BROOKLYN COMMUNITY BOARD 6
TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE MEETING
SEPTEMBER 16, 2010
ATTENDANCE:
D. ABRAHAM J. ARMER W.BLUM
S. BURZIO J. COHN N. COX
J. LEVIN H. LINK T. MISKEL
M. MURPHY G. REILLY R. RIGOLLI
E. SHIPLEY R. SLOANE J. THOMPSON
M. VERRET
EXCUSED:
V. MILNE
ABSENT:
D. GIULIANO J. IGNERI A. MCKNIGHT
R. OBERLENDER
GUESTS:
HON. JOAN MILLMAN, STATE ASSEMBLY MEMBER
A. DE LISI – REP. FOR HON. DANIEL SQUADRON, STATE SENATOR
M. YOUNG
***MINUTES***
The meeting was called to order with a quorum, in spite of the tornado that had just hit the area. The minutes were taken by Jonathan Cohn.
Presentation and discussion with a representative for the Taxi and Limousine Commission On the City’s plans to institute “dollar van” service along the former B71 bus route on Union Street.
The Taxi and Limousine Commission representative was not present. Joan Millman, State Assembly Member, had questions about the security issue of kids on these vans since there are no school buses for middle school children.
Co-chair, Tom Miskel suggested that the committee discuss the questions they had so that they would be prepared when a representative from the TLC was present.
1. Routes 2. Stops 3. Flagging vans 4. Operators 5. Clean fuel
6. Enforcement 7. Quality of life 8. Pilot program or regular service 9. Who to call with problems.
10. Participation
What about the handicapped? Will this be a public/private partnership? Will the city make money?
David Yassky, the Taxi and Limousine Commissioner, arrived at 7:10pm with handouts concerning the group ride service.
Two types of service: A. Bus-like (pilot program) B. Taxi service
Five pilot areas based on where MTA cut service:
B.23 (1500)
B71 (1000)
B31 (1100)
Q74 (2100)
Q79 (650) extra travel plus ?
Cost $2.00 but no Metrocard, no discounts (student, senior), no transfers and no accessibility.
The Q74 started this week. Three others start next week. One following operator dropped out. Transit Union dropped out. Exhaustion program in place.
Second part: taxi service Now “yellow-caliber” mostly in Manhattan. Illegal hails of black cabs. Started a taxi stand pilot at Staten Island Ferry Terminal. Starting similar in other locations.
Questions:
Q. B71 van will slow traffic on Union Street – also safety for middle school kids. A. They worked with DOT on traffic stop locations. On safety, he agrees, should be well
Q. Frequency? Weekdays? A. 15 minutes. 6-10 minutes in rush hour. 30 minutes otherwise.
Q. How big? A. 20 people
Q. $4.00 a day – very expensive A. Yes. May be revised after pilot.
Q. Cash may be a problem for many. How about voucher? A. Operators could do this but aren’t.
Q. Standing room? A. No
Q. Dollar van stops? A. Only at stops not flagged.
Q. Metrotech example – book of tickets. Q. How funded? A. Just fares.
Q. Does MTA get paid by MTA? A. MTA sees “no prospect” for routes coming back.
Q. Do infants pay? A. He will get back to the committee on that.
Q. RFP only for profit – any other options? A. Could be.
Q. Schedule published? A. Doesn’t know. There will be signs.
Q. ADA challenge? A. He expects there will be a challenge.
Q. Rules may need to be changed by Council
Q. No fixed route? A. Wording not great. They will make the stops indicated.
Q How will people be able to complain? A. There will be signage – call 311 and operator’s number and name will be on.
Q. How to transition to permanent? A. We’ll see. Hoping we’ll know in 6 months so Council can approve it this year.
Q. Why can’t we get someone to drive just for school hours? A. Operators will want to time their trips to increase profits. He would work with parent groups.
Q. A. No fee charged. All are TLC operators.
Q. Can they adjust the schedule? A. This is a minimum LOS. We expect they will provide more when they can make money.
Q. Anything on-line to check safety or complaints? A. Yes, but not driver’s info or safety. They’ll look into it.
Q. Come back? A. Yes, in a few months. He wants comments: YASSKYD@NYC.TLC.GOV
Orientation: Rules, regulations and procedures governing committee.
Tom Miskel reminded the Committee that everyone will be responsible for taking their turn to take the minutes of the meeting.
Assembly Member, Joan Millman thanked the committee. She’ll call MS51 about their hours.
Let’s do taxis as well.
A motion was made to approve the minutes of the last meeting held on July 15, 2010. Jerry Armer pointed out that he was marked absent from the meeting. The minutes from that meeting indicate that he had made a motion during the meeting. A motion was made to approve the minutes with the correction to the attendance list.