Driven to the Brink

How E-hail companies upended the NYC taxi business – exacting a rising human and economic toll

OUR BROTHER DOUG

On Feb. 5, black car driver Doug Schifter fatally shot himself outside City Hall. Schifter wrote in a Facebook post that he wanted to bring attention to the plight of drivers losing their livelihood to Uber and other ride services. But will those in power listen to his message?

Avery Miles reports.

TAXI HISTORY: A ROUGH RIDE

The recent spate of driver suicides has put a renewed spotlight on the taxi business. The industry’s rocky history dates to the fare wars of the 1920s and 1930s, which led to the medallion system for yellow cabs. How will drivers navigate the latest period of turmoil?

Willa Rubin reports.

A CABBIE’S UBER DETOUR

Suhel Miah drove a yellow cab before switching to Uber. After three months, he got back behind the wheel of a medallion taxi. The 29-year-old Bangladesh native feels more professional and part of the city’s history. But how much how much longer he can get by on $150 a shift?

Reece T. Williams reports.

EATING ON THE RUN

Time is money for cab drivers. This makes grabbing a bite – or even using the bathroom – a luxury. Many stop at Haandi, a Pakistani restaurant on Lexington Avenue and 28th Street, where they can find food, a bathroom – and one hour of free parking outside.

Kevin Wheeler reports.

DIVIDED BY A UNION

The Independent Drivers Guild represents Uber and Lyft drivers, but doesn’t have collective bargaining power. It’s also controversial: The group gets money from Uber. The guild seem at odds with yellow cab drivers, who are struggling in the e-hail era. But is it a rivalry – or potential partnership?

Max Zahn reports.

DRIVEN TO THE BRINK is a product of the NYCity News Service at the CUNY Graduate School of Journalism.