October 2004 Issue.pmd - Committee for Taxi Safety

bbies And Cele
brities
Cab
Celebrities
DON’T LET HISTORY Ca
Paint The Town Yello
w
ellow
REPEAT ITSELF
An Editorial By David Pollack
Medallion Owners - The price
of your taxi medallion has never
been worth more than right now.
You did a great job. Leasing
Agents and Fleet Owners –
Today you have a plentiful pool
of drivers with higher lease caps.
You did a great job. Drivers - You
are probably making more
money, thanks to the recent rate
of fare increase. You did a great
job.
You know that you are proud
of what you built up from virtually
nothing. Yes, you are a selfmade
independent
businessman and you did it all
alone. You might even praise
your
various
financial
accomplishments, believing that
you alone are responsible for
your success. You possibly sit
back and tell your friends about
For Taxi Pr
emier
e
Premier
emiere
your savvy business sense and
what a great job you are doing.
Good job.
However, our hope is
diminishing for continued
prosperity. While you are sitting
in the comforts of success,
destruction of your mini empire
is around the corner. There are
many changes taking place as
you read this. A number of new
laws are waiting in the shadows
of City Hall and in Albany that
could destroy the prosperous
atmosphere in the taxi industry.
One City Council intro-bill
supported by 38 of the 51 City
Council members will make the
cost of each new taxi close to
$50,000.00. You do realize that
these vehicles will probably last
only a year or two before
needing replacement. By the
Continued on Page 2
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Page 3
MAYOR’S COLUMN
Page 14
GAS WATCH
Page 3
PHOTOS FROM THE
TAXI PREMIERE
Page 22
TLC’s COMMISSIONER’S
COLUMN
Page 6
TELLING IT LIKE IT IS
Page 9
TAXI INSIDER DIRECTORY
Page 13
AT THE MOVIES:
TAXI
Page 23
EVENTS IN THE
BIG APPLE
Pages 29 & 30
See story, photos and the
Taxi movie review on Pages 22 & 23!!!
Visit our website at:
www.taxisafety.com
Phone: (718) 706-8294
E-mail [email protected]
TAXI
Page 2 • Taxi Insider • October 2004
ON MY MIND...
INSIDER
INSIDER
AN EDIT
ORIAL BY D
AVID POLLA
CK
EDITORIAL
DA
POLLACK
Continued from Page 1
David Pollack
Editor-in-Chief
Michael R. Bloomberg
Mayor’s Column
Matthew W. Daus
The Commissioner’s Column
Stephanie Pollack
Theatre Critic
Vinnie Sapone
Columnist
Michael Spevak, Esq.
Columnist
Tony Falese
Columnist
Office
23-10 Jackson Avenue
Long Island City, N.Y. 11101
Phone: (718) 706-TAXI
Fax: (718) 472-4739
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.taxisafety.com
Copyright 2004 by TAXI
INSIDER. All rights reserved.
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are not necessarily in
accordance with the views of
TAXI INSIDER.
This publication reserves the
right to limit or refuse advetising
it deems objectionable.
TAXI INSIDER is published
monthly at a subscription rate of
$24.00 per year.
way, your liability insurance and
workers
compensation
insurance premiums could
possibly double under this
scenario. Who is going to pay
for this and how?
Mandating
wheelchair
accessible taxis is just one
problem. What have you done
to stop this before it becomes
law? Another intro-bill which
could become law at any time
will mandate that ALL taxis
placed into operation after
December 2005 shall use
alternative fuels. Yet other bills
mandate child booster seats in
every taxi and there are more.
Are you really doing everything
you can to protect your
successful business?
There are a number of people
at our regulatory agency that are
retiring from the NYC Taxi &
Limousine Commission. First
Deputy Commissioner of Legal
Affairs, Peter Mazer is leaving
the end of this month as is
Deputy Commissioner Jed
Applebaum from Woodside.
After years of professional
relationships with both of these
gentlemen it is with sadness I
say good-bye. The times, they
are a changing. Nobody knows
what effect these changes will
have on your business or what
other changes may soon occur
at the Taxi & Limousine
Commission.
We all remember 1998 and
the infamous 17 rules that were
shoved down our throats. Just
prior to those new rules, there
was apathy from everyone in the
taxi industry that was not part of
an association. By the time the
17 rules came out, it was already
too late. Do not make the same
mistake that were made in the
past.
Apathy can and will destroy
us. Do you go to Albany to fight
bills detrimental to the taxi
industry? Have you been
gathering information for the
next rate of fare increase? Have
you or your business done
anything to prevent the $50,000
wheelchair accessible taxi from
becoming a reality? Have you
testified to alleviate illegal street
pick-ups, or the illegal doorman
practices at every major NYC
hotel?
If you answered no to any of
the above questions, then you
must look in the mirror and find
an answer for continued
prosperity in the New York City
taxi industry.
Were you sitting at the
Mayor ’s negotiating table
fighting for the rate of fare
increase? The Committee for
Taxi Safety and the MTBOT was.
Do you go to City Hall to fight for
the taxi industry? The
Committee for Taxi Safety,
LOMTO and the MTBOT does.
All three associations represent
your interests at every TLC
hearing.
Many people contribute a
certain amount of money every
month to their church or temple.
G-d does give all of our families
a certain comfort level today and
we all hope that our future will
be healthy and prosperous.
Joining a taxi industry
association, gives you the right
to say, “I truly did everything I
could for continued good health
and prosperity in the taxi
industry.”
When you are part of an
association, you are directly
contributing to the health and
prosperity of the New York City
taxi industry before it is too late
to react. It is only then, that you
are doing your “due diligence” to
protect your business. The
members of the Committee for
Taxi Safety, the MTBOT and of
LOMTO can not fight for the
entire taxi industry alone
anymore. There are currently too
many issues in the shadows that
will have a negative impact on
us all.
Leasing Agents, Fleet
Owners and Drivers, NOW is the
time to join our associations.
I know that some of you say,
“When you need help, I will be
there.” The money you save in
dues today could cost you your
business in the future. NOW is
truly the time to help the taxi
industry. The Committee for Taxi
Safety, LOMTO and the MTBOT
has done a masterful job getting
the fare increase and protecting
drivers, owners and leasing
agents.
If you are not a member of
one of these associations, what
have you done to insure
continued prosperity in the taxi
industry?
Please do not put yourself in
a position to one day say, “What
have I done?”
Participating in an association
that represents your interests
provides that needed voice at
City Hall and Albany. If you
stand alone we all lose. If you
unite with a committee or an
association, the entire taxi
industry will win.
Collaborative efforts that bind
us together will give us the
added strength to defeat any
detrimental efforts. After joining
the Committee for Taxi Safety,
you can truly say from your
heart, “I did a great job,” instead
of asking yourself when it is too
late,”What could I have done to
prevent this situation?”
It is time to step up to the
plate!
Leasing Agents and Fleets:
To join the
Committee for Taxi Safety,
call (718) 706-8294.
Letters
“YA GOTTA WALK
LIKE YA LIVE
HERE!”
Dear Taxi Insider,
A year ago while crossing a street
in Brooklyn, I fell in a pothole and badly
sprained my ankle. It was several
months before I could walk without
crutches, something that made my
local car service very happy.
Nevertheless, by spring I was finally
able to hobble very slowly, and in this
condition I took advantage of one fine
day to limp down Fifth Avenue.
As I approached a crossing, the
light turned red and the "Don't Walk"
sign flashed its warning. Unable to
safely negotiate both hobbling off the
curb and avoiding onrushing taxis, I
stopped to wait for the green light. Two
tourists in shorts stopped next to me.
On the other side of the street,
however, city life was continuing as
usual: a man strode into the crossing
toward us, dodging taxis with typical
New York flare, and yelled at us in his
beautiful Queens accent: "Ya gotta
walk like ya live here!"
I doubled over laughing, while the
tourists looked completely bewildered.
Robin Greeley
October 2004 • Taxi Insider • Page 3
to the Editor
TRIM THOSE
TREES!!!!
Dear Taxi Insider,
When driving in the left lane on
Park Avenue between 46th Street and
57th Street there is a visual
obstruction. It is extremely hard to see
the street-lights because of the trees
blocking those lights. PLEASE have
the trees trimmed before a major
accident occurs!
SF
WHAT DOES THE
PARTITION DO?
To Taxi Insider,
What does the partition do to
protect me when I pick up four
passengers and one sits in the front
seat? If the passenger in the front seat
has bad thoughts, I am a dead duck.
The partition needs to be redesigned
with part of it between the armrests in
the front seat.
CS
CLEAR THOSE
FOG LIGHTS!!!
Dear Taxi Insider,
I think that fog-lights should be
From The Desk of
Ma
yor Mic
hael R. Bloomber
g
Michael
Bloomberg
May
Dear Mr. Pollack:
Thank you for your recent letter. We are thrilled to bring the Jets back
home to New York City where they belong. However, our Convention Corridor
Plan is about more than just football, it is about making an investment in our
future, and keeping our City the World's Second Home.
Our convention and tourism industry is second in size only to Wall Street,
and the jobs of more than 200,000 New Yorkers depend on its strength. While
the Big Apple is the number one destination for visitors from around the country,
the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center ranks only 18th in the nation in exhibition
space. This lack of capacity results in the loss of millions of dollars of economic
activity every year and the jobs that would come with it. The Convention Corridor
Plan will nearly double the size of the Javits Center, increase our main
convention center space from 18th to 5th in the nation, and give us the ability
to host virtually any major convention. The New York Sports and Convention
Center will function as a stadium for approximately 17 days a year, including
10 Jets games, and host to events such as the Final Four and a Super Bowl.
During the remainder of the year, the NYSCC will provide auxiliary space to
the Javits Center via an underground concourse. It will also house a museum,
a community theater, and several restaurants.
