As we recognized Disability Pride Month in July, it was an important time to reflect on the historic accessibility progress made across our fleet. Inclusion and accessibility are vital parts of our mission, and all passengers are entitled to a dignified, safe and comfortable ride here in New York City.
Our licensees are integral to this mission.
Since June 2025, when our active yellow taxi fleet officially crossed the 50% accessibility mark, our momentum has grown. As of July 2026, almost 60% of all yellow taxis on the road are wheelchair-accessible vehicles (WAVs). On top of that, in May, our Uber and Lyft fleets reached new heights, with over 65,000 WAV requests arriving in under 10 minutes—a new monthly high. With more than 14,000 combined active WAVs across our fleet, we have the largest accessible fleet in North America.
None of this would be possible without all of us working together. Our drivers are trained to secure passengers who use wheelchairs and other mobility aids, as well as to serve those with visual or hearing impairments. But it is important that everyone does their part—bases, fleets, and drivers. TLC’s Education Unit and Office of Inclusion regularly conduct outreach and refresher sessions where drivers congregate, including the JFK and LaGuardia airport holding lots and the Taxi Clubhouse. We also routinely meet with members of the disability community to explore new ways to improve our service.
Speaking of improving service, I also chaired my first Commission meeting in July and announced proposed rules that would reduce several fees and fines for drivers. The changes would include no penalties for delayed drug tests, no fine for a delayed vehicle inspection, and no fee for replacing a lost or damaged TLC license. In total, relief from these penalties and fees would represent nearly $1 million a year that would go back into drivers’ pockets.
We are also looking to build more flexibility into the Medallion Relief Program regarding medallion transfers to immediate family members and their estates. The proposal would also allow members of an existing partnership to remove a partner if all parties agree to the change.
Read the complete rule proposal and submit comments.
These proposed rules are just the beginning of our efforts to provide meaningful relief for TLC drivers. I am grateful to the TLC staff members who are working hard to reduce these burdens for drivers, and I look forward to more efforts to come.
Midori Valdivia
Chair and Commissioner
New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission
Editor’s note: This column was submitted to NYC Drivers’ Voice by the New York City Taxi and
Limousine Commission. The views expressed are those of the author.
[NYC Drivers’ Voice is a distribution partner for Commissioner’s Corner, the recurring column
by NYC TLC Chair and Commissioner Midori Valdivia.]
8 Responses
1 This is very good step to tranfer the medallion to the partner after they agree to transfer med to the partner without any delay in the same way med transfer to family members.
2Drivers and medallion owner driver is facing big problems.Now a days there is no cash trip every trip is credi card .Please there should be no credit card fee should be charged from customer.Curb charge the credit card fee 4%This is too much even driver pay the credit card card fee on tolland congestion mta airport.If we have to pay any fee to TLc by credit card card we pay the fee 2.50%My request please ask to curb charge the credit card fee from customer Thank you
I agree with you – Curb’s 4% credit card charge is way too much. TLC should look into your concerns. Thank you for your valuable comments.
Hi Midori
I’m glad to see you back at the TLC and doing so much to help the industry.
I’ve been gone 4 years already, but I still wonder what’s the plan on whatever is left of the SHL / green cab business.
Any ideas for whoever is still driving green? Or is the TLC just letting it go slowly into history?
Thanks former advocate/ driver
Nancy Reynoso
Thank you for your valuable comment
A pro-driver TLC commissioner. We can feel your genuine efforts for the hard-working drivers in the City.
Thank you for your valuable comment
We need a New York City Taxi App , Unless we have a meaningful change, taxi drivers will be in chains to BIG CORP , i proposed one at the Aug 13 hearing ,a driver owned co-op with driver benefits based on street-hail rules , no refusals , meter rate plus pickup charge
Wow! This is a very good & pro-driver proposal. TLC should supplement this effort and make it a reality. Please share this innovative idea with us. Thanks for your comments.