FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE—May 22, 2011 Media Contact: Fernando Mateo, NYS Federation of Taxi Drivers (917) 295-2218 New York State Federation of Taxi Drivers Supports the Mayor’s 5 Borough Taxi and Livery Service Plan But Group Demands More Protections for liveries and urges Albany Lawmakers to Move Bills (New York, NY) Today, the New York State Federation of Taxi Drivers announced support for the Bloomberg Administration’s plan to enhance taxi service outside Manhattan, but tempered their endorsement with a clear message to the TLC: “We demand fairness.” Assemblyman Carl Heastie and State Senator Andrew Lanza both introduced bills to authorize an auction of 1,500 taxi medallions which are expected to raise $1.5 billion in revenue to the City. The medallions are expected to be linked to 6,000 new “borough taxis” that can only pick up street hails in the communities outside areas of traditionally high yellow taxi service in Manhattan. The Federation expressed support of the framework of the plan but demanded fairness for livery drivers and bases in any final agreement. “Livery drivers and bases are a community of entrepreneurs. We want to be able to take advantage of new business opportunities, like purchasing the right to pick up street hails safely and legally through a medallion auction,” commented Federation founder and spokesman, Fernando Mateo.. “We risk our lives every day to earn a living—we have literally poured our blood and sweat into this business.” Among the most important benefits Mr. Mateo is seeking for the thousands of drivers in the Federation is the need for special financing from the City to help current livery drivers afford to bid on a medallion. Additionally, the Federation is pushing the Bloomberg Administration to set aside 50% of the medallions for first time buyers, ensuring livery drivers and bases have a fair chance at a medallion auction. “No one knows the streets outside of Manhattan better than the livery industry,” said Mateo. “We cannot be shut out because we can’t afford the high price tag of a yellow

medallion. All we want is a fair shot to purchase the same kind of equity that yellow medallion owners have today.” Among the other requests are the requirements that “borough” taxis be equipped with radios to ensure livery bases play a more important role in the plan, allowing livery drivers to convert their livery licenses into a street hail license at no cost, and a requirement that “borough” taxis be outfitted with the same safety measures, such as partitions and GPS systems, currently found in yellow taxicabs free of charge. The taxi and livery service plan must be approved by Albany before it reaches the City Council for a final vote. ###