This bill would require the Taxi and Limousine Commission (“TLC”) to develop a policy that, among other things, (1) establishes a uniform method of calculating suggested tips for passengers who pay their fares by credit card or debit card, (2) requires TLC to provide notice informing passengers paying their fares and tips by credit card or debit card about how suggested tip amounts are calculated, and (3) requires TLC to give passengers the option to designate their own tip amount instead of paying the tip amounts set by TLC. TLC will also be able to assign civil penalties of not less than $100 and not more than $500 for any violations of the rules it promulgates in connection with this bill.
- Filed (End of Session)
History
Int. No. 836
By Council Member Garodnick
A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to requiring the taxi and limousine commission to establish a uniform method of calculating suggested tip amounts for taxicab passengers who pay their fare using the taxicab electronic payment system
Be it enacted by the Council as follows:
Section 1. Chapter 5 of title 19 of the administrative code of the city of New York is amended by adding a new section 19-544 to read as follows:
§ 19-544 Calculation of gratuities. a. Definitions. For purposes of this section, the term "electronic payment" means payment in a form other than cash or check, such as credit card, debit card, prepaid card or charge card, that is accepted by a taxicab's electronic payment processing system.
b. Establishment of tip calculation method. The commission shall, by rule, establish a uniform method of calculating suggested tip amounts for taxicab passengers who pay their fares and gratuities using a form of electronic payment. The commission shall require the provision of a notice informing passengers about such uniform method used to calculate the suggested tip amount and an option for passengers to select their own desired tip amount.
c. Compliance. All taxicabs using electronic payment processing systems shall comply with the requirements set forth in pursuant to subdivision b of this section and any rules promulgated pursuant to this section.
d. Violations. The commission may by rule establish civil penalties of not less than $100 and not more than $500 for violations of this section and any regulations promulgated pursuant to this section.
§ 2. This local law shall take effect 180 days after it shall have become a law, except that the taxi and limousine commission may take such measures as are necessary for the implementation of this local law, including the promulgation of rules, before such date.
wjp
LS# 3805
4/8/2015 11:40 AM