How the Gig Economy Is Killing the Livery Biz
As a TLC-licensed driver, I’m saddened to read that one of my brothers decided to take his life in front of City Hall on Monday (“2 more cabby suicide tragedies bared,” Feb. 7).
I doubt most people understand the challenges and stress that drivers endure each day. Those challenges have been made worse by the draconian enforcement associated with an otherwise very good program, Vision Zero.
Instead of partnering with taxi and livery drivers to make our roads safer, the city is trying to punish drivers into compliance.
The vast majority of drivers just want to get riders to their destinations safely while earning an honest living.
George Weisgerber Manhattan
It is with deep sadness that I read of the death of Douglas Schifter. As the former president of the Livery Owners Coalition of New York and past owner of a very successful car service, I truly understand his frustration.
The city has decimated the taxi and livery indus- tries by allowing a telephone app to infiltrate it with little or no regulations, while over-burdening legitimate operators with costly and specious rules.
Lax regulations on Uber will come back to haunt the city, as more claims of assault and worse are coming out.
My sincere sympathy goes out to Mr. Schifter’s family, friends and coworkers.
Eugene Pero Farmingdale, NJ I’ve worked for a small family-owned limousine company for 20 years. The very powerful Uber and Lyft companies do not have to abide by the same standards as limousine companies. It’s extremely unfair to the small livery businesses.
The man who killed himself was a professional driver for many years. He likely knew the roads and how to drive passengers professionally and safely.
Government officials like Mayor de Blasio overlook violent incidents associated with Uber and the impact Uber has on traffic.
If you think traffic in the city is bad now, wait five more years, when more people decide to become part-time Uber drivers.
Christopher Donodio Neptune, NJ
I’m sorry for the driver who committed suicide.
Technology and tastes change, and some workers in declining industries will have to find other work.
Ask the former workers at Blockbuster, Oldsmobile or Studebaker.
Steve Becker East Meadow