By Kamal Ahmed
New York City’s Taxi and for-hire vehicle (FHV) drivers might experience lower earnings and face safety challenges today as another major winter storm hits the city.
NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani, in a social media post, declared the closure of roads at 9pm – streets, highways, and bridges closed to all vehicles (cars, trucks, scooters, e-bikes) through 12pm Monday. Essential and emergency trips only.
“Stay safe, New York,” the Mayor said on X platform.
It’s not just a storm. It’s a blizzard. The first one the city dwellers have seen since 2016. Forecasts are projecting between 13 and 17 inches of snow starting today (Sunday), and there’s a chance it might go more than 20.
New York City Governor Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency for 22 counties across New York to begin this morning. “We’ve activated 100 members of the National Guard to assist first responders,” the governor said in a statement.
The National Weather Service has issued a blizzard warning. It said 25-35mph winds with gusts up to 55mph and .25 visibility expected today. These conditions may cause power outages and difficult travel conditions. “Avoid unnecessary travel. If you must travel, use transit,” according to their statement.
Some drivers may assume that bad weather automatically increases demand for rides, but the reality is that many drivers choose to stay home during severe snowstorms.
Massive snowfall presents a combination of reduced demand, slower productivity, higher expenses, and increased safety risks, making it a challenging period for taxi and rideshare drivers.
Flights are canceled while events are postponed, and daily commuting decreases. As a result, overall ride requests often drop. Even when there is temporary demand—such as trips to airports or grocery stores—drivers may experience long waiting times between fares.
Vehicle-related costs rise as well. Snow, ice, and road salt accelerate wear and tear on tires, brakes, and the undercarriage. Fuel efficiency often decreases in cold weather and stops-and-go driving conditions. Minor collisions, sliding incidents, or damage from hidden potholes can lead to expensive repairs. These added expenses further reduce profit margins.
This correspondent Kamal Ahmed spoke with several drivers about their plans for driving in the snow today. Some are expected to make extra money, while others say they will stay home.
Kazi Amir Hossain, an app-based driver, said he is driving today, taking the risk. “Uber gets me extra money per ride during the snow. I made extra money from last week’s snow,” said Amir.
Shaheen Hossain, another driver, said he chose to stay home to take care of his family. In some cases, he pointed out, surge pricing may increase due to limited driver availability, but the higher fares do not always compensate for the increased risks, slower trips, and higher operating costs.
“Many drivers ultimately choose to stay off the road during severe storms, resulting in fewer working hours and lower overall income. I don’t want extra money. It’s a total risk to drive in the snow today. I heard the snow will get worse at the end of the day. To me, life is more important than making a bonus,” he added.
MD. Moinul Hossain, another for-hire driver, said he started driving as early as 7 am today and continued until 2 pm, and then got back home.
“I didn’t want to drive after 2 pm, risking life because there is a high risk of road accidents when roads remain slippery in the snow,” he said.
Mr. Hossain described safety concerns as a major factor and said driving in heavy snowfall increases the risk of accidents, putting both drivers and passengers at risk.