Livery owners will now have the option to apply for new licenses, transfer a new vehicle to their existing license, renew their licenses and get inspections at authorized Island facilities.
After completing a Department of Motor Vehicles inspection every four months at any one of several state and TLC-certified locations, the TLC visual inspection will be done at 1893 Richmond Terr. in Port Richmond once every two years.
"The inspection process is central to the TLC's mission of safety and service," said TLC commissioner David Yassky.
"After withstanding a few setbacks due to superstorm Sandy, I am pleased to be able to allow our Staten Island licensees a way to get their inspections done in their home borough of Staten Island."
State Sen. Andrew Lanza (R-Staten Island) and Assemblyman Michael Cusick (D-Mid-Island) worked with the TLC to establish the Staten Island inspection station, which will save livery owners the expense of having to take their vehicles to Queens.
Arty Grover, president of the Fleet Livery Association, applauded Staten Island's politicians, both Democrat and Republican, for working together for the betterment of local business owners. He added that Borough President James Molinaro also was instrumental in getting the inspection station opened.
"They both (parties) worked together great," Grover said. "It saves me about $300 to send a car to Woodside, Queens," the previous site for inspections.