The $2.8 billion cost of the Convention Corridor Project will be shared by
the public and private sectors, including $800 million from the New York Jets.
When completed, the Convention Corridor is expected to generate more than
twice the amount in annual tax revenue as the debt service costs to the City
and State, and will create 42,000 construction jobs and 17,000 permanent
jobs. It will also revitalize the Hudson Yards community into a dynamic
residential and commercial neighborhood, which will be served by an extended
number 7 subway line. The project will help us to greater diversify our economy,
so that we can better withstand difficult fiscal times. Construction is expected
to begin in Spring 2005 following the completion of an environmental impact
study.
Thank you again for writing. We value your participation as we work to
ensure a bright future for our City.
Sincerely,
Michael R. Bloomberg
Mayor
legalized for yellow cabs to use instead
of regular headlights in Manhattan.
Fog-lights makes your vision more
relaxed and acutually provides more
brightness at night. On rainy nights you
can see much better too.
AF
FIRE ALL
DOORMEN!!
To Taxi Insider,
I think the that hotel doormen
should be fired for putting our fares in
their friends cars.
They even put our fares in private
cars!
It is still happening every day and
with more taxis on the road, we need
the fares, not the doormen’s friends.
Unsigned
THANKS FOR
THE EVENTS
Dear Taxi Insider,
I want to thank you for placing the
two pages called, “Events In The Big
Apple” in your newspaper. As soon as
I get the paper, those two pages are
the first thing I turn to. They alert me
to traffic problems and give me ideas
on where to tell my passengers to go
when they are in my cab.
For the other drivers that are
reading this I encourage you to read
the “Events In The Big Apple” pages
on 29 & 30. I bet they will help you
too!
Thanks again Mr. Pollack, keep up
the good work!
NP
Have Something To Say?
If you would like to have your letter published in the TAXI INSIDER,
send your letter to:
TAXI INSIDER - LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
23-10 JACKSON AVENUE
LONG ISLAND CITY, NEW YORK 11101
or e-mail [email protected]
Taxi Insider
GAS W
ATCH
WA
Each month, the Taxi
Insider will provide you
with the New York City
Unleaded Average
Costs at the pump for
gasoline. Please keep
in mind that these
prices are based on the
average of the actual
prices of all gasoline in
New York City.
Below please find the New York City Regular
Unleaded Average Costs as of October 1, 2004:
New York
Current
Yesterday
Month Ago
Year Ago
Regular
$2.106
$2.101
$2.128
$1.910
Mid
$2.253
$2.248
$2.277
$2.044
Premium
$2.301
$2.296
$2.325
$2.087
Do you have something to say
about the current gas prices?
E-mail your comments to:
[email protected]
Diesel
$2.172
$2.149
$2.040
$1.871
Page 4 • Taxi Insider • October 2004
TLC Friend W ill Be Missed
General Counsel Peter Mazer Leaves Agency For Private Practice
By David Pollack
The Committee for Taxi Safety
and Taxi Insider wish all the best to
Peter Michael Mazer, General
Counsel of the Taxi and Limousine
Commission, who will be leaving the
TLC at the end of October to return
to the private practice of law. Peter,
a graduate of New York University
and Fordham Law School, started his
career with the TLC in June 1987 as
an Administrative Law Judge. Many
of you may remember him as a Judge
who was well regarded for his
fairness and impartiality.
In
December 1996 he was promoted to
Chief Judge, where he oversaw the
move of the Adjudications Tribunal
from its former home on 41st Street
to the then new facility in Long Island
City. In a recent conversation with
Peter, he told me that he considered
his greatest achievement at the TLC
to be the improvements that were
made in areas of judge training and
improving
the
degree
of
professionalism that is exhibited by
Judges and staff at the taxi courts.
While there may still be room for
improvement, the adjudications
tribunal is far superior now that it was
before his arrival.
Any of you who remember 41st
Street can attest to that fact.
In August of 1998, TLC
Commissioner Matthew Daus, then
the General Counsel, appointed
Peter to become his deputy, and in
2001, Peter was named General
Counsel when Matthew became the
TLC Chairperson. Peter Mazer and
Jed Appelbaum together deserve the
credit for the successful medallion
sale that occurred in April of this year,
in making sure that the sale went
smoothly without any legal or
operational problems, and that all the
closings occurred and vehicles were
hacked up and on the road as soon
as possible. Peter and Jed are now
making sure that the current
medallion sale runs smoothly before
they move on to their future
endeavors.
Lawyers are advocates for their
clients and we have not always
agreed with the positions advocated
by the TLC General Counsel in court,
before the Board of Commissioners,
or at City Hall. However, I know that
Peter always recognized the need for
a healthy, fairly-regulated industry, to
ensure that the public would be
served, and that drivers and owners
would be properly compensated.
Peter had no tolerance for those who
bent the rules or abused the TLC, its
employees or the public.
By David Pollack
Assistant Commissioner Jed
Appelbaum, who is responsible for
the daily operation of the TLC’s
Woodside Inspection Facility and
Hacksite, has announced that he
will be retiring at the end of October,
after 27 years.
Commissioner Appelbaum was
the project manager under
Commissioner/Chairman Daus
responsible for the design and
supervising the new Woodside
upgraded facility, which included
new restrooms, water fountain, an
enclosed Hacksite waiting room, for
the many drivers and owners that
frequent the facility. I learned first
hand about Commissioner
Appelbaum’s integral part in this
critical construction project last year
when I joined Chairman Daus as a
visitor at the opening of the new
facility.
Jed Appelbaum joined the NYC
Taxi and Limousine Commission in
1977 as an Inspector, assigned to
field operations. Shortly thereafter
in 1980 he was promoted to the
rank of Supervising Inspector
(Captain) and promoted throughout
the years to titles of: Assistant
Director, Deputy Director, Director,
and then Assistant Commissioner.
Today Mr. Appelbaum serves as
TLC’s Assistant Commissioner of
the Safety and Emissions Division.
Mr. Appelbaum has a staff of 55 that
performs over 60,000 taxi
inspections annually, for all NYC
medallion taxis, at the Centralized
Inspection Facility in Woodside
Queens. The facility was recently
renovated making the TLC the
newest and most advanced
automobile inspection facility in the
world.
Commissioner Appelbaum has
testified in numerous criminal cases
as an expert witness. In 1986 he
was the Supervisor in charge of a
“Bogus Taxi Squad” responsible for
removing and arresting over twentyfive individuals from the streets of
NYC, charged with using counterfeit
medallions or “fake” look alike taxis.
He also participated in an NYPD
investigation in 1990, closing down
a major taxi fleet garage for a VIN
(Vehicle identification number)
scheme to defraud the Commission
in substituting switched vehicles for
inspections. Over 120 taxis were
confiscated and impounded, and
Peter Mazer, general counsel for the TLC, will be leaving the agency to
start his own practice, and we wish him well.
However, he always recognized
and appreciated the vast majority of
drivers and owners in our industry
who wanted to keep the industry
strong and well-regarded by the City
and public alike.
All of us at the Committee for Taxi
Safety and Taxi Insider wish Peter, his
wife Joni, and daughters Elizabeth
and Johanna all the best as Peter
undertakes new endeavors.
We will miss him.
the operator pled guilty.
On behalf of the entire taxi
industry I would like to thank A/C
Appelbaum for his dedication and
hard work that he provided to the
industry over the past 27 years. He
will be sorely missed, as whenever
any of the thousands of licensees’
called upon him for his expertise,
we were never let down.
Commissioner Appelbaum stated
that he would like to take off a month
or two and then work within the taxi
industry and learn how the other
half operates. He also thanked the
many Taxi Commissioners, the
safety and emissions staff and the
present Commissioner Chairman,
Matthew W. Daus, for their support
over the years.
Jed, I would like to personally
extend my best wishes and
continued success on your
retirement and future endeavors.
TL
C Assistant Commissioner
TLC
Jed Appelbaum R
etir
es After 27 Year
s
Retir
etires
ears
October 2004 • Taxi Insider • Page 5
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“You Can Get There From Here”
Page 6 • Taxi Insider • October 2004
TL
C NEWS
TLC
Inf
or
ma
tion fr
om the Taxi & Limousine Commission
Infor
orma
mation
from
Commissioner’
s Column...By Ma
tthe
w W. Daus
Commissioner’s
Matthe
tthew
I begin this column with a personal
note. As many of you know, the TLC
family lost one of its own recently with
the passing of Steven Brunetti, director
of our Staten Island facility. While
cataloguing all of the things that Steve
meant to us would
easily fill a book, I will
just take this brief
moment to say that his
courage over the last
year has inspired us,
and his friendship will
never be forgotten.
While many enjoyed a restful and
somewhat uneventful summer
season, everyone at the agency
knows what a busy season it has been
for us. First, I should mention the
successful Driver Recognition
Ceremony that we held on August 4th
in partnership with NYC & Company,
through which we were able to
recognize over 100 taxicab and forhire vehicle drivers for their exemplary
work. Thanks to NYC and Co.’s
President and CEO, Cristyne
Nicholas, and her amazing staff, we
were able to hold this fabulous event
at the New York Sheraton Hotel and
Towers. Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg
was on hand to laud our chief honoree,
the famed “Black Pearl Cabbie” Nestor
Sulpico, as well as several other
deserving award recipients. I am still
getting phone calls from industry
members who call to say what a
positive event this was, and asking
what they can do to help us get next
year’s celebration off the ground. I
encourage you to visit the TLC web
site to see all the photos of the event
that are posted there.
