The New York City Council will vote Wednesday on a measure that would limit the number of Uber and other ride-sharing vehicles on the road.
The idea is to create a one-year freeze on new vehicle licenses. There are currently 80,000 such cars on the city streets and critics complain that’s causing severe congestion. They also say driver wages are plummeting and the value of taxi medallions are falling.
“There is an oversaturation on the streets of New York and the hard working drivers are paying the price because of it,” said Bhairavi Desai, the Executive Director of the New York Taxi Workers Alliance.
Six drivers have taken their own life in recent months because of financial pressure. Critics of Uber also say the strain causes many drivers to quit after a year or less.
"Treat the drivers better. Pay the drivers more. Don't just keep flooding the streets with vehicles so you can keep a revolving door turning of desperate workers," said Desai.
But a rally was held on Tuesday in support of Uber and other ride-sharing cars. Kirsten Foy with the National Action Network argues that those vehicles help underserved areas of the city.
“Ride-sharing has been transformative in our community,” Foy said.
The City Council measure has the support of Mayor Bill de Blasio. It is expected to pass.
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