Uber Drivers and Taxi Drivers Agree: Cap the Number of Ride-Hailing Vehicles in New York

Emma G. Fitzsimmons and Aaron Robertson report that the proposal to cap the number of ride-hailing vehicles in the city has the support of the drivers who do the ride-hailing work. In other words, the proposal has united taxi drivers and Uber drivers.

It is their economic despair — underscored by six driver suicides in recent months — that has prompted the City Council to consider legislation this week to cap ride-hailing vehicles in the city and set a minimum pay rate for drivers.

Both taxi and Uber drivers are optimistic that the city’s proposals would halt the flood of vehicles clogging city streets and start making it easier for drivers to earn a decent living.

According to the article, the proposed legislation is expected to face a vote by the City Council on Wednesday of this week. "The legislation would limit the number of vehicles at the current level by stopping the issuance of new for-hire vehicle licenses while the city studies the rapidly changing industry, which has been transformed by Uber’s remarkable rise," according to Fitzsimmons and Robertson. "Ride-hail companies would be able to add new vehicles only if they are wheelchair-accessible."