May 10, 2017 Polly Trottenberg Commissioner New York City Department of Transportation 55 Water Street, 9th Floor New York, NY 10041 Dear Commissioner Trottenberg, We write regarding the decision to grant Yep Tours, Inc. (Yep) a designated bus stop. Yep has a long history of violations and has continuously operated outside the law. We urge the Department of Transportation (DOT) to reconsider the decision to grant Yep a bus stop permit. Community Board 3 voted to deny Yep a bus stop permit in July of 2015 and again in September of 2016. On April 25, Community Board 3 passed a unanimous resolution asking the Law Department and DOT to revoke or not renew Yep’s designated bus stop permit. When a board speaks with a unanimous voice against an application, we believe that DOT must seriously consider the resolution. Yep’s total outstanding fines for illegal activity, including violations of Senator Squadron’s intercity bus permit law, were approximately $300,000. The New York City Sheriff’s office seized and auctioned three Yep buses earlier this year due to Yep’s outstanding fines. Granting Yep a designated bus stop permit undermines the enforcement of the intercity bus law, which local elected officials, Community Board 3, city agencies – including DOT, the local police precincts and the New York City Sheriff’s office have pursued together. Please contact Senator Squadron’s office at 212-298-5565 or at squadron@nysenate.com, should any questions arise. Sincerely,
Daniel Squadron State Senator
Yuh-Line Niou Assemblymember
Nydia M. Velazquez Congresswoman
Margaret S. Chin City Councilmember
Gale A. Brewer Borough President