A union representing New York City taxi drivers is urging Mayor Zohran Mamdani to take action on a long-stalled proposal to establish a health benefits fund for cab drivers following the deaths of three drivers this summer. The New York Taxi Workers Alliance, which represents over 28,000 yellow-cab and ride-hail drivers, is calling for the revival of a plan aimed at providing disability insurance, expanded sick leave, mental health services, and other supports to a workforce largely excluded from such benefits.

Bhairavi Desai, the union’s executive director, recently submitted a detailed set of recommendations to the city’s Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC) and Julie Su, Mamdani’s deputy mayor for economic justice, urging the adoption of a program similar to one previously supported by the city more than a decade ago but never implemented. “We’ve just never had the political will,” Desai said, noting the current moment as an opportunity for change.

The union’s proposal calls for raising $20 million annually by redirecting revenue from an existing 50-cent surcharge on yellow taxi rides, which currently funds the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA). The fund would finance a range of services including medical screenings, mental health care, paid sick leave, dental and vision care, life insurance, and a retirement plan. Part of the funding would support a nurses’ station and exercise equipment at a popular waiting area near Kennedy Airport in Queens for drivers to receive health checks and take breaks.

Currently, ride-hailing drivers working with companies like Uber and Lyft receive some insurance and health benefits through a fare surcharge known as the Black Car Fund. Yellow-cab drivers, however, have fewer benefits despite often working longer hours under challenging conditions. Wain Chin, a 58-year-old cab driver for nearly 30 years, described working 12- to 14-hour night shifts while managing mounting expenses, including an average monthly car payment of around $4,500 linked to medallion debt. “If you get sick, you're pretty much on your own,” he said, highlighting common health issues such as back and knee pain and the difficulties posed by limited bathroom access.

The urgency of the union’s call has been intensified by recent tragedies: Jagjit Singh, 53, died after a medical emergency in the West Village; Khalifa Siwa, 53 and diabetic, was found deceased in his car near the Henry Hudson Parkway; and Richard Coulibaly, 73, passed away during a heat wave in Harlem. Another driver, Babacar Dem, 60, receiving dialysis treatment, died in a Bronx bathroom while on shift this August.

The concept of a health fund for taxi drivers originated in 2012 when New York City enacted a rule to collect a 6-cent surcharge from yellow cab fares to finance disability insurance and related benefits. However, a 2014 State Supreme Court ruling blocked implementation, citing a lack of city authority without state legislative approval. At the time, providers had been selected and outreach efforts were underway to inform eligible drivers.

The city currently has about 13,000 yellow-cab drivers, a steep decline from previous years, while the broader for-hire vehicle sector totals approximately 180,000 drivers, nearly all classified as independent contractors who generally lack employer-sponsored benefits. Access to disability and other insurance varies widely, with many drivers unable to afford individual policies amid increasing financial pressures.

Challenges remain in establishing the proposed fund. The City Council would need to pass enabling legislation, and the TLC’s support and administrative involvement are required. Moreover, redirecting the revenue from the 50-cent fare surcharge to the fund would necessitate changes to state law, as the surcharge currently supports the MTA’s operating budget.

Officials expressed cautious openness to the idea. A spokesperson for Governor Kathy Hochul’s office said any legislation reallocating those funds would be reviewed if passed. TLC Commissioner Midori Valdivia emphasized the city’s commitment to improving drivers’ wellbeing, stating the agency remains focused on initiatives to enhance working conditions, expand healthcare access, and introduce wellness resources through partnerships with other city agencies.

As the union presses for renewed political momentum, drivers and advocates stress the critical need for support systems that reflect the demanding and often precarious nature of taxi work in New York City.