AutoMarketplace NYC

Anyone who’s been in or following the New York City for-hire transportation (TLC) industry for the past two decades will know of the New York Taxi Workers Alliance (NYTWA) and its leader Bhairavi Desai. NYTWA, led by Ms. Desai for over two decades, is one of the most influential and active driver advocacy groups in the nation.

While its origins are tied to the yellow cab industry, NYTWA is increasingly becoming an advocate for all NYC TLC-licensed drivers, including those who work with Uber and Lyft. For example, while many might know of NYTWA’s efforts related to pushing through a historic taxi medallion debt restructuring, its advocacy also resulted in a historic $328 million wage theft settlement for Uber and Lyft drivers across New York State, including NYC.

⭐ Desai also confirmed at 44:22 that drivers should be receiving their checks beginning July 22nd! ⭐

“Attorney General James would like to thank the New York Taxi Workers Alliance for bringing this matter to the office.”

- Official New York State Attorney General Office Statement (November 3, 2023)

Article continues after advertisement

Did you know? Drivers enrolled in Drivers Benefits can receive up to $2K in dental services1 each year, plus many other valuable Health & Wellness benefits – all at NO COST to you! 

Locked Out

Today, NYTWA Executive Director Bhairavi Desai and AutoMarketplace Founder Dawood Mian spoke about NYC Uber and Lyft driver “lockouts”. As many of our readers know, “lockouts” is the term used to describe a situation where TLC drivers cannot access the Uber and Lyft app when and where they want.

Topics discussed included:

* Why NYTWA thinks NYC TLC-licensed drivers who work with Uber and Lyft are being locked out. Including if TLC bears any responsibility for driver lockouts.

* How NYTWA believes lockouts can end and why it believes using utilization rate (UR) in the driver minimum pay rate formula is important

* NYTWA’s thoughts on TLC leasing companies and drivers “stuck” in rentals

* Whether it’s fair to say NYTWA has a yellow cab bias

* Uber and Lyft’s role in the NYC for-hire transportation market

* Whether drivers are being fairly compensated and what that means

* Details about NYTWA’s planned strike next Wednesday, July 17th at 1pm

We’ve also created a table of contents (see below) for the discussion.

Finally, we wanted to thank Ms. Desai for her time and willingness to share her perspectives. We don't agree with all of NYTWA's suggestions on how to end NYC Uber and Lyft driver lockouts, as we've recently shared, but many of their suggestions are sensible and worthy of consideration, in our opinion.

We hope you enjoy the discussion and let us know your thoughts in the comments section below and/or on YouTube. If you want to learn more about the NYTWA strike action next Wednesday, July 17th at 1pm you can call them at (718) 706-9892, email them at [email protected] or sign up here.

Also available on YouTube ⬇️

TABLE OF CONTENTS

0:00 Introduction 0:48 Why are NYC Uber & Lyft “Lockouts” Happening? 3:48 What is Utilization Rate (UR)? 6:37 “Empty time is work time” 9:10 Uber implied they wouldn’t lock out drivers in 2023 9:52 “Two significant things happened” 11:59 NYC TLC issued over 12,000 TLC Plates in 2023 13:45 Why is adding more TLC Plates a bad thing? 16:28 Can’t forget about yellow cab & other FHV sectors 17:52 Why the TLC isn’t using “common sense” 18:13 Corporate interests causing bad policy 19:39 Drivers have been used to create the charging market 22:03 Drivers shouldn’t be EV “guinea pigs” 22:53 Why are Uber & Lyft pushing EVs? 24:13 TLC oversaturated market, but Uber also to blame 25:32 Addressing the “predatory” leasing issue 30:48 Lease Caps 32:00 Pathway for renters to claim TLC Plate 35:05 “Empathetic Capitalism” 36:12 NYTWA has a yellow cab bias? 44:22 Drivers should be getting NY AG settlement checks soon 45:08 What do you think Uber & Lyft’s role is in the NYC TLC market 49:15 “Poverty is not a dignified life” 50:21 “This is my job” 51:16 Labor vs. Shareholders 53:16 Why we are striking on July 17th 53:30 Uber can’t exist without drivers 54:08 How NYTWA believes NYC Lockouts can end 59:25 Should High-Volume (HVFHS) base threshold be increased? 1:00:40 Why Uber standalone UR is a bad idea? Lyft bankrupt? 1:03:12 Utilization (UR) should be done on two years vs. one year 1:06:22 Strengthen TLC Plate Cap, but allow certain reissuance 1:08:10 Taxi medallion industry reaction to suggestions 1:11:56 Story from 9/11 about driver unity ahead of July 17th strike 1:15:15 Every FHV sector can co-exist, there’s enough business 1:16:16 Summary of suggestions to end NYC driver lockouts 1:17:08 Uber & Lyft should not be able to take more than 15% 1:18:45 “Minimum wage is still functional poverty” 1:19:37 If you raise prices too much, trip demand will go down? 1:21:30 Drivers aren’t being compensated correctly 1:25:08 Lockouts are insult, on top of injury 1:27:14 Details of Wednesday, July 17th (1pm) NYTWA strike against Lockouts