I am also proud to announce that
the TLC recently graduated a double-
sized class of highly trained new
inspectors, brought on to help the
agency with such enforcement
priorities as Operation Street Hail, and
our ongoing efforts to rid New York
City’s hotels and airports of illegal
hustlers.
It is safe to say that our efforts have
come to notice, between the recent
release of the Mayor’s Management
Report, which details the TLC’s
performance, and an article in the New
York Post article entitled “Livery Hail
$torm.” The latter highlighted the
more than 25% increase between
Fiscal Years 2003 and 2004 in the
number of summonses issued for
illegal livery hails, as well as the equally
impressive increase in the number of
illegal bases closed. It is always
gratifying when the media reports
progress as well as it does problems.
Speaking of progress, we have
made some headway in several other
important areas, about which you will
be reading in the coming months. One
example of these is the issue of
insurance. Whether it is the high cost
of insurance for our livery licensees,
or the lack of affordable – or even
available – insurance on the voluntary
market for wheelchair accessible
vehicles, this is an issue that is crucial
and central for the industries we
regulate. Despite the TLC’s lack of
regulatory authority over the insurance
industry – something that rests with
the New York State Insurance
Department – it is something that we
are concerned about, and something
that needs to be addressed. It is for
this reason that the agency will be
scheduling a public hearing for
October 25 that will focus exclusively
on these important issues.
Another event we are very excited
about is the Informational Exchange
Conference we have planned for
October 14th. As you may know, the
TLC promulgated regulations at the
time of the fare increase that mandate
service improvements for each of the
city’s 12,487 medallion taxicabs as of
November 2005.
These improvements will include
the ability for each taxicab to accept
debit and credit cards as payment for
a ride of any duration, as well as a
communications system that will offer
numerous benefits. Some of these
include a map that will allow the
passenger to follow trip progress, and
the ability to communicate directly with
individual taxicabs to facilitate the
return of lost property as well as to
notify drivers of business opportunities
throughout the city. The data that we
will potentially be able to receive will
offer the TLC an analytical tool of
unparalleled proportions. Now that the
Request For Information (RFI)
process has officially – and
successfully – been concluded, the
conference will provide the means by
which we bring together the project’s
industry
and
governmental
stakeholders with the experts that will
take us from vision to reality.
Following on the heels of the
successful medallion sale we held last
spring, we are deeply into planning our
next medallion sale in the month of
October. In order to ensure the
successful sale of Accessible and
Alternative Fuel Medallions, we will be
auctioning them separately from the
other medallion types on October 15
with a separately set minimum upset,
or bid price of $219,000. Compared
to the market-fair minimum bid prices
of $267,000 for Individual Medallions
(bid opening date October 18) and
$630,000 for a lot of two Corporate
Medallions (bid opening date October
22), Accessible and Alternative Fuel
Medallions are attractively discounted
and should inspire spirited bidding.
Also, for the first time, individual
owner/operators can purchase and
own more than one medallion, if it is
an accessible or alternative fuel
medallion.
I know we have only scratched the
surface of things to mention, but that
only makes me look all the more
forward to writing again soon. Until
next time, enjoy the crisp coming of
autumn.
LISTEN TO TAXI INSIDER ON
WEDNESDAY AFTERNOONS AT
2:00PM ON WWRL 1600AM!
*Accessible Taxis
*Side Entry & Rear Entry
Taxi Conversions
*Local Service and Repair
Medallion Sale Auction Da
tes
Dates
The Taxi & Limousine Commission has announced the dates
for the upcoming taxi medallion sale. They are as follows:
Accessible/Alternative Fuel Bid Openings
October 15 • 11am • 40 Rector St, 5th Floor
Individual Medallion Bid Openings
October 18 • 11am
Saval Auditorium - St. John's University
101 Murray Street
Corporate Medallion Bid Openings
October 22 • 11am
Saval Auditorium - St. John's University
101 Murray Street
For more information, call 3-1-1 or log onto the TLC’s website:
www.nyc.gov/taxi
www.ArcolaSales.com
1-800-272-6521 x68
Contact Tony Perez
October 2004 • Taxi Insider • Page 7
We’re the taxi industry’s most reputable company and same driver. No double shifting your medallion to different
we can back it up! Our philosophy is to keep your drivers every shift, increasing the possibilities of
medallion running through the good times and the bad. accidents and lawsuits!
When times were hard and other brokers were returning
medallions to the owners, we never gave back any.
We’re strictly a driver-owned vehicle (DOV)
operation, which means your medallion is leased to the
Page 8 • Taxi Insider • October 2004
Listen To The TAXI INSIDER Radio Show!
Every Wednesday At 2:00pm
on WWRL 1600 AM
Call us during the show at (212) 868-0975
to talk about any taxicab related issue
on your mind!
Frequent Appearances By
Leading Taxicab and NYC Leaders!!!
Call us during showtime (Wednesdays
2-2:30pm) and tell us who YOU would like to be
a guest on the show! (212) 868-0975
And if you missed the show during the daytime, you
can catch a replay at 2:30am on Friday mornings!
October 2004 • Taxi Insider • Page 9
From The Desk Of
...
Of...
Mic
hael Spe
vac
k, Esq.
Michael
Spev
ack,
This article is for information purposes only and in
no way constitutes legal advice. If the reader desires
legal advice, please contact the author.
Hello everybody; I hope you are Albany denies your appeal. It
all working hard and making good seems like this the end for your
money.
career as a cab driver right?
First, I want to mention that at Wrong.
DMV in New York City and Suffolk
You can go to a lawyer like me
County the courts are different from and I can file an Article 78
the rest of NYS. So, what I want to proceeding for you in Supreme
discuss about the difference today Court to challenge the loss of your
is the automatic right to appeal to a appeal. It is an expensive
court if you are found guilty at DMV proposition because it is a regular
court and on the appeal.
lawsuit. But, it might just save your
Remember, if you lose a case job. Since the DMV is a State
at DMV court, where most cab agency, every driver in the State has
driver ’s get their tickets, it is the automatic right to file an Article
important to appeal the case. I 78 if they lose a hearing before a
know that most times you lose the DMV tribunal.
appeal. However, the appeal is
That is why it is important to
good for several reasons which I appeal every DMV ticket you lose
have already discussed in a prior – it perseveres you right to file an
article; call me at 1-866-LAW-MIKE Article 78, which could save your
and I will be glad to mail it to you.
job if you have a lot of points on
But, an appeal is not the final your license.
process available to a driver. A
Second, since I am on the
driver has an automatic right to an subject. You can do an Article 78
Article 78 proceeding in Supreme proceeding from TLC hearings too.
Court (which is the Court of general/ So, if you lose a case at TLC, it
basic hearing power in NYS) if he doesn’t hurt to appeal TLC cases if
or she loses a DMV appeal.
you lose at TLC because you can
Let’s take an example. Suppose to an Article 78 if your job is on the
that you have 10 points on your line at TLC. An article 78 is
DMV license but have taken the available anytime TLC revokes or
class thus reducing the number of suspends you, so keep it in mind.
points for TLC counting purposes Remember, it is expensive so be
(critical driver purposes) to 8 careful, but, just be aware of the
(Remember that DMV points are availability of this powerful weapon.
reviewed by TLC and TLC only
Remember to listen the 1600AM
takes off 2 points for the driver WWRL on Wednesdays between 2
safety course). Then, you get found and 2:30pm for information and
guilty by a judge at 19 Rector Street intelligent discussion about taxi
of a 3 point violation like a NYC issues.
redlight violation. You appeal the
Please, have a productive and
judge’s verdict, but the DMV in safe month.
ATTENTION ALL
ATTENTION ALL DRIVERS!!
If you have had a digital photo taken, you
do NOT need to enclose a picture with your
license renewal as the envelope instructs.
Forgot When You Must
Take Your Drug Test?
Here is a way to remember from the TAXI
INSIDER; NO MORE THAN 60 - NO LESS
THAN 30. This is based on the expiration
date of your Hack License. You must take
your drug test NO MORE THAN 60 days
before the Hack License expires and NO
LESS THAN 30 days before the Hack
License expires. Keep this somewhere to
refer to in the future.
Telling It Like It Is
By Vincent Sapone
Managing Director,
LOMTO
COMMENTS FROM SOME DRIVERS
I failed inspection for a dumb
reason. What can you do about
it? There are livery cars picking
up street hails and working the
hotels. What are you doing
about it? The police and TLC
enforcement are only stopping
yellow cabs. What are you doing
about it? The airports are loaded
with livery cars illegally picking
up passengers. What are you
doing about it? I had a summons
for a refusal. What can you do
about it? I want seven years on
my cab. What can you do about
it? Gas is too expensive. What
are you doing about it? We
should not have to wait eight
years for a fare increase. What
are you doing about it? You must
get us a fare increase every
three or four years. What are you
doing about it?
These are the legitimate
questions that drivers ask me. I
hear these questions when I
take a cab or I’m on the Taxi
Insider Radio Show or when I’m
at the airport. Most of these
questions are asked by cab
drivers that are NOT LOMTO
members.
