Uber’s Fight for Unlimited For-Hire Cabs in New York City

INTRODUCTION

Mark Kauzlarich/The New York Times

Citing worsening congestion in Manhattan, New York City Council — with the support of Mayor Bill de Blasio — has proposed capping the number of cars that for-hire companies like Uber and Lyft can have on the road until a traffic study can be completed in about a year. The number of official taxicabs has long been limited to reduce traffic. But the for-hire car services say this move would devastate their business and limit access to on-demand cars in the outer boroughs.

Is this a fair and useful experiment?

READ THE DISCUSSION »

DEBATERS

Better Mass Transit Is the Real Solution to Congestion

NICOLE GELINAS, MANHATTAN INSTITUTE'S CITY JOURNAL

With the same technologies Uber uses, enact a modern form of congestion pricing to finance big projects and better evening and weekend service.
A Temporary Cap on For-Hire Cars Is Necessary

ANTHONY E. SHORRIS, FIRST DEPUTY MAYOR, NEW YORK CITY

It is always the government's responsibility to ensure that unlimited expansion in a for-profit industry we already regulate doesn’t worsen our problems.
Ridesharing Apps Hold Promise in Reducing Traffic

ARUN SUNDARARAJAN, NEW YORK UNIVERSITY

Supply limits are effective in regulating taxis hailed from the street, but studies suggest they lead to deficiencies in availability when applied to dispatch services like those offered by Uber and Lyft.
How to Avoid a Cap on For-Hire Cars and Fund Mass Transit

ALEX MATTHIESSEN, MOVE NY

Special pricing for vehicle use in Manhattan's most congested areas, as well as a fairer toll system, would be better than a cap on for-hire cars.