AutoMarketplace covers the NYC for-hire transportation industry and automotive news. Check out AutoMarketplace on YouTube ▶️

🗣️ Interested in advertising with us? Click here

AutoMarketplace's Dawood Mian speaks with Lenny Frias. Lenny drove the NYC yellow taxi from 2006 to 2016, before switching to Uber. He shares his experience & thoughts about today's TLC industry.

We hope you enjoy the conversation!

Also available on YouTube ⬇️

TABLE OF CONTENTS

👋 0:00 - Intro 🚕 2:56 - Driving a NYC yellow cab. How it looked? 🚕 6:00 - Experience with taxi garages 🚕 07:30 - How much was he making driving a yellow cab? Expenses? 🚕 10:20 - Why didn't you buy a taxi medallion? 🚕 11:37 - Taximeter math 🚕 12:51 - Day shift vs. Night shift ⬛ 14:54 - The rise of Uber in NYC 🚕 19:35 - Drop in NYC taxi driver earnings 2015 vs. 2014 🔀 20:53 - Making the switch from yellow cab to Uber / NEMT ⬛ 21:30 - Uber NYC driver earnings in 2016 ⬛ 23:04 - Renting, then buying a TLC-plated vehicle 🚕 25:05 - Has yellow cab industry learned from mistakes? 🚕 27:30 - What would you pay for a taxi medallion in 2024? ⬛ 28:12 - How much are you making today? Just Uber NYC? ⬛ 30:42 - Owning your NYC TLC Plates vs. Leasing 💰 37:04 - How much should a NYC TLC driver make? ⚡ 40:15 - Using EVs for NYC TLC ⬛ 45:02 - Uber and Lyft NYC waiting lists? Lockouts? 🤖 48:59 - Thoughts on self-driving vehicles ("robotaxis")

AutoMarketplace NYC covers the for-hire transportation industry and automotive news. Check out AutoMarketplace on YouTube ▶️

NYC Taxi News founder Abe Mittleman, taxi industry expert Carolyn Protz and AutoMarketplace’s Dawood Mian discuss the current state of the NYC for-hire transportation (a/k/a TLC) market. After speaking about TLC industry current events, a recent bribery scheme involving JFK taxi dispatchers and self-driving vehicles being tested in NYC, the discussion focuses on the NYC taxi medallion market.

Who's buying NYC taxi medallions in 2024? Is there any value left?

We hope you enjoy the conversation!

Click here to check out NYC Taxi News!!!

Also available on YouTube ⬇️

TABLE OF CONTENTS

👋 0:00 - Intro 🛬 06:41 - JFK taxi dispatch bribery scheme 🤖 19:40 - Self-driving vehicles come to NYC 🚕 25:45 - Taxi medallion = rights to self-driving vehicle permit? 🚕 27:22 - Value of NYC taxi medallions in 2024? Who's buying today? ⏳ 33:04 - The rise of Uber & Lyft NYC waiting list 🚕 - 34:10 - Immigrant mentality & the yellow cab 😰 - 36:09 - Drivers afraid of the NYC street hail? ❓ - 40:03 - Do yellow cab drivers actually enjoy the job? 80s, 90s vs. today? 🚕 - 44:25 - Abe reads from his book "Let's Go For A Ride" 🚕 - 46:05 - Were yellow taxi garages abusive? 🚕 - 49:20 - 2024 taxi medallion sales pitch? 🚕 - 51:30 - Yellow cab leasing rates in April 2024 🚕 - 56:00 - Why buy a NYC taxi medallion?

