuter vans, increasing convenience, particularly for riders without prearranged contracts.
  • New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC): Responsible for licensing, enforcement, safety oversight, and capacity rulemaking; must monitor and report on safety and operational impacts.
  • City policymakers and the Council: Will receive and review proposed capacity rules and impact evaluations as part of oversight.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • The bill outlines that licensing remains in force for 1–2 years and that licenses can be suspended or revoked by the Commission.
  • It requests the Commission to share proposed capacity rule text with the City Council when published and to provide ongoing evaluations of impacts on safety and efficiency.
  • Immediate effect upon enactment, per Section 5.

Notes and context

  • The change aligns commuter vans with an on-street pickup model used by taxicabs, potentially creating new competitive dynamics with other for-hire vehicles.
  • The bill requires further rulemaking to set any new maximum capacity and to ensure safety and operational efficiency as on-street hail pickups expand.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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