Session to Examine Accessible Ride Sharing

Five listening sessions are scheduled in the coming weeks to examine the availability of accessible ride-sharing services for people with disabilities.

The fifth session is scheduled for Dec. 18, at the Moose Lodge in Greenlawn.

 Through these  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.

Send written comments to: [email protected] 

Pre-Registration Available

The public listening sessions are scheduled as follows:

November 27
10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Knights of Columbus
261 S. Legion Drive
Buffalo, NY 14220

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

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

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

December 18
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 [email protected] by December 18, 2018.  To register, visit https://www.flexbooker.com/widget/2cdff9ef-c16f-47d1-887f-152c276de836.

The law authorizing transportation network company (TNC) operation, which took effect June 29, 2017, extended ride sharing statewide. Previously, ride sharing services were only available to travelers in New York City.  The law also resulted in protections for passengers and regulations for how TNCs may operate and be licensed. More information for passengers, applicants, drivers and local governments is available on the NYS DMV website at https://dmv.ny.gov/more-info/rideshare-information.

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