Joined by fellow legislators and representatives from local groups pushing for ridesharing in Upstate New York, Assemblyman Karl Brabenec (R,TCN-Deerpark) spoke at a press conference in the Capitol today held by Assemblyman Raymond Walter (R,C,I-Amherst) and Assemblywoman Mary Beth Walsh (R,C,I, Ref-Ballston) to call for legalization of ridesharing services such as Uber and Lyft. Currently, the companies are only allowed to operate in New York City.

“It is an absolute disgrace that state leaders have chosen New York City, a place with an already-thriving public transportation system, as the only region of the state to offer ridesharing and upstate is left with unreliable taxi and bus services,” Brabenec said. “Services such as Uber and Lyft have the potential to create thousands of new jobs, take drunk drivers off the road, provide the public with a safe, reliable and cheap alternative for travel and raise industry standards across the board. Legalizing ridesharing upstate is one of my top priorities this year and I will continue to fight until it becomes a reality.”