Queens councilman to introduce legislation calling for 10 taxi stands in outer boroughs

By MAURA YATES

Councilman John Liu will introduce legislation on Monday to call for 10 new taxi stands to be established around major transportation hubs in Staten Island, Brooklyn, Queens and the Bronx. http://www.silive.com/news/advance/index.ssf?/base/news/1174725033255240.xml&coll=1

The taxi stands would offer more transportation options for New Yorkers who don't currently have the luxury of Manhattan's cabs on every corner.

Liu said the idea is based on a similar taxi stand experiment that was successful in Flushing, Queens.

"Yellow cab service is such a symbol of New York City," Liu said, "and there is no reason why people on Staten Island should not have the same kind of quality service that people in Manhattan have."

Still to be hammered out are the specifics about where the stands would be located, though the Staten Island Ferry Terminal in St. George is the most obvious choice here.

Liu said the taxi stands would not hurt the Island's livery cabs, because those cars can't pick up passengers off the street like a yellow cab can.

In fact, the yellow cars would provide legitimate service for Islanders coming off the boat, whose taxi choices now are limited to illegal gypsy cabs, or livery cabs requested by phone ahead of time.

But Artie Grover, owner of the Mid-Island Car Service and member of the Livery Advisory Board of the Taxi and Limousine Commission, said he doubts Staten Island is a viable market for medallion cars.

"What yellow cabs want to come to Staten Island and wait there?" he said.

Also to be worked out is what sort of incentives will be offered to yellow cab drivers, to make them want to stop at the stand.

Liu will preside over a Council Transportation Committee hearing Monday at 10 a.m. in City Hall to discuss his legislation, as well as another bill sponsored by Councilman Daniel Garodnick (D-Manhattan), who would like to promote alternative fuel cabs like hybrids by offering their drivers priority status at taxi stands.

Taxi and Limousine Commissioner Matthew Daus is expected to testify at the hearing.