Roof light will mean cab is available under new rule

(Tamara Beckwith)

The cab-hailing arms of tourists — and, admit it, New Yorkers, too — will finally get a rest, thanks to new rules for yellow taxis’ roof lights:

If the light on top of the cab is on, it’s available.

If it’s off, keep looking.

That simplified system — approved by city officials yesterday — cuts down the number of light options from a confounding four.

More than 13,000 yellow cabs will begin to change over to the new system on Jan. 1, and every cab will follow the new rule by April 30.

“The more clear cut, the better. Simple is good. It helps passengers understand,” said cab rider Mario Balov, a 40-year-old carpenter from Staten Island.

The city’s Taxi and Limousine Commission approved the change with a 7-1 vote at a meeting yesterday.

The new rule essentially eliminates the “off duty” portion of the lights, which the TLC says confuses riders.

“From the point of view of the passenger, it’s irrelevant whether the driver is on duty. They just want to know if the car is available,” said TLC Commissioner David Yassky.

There are currently four light options: available, not available and two “off duty” designations where a driver can pick up a final fare on his way home.

Under the new rule, hacks can still end their shifts by picking up that final fare, even if the roof light is off. Sometimes, cabbies abuse the rule by putting on the off-duty lights and refuse passengers going to outer boroughs.

Cabbies who illegally pick up passengers with the medallion number turned off will be fined $100.

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