Section 19-523. Service in areas outside the Manhattan central business district

a. At the time of the  submission  of  a  final  environmental  impact  statement  to  the  council  pursuant  to  section 19-504.1, the
  commission shall submit a written report to the  council  setting  forth
  its plan for improving taxicab and for-hire vehicle service in the areas
  of  the  city  lying  outside  of  the  central business district of the
  borough of Manhattan.
    b. The  commission  shall  develop  such  plan  in  consultation  with
  community  and  business  leaders,  representatives  of  the taxicab and
  for-hire vehicle industries and  members  of  the  general  public.  The
  commission shall conduct at least one public hearing in each of the five
  boroughs concerning the development of such a plan.
    c. The commission shall consider a broad range of service, pricing and
  regulatory  options  including,  but not limited to, imposing additional
  requirements to ensure taxicab availability in areas of the  city  lying
  outside  of  the  central business district of the borough of Manhattan,
  establishing group  riding  programs  at  various  points  in  the  five
  boroughs,  instituting  double  shifting  and  shift  time  changes  for
  taxicabs,  altering  the  fare  structure  for  taxicabs  and  improving
  compliance   with   the  requirements  of  paragraphs  one  and  two  of
  subdivision a of section 19-507. The report to the council shall include
  a thorough assessment of each possible option for improving service, the
  commission's recommendations as to which options should  be  implemented
  and a timetable for implementing these options.