The City Council’s push to suspend licensing of new for-hire vehicles to rein in “e-hail” services like Uber and Lyft is now an issue in the race for state attorney general.
Republican attorney general candidate Keith Wofford, a black man who’s said he’s been refused street hails by yellow taxi drivers, said he would file a discrimination suit against the Council and Mayor de Blasio if they approve a law to cap licenses for app-based car services.
“I have personally endured decades of race-based refusal from yellow cab drivers in New York City and I will not stand by and watch politicians take us back to the blatantly racist status quo that African-Americans were subjected to, prior to the arrival of rideshare services,” Wofford said.
“If elected as attorney general of the State of New York, I would immediately file a civil rights lawsuit to stop any attempt by the City Council to cap or restrain licenses for ride-sharing services,” Wofford said.
Wofford also said a cap on for-hire vehicle licenses doesn’t make sense at a time of deteriorating transit service with commuters of all stripes looking for alternatives.
“With a crumbling subway system and expensive yellow taxis, working people, minorities, and individuals who reside in upper Manhattan and the outer-boroughs have come to rely on ride-sharing services to provide quick and dependable transportation,” he told The Post.
“This measure would remove options for every day New Yorkers, particularly African-Americans, to travel freely and effectively throughout the City of New York.”
Wofford is the first candidate for attorney general to speak out on the issue. There are also four Democratic candidates vying for their party’s nomination for AG — Public Advocate Letitia James, Zephyr Teachout, Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney and Leecia Eve.
Council members argue a cap on for-hire vehicles is justified because an influx of e-hail cabs are clogging traffic and lowering living standards for drivers. Five cab drivers have committed suicide this year.
One measure sponsored by Councilman Steve Levin (D-Brooklyn) proposes a moratorium of most new for-hire vehicles while the city studies congestion and driver pay. Another bill drafted by Councilman Brad Lander (D-Brooklyn) would give the Taxi and Limousine Commission the authority to set minimum pay standards for drivers.
Uber has unleashed an ad blitz in a bid to block the Council from acting. In 2015, Uber was successful in thwarting a similar effort by Mayor de Blasio to cap for-hire vehicle licenses.
But critics claim the street traffic and driver woes are worse now, while Uber and Lyft argue a moratorium favors taxi medallion owners and stiffs New Yorkers by stifling competition.
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