It wasn’t by accident
Some of NY's biggest taxi leaders artificially inflated the price, and made millions by issuing reckless loans to buyers
nytimes.com/2019/05/19/nyr…
![](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D67wNxAXsAEEbpx.jpg)
Some signed interest-only loans that made them pay hefty fees, forfeit rights and give up most of their income -- indefinitely
nytimes.com/2019/05/19/nyr…
![](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D67yXp1X4AA1XqL.jpg)
If your driver owns the cab, they can make $10,000 in revenue a month
They likely get to take home less than $1,500 of that
And for that privilege, they probably owe their bank at least $500,000
nytimes.com/2019/05/19/nyr…
![](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D670fKrXsAA64Ss.jpg)
One banker got Nicki Minaj to perform at his son’s bar mitzvah
nytimes.com/2019/05/19/nyr…
![](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D673KYLXoAA9Q3b.jpg)
950 cabbies have filed for bankruptcy. Thousands more are struggling to survive
nytimes.com/2019/05/19/nyr…
![](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D6749J0W0AEwmlu.jpg)
nytimes.com/2019/05/19/nyr…
![](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D678pgVXYAAyBy9.jpg)
The average revenue per cab is only down by ~10% since Uber arrived
(Cabs have been protected because 97% of rides start in Manhattan or airports; most Uber rides begin in outer boroughs)
Here is Part 2 of our series: nytimes.com/2019/05/19/nyr…
nytimes.com/2019/05/19/nyr…
![](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D68FzXIW0AAVCpz.jpg)
40% of them are now bankrupt
nytimes.com/2019/05/19/nyr…
![](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D68LAXEX4AE5j-_.jpg)
nytimes.com/2019/05/19/nyr…
![](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D68NuvIXsAENA8a.jpg)
It was fueled by compelling @KholoodEid photojournalism & contributions from @EmmaGF, @hillingers, @derek_m_norman, @elishacbrown, @Lindzcook, @DebonairPierre, @sameenamin, @susancb & more
Read their work nytimes.com/2019/05/19/nyr…