AutoMarketplace NYC covers the for-hire transportation industry and automotive news. Check out AutoMarketplace on YouTube ▶️

NYC Taxi News founder Abe Mittleman, taxi industry expert Carolyn Protz and AutoMarketplace’s Dawood Mian discuss the current state of the NYC for-hire transportation (a/k/a TLC) market. They cover a wide range of topics from the recent addition of thousands of new NYC for-hire vehicles to congestion tolling plans to City politics (& media).

We hope you enjoy the conversation!

Click here to check out NYC Taxi News!!!

Also available on YouTube ⬇️

AutoMarketplace NYC covers the for-hire transportation industry and automotive news. Check out AutoMarketplace on YouTube ▶️

The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines predator and predatory as follows:

* predator (noun) one who injures or exploits others for personal gain or profit

* predatory (adjective) of, relating to, or practicing plunder, pillage, or rapine

These are serious words. These are powerful words. If not used appropriately, these words can disparage and intimidate businesses & people, especially when spoken by someone who holds political power.

The term “predatory” was used several times, and in public media settings, by acting TLC Chair David Do, certain driver advocates and journalists to describe NYC TLC leasing or rental companies.

We’ve covered the TLC leasing business several times and why we disagree with this general characterization. The term general is important here, as there are definitely bad players, as there is in any industry, market or government. Kindof like how there are bad politicians and good ones, kindof like how there are “bad apple” cops but the vast majority are good, put their lives at risk for public safety, etc. In fact, to even define things as either being “good” or “bad” does not capture the intricacies of reality.

Using defamatory language, in a public press setting, creates stereotypes. We think everyone can agree speaking in stereotypes is not appropriate.

“Now drivers are not going to be…beholden to a predatory lease…If you’re putting $300 plus toward a weekly lease, that’s money out of your pocket.”

- TLC Chair & Commissioner David Do, October 18th, NYC Mayor’s Office Press Briefing

Creating a stereotype can also be dangerous because it kills nuance and encourages “pitchfork” debate & politics. If you’re on the wrong side of the pitchfork, it’s tough to tell your side of the story and to be heard. It can be intimidating as well. That is why we think it was important to directly hear from owners of TLC leasing companies, so they can share how they think about the market (i.e., TLC Plates, EVs, regulation) and their thoughts on constantly being called "predatory".

Most importantly, we wanted to quantify things, speak in details and not generalities. We wanted to humanize these leasing businesses, hear directly from the local entrepreneurs who bootstrapped these businesses, often from humble beginnings (i.e., venture capital money didn’t build these companies). Business is complex. NYC is complex. Running a business in a very regulated NYC marketplace adds further complexities.

We want to conclude by saying this. We respect the NYC Taxi & Limousine Commission. We respect TLC Chair David Do. They and he have a mandate, we are absolutely not questioning that power. However, they are answerable to all New Yorkers and they should not forget this. They have serious responsibilities and should expect criticism, especially when it is warranted. This is NYC 🗽.

The discussion between Dawood & the three TLC leasing company owners includes:

* Discussion about NYC TLC fleet leasing business model and profit margins (i.e., why are they charging $500 per week to rent a Toyota Camry?!)

* Why they think being called “predatory” is unfair and broader thoughts on regulations

* How they think about NYC TLC Plates (FHV Corps) & if they have any value

* Electric vehicles (EVs) and *new* EV TLC Plates

* Future of NYC for-hire transportation market and role of leasing companies

* TLC JW summons related to 60 days of FHV non-use (noteworthy specific)

We hope you enjoy the conversation and, as always, let us know your thoughts in the comments section below or by emailing us at [email protected].

