Seward Steers Ridesharing to Upstate New York

ALBANY, 06/17/16 – State Senator James L. Seward (R/C/I- Oneonta) today announced senate approval of a bill he sponsors that would allow transportation network companies (TNCs) to operate in upstate New York.  Senator Seward’s bill (S.4108D) clarifies insurance provisions and requirements relative to TNCs and allows local municipalities to implement additional rules and regulations to oversee the industry. 

“Ride-sharing services are popular and commonplace in many parts of the nation and the world for that matter, making them available throughout New York State will lead to economic, environmental, and safety benefits,” said Senator Seward.  “I have worked with various stakeholders to fine tune my legislation regarding transportation network companies (TNCs) and made this a priority issue for the 2016 legislative session.  This bill ensures that TNC drivers will have ample insurance coverage at a cost level that will allow these businesses to compete and operate in upstate communities.”

Senator Seward began discussions regarding TNCs in 2014, sponsored legislation in 2015 to bring TNCs to upstate New York, and convened a senate roundtable on ride-sharing in November 2015 to hear from TNCs, insurance companies, local municipal officials, small business owners, disability advocates, and taxi and livery industry representatives.  Seward has continued to fine tune his legislation regarding insurance for TNCs to reflect the input he has received from the various stakeholders.

Senate bill 4108D establishes provisions similar to those which have been adopted in over twenty other states relative to TNCs.  Senator Seward’s bill requires TNC drivers to carry a $1 million liability policy for “death and bodily injury per incident” which is active whenever the driver is en route to pick up a passenger or engaged in an app pre-arranged ride. Additionally, TNCs would be required to comply with local regulations in regard to background check requirements and other operating provisions.

Lyft Senior Director of Public Affairs David Mack said, “We applaud the leadership of Senator James Seward and the New York State Senate for working to return ridesharing as a choice for consumers in New York.  The senate has now adopted insurance requirements that match the law in over 30 other states across the nation. New York is now one step closer to enabling increased transportation options for riders; allowing for greater economic opportunity for drivers; and creating benefits to the community like reducing impaired driving and CO2 emissions.”

Uber Policy Team’s Josh Gold said, "We are grateful to Senator Seward, Leader Flanagan and their colleagues in the senate who voted with the hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers that have voiced their support for ridesharing and we know with their continued support that Upstate New York and Long Island will soon join the more than 450 cities that embrace Uber.”

“There are a number of benefits to ride-sharing and other offshoots of the ‘sharing economy’ and I want to help bring these budding ideas to upstate New York.  Business executives, college students, and everyone in between utilize car-hailing apps when visiting cities around the nation.  Expanding this service to upstate New York is long overdue,” Seward concluded.

The bill has been sent to the assembly.

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