Senator Larkin Votes To Bring Ride-Sharing To The Hudson Valley

Senator Bill Larkin (R-C-I, 39^th District) today voted with his colleagues in the New York State Senate to bring ride-sharing to communities throughout New York State. The bill (S4159), provides the framework for ride-sharing companies to expand operations outside of New York City and enables new jobs to be created by offering more safe, reliable transportation options to residents and visitors throughout the Hudson Valley and all of Upstate New York.  

"By bringing affordable, safe, and reliable transportation to the Hudson Valley, ride-sharing will greatly enhance the quality of life for local residents and help make our roads and highways safer,” said Senator Larkin. “Companies like Uber and Lyft will also help with the expansion and promotion of the region’s growing tourism industry.”       

Senator Larkin noted that the bill passed today differs from the Executive Budget proposal by significantly cutting the taxes to be paid by ride-share customers to make it more attractive for businesses to operate here. While the Executive Budget includes a tax of 5.5 percent on rides that begin outside of New York City, the Senate’s bill (S.4159) cuts that tax to 2 percent and does not subject rides to the 4 percent state sales tax. That new revenue would go directly towards infrastructure improvements for roads, bridges, and county transit needs.

“This is a modern day convenience that people want,” said Senator Larkin.  “New York State government should not stifle this innovation and should not seek to pad its own coffers at the expense of future ride-share users.”

The bill will now be sent to the State Assembly for consideration.