Drivers of for-hire automobiles pushed the Metropolis Council for reduction Monday by a proposed legislation that will permit them to park in industrial areas when nature calls.
Greater than 82,000 drivers go behind the wheel every day on metropolis streets for app-based ride-hailing companies like Uber and Lyft, in line with Taxi and Limousine Fee information, however advocates say these motorists usually discover themselves strained by a citywide scarcity of reduction stands and restrictions on parking in areas marked “COMMERCIAL VEHICLES ONLY” — particularly once they want rest room breaks.
“We’re not looking to clog up the commercial parking,” mentioned Brendan Sexton, president of the Impartial Drivers Guild, which represents Uber and Lyft drivers. “We just want them to be able to go in and out, use the restroom, get some food, pray, stretch — whatever drivers need to do for those 30 minutes.”
Dozens of drivers rallied outdoors Metropolis Corridor previous to a gathering of the Metropolis Council’s transportation and infrastructure committee on Monday, calling on lawmakers to approve a invoice launched in August 2024 by Councilmember Justin Brannan (D-Brooklyn) that will authorize licensed for-hire car drivers to station their rides in unoccupied metered areas for as much as a half hour, 4 occasions a day.
“Everyone loves the convenience of innovation, but we forget about the human beings behind these apps,” Brannan mentioned. “Whether it’s the food-delivery workers or the ride-share app drivers, these are human beings behind the technology of convenience and it’s important that someone looks out for them.”
Drivers who work for the app-based ride-hailing firms accomplished shut to twenty million journeys in June, in line with TLC information, however discovered themselves restricted to 70 reduction stands, principally in Manhattan, which are shared with conventional yellow taxi drivers. There are one other 42 stands for taxis solely.
Berkis Bera, who has been choosing up passengers for app-based ride-hailing companies since 2019, informed THE CITY she has repeatedly needed to make uncomfortable decisions whereas working to be able to keep away from the potential for being ticketed for parking illegally.
“I don’t have another option but to grab my cooler inside my car and open it up,” Bera mentioned. “I look in all directions and do what I need to do.”
App-based driver Berkis Bera speaks at a Metropolis Corridor rally forward of a listening to on laws that will permit them to make use of industrial areas once they want a break, Sept. 15, 2025. Credit score: Ben Fractenberg/THE CITY
Drivers can be required to feed the meter below the proposed invoice, decreasing the percentages of being ticketed for parking illegally whereas on a meals or rest room break.
“Right now, the driver either has to park illegally, take a ticket and wipe out half a day’s pay or drive to another area to find a parking spot, use the bathroom and drive back in, losing about an hour and a half worth of time to work,” Sexton mentioned.
In testimony earlier than the Metropolis Council, TLC and Division of Transportation officers mentioned they’re working to broaden the variety of areas the place for-hire car drivers can park. However in addition they acknowledged potential hurdles.
“I encourage the members of the committee to recommend additional locations to both TLC and DOT,” mentioned David Do, TLC commissioner and chairperson. “At the same time, the administration recognizes that more dynamic curb management must not jeopardize access by commercial delivery trucks or parking meter operations.”
Dr. Paul Tallaj, chief medical officer for the New York State Federation of Taxi Drivers, pointed to a scarcity of secure, sanitary public bogs throughout the town, including {that a} lack of restroom entry is very acute for drivers who work 10- to 12-hour shifts behind the wheel. He mentioned that drivers who maintain off on going to the lavatory carry medical dangers that may embody urinary tract infections or dehydration that may result in kidney stones.
“I care for professional drivers across New York City and see firsthand the preventable medical harm caused by the simple lack of reliable bathroom access and the fear of being ticketed for addressing basic human needs,” he mentioned. “This is not theoretical, New York City itself has acknowledged that public restrooms are scarce and often unusable.”
Tallaj pointed to the Council’s approval in April of a citywide technique to extend the variety of public bogs. There are roughly 1,100 public bogs for greater than 8.6 million residents and the Council is aiming to almost double that quantity over the subsequent decade.
Ajaya Bishwakarma, who drives for Uber and Lyft, mentioned extra entry to restrooms can’t come quickly sufficient for automobiles of for-hire automobiles.
“It’s a health issue,” he mentioned. “Very bad, very bad.”
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