You guys that complain about
problems and these are very
important problems, belong to
nothing. You don’t belong to an
association or organization.
Nothing. What do you figure?
Let the other guy do all the work
and you do nothing? Don’t you
understand? If you’re in a war
you must have soldiers, you
must have equipment and you
must have a leader. Just talking
and complaining does nothing.
You must be a part of something.
You must belong to something.
LOMTO has been around
since 1934. That’s 70 years. We
must be doing something right.
Come in and talk to me. I’ll tell
you what we are all about and
where we are headed. If every
cab driver is a member of
LOMTO we can and will win a
lot of battles and solve a lot of
problems.
Now, don’t tell yourself, ‘I’m a
lease driver. I’ve got nothing to
worry about’. You are very, very
wrong. Or, ‘I own my own cab. I
never have a problem’. You are
also wrong. You should worry the
most. There are a lot of things
going on in our industry that can
hurt you BIG TIME. These things
will hurt every lease driver, DOV
and owner/driver.
The biggest problem right
now is the push to make every
medallion cab handicap
accessible. It will hurt every one
of you guys BIG TIME. We are
working very hard to stop this
proposal. Now, don’t think it’s the
TLC because it’s not. It’s the
New York City Council
Transportation Committee and
its Chairman John Liu. As far as
all the other questions, yes, we
are working on them. Now, let
me tell you something. It’s time
for you to help in solving all these
problems.
Can you imagine if all taxi
drivers became LOMTO
members? LOMTO is very
strong now but with all of you we
would have the power to solve
most of our problems. Well, it’s
you choice. You can join an
organization or you can do
nothing. You can fight and speak
out for your rights or take what
they give you.
LOMTO offers a lot to its
members like some towing
reimbursement, TLC reps for
summonses, advise from
accountants and lawyers and
low cost health insurance. We
also have a federal credit union
that can help you. LOMTO has
staff that can speak and
understand seven different
languages. I do not own LOMTO
the members own it. I work for
the members.
Guys please wake up and talk
to me. Let’s unite and let our
voice be heard.
Call me at (212) 947-3380
ext. 110 or 109. Send an e-mail
to [email protected].
Come in or write to LOMTO 577
Ninth Avenue, New York, NY
10036.
Until next time…be careful
out there.
Page 10 • Taxi Insider • October 2004
5th Ann
ual Ca
b Watc
h Awar
ds Held At
Annual
Cab
tch
ards
B.B
s Bar and Grill In Times Squar
e
.B.. King’
King’s
Square
By Vare J. Moonpack
The Fifth Annual Cab
Watch Award held at B.B.
King Club & Grill on Times
Square honored outstanding
contributors to the safety of
drivers and the citizens of
New York City.
Cabdriver Jose Liriano
was honored with the 2004
Reisenbach Driver of the
Year Award; Cristyne L.
Nicholas, President and CEO
of NYC & Company, was
honored with the 2004 Safety
Champion Award; and Alan
Kaufman, Treasurer/CEO of
Melrose Credit Union, won
the 2004 Gold Medallion
Award.
Cabdriver Jose Liriano, a
proud member of Cab Watch,
was certainly worthy of the
award he received. A van
had struck a bicyclist in
Queens, and Mr. Liriano
called 911 immediately. The
police and ambulance arrived
on the scene, and the heavily
injured
bicyclist
got
immediate medical attention
and was successfully
hospitalized.
The Cab Watch Awards
celebrate the contributions
made by “the world’s largest
neighborhood watch” to
increase the safety and
improve the quality of life in
New York City. With over
8,200 drivers trained to date,
Cab Watch provides 911direct wireless phones and
NYPD-assisted
safety
training to cabdrivers so they
can call for help whenever
they witness or experience
crimes or emergencies. Cab
Watch is a program of
Citizens for NYC, a 29-yearold non-profit organization
that mobilizes New Yorkers to
improve their neighborhoods.
Limo Watch was launched in
2003 to train chauffeurs from
the limousine industry in
reporting crimes and
emergencies to 911.
The attendees at the gala
awards at B.B. King’s Club &
The band played on at Cabwatch’s 5th Annual Awards Dinner.
Lee Komitor from Universal Ford and Honoree Alan Kaufman, CEO of
Melrose Credit Union pose at the 5th Annual Cabwatch Awards.
Grill were treated to the
dulcet tones of Manuel
Tengel’s Trio, a smoothsounding jazz ensemble that
has taken the city by storm.
After the awards, attendees
got to see a private viewing
of the new move “Taxi”, the
Twentieth Century Fox film
starring Queen Latifah and
Jimmy Fallon.
Michael
E.
Clark,
President of the Citizens for
NYC, emceed the event and
was awarded with a
proclamation from The Mayor
of New York City.
The works of Artist L. Lap.
Yee were on display before
the crowd. His works are
created in a unique way: a
ballpoint pen is pressed to
the artist’s surface hundreds
— no thousands of times to
create the artistic piece. A
central theme of his works
are scenes of New York, with
cabs a prominent element of
the potpourri.
Facts
Cab Watch: in the last year
Cab Watch has:
- Conducted free member
health screenings
- Provided drivers with help
in filing for Earned Income
Tax Credit
- Provided members with
citizenship and immigration
counseling and access to
community forums
- Trained 2,500 additional
drivers to report incidents to
911 and NYPD’s AntiTerrorism Hotline
- Trained 350 NYPD
Sergeants at the Police
Academy
to
improve
communication and relations
between the NYPD and Cab
Watch drivers
Citizens for NYC
Founded in 1975; nonprofit organization mobilizes
New Yorkers to improve their
neighborhoods in he areas of
Urban
Environment,
Beautification,
Safety,
Poverty, Neighborhood
Diversity,
Youth-Led
Community Service and
Youth Entrepreneurship;
provides small grants,
workshops, information and
assistance to more than
12,000 grassroots volunteer
groups throughout the city’s
five boroughs.
October 2004 • Taxi Insider • Page 11
DO YOU HAVE
DMV & TLC
SUMMONSES?
Call
Michael Spevack
Attorney-At-Law
We Can Help You Solve All
TLC & DMV Problems:
Customer Complaints • Renewal
Drug Test Failure • All Moving Violations
WE PROVIDE
THE BEST
REPRESENTATION
AT
REASONABLE FEES
.
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(212) 754-1011
160 East 56th Street, Manhattan
- 7th Floor, between 3rd & Lexington -
Taxi Stand on 56th Street & Lexington Avenue
Page 12 • Taxi Insider • October 2004
LEAGUE OF MUTUAL TAXI OWNERS
FEDERAL CREDIT UNION
SPECIAL AUCTION FINANCING
FOR INDIVIDUAL MEDALLIONS
FINANCING FOR AUCTION MEDALLIONS UP TO 90%
PRE-APPROVED COMMITMENT LETTER
WE NEVER CHARGE POINTS,
PREPAYMENT PENALTIES OR LEGAL FEES
WE CAN HELP YOU WITH ALL ASPECTS OF THE
AUCTION PROCESS FROM BROKERAGE
TO INSURANCE TO BID SUBMITTAL;
WE WILL BE THERE FOR YOU !
WE CAN GET YOU DRIVING YOUR OWN MEDALLION.
CALL TODAY TO FIND OUT MORE.
212-947-3380 EXT 112,113 OR 114
LOMTO FCU HAS BEEN HELPING THE OWNER DRIVER
GET INTO BUSINESS AND STAY IN BUSINESS SINCE 1936.
NO ONE UNDERSTANDS THE OWNER DRIVER LIKE WE DO.
LEAGUE OF MUTUAL TAXI OWNERS
577 NINTH AVENUE • NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10036
TELEPHONE 212-947-3380 / FAX 212-971-6609
WHERE DREAMS BECOME REALITY EVERYDAY.
October 2004 • Taxi Insider • Page 13
OFFICIAL TAXI INSIDER DIRECTORY
Following is a list of important information that is crucial to any New York City taxicab driver. The
directory includes places to buy and lease a medallion, purchase a taxicab, find an attorney, and
get a loan. It’s all here in black and white for you - compliments of the Taxi Insider!
Montauk Credit Union
111 West 26th Street
(Street Level)
New York, N.Y. 10001
(212) 989-5200
WHERE TO FIND LEGAL
COUNCIL/ATTORNEYS
Michael Spevak, Esq.
160 East 56th Street
New York, NY 10022
(212) 754-1011
Dobshinsky & Priya
61 Broadway, Suite 3025
New York, NY 10006
(212) 344-0900
Tony Falese, Industry Rep.
CabFair, Inc.
466 West 51st Street
New York, NY 10019
(212) 245-8847
NYC Driver’s Assistance Corp.
38-08 43rd Avenue
LIC, New York 11101
(718) 729-4700
WHERE TO BUY A TAXICAB
Universal Motors
Taxi Headqaurters to the World
40-40 Northern Boulevard
Long Island City, NY 11101
(718) 786-1660
Bay Ridge Ford
6501 Fort Hamilton Parkway
Brooklyn, New York 11215
(718) 238-TAXI
WHERE TO LEASE
A TAXICAB MEDALLION
All Taxi Management
(TLC License #202)
24-29 Jackson Avenue
Long Island City, NY 11101
(718) 361-0055
D&J Management of Queens
(TLC License #236)
33-54 62nd Street
Woodside, New York 11377
(718) 458-6609
JTL Management
(TLC License #213)
36-16 Skillman Avenue
Long Island City, NY 11101
(718) 392-7000
Kim Cab Leasing
(TLC License #255)
3864 Flatlands Avenue
Brooklyn, New York 11234
(718) 252-8300
Queens Medallion Leasing, Inc.
