Photo: WBZ NewsRadio Archive
BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — The Boston City Council voted to approve a new ordinance Wednesday that changes how food delivery drivers operate in the city.
The order was first introduced by Mayor Michelle Wu in February and would require third-party food delivery app drivers to obtain a city permit, liability insurance, and provide the city with delivery data on a quarterly basis.
These changes were approved in a 11 to 2 vote and only apply to delivery drivers affiliate large third-party food apps, such as Uber Eats, DoorDash, and Grub Hub. Not everything from the original proposal made it through. The vote left out a controversial15-cent tax on each order.
The goal aims to curb reports of dangerous driving and road congestion, which Lisa said is a huge problem in Boston.
“Let’s try it,” she told WBZ NewsRadio. “If I can get from point A to point B without all of the [stopping], then yeah.”
Some delivery drivers, like Ramon, said he thinks it's not going to work and pushed back against the city’s decision.
“I do not think they should have done this at all,” Ramon, a Grub Hub driver, said.
Ryan agreed that it shouldn't become a burden for the workers but also understands the need to keep roads safe for everyone.
“I don’t know if there’s a way to make it by zones [or] just by main streets,” he said.
The ordinance now heads to Mayor Wu’s desk to be signed.
WBZ NewsRadio’s Jim MacKay (@JimMacKayOnAir) reports.