With ridership dwindling, NYC taxi drivers hope for relief

With most New Yorkers staying at home, there’s little to no need to get around the city – a hard fact for ride-share drivers and even more difficult for the city’s taxi drivers.

News 12 Staff

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Mar 18, 2020, 11:28 PM

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Updated 1,508 days ago

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With most New Yorkers staying at home, there’s little to no need to get around the city – a hard fact for ride-share drivers and even more difficult for the city’s taxi drivers.

Hamza Rashid, a taxi driver, told News 12 that there were “no customers at all.” His family owns a taxi medallion. It’s a family business and their main source of income.

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"We don't get paid hourly. We get paid per customer. That's how the taxies work, so we don't really get the benefit of other employees," he told News 12.

For many taxi drivers, News 12 was told their best option for passengers is at the airports.

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The New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission is advising drivers to stay home if they feel sick, to clean their cars frequently, keep windows open for ventilation and avoid affected areas.

The commission says it doesn't have exact ridership statistics currently. Drivers say they are hoping for some economic relief, such as the suspension of medallion fees for the time being.

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