(TLC License #253)
11-30 44th Road
Long Island City, NY 11101
(718) 784-3217
Melrose Credit Union
58-25 Queens Boulevard
Woodside, N.Y. 11377
(718) 779-1700
Ronart Leasing Corp.
(TLC License #A0010)
25-11B 41st Avenue
Long Island City, NY 11101
(718) 392-3013
Superior Management
(TLC License #256)
657 10th Avenue
New York, NY 10036
(212) 977-4590
Transit Systems LTD
(TLC License #230)
54-11 Queens Boulevard
Woodside, New York 11375
(718) 779-5000
Transit Systems LTD
(TLC License #264)
34-14 31st Street
Long Island City, NY 11101
(718) 361-6363
Winners Garage
(TLC License #110)
34-14 64th Street
Woodside, New York 11377
(718) 458-7000
WHERE TO FIND
INSURANCE COMPANIES
FOR WORKER’S
COMPENSATION
Hereford Insurance Company
24-25 Jackson Avenue
LIC, New York 11101
(718) 361-9191
WHERE TO FIND LICENSED
BROKERS WHO CAN HELP
YOU BUY A MEDALLION
Jericho Taxi Brokers
(TLC License # R0001)
36-16 Skillman Avenue
LIC, New York 11101
(718) 392-7000
Pearland Transfer Corp.
(TLC License #R0020)
24-29 Jackson Avenue
LIC, New York 11101
(718) 361-0033
Westway Medallion Sales
(TLC License #R0039)
657 10th Avenue
New York, N.Y. 10036
(212) 977-4590
Progressive Credit Union
370 7th Avenue
(14th Floor)
New York, N.Y. 10001-3900
(212) 695-8900
Rapid Funding
657 Tenth Avenue
New York, N.Y. 10036
(212) 977-4083
HOW TO REGISTER A
COMPLIMENT/COMPLAINT
WITH THE TLC
Gold Taxi Brokers
(TLC License #R0015)
577 9th Avenue
New York, NY 10036
(212) 245-8000
WHERE TO CARE FOR
AND MAINTAIN YOUR
TAXICAB METERS
Metro Shop - MP15
36-15 13th Street
Long Island City, NY 11101
(718) 786-8585
Metro Shop - MP16
523-525 Greenwich Street
New York, NY 10013
(212) 229-2066
WHERE TO GET
LOANS/FINANCING
LOCATIONS OF ALL
TLC FACILITIES
TLC Headquarters
40 Rector Street, 5th Floor
New York, New York 10006
(212) 676-1003
Licensing and Adjudications
32-02 Queens Boulevard
Long Island City, NY 11101
(212) 852-4636
Bay Ridge
Federal Credit Union
9000 4th Avenue
Brooklyn, New York 11209
(718) 680-2121
Uniformed Services Bureau
24-55 Brooklyn Queens
Expressway West
Woodside, New York 11377
(718) 267-4555
LOMTO Federal
Credit Union
577 9th Avenue
(42nd Street)
New York, N.Y. 10036
(212) 947-3380
Staten Island
1893 Richmond Terrace
Staten Island,
New York 10314
(718) 815-3736
(For appointments only)
Page 14 • Taxi Insider • October 2004
A Message From...
Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg
Getting to the Heart of the Problem
Today, more than 36,000 of our
fellow New Yorkers, including
more than 15,000 children, did not
have the good fortune the rest of
us enjoyed. They didn’t wake up
in their own beds, in their own
rooms. Instead, they began the
day in City homeless shelters.
Thousands more men and women
met the dawn on the streets of
New York—because that’s where
they live.
Because New York is a
compassionate city, over the last
20 years, we’ve created the largest
emergency shelter system in the
nation. And during the last City
Fiscal Year, our Department of
Homeless Services moved a
record 24,000 people out of
shelters and into permanent
homes. That’s something we can
be genuinely proud of. But we also
have to recognize a hard truth—
and that is that for too long we’ve
focused too much on a crisis
management approach to
homelessness, and not enough on
finding long-term solutions.
Our Administration is changing
that. In June, we presented an
action plan for effectively ending
chronic homelessness in New York
City within five years. And we’ve
already begun to make substantial
progress toward that goal. Last
week, for example, we launched
a homelessness prevention
initiative in six communities
throughout the city where the
threat of homelessness hangs
over too many families. Called
“Home Base,” this program will
work to keep people in their
homes, and out of City shelters,
by providing such services as
landlord-tenant
mediation,
substance abuse counseling, or
help with drawing up and staying
on a family budget. Because the
simple fact is that while everyone
has a right to shelter, emergency
shelter isn’t always the right
answer to every housing crisis.
Keeping families in their homes is
usually a much better solution for
everyone involved.
We’re also making major
headway toward our goal of
dramatically increasing the city’s
supply of supportive housing,
which provides on-site social
services to people who need help
getting their lives back on track.
Recently, Enterprise New York, the
local chapter of one of the nation’s
largest funders of low-income
housing,
committed
to
underwriting development of 2,500
units of supportive housing in our
city. This will go a long way toward
helping New Yorkers with special
needs, such as the mentally ill
homeless, and young people who
are “aging out” of the foster care
Listen to
Mayor
Bloomberg’s
Radio Show
every Friday
at 11:00am on
system. Without such housing, too
many of them could wind up on our
streets or stay indefinitely in
shelters.
Openness and accountability
are the hallmarks of our
Administration. So starting in
January, we’ll post monthly
updates on our progress on this
issue at this web site:
w w w . n y c . g o v /
endinghomelessness. I have to tell
you, I like the sound of that
name—because we’re going to do
everything we can to end
homelessness in New York City.
October 2004 • Taxi Insider • Page 15
2005 Crown Victoria Stretch Taxis
Now Available!
Toyota Sienna Taxis Also Available
For Immediate Delivery!!
Page 16 • Taxi Insider • October 2004
l
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October 2004 • Taxi Insider • Page 17
OWN YOUR
MEDALLION
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ax: (718) 361-2549
THE MINIMUM UPSET PRICE FOR THE UPCOMING TLC MEDALLION SALE HAS BEEN SET
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Page 18 • Taxi Insider • October 2004
JOIN THE GOLD RUSH!
LOMTO GOLD
BROKERAGE LLC
Dear Friends of the Industry,
It is our continuing committment to provide you with the very best in
taxi and black car insurance service, which is why we offer a full
range of services, which includes Worker’s Compensation
Insurance, Leasing Information, Medallion Sales, and Financing.
So stop by our location at 9th Avenue & 42nd Street in Manhattan and
experience the one-stop shopping at LOMTO GOLD!
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Come to
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Bring in this coupon and
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Broker Accounts Are Welcome!!
(212) 967-7577
We are a full service law firm
concentrating in the areas of:
TLC Hearings
Default Motions at TLC
Article 78 Proceedings
Taxi Medallion Leases
Wills, Estate Planning
Asset Protection
Personal Injury
Real Estate
61 Broadway, Suite 3025
New York, NY 10006
phone: (212)344-0900
fax: (212)344-0905
[email protected]
www.dpnylaw.com
Fluent in Hindi
HAN
AC/NY
S FEDERA
TION OF
HANA
C/NYS
FEDERATION
TAXI DRIVERS ACADEMY
October 2004 • Taxi Insider • Page 19
THE FIRST AND OLDEST TAXI ACADEMY IN THE TAXI INDUSTRY
JOIN US!!
24 HOUR CLASSES
WE CAN HELP YOU TO GET A YELLOW CAB LICENSE
MONDAY, TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY
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8:30AM - 5:30PM
80-HOUR CLASSES
AVAILABLE MONDAY - FRIDAY FOR TWO WEEKS
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MONDAY - FRIDAY
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LONG ISLAND CITY 11101
NEXT TO THE BANK OF NEW YORK
(718) 433-0493 - ASK FOR HASAIN SHAKIL
TRAINS: 7, N, W TO QUEENS BOROUGH PLAZA
E, V, G, R TO QUEENS PLAZA
WE ARE OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK 8:30AM - 5:30PM
SUBSCRIBE TO THE TTA
AXI INSIDER!
LEASING AGENTS!
BECOME A MEMBER OF THE
COMMITTEE FOR TAXI SAFETY!
Be sure that you get your copy of the Official Voice of
the New York City Transporation Industry! Subscribe
to the Taxi Insider for only $24.00!
SIGN ME UP FOR THE TAXI INSIDER!!!!
Name
Address
City
State
Zip
Phone
E-mail
Mail this form and your check or
money order for $24.00 to:
COMMITTEE FOR TAXI SAFETY
23-10 JACKSON AVENUE
LONG ISLAND CITY, N.Y. 11101
If you are a leasing agent,
it’s time to help
solve serious issues
effecting your business!
Join the Committee today!
Page 20 • Taxi Insider • October 2004
INDUSTRY SCENES
Please enjoy these pictures of the drivers and leaders in our industry, compliments of the TAXI INSIDER!
Driver Ahmed Shehabeldin.
Driver and proud Committee member Baljit Singh.
Driver Elsheny Mamdouh is an avid reader.
A very happy Chris Dermergis
Claude Duperval in his cab at the airport.
Driver Jose Caveza can “hack” it.
Driver Kwabena Manu in the airport lot.
Long time cabbie Leo Fang.
Thomas Kim is a proud taxi driver.
Driver Waheed Khan.
