taxi

More than two dozen Rochester cab drivers were joined by their union allies on Monday, calling on city lawmakers to reject Uber and Lyft’s bid to operate in the region unregulated.  

The companies’ business model has been supported by state officials and several New York mayors who anticipate job growth.

Malkie Demissie has been driving cabs on and off for 25 years and is now part-owner of Park Avenue Taxi Services. He says the group welcomes the competition.

We examine the debate over Uber and Lyft, and whether it's time for the state to allow them to operate across New York.

For now, these transportation providers can only operate in New York City, but advocates say lawmakers should open it up. Opponents say that Uber and Lyft could sink the taxi cab industry, which tends to pay drivers better wages. We hear from all sides. Our guests:

• Clark Hochgraf, associate professor of electrical engineering technology at RIT
• Jai Ramachandran, CEO of Brighton Securities and an Uber enthusiast
• Frannie Sobczak, Workers United and the Rochester Taxi Drivers Association
• Zubin Soleimany, New York Taxi Workers Alliance