TLC Drivers Petition
(NYC Corresp. # 1-1-8158669)
June 22, 2020
Ms. Aloysee Heredia Jarmoszuk
Commissioner and Chair
Taxi and Limousine Commission
Dear Commissioner,
SpotELF is an information sharing platform for drivers in New York City. We are writing on behalf of the honest and hardworking TLC Drivers who are behind the success of the TLC Delivery Program. Over the last 3 months, they have been risking their lives and their family lives to help ensure no vulnerable New Yorker goes hungry during this crisis. While most of the TLC Drivers pull their weight and honestly perform their jobs, some of them try to cut corners and are a disgrace to the drivers community.
At the request of the TLC Drivers, we conducted analysis of the logistics on Madison St. between Pike St. and Montgomery St. and will share our findings.
We, the TLC Drivers, would like to bring to your attention several important factors and suggest solutions that can improve the Program’s performance, lower the levels of stress for the drivers and the TLC, and improve traffic and parking situation near the Basketball City Food Delivery Hub in NYC.
We understand that TLC is understaffed at this hub, and some drivers take advantage of the situation, which creates a lot of stress and aggravation for the rest of the drivers, which are working hard trying to provide for their families. Below we list several problems and suggest solutions.
Problem 1: Drivers-“cheaters” jumping the line.
This is a major problem. While most drivers honestly keep their spots in line, some drivers take advantage of TLC Officers’ ignorance and skip the line.
This is done in four ways:
a) At a red light, when the “cheaters” come in from the perpendicular streets while the rest of the line has a red light (e.g. at the intersection of Madison St. and Clinton St., or along Montgomery St. down from Madison St. to the hub).
b) By making a U-turn on Madison St. while driving toward Pike St. and squeezing in between the cars of their “buddies”, or squeezing in from the “third lane” on Madison St. while driving toward Montgomery St.
c) By jumping into the line gaps near the bus stops and fire hydrants when the rest of the drivers are patiently waiting.
d) By blocking the line movement with one car, to let their "buddies" jump in in the front.
The TLC officers on the spot either not see or ignore this situation, which rewards the “cheaters” and stimulates this behavior further as they become first in line to pick up food. Then they get a chance for the second round of delivery and double their earnings if finish early. The common phrase that we hear from the Officers: “There are only 6 of us”. From the perspective of the honest drivers that are further back in line, the line does not move while all the “cheaters” are coming in, and instead of being #30 in line, they become #100.
And most of the honest people are exactly the ones that make the Program a success, we work hard and honestly deliver food to customers’ doors instead of dropping it in the lobbies. We feel unprotected and neglected while the TLC seems to ignore the cheating behavior. When we voice these concerns, we are being threatened by the groups of "cheaters" and try to avoid conflicts. This creates a very hostile environment at the hub and does not reflect well on our trust in the TLC.
Suggested solution:
a) Forbid U-turns on Madison St. and squeezing in the line from Madison St. and Clinton St. and start issuing tickets to the violators. Eliminate the “third lane” on Madison St. from which most cheaters are squeezing in, keep it open for passing cars and buses. If a car is not in the food delivery line already, it is not supposed to be in it.
b) Clear the bus stops and fire hydrant areas where "cheaters" always come in.
c) Create “spot #” cards which are impossible to counterfeit and distribute them ONLY to the cars that are “legally” parked in the first two lanes on Madison St. (no parking at the bus stop area and fire hydrants) and have drivers inside (no cards to people outside of "their" cars) at a fixed time in the morning PRIOR to the line moving to assign the spot number in line. Collect these cards at the hub in the same # sequence they were distributed to the drivers. This will make sure “cheaters” will not jump the line at fire hydrants and bus stops prior to or once the line starts moving, and might eliminate the need for Pt. #a, as no “cheater” will be able to get in after the cards with the spot# in line are distributed as he will not be accepted into the hub.
Problem 2: Fake or delayed deliveries.
This problem stems from the fact that drivers are rushing to get back for the second round of deliveries to double their earnings.
Suggested solution:
Consider limiting number of shifts per driver/per day to 1, but increasing the number of routes in that shift. This will eliminate the need for a driver to rush back for the second round at the expense of the customers and will most likely eliminate problem #1 as well, as the “cheaters” will know that they will not get a second shift on the same day, and therefore the need to be the first in line and come back early becomes moot.
We urge you to please look into these issues ASAP, as they create unnecessary anxiety and a hostile environment at the food delivery hub. We will be happy to discuss these issues and suggestions in detail by phone, email or in person, at your convenience.
Respectfully Yours,
TLC Drivers