The New York State Senate is scheduled to consider a bill to bring ridesharing services like Uber and Lyft upstate on Monday.
The State Senate is scheduled to take up a bill to legalize ridesharing that’s sponsored by Senate Insurance Committee Chairman James Seward.
In a statement Seward said ridesharing “delivers economic, environmental, and public safety benefits and is long overdue.”
Those using the services can get a ride through a smartphone app. Currently in New York, ridesharing companies are only allowed to operate in New York City.
Despite loud calls from advocates, a bill to expand ridesharing failed to clear legislative hurdles last year. Lawmakers had disagreed over insurance requirements.
Upstate Transportation Association president John Tomassi released a statement criticizing the bill Sunday afternoon, saying in part: "A vote for Senator Seward’s bill is a vote against thousands of good jobs and the safety of millions of upstate riders."
