Ridesharing Start Date Moved Up

ALBANY, 06/06/17 -- State Senator James L. Seward (R/C/I/Ref – Oneonta) today announced that ridesharing companies like Uber and Lyft will be able to start offering rides statewide beginning on June 29, in time for the Fourth of July.  Senator Seward is the co-prime sponsor of legislation (S.5814) just signed into law accelerating the start date by ten days and allowing transportation network companies (TNCs) to begin operating prior to the busy holiday weekend.

“Bringing ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft to the balance of the state will be a major plus, offering economic, environmental and public safety benefits,” said Senator Seward.  “Giving ride-sharing companies the green light 10 days early in time for the Fourth of July weekend, when tourism traffic and holiday celebrations will be at their peak, could be a true lifesaver.”

As chairman of the Senate Insurance Committee, Senator Seward has been instrumental in developing legislation to expand ridesharing operations outside of New York City.

“I first introduced legislation to bring ridesharing to the balance of the state in 2015 to meet growing demand for the app-based transportation services.  Business executives, tourists, college students, and everyone in between utilize ridesharing apps when visiting cities around the nation and the world and now Upstate New York will be able to keep pace,” Seward added.

On February 6, 2017, the New York State Senate passed a comprehensive bill, sponsored by Senator Seward, to bring ridesharing to Upstate communities. Many provisions of the bill (S.4159) were included in the recently approved New York State budget, finally clearing the way for ridesharing to expand outside of New York City. 

The final piece of legislation just signed into law changes the effective date included in the budget - accelerating it by 10 days to make ridesharing available as early as June 29, 2017. Taking this step will make roadways safer and save lives by offering an alternative to driving for those consuming alcohol while celebrating the founding of our nation. It will also speed up economic benefits by creating more jobs and by offering New Yorkers and tourists a new transportation option.

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