Uber Opens NYC Driver Waitlist as FHV Trips Rise — Even With 2,971 Medallions Still Parked

Trip volumes are rising across most sectors, but Uber’s decision to release drivers from its waitlist raises new questions for policymakers and the recovering taxi market

Key Takeaways

Uber and Lyft (HV) trips dispatched to NYC TLC-plated vehicles rose 6.4% YoY in October 2025. In our view, Uber is controversially releasing newly licensed TLC drivers from its roughly 10,000-person waitlist, despite thousands of underutilized drivers already on the road and 2,971 medallions still in storage. Yellow cab trips increased 15.5%, and the City remains on track to meet its 2026 EV/WAV Green Rides benchmark.