Lynbrook updates taxicab law

The Lynbrook village board adopted modifications to their taxicab code on Monday night. Officials tighten their licensing rules for any drivers within the village in an effort to update safety standards.

Under Chapter 224, some major changes have been made. Any potential drivers must obtain a license to operate a “for-hire” vehicle that is issued by the Nassau County Taxi and Limousine Commission before any license is issued. In addition, any revocations and suspensions of New York State driver’s licenses must be immediately reported to the Lynbrook Police Chief Joe Neve, and will constitute an automatic revocation or suspension of the Lynbrook taxi driver’s license.

The law also states that failure to obtain licenses is unlawful. Each applicant must comply with certain rules, including being 18 years or older, able to speak English, clean in dress and refrain from the use of intoxicating liquor or drugs. In addition, the applicant must file a form indicating their name, U.S. citizenship and other identification information with Neve. A Lynbrook Police officer must also fingerprint the applicant, among other criteria.

An overhaul and upgrade of the law in this day and age is beneficial, noted village attorney Peter Ledwith.

Deputy Mayor Alan Beach said that the village board should have more of a say in the matter of determining if any new taxicab companies should be issued licenses. Originally, Village administrator John Giordano was to make that decision after a search of existing companies and the amount of vehicles on the village streets. If any decisions were to be appealed, then that was to be decided by the board. Now, any major decision about granting taxicab licenses to new companies will only go through the board. Ledwith said that the board could hold a public hearing and applicants can seek a special use permit.

The updated amendments will provide a more active role for village officials in regulating taxicabs companies. The law was discussed back in June because it had not been updated in recent months, and other neighboring villages had stricter rules, officials said. “We want to be more aware of what’s going on with the whole process,” Beach said in June.

David O’ Neill, a resident and owner of Village Car Service in Lynbrook, said he is happy that all drivers must have a Nassau County TLC (Taxi and Limousine Commission) license. “It is giving security and the comfort knowing that every driver is drug tested to residents,” he said. “They will feel more safe.”

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