What is the Taxi Smart Card Program?
The Taxi Smart Card Program is a collaboration between NYC Department for the Aging (DFTA) and the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities (MOPD) that offers disabled residents of Canarsie/Flatlands (Brooklyn CD 18) and Astoria/Steinway/Long Island City (Queens CD 1) an alternative to Access-A-Ride. Through the use of a pre-loaded Taxi Smart Card (TSC) eligible participants will have access to funds that can be used for the fare in yellow taxicabs and for livery car services.
Who is eligible to participate?
Only residents with disabilities of Canarsie/Flatlands (Brooklyn CD 18) and Astoria/Steinway/Long Island City (Queens CD 1) . Please note that both children and adults are eligible to participate in the Taxi Smart Card Program.
How does it work?
Enrollees will contribute $12.50, towards the Taxi Smart Card and the program will contribute $87.50 for a total of $100.00 Taxi Smart Card. The TSC is limited to transportation in taxi cabs and livery cars only. After the initial reload each participant can reload the card 4 more times with an out-of-pocket expense of $12.50 for each reload for a maximum benefit to the participant of $437.50.
How do participants make contributions?
Once enrolled in the program the staff will guide participants through the process. Participants will be able to make contributions by sending a money order. Activation of new cards and reloads to existing cards will be processed after the money order clears.
Where can participants go?
The Taxi Smart Card gives participants the freedom to use taxi services for transport to the same places that Access-A-Ride would have taken them and many other places! Participants can use the TSC to take taxis to doctor’s appointments, visit relatives and/or friends, use taxis for transport to supermarkets or shopping centers, etc. The Taxi Smart Card Program will be a wonderful resource for coverage during off- peak periods, nights, weekends and for trips that don’t fit into regular NYC MTA transit or Access-A-Ride routes.
Who are the taxi and livery service providers in my area?
Once enrolled in the program, you will receive a welcome package that will include a telephone directory with livery service providers in your area.
For more information, please call DFTA at (212) 442-3026 or MOPD at (212) 341-2060 and ask for Stephanie Myers. Click attachment at the bottom of this page to see Taxi Smart Card Intake form.
You can also find more information about the program on MOPD’s website at www.nyc.gov/mopd