New York City proposals to cap new for-hire vehicles
New York City officials want to limit the number of new hire vehicles for services like Uber in order to try and help prevent further traffic problems. A proposal which was released on Tuesday could as a result limit Uber's plans to widen their market. If plans go ahead restrictions will begin in August of this year.
New York City officials introduced a proposal on Tuesday to limit the number of new for-hire vehicles for services like Uber while they study how an influx of such cars has affected traffic.

The proposal could limit Uber’s plans for expansion; the company has said that it aimed to add 10,000 drivers in the city this year. Under the legislation proposed in the City Council, Uber and other companies can add only a limited number of newly licensed vehicles until either the study is completed or August 2016, whichever comes first.

Officials said that 25,000 for-hire cars had been added in the city since 2011, and those vehicles may have contributed to worsening traffic congestion in Manhattan. The study will examine how the increase in such cars has affected traffic, air quality, noise and public health.

The city’s Taxi and Limousine Commission, which regulates the taxi and car service industry and would lead the study, supports the proposal. The City Council will hold a hearing on it on Monday.