*TABLE OF CONTENTS*

👋 00:00 - Intro 🧑 00:49 - Background of NYC TLC fleet owners 🚕 06:35 - Why do we need NYC TLC leasing companies? What's the value? 😧 11:29 - Biggest issues TLC leasing companies face 😬 15:27 - Real life examples of issues faced 👩‍🔧 19:45 - Physical damage & collision (self-insurance) 🤷 27:18 - Why are people paying $500 per week for a Camry? 🤑 36:18 - NYC TLC leasing profit margins?

🛑 37:50 - 60 day non-use Summons (JW TLC summons) 😩 41:52 - GM (Maven), Lyft (Flexdrive) experience in NYC TLC leasing business 🗣️ 43:23- Talking NYC TLC Plates 🤔 46:15 - Why is there a TLC Plate Cap? Impact on leasing business? 🧠 49:30 - Understanding driver business mentality

💰 52:45 - What are TLC Plates (FHV Corp) worth? Have you bought TLC Plates (FHV Corp)? Why? 🚖 1:00:40 - NYC TLC Plate (FHV Corp) vs. NYC Taxi Medallion 🐆 1:06:12 - "Predatory" accusation against TLC leasing companies ⚡ 1:17:48 - EV exemption to TLC Plate Cap? Using EVs for TLC work?

🗽 1:27:49 - Thoughts on regulation in the NYC TLC market & EVs 💸 1:33:27 - New EV TLC Plates impact on drivers earnings ⚖️ 1:35:35 - TLC regulation is pushing businesses to edge & need for public hearing ⚡ 1:37:57 - What if TLC opens up EV TLC Plates again? 👋 1:42:28 - Final thoughts

AutoMarketplace NYC covers the for-hire transportation industry and automotive news. Check out AutoMarketplace on YouTube ▶️

Interested in advertising with us? Please email [email protected]

Next Century Insurance President Gavriel Gavrilov and AutoMarketplace founder Dawood Mian sit down to speak about the NYC for-hire transportation (“TLC”) insurance market.

Gavriel started Brooklyn-based Next Century Insurance, an insurance brokerage that focuses on the NYC TLC market, in 2013. His previous experience also touched other parts of the NYC TLC industry, related to his father owning Concord Limousine, a well known traditional Black Car base. For example, Gavriel worked as a both a NYC black car driver and dispatcher, before starting Next Century.

The discussion between Gavriel and Dawood is wide ranging, but focuses on the NYC TLC insurance market. Some topics include:

* Why NYC TLC insurance brokers exist when there are only a few insurance options?

* Common TLC insurance claims

* Why TLC insurance rates are increasing?

* Why TLC fleet insurance is more expensive than individual driver insurance?

* Thoughts about the issuance of new EV TLC Plates and its impact on leasing companies

* Comprehensive & collision coverage insurance in the TLC market

You can reach out to Next Century at [email protected], check out their website at nextcenturyinsurance.com or call them at (718) 788-3585.

*TABLE OF CONTENTS*

👋 00:00 - Intro 🧑 00:28 - Gavriel's background? ☂️ 01:20 - Why start Next Century Insurance? 💸 03:35 - Why rates are getting more expensive? Black Car Service vs. Uber? ❓ 07:11 - What do TLC insurance brokers do? ❓ 09:21 - Why are there so few TLC insurance companies? ❓ 11:30 - What's the actual difference between TLC brokers? 🤕 15:00 - Common TLC insurance claims? Pedestrians? Bicyclists? 🛑 17:40 - Non-renewals ahead of March 1st?

🤑 21:37 - Most expensive TLC liability policies? 🗽 22:35 - New York Automobile Insurance Plan? 🚕 23:10 - Fleet vs. Individual Driver insurance rates? 🤐 26:15 - Undisclosed driver claims (or fleets not listing correct drivers) 👦 29:45 Under 25 years old? Inexperience surcharge? ⚡ 31:34 - Thoughts on EVs? New EV TLC Plates? ⚰️ 36:00 - Will new TLC Plates kill leasing companies?

