We’ve been closely following the fight in NYC over rooftop advertising, and it looks like there’s a new bill being introduced by Transportation Committee Chairman Ydanis Rodriguez to overturn the TLC’s ban. The bill would require the Taxi and Limousine Commission to issue permits to allow exterior rooftop advertising on any type of for-hire vehicle provided such advertising complies with all applicable laws, rules, and regulations.
Drivers have rallied to push action on the bill, and the Independent Drivers’ Guild (IDG) has launched a driver petition that you can sign here. As always, I recommend that you read the bill, but we’ll also provide a short summary below.
If passed, the bill would allow drivers to have rooftop advertising installed on their cars and make up to $300 per month in additional income – without driving any additional hours. Sign me up!
It would also prevent the TLC from suddenly changing its policy on for-hire vehicle advertising, which has taken away this income from the dozens of drivers who received permits this year, and the hundreds more on a waiting list.
One of my biggest criticisms of this TLC decision was that they allowed drivers to put up rooftop ads but once they reversed course, they did not even grandfather in the drivers who already had invested time and money to get these billboards installed. Even Uber and Lyft will grandfather drivers in when they change policies, like when they upped their commission from 20 to 25% for new drivers in 2015.
How the TLC Rooftop Ad Ban Has Already Impacted Drivers
Brooklyn rideshare driver Paul Klimas told Crain’s New York, “Any professional driver in general has to work long hours just to stay afloat, so any added income really helps. It helps in both time and money.”
Drivers are reporting to us that since the city forced them to stop earning income from rooftop ads, they have been forced to drive longer hours to make up the lost income. Seems kind of obvious to me, but the folks at the TLC don’t seem to get it as evidenced by my numerous Twitter arguments with them 🙂
With Christmas and the Holidays approaching, it should not be lost that every NYC rideshare driver impacted by the TLC Ban over the last 2.5 months will have $1,200 less to cover the cost of presents for their children and loved ones. Harmful policies like the TLC ban have real impacts and while $1,200 may not seem like a lot to someone with a cushy government job, it is a TON to a driver.
Time for Action
Politicians are great at saying the right things but words don’t pay the bills. The City Council did a good job passing the Minimum Pay Rules so this seems like a logical next step to ensure they are improving the lives of drivers.
When the City Council passed the historic Driver Minimum Pay Rules earlier this year, NYC Council Speaker Corey Johnson told the Queens Tribune, “The Council is proud of the progress we have made and will continue working to help drivers, reduce congestion and increase fairness in the for-hire–vehicle industry.”
Intro 1738 seems like a good way to do this so if the council wants to continue demonstrating their support for drivers with actions, and not just words, then they will schedule a hearing for Intro 1738 in December and move quickly to address this nonsense once and for all.
We urge the NYC Council to Schedule a December Transportation Committee hearing for Intro 1738 to reverse the TLC Ban on Rideshare Driver Rooftop Advertising Income.
We’ll keep you posted on this story as I would hate to see it spread to other cities. NYC has typically been at the forefront of transportation regulation so hopefully they plan to stay there.
Want to Help Reverse the TLC Ban?
Are you a New York City rideshare driver, here is how you can help:
- Sign the IDG Driver Petition and share with other drivers and on social media.
- Email, call, and write your NYC Council Member today to tell them to sponsor Intro 1738 and to vote for it. Find Your Council Member here.
What do you think on a ban on rooftop advertising? Do you currently use strategies to earn extra money outside of driving?
-Harry @ RSG
