For many drivers, rideshare industry works just fine

After 18 years as a Bronx public school teacher, I decided I wanted a change. I wanted a career with more independence and f lexibilit y, but that could still pay the bills. My wife works full time, so something that could allow me to spend time with my young son was essential.

In 2017, I decided to sig n up for Ly ft. Being a full-time New York City driver allows me to start my day at 4 a.m. and finish by noon.

Most days, I pick up a passenger on my way home to Long Island in time for my other job — being a father to my kindergartner. We spend our evenings on homework and after-school activ ities. At this stage of my life, earning income on a f lexible schedule to pay my mortgage and raise my son is my top priority.

My g reatest fear is that the reg ulations and uncertainty in the ridesharing industr y will take this option away from me and others like me. In my case, the independent contractor desig nation af fords me ta x advantages for being married with a dependent child, and having purchased a vehicle for my business.

While I can’t spea k for ever yone, I would encourage lawmakers to build upon what ’s working in the current ridesharing model rather than follow California’s lead and completely reclassif y drivers as traditiona l employees.

We are already seeing the unintended consequences of rushed reg ulations play out in New York City, where drivers aren’t able to log on unless demand is high enough according to the Taxi & Limousine Commission’s formula.

I don’t know what the per fect balance is. But there must be a way to provide drivers with benefits and worker protections without ta king this important option away from so many people. I have neighbors who have ta ken jobs in retail as they ’ve gotten older, and they ’re barely making enough to sur vive, even while working 40 to 50 hours per week. I am g rateful that I can afford life’s expenses and focus on the most important people in my life as a Ly f t driver.

That means the world to me, and I’m sure to ever y other driver with children. Let ’s keep this industr y viable for people who need work f lexibility.