BUFFALO, N.Y. – There’s a commercial going around that says there is one thing New Yorkers want for Christmas; Uber. And this advertisement has people putting down the remotes and picking up their phones.
“We have a record number of people that are calling the office and asking that the state legislature and the governor pass Uber,” Assemblyman Mickey Kearns said.
“Certainly there’s been an increase in focus from the electorate,” State Sen. Tim Kennedy said. “There’s no reason in the world why ridesharing, Uber and Lyft, shouldn’t be here Upstate.”
Both Kennedy and Kearns represent the Buffalo area, but Kennedy says tens of thousands of residents across the state have engaged in the process to bring ridesharing to Upstate.
A bill co-sponsored by Kennedy made the Senate last session, but was unable to make it through the Assembly. He says this kind of support is an important step forward.
“It’s critical, especially when you have legislation that is stalled down in Albany,” Kennedy said. “We want to hear from the public, we want to be able to use the public’s voice as momentum to be able to push the agenda down in Albany.”
Kearns says his office has seen anywhere from 50-100 calls and emails per day in favor of ridesharing.
“It’s one of the issues that is transcending the community,” Kearns said. “I hear from people who are older, people who are younger. They want it, they expect it and we need to give it to them.”
The legislature goes back in session in January, barring a special session.
Kearns says he’s hopeful that sticking points in the bill can be worked out, allowing the measure to get through both houses.
As far as more regional ads for Uber, a spokesperson says the company plans to do whatever it takes to get this bill passed and nothing is off the table.