NYC Council Proposes Bill Restricting Number Of Uber, Other For-Hire Cars
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- New York City may decide to limit the number of for-hire cars for companies such as Uber.
Since 2011, about 25,000 black and livery cars have been added to New York's streets, which some officials blame for worsening traffic congestion.
Councilman Stephen Levin, D-Brooklyn, is sponsoring a bill he calls a "timeout," WCBS 880's Rich Lamb reported.
"The bill would limit the number of new for-hire vehicle licenses," Levin said.
The legislation would place a 1 percent growth cap on car services for at least a year while the city studies the impact of the influx of new cars on traffic.
Uber, the app-based car service, has become a major player in New York City in recent years, with its cars now outnumbering yellow cabs. The company has said it hopes to add another 10,000 drivers in the city this year.
"The legislation is familiar because the taxi industry proposed it three months ago," Josh Mohrer, general manager for Uber in New York, told Lamb. "So we're familiar with it. Surprised that the city is taking it seriously."
Mohrer pointed out that 2.7 million cars enter the city every day and said that suggesting Uber cars are the reason for congestion is proposterous.