⚡ 41:33 - 'Comprehensive & Collision' (full coverage) for TLC-plated EVs? 🗽 43:00 - NY admitted vs. non-admitted carrier?* 🏦 47:31 - Does Gap insurance exist for TLC industry? ⛈️ 48:30 - What % of TLC customers have full coverage? 📈 52:03 - Summarizing why TLC insurance rates are up? ☎️ 55:40 - How do people contact Next Century Insurance?

*Correction / Note: INSHUR has informed us that they do offers New York admitted TLC comprehensive & collision insurance coverage for Teslas. Transit General also offers New York admitted TLC comprehensive & collision insurance coverage.

As always, let us know your thoughts in the comments section below or by emailing us at [email protected].

AutoMarketplace NYC covers the for-hire transportation industry and automotive news. Check out AutoMarketplace on YouTube ▶️

Interested in advertising with us? Please email [email protected]

* Benjamin Stein was among the first 350 employees at Uber, joining the company in 2013

* His experience at Uber included recruiting new drivers & helping the company build their NYC ‘vehicle solutions’ business, including partnering with TLC leasing companies

* Benjamin also worked for American Lease, a large TLC leasing company, before founding Outpost Energy

* Outpost Energy is focused on NYC electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure

* Benjamin & AutoMarketplace’s Dawood Mian have a wide ranging discussion, focused on NYC TLC-plated EVs and charging infrastructure. The discussion also covers Ben’s time at Uber and working with TLC leasing companies

*TABLE OF CONTENTS*

👋 00:00 - Intro | 🏙️ 00:35 - Early days at Uber in NYC | 🚖 04:40 - Uber &.Yellow Taxis | ❓ 07:02 - What did you do at Uber? | 🚙 08:40 - Building Uber's leasing & rental program in NYC | 🤔 09:45 - Thoughts on big TLC leasing companies (American Lease, Tower, Buggy, Fast Track) |

⚡ 18:20 - Why did you choose to focus on electric vehicles (EVs)? | ⚡ 23:24 - NYC curbside charging vs. fast chargers? L1 vs. L2 vs. L3? | ⚡ 28:01 - How many chargers are there today in NYC? | ⚡ 30:50 - How long does it take to build EV chargers in NYC? Costs? | ⚡ 34:05 - How do we solve EV charging in NYC? |

💸 37:45 - EV charging business model? Time to breakeven? Financial returns? | ⚡ 41:11 - Charging in NYC parking garages? | ⚡ 45:53 - Battery integrated fast charging? | ⛽ 48:25 - Charging at NYC gas stations? | 🔋 52:40 - Battery swapping? | ⚡ 53:46 - Different charging standards (Tesla NACS vs. CCS) | 🔋 55:17 - Solid State batteries? | 👋 58:11 - Final thoughts

How To Contact Benjamin?

You can reach out to Ben on LinkedIn, check out his website or contact him at Outpost Energy (email: [email protected]).

About Outpost Energy

Outpost is your subject matter expert for development and energy management.

Land owners

New business models are emerging that are presenting new use cases for industrial land. We help you take advantage.

Fleets

Regulations are demanding change while incentives present a timely opportunity. We navigate today’s business environment for you while lowering your costs and simplifying your operations.

As always, let us know your thoughts in the comments section below or by emailing us at [email protected].

AutoMarketplace NYC covers the for-hire transportation industry and automotive news. Check out AutoMarketplace on YouTube ▶️

Interested in advertising with us? Please email [email protected]

INSHUR Co-Founder & CEO Dan Bratshpis and AutoMarketplace founder Dawood Mian sat down to speak about the NYC TLC insurance industry, earlier today. TLC insurance renewal season is in full swing and many NYC for-hire drivers and fleets are confused and angry 😤 about 10%, 15%, 20%, even 30%+ policy premium increases.

Dan shares his thoughts about the increases and what's driving them. He also speaks about other NYC TLC insurance-related topics, including how regulation impacts the industry, the role of insurance brokers, how the rise of ⚡ EVs could change the market and his thoughts on TLC drivers getting 'comprehensive & collision' insurance for their TLC-plated vehicles (including a specific question about the popular Tesla Model Y!).

You can reach out to INSHUR at [email protected] OR check out their website.

