By Philip Newman
City Councilman John Liu (D-Flushing) has introduced legislation governing commuter vans to abolish two rules he contends needlessly delay and complicate the daily trips of thousands of residents of Queens.
Liu, who is chairman of the City Council Transportation Committee, said he planned to hold public hearings on the proposals within a few months.
The regulations Liu sees as unnecessary and which he feels should be abolished:
Require people taking commuter vans to make prior arrangements, such as by telephone or otherwise.
Require that the operator of such vans record the name and address of all passengers.
“Why should anyone have to make arrangements prior to boarding a commuter van?” said Liu. “We have specified locations where people go to board these vehicles.”
Dollar vans are heavily used in southeast Queens and Flushing.
“As for giving names and addresses, I feel that the last thing that people on their way to work or shopping wants is to endure the delay and trouble of waiting for the van operator to take down and record this information.”
Liu said improving the ride of those using commuter vans was one of the ideas that emerged from public hearings he presided over at City Hall last fall.
Commuter vans, sometimes called “dollar vans,” (the fare is now $1.25) are regulated by the New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission along with taxicabs, livery cabs and other transportation vehicles.
“We have about 400 commuter vans in operation in the Bronx, Brooklyn and Queens carrying a total of more than 55,000 people daily,” he said.
More than 15,000 people a day take commuter vans in Queens.
Commuter vans, which must have at least nine seats but no more than 20 seats, are limited to certain geographic areas and are not permitted to operate along bus or subway routes or pick up passengers at bus stops.
“These vehicles fill in places where public transportation is non-existent or inadequate,” said Liu, “and are an important part of the Queens public transportation system.”
Liu said he hoped to hold public hearings in a few months.
“As everyone knows, we have before us next month public hearings on a possible subway and bus fare hike and other significant transit issues.”
Reach contributing writer Philip Newman by e-mail at Timesledgr@aol.com or call 229-0300, Ext. 136.