Well known industry member Willie T.
Driver Stefan Socal at a TLC hearing.
Do y
ou ha
ve a pictur
e tha
ou w
ould lik
e to see in Industr
y Scenes?
you
hav
picture
thatt y
you
would
like
Industry
E-mail it to [email protected]
October 2004 • Taxi Insider • Page 21
COME VISIT US!!!
MONTAUK
CREDIT UNION
Because We Are The BEST!
Free P
ar
king F
or Our Taxi Bor
s
Par
arking
For
Borrrower
ers
Please Contact Us For ANY of Your Lending Needs
111 West 26th Street • Street Level • New York, NY 10001
Call
(212) 989-5200
Ext. 226 or 227
Lou Jimenez, CEO
Page 22 • Taxi Insider • October 2004
Ca
bbies And Cele
brities P
aint The Town
Cab
Celebrities
Paint
Yello
wF
or Taxi Pr
emier
e
ellow
For
Premier
emiere
Blockbuster Movie Stars Queen Latifah And Jimmy Fallon
By David Pollack
The
Jacob
Javits
Convention Center was
turned into a makeshift drivein movie theater on Sunday,
October 3rd when 20th
Century Fox hosted the
premiere of the movie Taxi,
which stars Queen Latifah
and Jimmy Fallon.
The movie, which is about
a New York City taxi driver
[Latifah] helping a New York
City police officer [Fallon]
solve a string of robberies,
was directed by Tim Story
and was filmed on the
streets of New York City.
At the premiere, one
hundred cabs pulled into the
Javits Center and parked in
front of a giant screen in
traditional drive-in style, with
ten rows of VIP seating for
the movie’s cast and
dignitaries in front of the
cabs.
After the cabs were
positioned, the celebrities
arrived. Everyone in the cast
attended, from Queen
Latifah and Jimmy Fallon, to
Director Tim Story, to villains
Gisele Bundchen and Ingrid
Vandebosch to Kelly
Osbourne - who attended the
premiere to see her friend,
Jimmy Fallon.
All of the drivers who
attended the event received
$100, a T-shirt and the
opportunity to see the movie
and meet the stars.
Taxi is now playing in
theaters everywhere.
A taxi driver poses with his family at the Taxi premiere at the Javits Center
on Sunday, October 3rd.
A proud driver and member of the Committee For Taxi Safety poses for
the cameras at the premiere of Taxi, starring Queen Latifah and Jimmy
Fallon. (Photo by Dave Pollack)
Dave Pollack stands on the “yellow” carpet and interviews Taxi star Queen
Latifah about her movie, while Paul Wein looks on.
At The Movies
October 2004 • Taxi Insider • Page 23
A Review By Paul Wein
What happens when you
take a group of really talented
actors, a unique and hysterical
storyline, an talented director
and a New York City taxicab?
You get one hail of a movie.
That’s what we got in the
release of Taxi, 20th Century
Fox’s comedy about a brandnew New York City cabbie
(Latifah) who is commandeered
by a less than perfect New York
City Police Officer (Fallon) to
chase a band of beautiful
burglars led by Gisele
Bundchen.
Besides the human stars of
the movie, the taxicab, which is
medallion number T313, is a
celebrity in itself. Retrofitted by
Latifah’s character, the cab has
a few extra features that, when
combined with Latifah’s driving,
TAXI
makes for quite a bumpy ride.
The movie, however, was
smooth sailing.
From an excellently flowing
storyline to some hysterical
interaction between cast
members to edge-of-your-seat
action, this movie is worth
whatever is on the meter.
In addition to the major
characters, the rest of the cast
lends plenty of talent to Taxi.
From Ann-Margret who plays
Fallon’s alcoholic mother, to
NYPD Blue’s Henry Simmons,
who plays Queen Latifah’s love
interest, to the lovely Jennifer
Esposito, who plays Fallon’s
former love interest and current
Lieutenant, who is sick of his
constant screw-ups.
While some of the scenes
were shot in a movie studio out
Queen Latifah and Jimmy Fallon take cover in the movie Taxi, now playing
in theaters everywhere. (Photo © Copyright 20th Century Fox)
of state, the majority of the
If you haven’t seen it already,
street scenes were shot in go see Taxi, it is definitely worth
Manhattan. Being a New the fare.
Yorker, I love when I see cars
racing down streets I have
driven down myself, and
Director Tim Story did a
fabulous job of shooting
speeding car chase scenes
through the streets of New York
City.
I have to admit that it was
very interesting watching a
movie while the entire cast was
in the audience along with me.
And when I saw the scene
where Queen Latifah bolted her
medallion to the hood of her
cab, I was very proud to see the
Ana Cristina De Oliveira and Gisele Bundchen in 20th Century Fox's Taxi medallion I created on the big
(Photo © Copyright 20th Century Fox)
screen.
Taxi co-star Jimmy Fallon poses with Dave Pollack at the movie’s
premiere, which was held on October 3rd at the Jacob Javits Convention
Center.
Gisele Bundchen, who plays the movie’s main villain, poses with Paul
Wein, TLC’s former Executive Director of Public Affairs.
Page 24 • Taxi Insider • October 2004
A DIRECTORY OF THE NEW YORK CITY COUNCIL
Joseph P.
Addabbo, Jr.
92-03 Rockaway Beach Blvd
Howard Beach, New York, 11694
Phone: (718) 318-6411
[email protected]
Gale A.
Brewer
563 Columbus Ave (at 87th St.)
New York, New York, 10024
Phone No: (212) 873-0282
[email protected]
Simcha
Felder
4424 16th Avenue
Brooklyn, New York, 11204
Phone No: (718) 853-2704
[email protected]
Vincent J.
Gentile
8703 3rd Avenue
Brooklyn, New York, 11209
Phone No: (718) 748-5200
[email protected]
Letitia
James
67 Hanson Place
Brooklyn, NY, 11217
Phone No: 718-260-9191
[email protected]
John C.
Liu
135-27 38th Avenue, (Suite 388)
Flushing, New York, 11354
Phone No: (718) 888-8747
[email protected]
Hiram
Monserrate
98-17 Northern Blvd.
Corona, New York, 11368
Phone No: (718) 205-3881
[email protected]
Bill
Perkins
163 W. 125 St. 7th Floor
New York, New York, 10027
Phone No.: (212) 662-4440
[email protected]
Diana
Reyna
444 South 5th St.
Brooklyn, New York, 11211
Phone No: (718) 963-3141
[email protected]
Tony
Avella
38-50 Bell Blvd. (Suite C),
Bayside, New York, 11361
Phone: (718) 747-2137
[email protected]
Yvette D.
Clarke
123 Linden Boulevard
Brooklyn, New York, 11226
Phone No: (718) 287-8762
[email protected]
Maria
Baez
1 East Fordham Rd, Suite 2
Bronx, New York, 10468
Phone No: (718) 584-6955
[email protected]
Leroy G.
Comrie, Jr.
113-43 Farmers Blvd.
Saint Albans, New York, 11412
Phone No: (718) 776-3700
[email protected]
Lewis A.
Fidler
Helen D.
Foster
1402 East 64th Street
Brooklyn, New York, 11234
Phone No: (718) 241-9330
[email protected]
1377 Jerome Ave
Bronx, New York, 10452
Phone No: (718) 588-7500
[email protected]
Alan J.
Gerson
51 Chambers St. (Suite 429)
New York, New York, 10007
Phone No: (212) 788-7722
[email protected]
Allan W.
Jennings, Jr.
91-10 146 Street, Jamaica
Jamaica, New York, 11435
Phone No: (718) 657-4787
[email protected]
Margarita
Lopez
237 First Ave (Suite 405)
New York, New York, 10003
Phone No: (212) 614-8751
[email protected]
Eva S.
Moskowitz
420 Lexington Ave (Suite 356)
New York, New York, 10017
Phone No: (212) 818-0580
[email protected]
Madeline T.
Provenzano
2931 Westchester Avenue
Bronx, New York, 10461
Phone No: (718) 931-6060
[email protected]
Joel
Rivera
1901 Southern Blvd
Bronx, New York, 10460
Phone No: (718) 842-8100
[email protected]
Eric N.
Gioia
47-01 Queens Blvd (Suite 205)
Sunnyside, New York, 11104
Phone No: 718-383-9566
[email protected]
Melinda R.
Katz
104-01 Metropolitan Ave.
Forest Hills, New York, 11375
Phone No: (718) 544-8800
[email protected]
Miguel
Martinez
601 West 174th, (Suite 1A)
New York, New York, 10033
Phone No: (917) 521-2616/2640
[email protected]
Michael C.
Nelson
3810-A Nostrand Avenue
Brooklyn, New York, 11235
Phone No: (718) 368-9176
[email protected]
Christine C.
Quinn
224 West 30th St (Suite 1206)
New York, New York, 10001
Phone No: (212) 564-7757
[email protected]
James
Sanders, Jr.
226-18 Merrick Blvd.
Laurelton, New York, 11413
Phone No: (718) 527-4356
[email protected]
Continued on Page 26
Charles
Barron
718 Pennsylvania Blvd.
Brooklyn, New York, 11207
Phone No: (718) 649-9495/9496
[email protected]
Bill de
Blasio
Tracy L.
Boyland
2094-A Fulton Street
Brooklyn, New York, 11233
Phone No: (718) 345-3110
[email protected]
Erik Martin
Dilan
2907 Fort Hamilton Pkwy
Brooklyn, New York, 11218
Phone No: (718) 854-9791
[email protected]
387 Arlington Avenue
Brooklyn, New York, 11208
Phone No: (718) 642-8664
[email protected]
Dennis P.
