Newsroom

September 11, 2015

Taxi medallion values take a hit in dismissal of NYC lawsuit

New York City won a legal battle Wednesday defeating three lawsuits, one from local credit unions, regarding the legality of Uber and other app companies to operate in the city, dealing a blow to taxi medallion lenders.

Melrose Credit Union, the largest lender to taxi medallion owners, sued New York City with three other credit unions, including NAFCU-member LOMTO Federal Credit Union, arguing that apps like Uber, which uses black cars, violate the yellow cabs' exclusive right under state law to pick up street hails. The credit unions also said these app companies caused the value of taxi medallions to drop up to 40 percent, amNewYork reported.

New York City argued that rides arranged using electronic apps are prearranged trips, not hails. Todd Higgins, attorney for Melrose CU and the other plaintiffs, was quoted in the article saying they would appeal the decision. "We respectfully disagree with today's decision by the Supreme Court upholding, as a matter of ‘administrative' discretion, the [Taxi and Limousine Commission's] blatantly arbitrary and caprious determination, in direct violation of New York State law," he was quoted saying.

Last year, NCUA released Letter to Credit Unions 14-CU-06, for credit unions that were contemplating or already involved in taxi medallion lending. The letter noted that credit unions involved in such lending "can be exposed to increased risk." It also published an FAQ in May.

Taxi medallions are metallic symbols attached to the hoods of taxicabs that are licensed to pick up passengers on the street in the city. The number of taxi medallions is limited, so the medallions can be costly.