Taxi Improvement Fund Owner Program - TLC

Taxi & Limousine Commission


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Taxi Improvement Fund Owner Program

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What is the Taxi Improvement Fund?

The TLC created the Taxi Improvement Fund (TIF) to support medallion owners who place wheelchair accessible taxicabs into service. TIF ensures that all customers have equitable access to taxicab transportation services.

Who is eligible?

Owners and Agents of medallions that are hacked up to Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles (WAVs) are eligible for Taxi Improvement Fund (TIF) Assistance.

Eligibility criteria for hack-up payments include:

The medallion must be hacked up to a WAV.

The medallion’s vehicle (identified by VIN) cannot have received any prior hack-up payments.

Eligibility for operational payments include:

The medallion must be hacked up to a WAV.

The medallion must have made 250 or more trips during the quarter being reviewed.

The medallion must be logged into Accessible Dispatch.

An agent may enroll on behalf of the medallion owner for any medallion(s) that he or she manages.

Vehicle and Licensee Requirements

To be eligible for this financial assistance, owners are required to:

Purchase and operate a WAV Taxi. Visit the Hack-Up Page for the list of vehicles approved to be used as Taxis.

Pass the TLC vehicle inspection.

Comply with all TLC licensee responsibilities including making all Taxi Improvement Fund Surcharge payments. To check the status of your TIF Surcharge Payments visit the TLC’s online system (LARS).

Accept trips sent to the vehicle by the Accessible Dispatcher.

With the exception of the first operational payment, complete 250 or more passenger trips during the quarter being reviewed.

How Do Payments Work?

For each WAV taxicab, enrolled owners or agents are eligible to receive a one-time payment of $14,000. Enrolled owners or agents are also eligible to receive up to an additional $4,000 a year using a WAV taxicab.

Individual Payment Amounts
Frequency of Payment
Duration of Payments

Hack Up Payment
$14,000
Following Successful Hack Up
One payment per VIN

Operational Payments
$1,000
Following Quarterly payment cycle
Life of vehicle (VIN), as long as trip minimum is met

Payments are made at the end of each month, following the Payday & Enrollment Calendar (PDF). For the latest rules on payment criteria please see TLC Industry Notice #19-09.

How Do I Enroll?

Enrollment begins at the start of each month, following the Payday & Enrollment Calendar. Enrollment takes approximately one month to complete and requires the following steps:

Sign up by completing the Program Authorization (PDF) and mailing the complete form to the address provided in the instructions.

Purchase a wheelchair accessible vehicle and pass inspection.

Get Paid! TLC will send electronic payments directly to your bank account.

If you do not receive an email update from the TLC one month after submitting an application contact tift@tlc.nyc.gov.

For more information visit Taxi Improvement Fund - Frequently Asked Questions page.