New York – Nearly 500 Uber cars were removed from the city’s streets between April and June for making illegal pickups.
The Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC) seized many who were making illegal airport pickups at JFK Airport, according to the New York Post.
Black and livery car drivers can only make pre-arranged pickups, and cannot act as taxi drivers, such as Yellow Cab.
The New York Taxiworkers Alliance said their business has dropped because there is no cap on the number of Uber drivers allowed. Currently, there are approximately 19,000 cars affiliated with Uber.
Bhairavi Desai, who represents yellow cab and Uber drivers for the union, wants the TLC to cap the number of Uber drivers operating in New York City, and require the Uber app to give them a minimum fare requirement and a definite number of trips.
The New York State Federation of Taxi Drivers head Fernando Mateo says drivers should get a summons for first offenses, but impounding repeat offenders is a good way to stop repeated illegal activity.
