We, the rideshare drivers of the Independent Drivers Guild, demand justice and respect for our work.

This year, drivers across the city have faced numerous, unexpected app lockouts, causing us to lose essential income. Many of us lost hundreds—even thousands—of dollars because Uber and Lyft denied us access to the platforms we rely on to support our families, pay our bills, and build a secure future. Every hour locked out is an hour of missed earnings that we deserve to be compensated for. It’s time for the Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC) to step up, investigate, and hold Uber and Lyft accountable for this economic hardship.

Our demands are clear:

1. Compensate drivers for income lost due to app lockouts. Lockouts have left countless drivers struggling to make ends meet. We’re calling on the TLC to ensure that drivers are compensated for these unfair losses and that protections are put in place to prevent this from happening again.

2. Limit new FHV driver licenses to protect our industry from oversaturation, which further threatens drivers’ ability to earn fair wages and maintain job security.  Once new FHV driver licenses are limited, re-open a path to ownership for existing drivers as an alternative to predatory, costly leases.

3. Provide a pay increase. With the rising cost of living in New York City, we need a TLC-regulated pay increase to reflect the essential service we provide.

4. Establish accessible relief stands and legal parking zones. Drivers face countless obstacles finding safe places to park for restroom breaks, rest, or even simply to pick up passengers. We are essential to the city and need facilities that allow us to stay hydrated, well-rested, and healthy. Without proper rest stops, drivers are forced to risk their health, dealing with preventable issues like dehydration, stress, kidney failure, and diabetes.

5. Address the insurance crisis facing drivers. High insurance rates make it hard for us to sustain our jobs and often leave us without adequate coverage or forced to overpay. We urge the TLC, city, and state officials to work on solutions to make insurance fair and affordable.

6. Add electric charging stations. The Independent Drivers Guild is calling for more accessible, affordable EV charging stations in New York to support the city’s rideshare and delivery drivers as many transition to electric vehicles. Without sufficient charging infrastructure, drivers are forced to spend hours searching for stations or traveling long distances, cutting into their work hours and income. Expanding charging options citywide is essential for creating a sustainable future and ensuring drivers have the tools we need to thrive.

7. End unfair ticketing practices. Drivers deserve better than to be penalized for trying to manage their health and well-being while working in service of the city. We need protection from excessive ticketing, particularly when we have no other parking options. Drivers should not be ticketed for picking up and dropping off around Penn Station or FHV drivers should have designated pick-up and drop-off spots. 

8. Raise driver pay for medical trips. Given that insurance prices have skyrocketed for SHL drivers, these essential drivers to the New York community need a raise in driver pay for medical trips. Drivers in this category should not be punished for providing a crucial service to our state.

9. Ban on autonomous vehicles. This technology poses a direct threat to our livelihoods as drivers. Additionally, current AV technology has not been adequately tested on busy urban streets or under various weather conditions. The Guild insists that the government must prioritize worker protections to prevent mass displacement of drivers.

We call on the TLC and New York city and state leaders to act on these demands and protect our rights as hardworking drivers. Our work keeps New York City moving, and we deserve a fair, supportive working environment. Together, we can make our voices heard and secure a safer, fairer future for all drivers who work in New York City.