What stirs more emotion than bicycles? Unlicensed Dollar Vans

whynot_31

People love them.

People love to hate them.

People love to watch people love and hate them.

People love and hate to watch the city try to contain them:

http://brooklyn.ny1.com/content/top_stories/182292/taxi-and-limousine-commission-drives-unlicensed--dollar--vans-off-the-road?utm_source=buffer&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=Buffer&utm_content=bufferadfaf

pragmaticguy

The thing with dollar vans is though they are a needed service many of them are registered as private autos which means in the event of an accident the insurance company will not pay any claims because a private policy specifically forbids "for hire" use. The city could wipe out much of their debt by issuing summonses to these guys if the TLC would crack down on them. I had a guy come into my office and tell me the fine was $1800 and they impounded the vehicle. Even the ones with TLC plates are really not supposed to be doing it but if there's a huge snowfall and the buses aren't running even the mayor said people should try to use them. If anyone comes into my office for insurance and they want to register a Crown Vic or a Town Car as a private car I tell them they're going to have to sign a form stating that I told them claims won't be paid if they're using it as a for hire auto. I haven't written one of those policies yet. They all walk out.

whynot_31

In general, I enjoy the music that is often being played in Dollar Vans.

I haven't done a comparison between the music being played by the licensed ones vs. the unlicensed ones, but I bet someone has.

pragmaticguy

I've never been in one but then I haven't taken the bus or subway in years although I do ride the LIRR occasionally.

whynot_31

You aren't missing much; riding in a Dollar Van is not that exciting.

I even think it is far more exciting outside of the van than in. I.E. The pedestrians flee for their lives when they see a van barrelling toward them, while the passengers merely hope the person who gets on next and sits besides them won't be really fat.

xlizellx

I post this with no amount of certainty.... But there are approx. 300 TLC licensed vans and only 200 TLC licensed drivers. Do the math.

I love dollar vans though.

The city clearly saw a need for rapid transit on Flatbush Avenue. Don't want to replace the trolley with a subway? Then you have dollar vans.