Gallagher
James F.
Gennaro
78-25 Metropolitan Ave.
Middle Village, New York, 11379
Phone No: (718) 366-3900
[email protected]
Sara M.
Gonzalez
4808 4th Avenue
Brooklyn, NY, 11220
Phone No: (718) 439-9012
[email protected]
G. Oliver
Koppell
3636 Waldo Avenue
Bronx, New York, 10463
Phone No: (718) 549-7300
[email protected]
Michael E.
McMahon
130 Stuyvesant Place, 6th Floor
Staten Island, New York, 10301
Phone No: (718) 556-7370
[email protected]
James S.
Oddo
94 Lincoln Avenue
Staten Island, New York, 10306
Phone No: (718) 980-1017
[email protected]
Domenic M.
Recchia, Jr.
445 Neptune Avenue
Brooklyn, New York, 11224
Phone No: (718) 373-9673
[email protected]
Larry B.
Seabrook
3765 White Plains Road
Bronx, New York, 10467
Phone No: (718) 994-9900
[email protected]
185-10 Union Turnpike
Fresh Meadows, NY, 11366
Phone No: (718) 217-4969
[email protected]
Robert
Jackson
751 West 183rd St.
New York, New York, 10033
Phone No: (212) 928-1322
[email protected]
Andrew J.
Lanza
3944 Richmond Avenue
Staten Island, New York, 10312
Phone No: (718) 984-5151
[email protected]
Gifford
Miller
336 East 73rd Street (Suite C)
New York, New York, 10021
Phone No: (212) 535-5554
[email protected]
Annabel
Palma
1733 East 172nd Street
Bronx, New York, 10472
Phone No.: (718) 617-1869
[email protected]
Philip
Reed
105 East 116th Street
New York, New York, 10029
Phone No: (212) 828-9800
[email protected]
Helen
Sears
37-32 75th St.
Jackson Heights, NY, 11372
Phone No: (718) 803-6373
[email protected]
October 2004 • Taxi Insider • Page 25
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Page 26 • Taxi Insider • October 2004
A DIRECTORY OF THE NEW
YORK CITY COUNCIL
Jose M.
Serrano
384 East 149th St (Suite 300)
Bronx, New York, 10455
Phone No: (718) 402-6130
[email protected]
Kendall
Stewart
1694 Flatbush Avenue
Brooklyn, New York, 11210
Phone No: (718) 951-8177
[email protected]
Albert
Vann
613-619 Throop Ave.
Brooklyn, New York, 11216
Phone No: (718) 919-0740
[email protected]
Peter F.
Vallone, Jr.
22-45 31st Street., Astoria
Astoria, New York, 11105
Phone No: (718) 274-4500
[email protected]
David I.
Weprin
205-07 Hillside Ave., (Suite 16)
Hollis, New York, 11423
Phone No: (718) 465-8202
[email protected]
David
Yassky
114 Court Street
Brooklyn, New York, 11201
Phone No: (718) 875-5200
[email protected]
If you have a question or concern
that you wish to address with your
City Councilmber, the TAXI INSIDER
urges you to contact them!
For more information
on the City Council or any
City of New York Issue...
M.T
.A. Is Sued Ov
er Its P
olic
y
M.T.A.
Over
Polic
olicy
On Muslim Head Co
verings
Cov
By Mike Luo, New York Times
The Justice Department sued
the Metropolitan Transportation
Authority and New York City Transit
yesterday, charging them with
discriminating against Muslim and
Sikh employees who wear turbans
and head scarves for religious
reasons.
The lawsuit stems from a series
of incidents dating back to 2002.
Since then, four Muslim women all bus drivers for New York City
Transit - have been barred from
operating buses on the road and
reassigned to work inside bus
depots because they refused to
wear regulation caps over their
DON’T MISS
THE
head scarves, known as hijabs.
More recently, transit managers
briefly reassigned Kevin Harrington,
a Sikh train operator, to a railyard
because he refused to take off his
turban at work. After his case drew
public attention, he was allowed
back on his old job in June.
None of the employees have
decided yet whether they will wear
the alternative head coverings that
the transit agency presented to
them last week, he said, scarves
made out of blue cloth that match
their uniforms and bear the M.T.A.'s
logo. Some of them may not be able
to, Mr. Schwartz said, if their
religious leaders say they cannot.
TAXI
INSIDER
RADIO
SHOW
LIVE EVER
Y WEDNESD
AY
EVERY
WEDNESDA
AT 2:00PM ON
WWRL RADIO
1600AM
CALL IN YOUR
COMMENTS!
212-868-0975
LEASING AGENTS!
BECOME A MEMBER OF THE
COMMITTEE FOR TAXI SAFETY!
Hur
ricane Dama
ged Car
s
Hurricane
Damag
Cars
Can F
ool You!
Fool
Thousands of flood damaged
vehicles, results of hurricanes and
major rain storms throughout the
country are finding their way to
your local car lot.
There are a few simple tips to
follow to avoid buying a waterlogged piece of junk:
Check for sand, mud or rust in the
trunk, under the seats, and even
the glove compartment.
Faded material and carpet may
mean water damage. If the carpet
and upholstery do not match the
interior, beware!
Musty orders from the air
conditioner is caused by water
mildew.
Do a CARFAX report. This report
shows if the vehicle was registered
inan "at-risk" location.
Electrical problems are also
commom in flooded -out cars.
Check all lights, cigarette lighter,
wipers, radio, heater and A/C
several times to insure they work.
If you are a leasing agent,
it’s time to help
solve serious issues
effecting your business!
Join the Committee today!
October 2004 • Taxi Insider • Page 27
2005 Crown Victoria Stretch Taxis
Now Available!
466 West 51st Street
New York NY 10019
GET A
CABFAIR INC
FAIR HEARING
Most Experienced Rep
In The Industry !!!
AT TLC
PASSENGER
COMPLAINTS
150
$
*
* At Rector
Street Only
Fight for
your rights as an
owner or a driver!
Call us today !
Driver Summonses
TLC Summonses
Black Cars
Suspensions
Appeals
Parking Tickets
Traffic Tickets & More
(212) 245-8847
Tony
Falese
TONY FALESE
Authorized
AuthorizedTLC
TLC epresentative
Representative
Se Habla Espanol
Page 28 • Taxi Insider • October 2004
October 2004 • Taxi Insider • Page 29
events in the big apple
Below are events taking place this month that will keep you in the loop as to what is going on in New
York City, and that you can recommend to passengers to hopefully increase the size of your tip. Mention
these events and watch the tips grow!
October 16TH
October 17TH
October 24TH
October 31ST
Beer on the Pier
Hudson River Park • Pier 54
(212) 613-3158
More than 100 breweries from around
the world will gather for a full day (19pm) of beer tasting. Plus live music,
food from New York's best restaurants,
and cool giveaways and prizes.
www.beeronthepier.com. Tickets are
$35 and include a souvenir tasters cup
and unlimited tasting of all beer.
Manhattan
••••••••••
"Laura's Bush"
Vital Theatre Company • 432 W. 42nd
St, 3rd Floor • 212-268-2040
"Laura's Bush" follows an absurdly
prudish librarian as she enlists the help
of a small town dominatrix to break
Laura Bush out of the White House.
Thurs & Fri @pm; Sat @ 7 & 9:30pm;
Sun @ 7pm; Opens Mon 10/11 @
8pm. Tickets $15, $10 w/ Student ID;
To purchase tickets log onto
www.TheaterMania.com or call (212)
352-3101.
Manhattan
••••••••••
Teacher Appreciation Day
The Intrepid Sea Air Space Museum,
Pier 86 12th Ave. & 46th Street
212-245-0072
All teachers will receive free admission
with discounts for their families. There
will be guided tours by museum
educators along with a special
presentation in the new Michael Tyler
Fisher
Education
Center.
Refreshments will be provided. Please
call 212 957 3701/3703 to reserve
your space and enjoy a great day with
the entire family.
Manhattan
••••••••••
Eighth Avenue Autumn Festival
8th Avenue from 42nd to 57th St.
212-809-4900
At the 3rd annual community
celebration, over 250 ethnic foods,
arts, crafts, antique, jewelry and
general merchandise exhibitors will
create a pedestrian mall along 8th
Avenue. Over 50 cultural, non-profit,
government and corporate displays
will be on view. Entertainment will be
the highlight of this truly unique
celebration. www.nycstreetfairs.com
Manhattan
••••••••••
Real Estate Wealth Expo
Learning Annex
Jacob Javits Convention Center
212-371-0280
Learn from over 100 Real Estate
Experts including Donald Trump,
Robert Kiyosaki, Suze Orman & Rudy
Giuliani. Register for this event by
calling The Learning Annex 212-3710280. www.realestatewealthexpo.com
Manhattan
••••••••••
MS Bike Tour - 2004
New York City Chapter of the Multiple
Sclerosis Society • Start: South Street
Seaport • 212-463-9791
Circle the city and ride through the
Lincoln Tunnel traffic-free. See the
skyline of New York like you've never
seen it before -- from the seat of your
bike. 30-mile, 60-mile, and 100-mile
routes. Proceeds raised will benefit the
New York City Chapter of the National
Multiple Sclerosis Society. Event starts
at 7:30am.
