Every day, New York City\u2019s 80,000 Uber and Lyft drivers do the essential work of keeping our city moving. We move more than half a million people daily \u2014 getting kids to school, seniors to doctor appointments, workers to their jobs, and tourists to our landmarks. But while rideshare drivers are relied on to serve the city, New York City has failed to meet even our most basic needs: a place to park so we can take a break.<\/p>\n
We\u2019re not asking for luxury. We\u2019re asking for dignity. We\u2019re asking for the right to take a bathroom break without risking a $115 ticket<\/a>. We\u2019re asking to stretch our legs, grab a meal, or pray \u2014 like any other worker in this city can do. They are basic human rights. And yet in 2025, for-hire vehicle drivers in the greatest city in the world still have no place to park to take a work break.<\/p>\n That\u2019s why we at the Independent Drivers Guild are calling on the City Council to pass Intro 1000<\/a>, our common-sense bill that would allow for-hire vehicle (FHV) drivers to pay for up to 30 minutes of time in existing commercial vehicle parking spaces, up to four times a day.<\/p>\n Let\u2019s be clear: New York City currently offers a mere 31 parking zones for 80,000 rideshare drivers.<\/a> That\u2019s one space for every 2,580 drivers. Meanwhile, there are thousands of commercial parking spots in Manhattan that sit unused for large portions of the day. This bill would unlock those underutilized spots and allow our city\u2019s drivers to function like human beings \u2014 not forced to go without rest, food, or basic hygiene for 12-hour shifts.<\/p>\n The current system has real, devastating consequences. Drivers go hours \u2014 sometimes five or six \u2014 without access to a restroom or a chance to stretch. A lot of drivers avoid drinking water all day so they won\u2019t have to go. Some skip meals to avoid losing income while circling for parking. Many drivers suffer from health conditions like diabetes, and the lack of access makes managing those conditions nearly impossible. There is even a name for the health crisis this creates: Taxicab Syndrome<\/a>. It\u2019s taking years off our lives.<\/p>\n But this isn\u2019t just a driver problem \u2014 it\u2019s a New York City problem. The shortage of legal parking forces thousands of drivers to circle blocks endlessly looking for a spot or to leave Manhattan entirely to find one. That means more traffic, more pollution, more wear-and-tear on our roads, and longer wait times for passengers. It\u2019s bad for drivers, bad for riders, and bad for the city.<\/p>\n The Council bill, Intro 1000, offers a win-win solution. It opens up access to existing underused commercial parking \u2014 not by removing anyone else\u2019s rights, but by letting drivers pay to use the spaces when they\u2019re vacant. It improves public safety by reducing distracted and fatigued driving. It reduces traffic by eliminating the constant hunt for parking and unnecessary bridge and tunnel crossings. It increases city revenue through additional meter payments. And most importantly, it treats rideshare drivers like human beings who deserve the right to take a break.<\/p>\n Together with New York leaders, our members have achieved meaningful improvements in the lives of drivers before. We petitioned for and won the nation\u2019s first minimum wage for Uber and Lyft drivers<\/a>. We won bathroom access at airport lots<\/a>. We\u2019ve helped thousands of drivers dispute unfair treatment from Uber and Lyft with the nation\u2019s first worker-led process to appeal rideshare app firings or \u201cdeactivations.\u201d We launched mental health support<\/a> for drivers facing an epidemic of stress, burnout, and even suicide.<\/p>\n We\u2019re proud of the progress we\u2019ve made \u2014 but we cannot stop until basic human needs like restroom access and meal breaks are treated not as luxuries, but as rights.<\/p>\n Councilman Justin Brannan\u2019s leadership on this issue has been invaluable, and we\u2019re grateful for the support of co-sponsors on the transportation committee. But now the full Council must act.<\/p>\n New Yorkers believe in fairness. We believe in treating workers with dignity. And we believe that no one should have to risk a fine or their health just to use the bathroom. It\u2019s time to pass Int. 1000 \u2014 for the drivers, for the riders, and for the health and safety of our city.<\/p>\n