We thank 🙏 Dan for his time and hope you enjoy the discussion. As always, let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

(Note: If you have any direct questions for Dan please reach out to Lucie Bickerdike at Duet London ([email protected]). Duet London is INSHUR's PR agency of record.)

*TABLE OF CONTENTS*

* 👋 00:00 - Intro

* 🧔 00:52 - Why did Dan start INSHUR?

* 🗓️ 03:58 - INSHUR Today

* 🚖 05:42 - The NYC TLC insurance market

* 💸 08:04 - Why is NYC TLC insurance so expensive?

* 🤔 11:45 - Why do insurance brokers exist?

* ❓ 14:54 - Is INSHUR an insurance company?

* 🏦 16:30 - Thoughts on NYC TLC 'comp & collision' coverage

* ⚡ 21:05 - Does INSHUR provide 'comp & collision' coverage for EVs?

* ⚡ 23:05 - Impact of EVs on NYC TLC insurance industry

* ☂️ 25:40 - How much does TLC liability insurance cost today? Why are there differences?

* 🔁 29:45 - 2024 TLC insurance renewal season

* 🤝 32:30 - Who is INSHUR partnering with in NYC? Future NYC TLC plans?

* 🤑 35:19 - Insurance money grab?

ABOUT INSHUR

INSHUR was founded in 2016 to modernize the commercial auto insurance sector.

The company was built on the recognition that too many businesses born into the digital world were being ineffectively served by a broken insurance industry that remained confusing, cumbersome in process, and consistently provided poor customer service.

They set out to change that by harnessing rich data to deliver a simple, fast and seamless experience to obtain commercial auto insurance, initially for New York’s Uber drivers, but quickly expanding their presence and products throughout the UK and Netherlands.

INSHUR is an online service, providing Uber preferred TLC cover in New York City and Livery Coverage for Uber Black drivers in Arizona. You can quote, buy and renew your policy online.

No paperwork. No forms. No terrible hold music. Just quick and easy coverage. INSHUR’s top-rated multi-lingual teams can help in English and Spanish.

Get a quote now and be on the road in minutes.

* CONTACT: [email protected]

* WEBSITE: https://inshur.com/us/

As always, let us know your thoughts in the comments section below or by emailing us at [email protected].

Subscribed

AutoMarketplace NYC covers the for-hire transportation industry and automotive news. Check out AutoMarketplace on YouTube ▶️

Interested in advertising with us? Please email [email protected]

NYC Taxi News founder Abe Mittleman, taxi industry expert Carolyn Protz, David Pollack (a/k/a Taxi Dave) and AutoMarketplace founder Dawood Mian discuss the current state of the NYC for-hire transportation industry and what the future may hold. They cover a wide range of topics from TLC policy to NYC’s electrical grid to taxi medallion valuations.

We hope you enjoy the conversation!

As always, let us know your thoughts in the comments section below or by emailing us at [email protected].

Click here to check out NYC Taxi News!!!

AutoMarketplace NYC covers the for-hire transportation industry and automotive news. Check out AutoMarketplace on YouTube ▶️

Abraham Mittleman (a/k/a Abie or Abe), is a 50 year veteran of the New York City taxi industry. After driving for 42 years, Abe retired in 2012.

If you ever wondered what it's like to drive a NYC taxi, the people and interactions, you will find Abe's stories in his new book Let’s Go For A Ride interesting and amusing.

While he was a driver, he also wrote a column called "Cab Gab", in an industry trade publication, for 16 years. The book also brings these columns back to life, enlightening readers about the world's most famous taxi market.

Abe and AutoMarketplace founder Dawood Mian sit down for about an hour to speak about his new book. From starting in the business in the early 1970s, after an army stint, to being part of television history (see MTV Vault video below starting at 4:54) to getting robbed to getting a summons for peeing, Abe shares an original New York story.

Click here to purchase book from Barnes & Noble.

YouTube

Includes skippable video table of contents.

We hope you enjoy the conversation!

Click here to check out NYC Taxi News!!!

AutoMarketplace NYC covers the for-hire transportation industry and automotive news. Check out AutoMarketplace on YouTube ▶️