New York City Is Seeing a Huge Surge in For-Hire Car Applications
It’s likely because of the continued popularity of Uber and Lyft.
New York City is receiving applications for hire vehicle applications at an "alarming" speed, according to NYC Taxi and Limousine Commission chair Meera Joshi, the NY Daily News reports.
So far in 2017, NYC has recorded a 31 percent rise in new car for hire applications, the report said. The TLC is estimating that by the end of the fiscal year, it will have received 35,000 applications. Currently, the TLC has approved 100,000 as licensed for-hire vehicles in NYC, according to the report.
Additionally, the TLC estimates that it will see a 10 percent increase in driver applications this year.
The growth in for-hire vehicle and driver applications is likely tied to the continued popularity of ride-hailing services like Uber and Lyft. In NYC, to drive with those companies drivers and their cars must be licensed with the TLC.
“Drivers are feeling the punch. The companies aren’t so much feeling the pinch,” Joshi said, according to the NY Daily News.
If the TLC wanted to put a hold on applications, it would need approval from the city council.