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Accessible vehicle dispatcher: a base that TLC has approved to take requests for wheelchair accessible vehicles (WAVs) on behalf of other bases, and to send WAVs to those riders. Bases that sign up with one don't have to meet the usual WAV trip percentage. The dispatcher must serve at least 90% of WAV requests in under 10 minutes instead.
Rule citation: §59B-17(f)
Under TLC Rules §59B-17(c), every FHV base must serve people with disabilities, and since July 1, 2022 at least 25% of a base's trips each year (July 1 to June 30) must go to accessible vehicles. Subdivision (f) is the exception. A base is exempt from the 25% requirement if it either:
- is approved as an accessible vehicle dispatcher, receiving WAV requests from associated bases and dispatching WAVs "on behalf of itself and its associated Bases," or
- associates with an approved dispatcher by signing an agreement and sending it all its WAV requests.
TLC's FHV accessibility page calls the two paths the "Trip Mandate" and the "Central Dispatch Exception."
If a dispatcher misses the 90% standard, TLC gives it 30 days to fix it. After that, TLC may end the approval, and the dispatcher and its bases fall back under the 25% rule.
Example
TLC's Approved Accessible Vehicle Dispatchers page lists two: Uber and Lyft, each with a WAV phone line and email. TLC's linked list of bases working with a dispatcher is dated September 8, 2021. It shows 453 bases: 330 with Uber, 81 with Lyft and 42 with Via. That list is old, and Via no longer runs app trips in NYC (see what happened to Via and Juno).
Related terms
- Not the same as the Accessible Taxi Dispatcher. That is the entity under contract with TLC that sends accessible trips to yellow and green cabs (Chapter 51). This term is about FHV bases. For airport lines, see airport taxi dispatcher.
- WAV and the base WAV trip mandate.
- Data: WAV trip requests on Uber and Lyft and wheelchair accessible taxi statistics.
- Getting a WAV: new FHV vehicle license for a WAV, WAV license fees and the ATLAS accessible taxi loan program.
Frequently asked questions
What is an accessible vehicle dispatcher?
A base approved by TLC under rule §59B-17(f) to receive requests for wheelchair accessible vehicles from other bases it has agreements with, and to dispatch WAVs for them. It must serve at least 90% of WAV requests in under 10 minutes.
Who are the approved accessible vehicle dispatchers?
TLC's Approved Accessible Vehicle Dispatchers page lists contact details for two: Uber and Lyft. TLC's list of bases working with a dispatcher, dated September 8, 2021, also showed Via.
Why would a base use one?
Every FHV base must serve passengers who use wheelchairs. Under §59B-17(c)(1), a base must send 25% of its trips each year to accessible vehicles. A base that joins an approved dispatcher is exempt from that percentage and meets a response-time standard instead.
Does it change anything for a WAV driver?
Not directly. The dispatcher rules are duties of bases, not drivers. But a dispatcher may send you WAV requests that came from other bases. TLC's FHV accessibility FAQ says bases of any class may dispatch trips to any FHV that is a WAV, and you don't need a formal agreement with that base.
Sources
Last reviewed against the official sources on .
- TLC Rules Chapter 59, §59B-17(c) and (f) (updated Feb 27, 2026) nyc.gov
- TLC: Approved Accessible Vehicle Dispatchers nyc.gov
- TLC: Bases approved to work with an accessible dispatcher (as of Sep 8, 2021) nyc.gov
- TLC: FHV Wheelchair Accessibility Owner/Driver Information nyc.gov
- TLC Rules Chapter 51: Definitions (Accessible Taxi Dispatcher), updated Oct 17, 2025 nyc.gov
Spotted something out of date? Tell us and we'll check it against the official source.
TLC Help is not a law firm and is not affiliated with the NYC Taxi & Limousine Commission or OATH. Explanations on this site are general information, not legal advice. Legal representation is provided by independent attorneys and OATH-registered representatives in our network.