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Is the Upstate New York Taxi Industry in Trouble? The Upstate New York Taxi Industry is in Trouble

By Charles Goldberg

CHARLIE GOLDBERG: They’re the last of a dying breed. The traditional taxi once was a dominant mode of transportation. And while they are seeing some success in more urbanized locations, they are on the verge of extinction in others, especially in the Upstate New York area.

CHARLIE GOLDBERG: This is attributed to the widespread popularity of ride share apps like Uber and lyft which has taken the nation by storm.

TROY BOYER: When Uber came it just became a cheap ride.

CHARLIE GOLDBERG: Boyer, known as the Cuse Candyman to locals, is one of (if not the most) popular uber drivers in the SU. and outside of the large array of colors, decorations and treats Boyer believes people prefer his and other uber experiences due to convenience and price.

TROY BOYER: The abundance of Ubers up here made a big difference too. You’re out waiting for a taxi while half the time you ping an Uber you get an uber sitting right in front of you in a minute.

CHARLIE GOLDBERG: The rise of uber usage has changed the lives of so including Edward Wright, a former taxi driver who shifted gears switching to driving Uber.

EDWARD WRIGHT: I just started driving uber this year. In like January. So I haven’t really been a driver for that long yet. But I seem to be making a lot more money now than when I was even driving cabs.

CHARLIE GOLDBERG: Edward is also experiencing other new benefits.

EDWARD WRIGHT: “ Uber stays busy, busy. I run from one job to the next without even having a break in between 90% of the time.“

CHARLIE GOLDBERG: And Edward just recently transitioned to Uber as so many did it before him. leaving more taxis in rural areas staying put for long term parking.
Charlie Goldberg NCC News

SYRACUSE N.Y. (NCC News) — Taxis are the last of a dying breed. While the traditional taxi industry is seeing some success in more urbanized locations, they are on the verge of extinction in others. This is evident in Upstate New York where not many taxi transportation companies remain in business. 

In February, Broome County’s last open 24/7 taxicab company, A-1 Courtesy Cab, announced that they were going out of business.

A reason for this closure was due to the lack of drivers the company had on staff.

This is because so many taxi drivers shifted gears towards driving Ubers and Lyfts instead.

So why are so many drivers making this change in profession? Well it’s simply because of the pay.

Taxis are no where to be found in the Syracuse area

“I just started driving Uber this year in like January, so I haven’t really been a driver for that long yet,” said Edward Wright, a current Uber driver who used to drive a taxi. “But I seem to be making a lot more money now than when I was even driving cabs.” 

When originally driving a cab, Wright used to have long breaks in between finding customers to drive. Since switching, Wright now almost never waits a while for a ride. 

“Uber stays busy,” said Wright. “I run from one job to the next without even having a break in between 90% of the time.”

This amount of convenience led to the rise in popularity of ride share apps further leading to the declining usage of taxi services in the area. 

“I noticed back in 2017 when uber came here,” said Troy Boyer, a local Uber driver in Syracuse. “There were taxis up here and all of a sudden Uber took this campus over. All of a sudden you couldn’t see one taxi up here because they couldn’t compete.”

Boyer is a very popular Uber driver to students and residents in the Syracuse community. Riders refer to him as the “Cuse Candyman” because when they enter his car they are greeted with decorations, neon lights, music, and of a large variety of candy.

The "Cuse Candyman" and his thoughts

Boyer spends a lot of money to upgrade his experience. However, he believes his expenses are worth every penny.

“I’d spend $1000,” said Boyer. “The smiles and the joy it brings to everyone on this campus, that’s all I need.” 

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