Unregulated Commuter Vans Clog City Streets, Slowing Down MTA Buses
Even as licensed "dollar vans" all but vanish from city streets, unregulated commuter carriers remain obstacles to MTA buses in parts of Brooklyn and Queens.
The Rise of Unlicensed Vans
The number of Taxi and Limousine Commission–affiliated commuter vans in service has shrunk by 93% since 2015, TLC data shows, with just 39 such vehicles still licensed to operate as of this week — down from 215 a decade ago. However, MTA officials and union representatives for the agency’s bus operators say the official dollar van downturn has given way to a boom in unlicensed commuter vans that clog bus stops and bus lanes, further slowing buses that poke along at an average citywide speed of 8.1 mph.
The Challenges of Enforcement
There is no official count on how many unlicensed commuter vans are on city streets, typically picking up passengers for $2 a ride. But Leroy Morrison, president of the New York Commuter Van Association, told THE CITY that the number of rogue vans has surged because of prohibitive insurance costs topping $30,000 a year. Morrison, whose group represents licensed commuter van drivers, added that carriers with out-of-state license plates or a single plate vastly outnumber those that go by the book.
The Impact on Bus Service
The latest flare-up in the long-running turf battle between buses and dollar vans came at the transit agency’s December board meeting, when MTA board member Norman Brown pointed out how bus service is being "rolled over" by off-the-books transportation providers. "Sometimes there’s not even a license plate on them," Brown told THE CITY. "And nobody does anything about it."
The Struggle for Space
The contest for space comes as insurance rates have depleted the ranks of licensed commuter van drivers, with many now operating off the books. Under the state’s new Commuter Van Stabilization Program, eligible applicants can secure up to $40,000 in grant money to help offset the cost of annual insurance policies. But enforcement against unlicensed vans remains a challenge.
Conclusion
The unregulated commuter vans in Brooklyn and Queens pose a significant obstacle to MTA buses, further slowing down an already sluggish service. While the city and state have implemented measures to stabilize the industry and encourage licensed operators, the issue of enforcement remains a challenge. To address this, the city and state must work together to create a more effective system for regulating and monitoring commuter vans, ensuring that all operators are held to the same standards and that the public is protected.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How many unlicensed commuter vans are on city streets?
A: There is no official count, but it is estimated that the number of rogue vans has surged due to prohibitive insurance costs.
Q: Why are insurance costs so high for commuter vans?
A: Insurance costs for commuter vans are high because they are considered high-risk vehicles, and many operators are unable to afford the premiums.
Q: What is being done to address the issue of unlicensed commuter vans?
A: The city and state are working together to create a more effective system for regulating and monitoring commuter vans, and to encourage licensed operators to return to the market.
Q: What is the impact of unlicensed commuter vans on MTA buses?
A: Unlicensed commuter vans are clogging bus stops and bus lanes, further slowing down an already sluggish service.
