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FHV Central Dispatch Exception - Frequently Asked Questions

What is the exception?

The Central Dispatch Exception allows Bases to affiliate with an Approved Accessible Vehicle Dispatcher to service Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAV) requests.

The Dispatchers will be required to meet the following metrics for both on-demand and reservation-based trips.

	Average Wait Time
Evaluation Period	10 minutes or less	15 minutes or less	30 minutes or less
January 2019 - June 2019		60%	90%
July 2019 – June 2020		80%	90%
July 2020 - indefinite	80%	90%

How do I become a part of this exception?

Existing bases can only affiliate during an Open Enrollment period. Contact an Approved Accessible Vehicle Dispatcher to affiliate.

New bases can enroll within 30 days of their license approval. If a base does not enroll within 30 days, they will be subject to the Trip Mandate Rule.

What is the deadline to be part of this program?

Bases that wish to apply to be Accessible Vehicle Dispatchers must submit their application Accessible Vehicle Dispatcher Application (PDF) by December 13, 2018. Bases that wish to affiliate with an Accessible Vehicle Dispatcher must do so by January 14, 2019.

Any base that has not received TLC confirmation that they are part of the exemption by January 21, 2019 is subject to the trip percentage mandate, and required to send at least 5% of their trips to WAVs between January 14, 2019 and June 30, 2019.

What does the application require?

A base applying to be an Accessible Vehicle dispatcher must:

Submit a list of at least ten bases, owned by an entity other than the owner(s) of the applicant base, that intend to associate with the applicant base;
Submit and outreach and marketing plan outlining how it will inform passengers about its wheelchair accessible offerings;
Outline the number of accessible vehicles it will be able to dispatch in the first three and six months following its approval.

Applications to be an Accessible Vehicle Dispatcher are due by December 13, 2018. Download the application here and email completed applications to fhvaccessibility@tlc.nyc.gov as soon as possible.

If my base doesn’t receive any requests for WAVs, am I still required to dispatch trips to WAVs?

No, you are only required to forward requests for WAVs to your approved Accessible Vehicle Dispatcher.

Are there additional requirements for affiliated bases?

No, but Bases are still required to submit trip records.

Approved Accessible Vehicle Dispatchers are required to submit trip records, including all WAV trips sent to them by affiliated bases

Please visit the FHV Trip Record Submission page for more information regarding trip records.

What vehicles qualify as a Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAV)?

Any vehicle may quality, as long as it is licensed as a For-Hire Vehicle (FHV) by the Taxi & Limousine Commission (TLC) and passes the TLC’s WAV inspection.

The TLC WAV inspection includes an inspection of the rear or side entry, working condition of the ramp, appropriate securement system, and anti-slip flooring. For examples of WAVs commonly used in the FHV market, see the list of WAVs approved for use as taxis.

Can I charge more for WAV trips?

No, you cannot charge more for WAV trips. Doing so is in violation of TLC rules and could be subject to penalty. If you suspect that a base or driver is overcharging for WAV trips, contact 311.