"The first four bills before me today represent a package of legislation that in a variety of ways create incentives and promote the use of clean-air and accessible taxicabs and for-hire vehicles throughout the City.

"Introductory Number 158-A, sponsored by Speaker Quinn and Council Members Yassky, Koppell, Jackson, Nelson, Gennaro, Liu, McMahon, Seabrook, Garodnick, Lappin, Sears, Weprin, Lanza and the Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum, extends the retirement age of accessible taxicabs by two years, and clean-air taxicabs by one or two years, depending on how clean the taxicab's emissions are.  Taxicabs are generally required to be retired after three or five years and this bill would extend the retirement age of taxicabs only if they passed the Taxi and Limousine Commission's (TLC's) required inspections.   

"Introductory Number 352-A, sponsored by Speaker Quinn and Council Members Gennaro, Liu, Yassky, Koppell, Mendez, Clarke, Comrie, Fidler, Foster, James, Mark-Viverito, McMahon, Palma, Recchia, Sanders, Seabrook, Steward, Weprin, White, Nelson, Gentile, Garodnick, Lappin, Sears, Lanza and the Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum, requires the TLC to develop a plan to increase the number of clean air and accessible taxicabs and for-hire vehicles in the City.  The plan requires the TLC to establish specific proposals for increasing the number of clean-air and accessible vehicles, a schedule for implementation of these proposals, and an education campaign to provide information to taxicab and for-hire vehicle owners and prospective owners explaining the benefits of these vehicles.  In addition, the TLC will offer an annual information workshop for its licensees and provide information on its web site regarding clean-air and accessible vehicles.  Finally the TLC will provide information about the plan's progress in their annual report to the City Council.

"The last two TLC-related bills before me today require clean-air and accessible taxicabs and for-hire vehicles to display insignia identifying them as such to the public.  Introductory Number 353-A, Speaker Quinn and Council Members Gennaro, Liu, Yassky, Koppell, Mendez, Brewer, Clarke, Comrie, Fidler, Foster, James, Mark-Viverito, Martinez, McMahon, Palma, Recchia, Sanders, Stewart, Weprin, White, Jackson, Gentile, Seabrook, Garodnick, Lappin, Sears and the Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum, requires clean-air taxicabs and for-hire vehicles licensed by the TLC to display an insignia, approved by the Commission, on the vehicle's exterior.  Additionally, this bill requires clean-air taxicabs to display information for passengers regarding the clean-air benefits of the vehicle.

"Introductory Number 354-A, sponsored by Speaker Quinn, Council Members Koppell, Liu, Mendez, Yassky, Brewer, Clarke, Dickens, Fidler, Foster, Gonzalez, Mark-Viverito, Martinez, McMahon, Monserrate, Recchia, Sanders, Seabrook, Sears, Stewart, Weprin, White, Jackson, Gentile, Garodnick, Lappin, Lanza and the Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum, requires accessible taxicabs and for-hire vehicles licensed by the TLC to display an insignia, approved by the Commission, on the vehicle's exterior. 

"Expanding the number of medallions for accessible and clean-air vehicles by creating incentives and developing promotional strategies demonstrates our Administration's commitment to improving the quality of life for people with disabilities and protecting the environment, while at the same time ensuring that taxi safety and reliability remains strong. 

"I would like to thank TLC Commissioner Matthew Daus and his staff for their hard work on these bills, as well as Commissioner Matthew Sapolin from the Mayor's Office of People with Disabilities and his staff. I would like to thank the Council for their work on these bills."