Nearly 100 drivers from the Independent Drivers Guild (IDG) gathered on the steps of New York’s City Hall on September 15, to complain about the city’s failure to designate adequate space to park to meet their basic needs – including restroom breaks, breaks for meals, coffee or prayers, or simply a moment to rest and stretch their backs and legs. The result, they say, has been “lost pay, negative health impacts, increased traffic congestion and pollution for all New Yorkers,” as drivers scramble to find parking, often being forced to leave Manhattan.
The IDG partnered with Council Member Justin Brannan on a city council bill (Int.1000) to increase parking access for for-hire vehicle (FHV) drivers by allowing them to park in areas designated for commercial vehicle parking. The legislation would authorize the city’s licensed FHV drivers to park or stand in empty commercial parking metered spaces for up to 30 minutes, up to four times a day.
Currently, there are only 31 FHV parking zones in Manhattan for the city’s 80,000 FHV drivers, equating to one for every 2,580 drivers. By contrast, there are thousands of parking spaces in Manhattan designated for commercial vehicles.
The lack of access to parking can cause serious health problems, like chronic stress that can shave years off the lives of drivers and “Taxicab Syndrome.” The issue can be particularly challenging for women drivers and drivers with diabetes. It has also increased traffic congestion, longer wait times for passengers and fatigued and distracted driving, which undermines safety for all New Yorkers.
In testimony before City Council, TLC and Department of Transportation officials said they are working to expand the number of locations where for-hire vehicle drivers can park. But they also acknowledged potential hurdles.
Source: Independent Drivers Guild. The City
