April, 2016
The Honorable Andrew M. CuomoGovernor of the State of New York 633 Third AveNew York City, NY 10017 Dear Governor Cuomo:We want to commend you for recently identifying ridesharing platforms as a significant area of interest for your administration. As the Mayors of the four largest upstate cities with limited transportation alternatives, we write to urge you to support sensible legislation that would eliminate the administrative and insurance barriers to peer-to-peer ridesharing across New York State.Our cities are in dire need of additional transportation options that will foster economic development by encouraging people to venture downtown for dinner or a night out with the p
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ce of mind that they can get a ride home reliably and safely. Peer-to-peer ridesharing would offer an innovative, flexible, 21st Century solution to the transportation deserts many upstate municipalities face, while also providing an opportunity for the State to set standards that would ensure public safety and consumer protection. In addition, our residents would greatly benefit from the flexible economic opportunities that come with being a driver on a transportation network. Companies like Lyft and Uber offer an innovative platform on which people who wish to make extra money using their cars can give rides to people who wish to get places within the city safely and conveniently. Drivers essentially get to be their own boss, driving only when it suits their schedules and using their assets and knowledge of the area to bring in extra income on their own terms. The vast majority of drivers on peer-to-peer ridesharing platforms nationwide are either employed full time, retirees, or enrolled college students. Ridesharing allows those drivers the opportunity to make additional income and be active in their communities. It is a known fact that consumers are embracing these innovative services as both an economic opportunity and as a safe way to travel around our communities. Peer-to-peer ridesharing has also been shown to reduce the number of cars on the road, thus alleviating traffic congestion, CO2 emissions, and drunk or impaired driving.
As you craft your priorities ahead of the 2016 Legislative Session, we urge you to stand with the ridesharing community and support sensible legislative language that would bring peer-to-peer ridesharing to Upstate New York. Sincerely,Mayor Byron W. Brown, City of Buffalo Mayor Stephanie Miner, City of Syracuse Mayor Lovely Warren, City of Rochester Mayor Kathy Sheehan, City of AlbanyCC: Counselor Alphonso David