Uber and Lyft Are Making Traffic Worse, Report Says

Since ride-hailing apps like Uber and Lyft got a foothold in New York City, they have reshaped the way transportation works throughout the five boroughs, gutting the taxicab industry, apparently luring riders away from subways, and bringing many a passenger home from work or a party late at night.

Now, according to a new report, they have also packed Manhattans streets with more cars than ever before.

""They're very much adding to traffic," said Bruce Schaller, a former deputy transportation commissioner for the City of New York.

In a new report, "Empty Seats, Full Streets: Fixing Manhattan's Traffic Problem", Schaller figures that even though the number of cabs decreased, the total number of for-hire vehicles has increased by 59 percent over the past four years, and now constitutes between 50 and 75 percent of all vehicles in Manhattan's central business district. He bases his calculations on data from the Taxi and Limousine Commission

But because the city does not have finely detailed data of the movement of other vehicles, such as private cars and delivery trucks, Schaller says it is hard to determine just how much of an impact the app-based services have had, as average driving speeds have continued to decline.

In order to address the congestion, Schaller recommends the app companies institute policies to reduce the time drivers are driving around looking for fares.

To hear the interview with WNYC Host Jami Floyd, press the play button.