Manhattan
••••••••••
Making Strides
Against Breast Cancer
American Cancer Society • Central
Park • 800-ACS-2345
Annual fun walk through Central Park
to raise funds and awareness in the
fight against breast cancer.
Manhattan
••••••••••
Avenue of the Americas
Family Expo
6th Avenue from 42nd to 57th St.
212-809-4900
At the 11th annual festival, over 500
international foods, art, craft, antique,
and general merchandise exhibitors
will create a midway along 6th Avenue.
Over 100 cultural displays will be on
view. A wide variety characteristic
entertainment by local performers will
be present throughout the festival, all
of which is free to the public.
www.nycstreetfair.com
Manhattan
October 23RD
Boo at the Zoo
Bronx Zoo • Bronx River Parkway and
Boston Road (near Fordham Rd)
718-367-1010
Celebrate Halloween with magic
shows, hayrides, crafts, music and
more. Kids (ages 12 years old and
younger) in costume enter free with a
paying adult. This Halloween event is
part of the Bronx Zoo's Extreme
Summer, which is presented by Bank
of America.
Bronx
••••••••••
Washington Square Festival
Waverly Pl. from Broadway to 5th
Avenue
212-809-4900
A variety of street performers and
entertainment, over 25 cultural and
corporate displays, and exhibits – over
200 international foods, crafts,
artisans, art dealers, jewelry
merchants, antique exhibitors &
general merchandise vendors will be
featured in this trendy, day-long
extravaganza! For more information,
log onto www.nycstreetfairs.com
Manhattan
••••••••••
Mexico NOW!
Contemporary Arts Festival
Arts International • 30+ venues in NYC
212-308-2110
During the month of November nearly
100 of Mexico's most renowned
contemporary artists, will descend
upon over 30 venues in New York City.
The program consists of concerts,
dance performances, exhibits and
other events.
All Five Boroughs
••••••••••
Annual Piano Marathon
Faust Harrison Pianos • 205 West
58th Street • 212-489-3600
Faust Harrison Pianos will host a ten
hour Piano Marathon (12 noon- 10pm)
of classical, jazz and contemporary
music performed on rare vintage and
contemporary pianos. This event is
free and open to the general public
who may stop by at any time to hear
these extraordinary instruments and
be entertained by the region's leading
pianists.
Manhattan
••••••••••
Fall Foliage Cruises:
Leave the City Behind
Circle Line Harbor Cruises • Pier 16
@ South Street Seaport • 212-2695755
Leave the city behind... Feast on an
Autumn brunch and sample your
favorite wines with a local vineyard as
you admire the breathtaking scenes
of fall in NY the Circle Line way along
the Hudson River. Boarding at
10:30am, Sailing at 11:00am,
Returning at 5:00pm.
www.circlelinedowntown.com
Manhattan
••••••••••
Walk As One Walk-A-Thon
National Conference For Community
and Justice • Thomas Paine Park/City
Hall • 212-545-1300
Join us for Walk As One. Enjoy a 4
mile walk over the Brooklyn Bridge and
a morning filled with entertainment,
food and prizes. Over 1000 walkers
will join together to show their
dedication to fighting bias, bigotry and
racism. Walk As One raises funds to
support NCCJ's youth programming
in the Greater New York area. 9am.
www.nccjgnyr.org
Manhattan
October 30TH
Park Avenue South Autumn Fair
Park Avenue South from 17th to 23rd
St. • 212-809-4900
At this the 5th annual festival, over 400
American & international merchants,
restaurants, food, art, craft, antique
and merchandise exhibitors will create
a midway along Park Avenue. Over
100 cultural and corporate displays will
be on view. www.nycstreetfairs.com
Manhattan
••••••••••
Haunted Halloween Tours
of Greenwich Village
Performers Access Studio, Inc. • Tours
meet under the arch at Washington
Square Park • 212-387-7790
Tours visit murder sites, hidden
graveyards and haunted houses more than 50 places of historic and
supernatural interest. Cost is $15,
reservations required. Tours depart:
10/29-6:30pm, 10/30-2pm & 5pm, 10/
31-5pm. Proceeds go to benefit the
Performers Access Studio, a theater
company that features professional
actors with disabilities.
Manhattan
••••••••••
Times Square Halloween Carnival
7th Avenue from 47th to 59th St. • 7th
Avenue from 47th to 59th St.
212-809-4900
At this, the 6th annual carnival, over
400 international food, restaurants, art,
craft, antique, and merchandise
exhibitors will create a midway along
7th Avenue. Over 50 cultural and
corporate displays will be on view.
www.nycstreetfairs.com
Manhattan
••••••••••
GREENWICH VILLAGE
HALLOWEEN PARADE!
SOHO • www.greenwichparade.com
The City’s biggest and best Halloween
parade will line the streets of
Greenwich Village in this worldfamous annual event.
Manhattan
••••••••••
We wish
all our
Muslim
friends a
respectful
Ramadan
holida
y.
holiday
Look for
more New
York City
Events on
Page 30!
Page 30 • Taxi Insider • October 2004
events in the big apple
Continued From Page 29
NO
VEMBER 6TH
NOVEMBER
World's Largest
Block Party
Madison Avenue from 42nd to
57th St. 212-809-4900
Over 400 authentic and / or
original creators featuring arts,
crafts, antiques, collectibles and
fashion merchandise exhibitors
will be on view to create a
balloon
arch
covered
pedestrian midway along
Madison Avenue. Over 50
cultural and corporate displays
will be on view providing free
information or product samples
to the public. For more
information,
log
onto
www.nycstreetfairs.com
Manhattan
••••••••••
Fifth Avenue Gold Coast
Joyce Gold History Tours of
New York • Meet at The Frick
Collection, 1 E. 70th St.
212-242-5762
Great mansions of New York's
Gold Coast to the east of
Central Park, past and present.
1 PM; $12
www.nyctours.com
Manhattan
••••••••••
New York City Marathon
New York City Boroughs
Course begins at the
Verrazano-Narrows Bridge
212-860-4455
The world's largest marathon
travels through all five boroughs
of New York City, starting at the
Verrazano-Narrows Bridge and
finishing at Tavern on the Green
in Central Park. For more
marathon information, please
visit www.ingnycmarathon.org
for any registration information.
All Five Boroughs
••••••••••
Harvest Festival
Bronx Zoo • Bronx River
Parkway and Boston Road
(near Fordham Rd)
718-367-1010
Celebrate fall with seasonal
crafts and other fun activities.
Event activities are free with
general Zoo admission. This
event is part of the Zoo's
Extreme Summer, presented by
Bank of America.
www.bronxzoo.com
Bronx
••••••••••
Blooming Babies
Weekend:
Bug Out
Brooklyn Children's Museum
145 Brooklyn Ave. at St. Marks
Avenue 718-735-4400
Use your senses to explore the
Museum’s creepy crawly
friends up close with a
magnifying glass. Hear the
feisty story of The Grouchy
Ladybug. Make your own buggy
creation to take home. Ages 18
mos. – 2 ½, 11am-12pm.
www.brooklynkids.org
Brooklyn
••••••••••
Radio City Music Hall
Christmas Spectacular
Radio City Music Hall
1260 6th Avenue, at 50th St.
212-307-7171
The holiday classic stars the
world-famous Rockettes and
Santa Claus. Revel in favorites
such as "Parade of the Wooden
Soldiers" and "The Living
Nativity"; witness Santa's arrival
through an eye-popping 3-D
movie.
Through January 2, 2005
Manhattan
Ar
e our Ev
ents In The Big
Are
Events
Apple helpful to y
ou?
you?
e-mail us a
att [email protected]
and let us kno
w ho
w!
know
how!
Taxi Insider Br
oad
way Sho
w Loca
tion Ma
p
Broad
oadw
Show
Location
Map
Below is a list of all of the Broadway shows currently playing in New York. Please use this guide to go see some
some great plays - or use it to pick up some fares. Compliments of the Taxi Insider!
SHOW
After The Fall
Aida
Avenue Q
Beauty & Beast
Bombay Dreams
Boy From Oz
Caroline or Change
Chicago
Dracula Musical
Fiddler on the Roof
Forever Tango
Frozen
42nd Street Ford
Golda's Balcony
Hairspray
I M My Own Wife
Lion King
Little Shop of Horrors
Mamma Mia!
Marc Salems Mind Games
Movin' Out
Phantom Opera
Producers
Rent
Wicked
Wonderful town
THEATRE
American Airlines
Palace
John Golden
Lunt-fontanne
Broadway
Imperial
Eugene O Neil
Ambassador
Belasco
Minskoff
Shubert
Cirlcle in the Sq.
Center
Helen Hayes
Neil Simon
Lyceum
New Amsterdam
Virginia
Cadillac Winter
Lyceum
Richard Rogers
Majestic
St. James
Nederlander
Gershwin
Hirschfield
LOCATION
42nd 7th & 8th
47th & 7th
45th 7th & 8th
46th 7th & 8th
53rd B'way & 8th
45th 7th & 8th
49th B'way & 8th
49th B'way & 8th
44th 6th & 7th
45th 7th & 8th
44th 7th & 8th
51st B'way & 8th
42nd 7th & 8th
44th 7TH & 8th
52nd B'way & 8th
45th 6th & 7th
42nd 7th & 8th
52nd B'way & 8th
51st B'way & 7th
45th 6th & 7th
46th B'way & 8th
44th 7th & 8th
44th 7th & 8th
40th 7th & 8th
51st B'way & 8th
45th &th & 8th
October 2004 • Taxi Insider • Page 31
IN OCTOBER