[New-york-news] Transportation Forums: Accessible Ride Sharing Services for Customers with Disabilities

[Justin Young]

Hi All,

I would like to make you all aware of events being held over the next
several weeks related to allowing the Disability community to provide
comments about Ride Sharing Services.  The legislation that was passed
related to extending Ride Sharing to operate beyond New York City
included a clause creating an Accessibility Task Force to study
whether the service should be made accessible.  Unfortunately in my
opinion, this Task Force has had little to no transparency meaning it
is hard to tell who even serves on this group besides the below
mentioned Co-Chairs, how often the group will meet beyond the
listening sessions, and what will happen with the findings of the
"study".  To get a better sense of the views of the Disability
community, this Task Force has created Listening Sessions that will
occur in Buffalo, Syracuse, White Plaines, Albany, and Greenlawn.  The
following is the Press Release that was sent to one of the mailing
lists I belong to:

The New York State Transportation Network Company Accessibility Task
Force today announced that five public listening sessions will be held
across the state to examine the availability of accessible ride
sharing services for people with disabilities. Through these listening
sessions, the task force will analyze current service options, the
need and demand for accessible services, and identify opportunities
and barriers to increasing these options for customers with
disabilities.
The task force was established through legislation passed last year to
bring ride sharing services to Upstate New York and Long Island.
Members of the task force include representatives from organizations
that serve people with disabilities and representatives from
transportation network companies such as Uber or Lyft.
“The law authorizing transportation network companies has provided an
alternative, safe transportation option to people across this state,”
said Betty DeFazio, Task Force Co-Chair and Chief Development Officer
at ARISE CNY. “This task force will help ensure that this vital ride
sharing system is meeting the needs of every passenger, especially
those who may need it most.”
“The focus of this task force is making sure that all New Yorkers, no
matter what their needs may be, have adequate access to reliable
transportation,” said Frank Krotschinsky, Task Force Co-Chair and
Director of Suffolk County Office for People with Disabilities. “I am
proud to serve as Co-Chair of this group, and I look forward to
leading meaningful discussions that will help us navigate this
important area of the ride sharing industry.”
The public listening sessions are scheduled as follows:
November 27, 2018
10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Knights of Columbus
261 S. Legion Drive
Buffalo, NY 14220

November 28, 2018
10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
NYS Fairgrounds- Martha Eddy Room
581 State Fair Boulevard
Syracuse, NY 13209

November 30, 2018
10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Westchester County Center
198 Central Ave.
White Plains, NY 10606

December 11, 2018
10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Empire State Plaza Convention Center
Meeting Rooms 2-3
Albany, NY 12242

December 18, 2018
10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Moose Lodge
631 Pulaski Road
Greenlawn, NY 11740

Each session will begin with a brief presentation from the members of
the task force. Following the presentation, interested parties will be
invited to provide their feedback on ride sharing services for people
with disabilities.

To submit written comments, email TNCTaskforce at dmv.ny.gov by December
18, 2018.  To register, visit
https://www.flexbooker.com/widget/2cdff9ef-c16f-47d1-887f-152c276de836.


Thanks,

Justin Young