Listen to this episode on Apple Podcasts, YouTube, Spotify, and Substack. We now have transcripts available too (Click on the “transcripts” button in the top right corner of this post to access them).

In today’s episode, I’m speaking with Dawood Mian, a long time NYC fleet owner, and founder of AutoMarketplace, the largest content platform focused exclusively on New York city’s TLC market. We get into what makes the NYC TLC ecosystem unlike any other market in the country — from the regulatory framework and driver pay rules to the insurance realities. And why it’s such an important market for ridehail players like Uber and Waymo. Dawood breaks down how the market has evolved over the past years, the origin of lockouts, and how the economics of operating a rideshare fleet in New York differ dramatically from the rest of the U.S.

Dawood also walks through the details of running a rideshare fleet in NYC: managing insurance costs, sourcing and maintaining vehicles, plate values, and the operational challenges for future AV fleets, like finding real estate for parking, staging, and maintenance.

We also explore what it would take for a robotaxi operator like Waymo to launch in NYC — the regulatory steps, business barriers, and technical constraints that make New York one of the toughest markets for AV deployment. Dawood shares what he sees coming next for mobility in the city, and how both human-driven and future autonomous fleets may coexist in such a dense, tightly managed market.

Chapters

(00:00) Introduction to Dawood Mian

(01:30) What makes the NYC TLC market unique

(04:40) Why is insurance different for rideshare in NYC?

(07:20) How the NYC rideshare/taxi market has evolved

(09:50) NYC’s driver pay model, and the origin of lockouts

(13:19) How the rideshare rental business works in NYC

(16:30) Dawood’s fleet and business strategy

(19:51) Insurance in NYC’s rideshare fleet business

(22:57) Cost of an NYC TLC plate, and transferability

(24:47) The mechanics of Waymo’s entry into the NYC ridehail market

(30:00) Business and regulatory barriers to Waymo’s entry into New York city

(36:35) The future of AVs in NYC

(37:07) Are there technical/additional constraints to the operation of AVs in NYC?

(39:50) Real estate challenges for fleet operators in NYC

(43:55) Key NYC mobility issues to watch

(46:26) Conclusion and final thoughts

Notes/Links:

Check out Dawood’s website (AutoMarketplace), and you can follow his newsletter for the latest in NYC’s TLC market (link).

- Harry

Thanks for being a subscriber to The Driverless Digest! If you enjoyed this episode, feel free to share it with someone who might like it too. And if this email was forwarded to you, why not subscribe and stick around :)

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thedriverlessdigest.com

What It Would Take for Waymo to Launch in New York City (Podcast)

The Driverless Digest Podcast

What It Would Take for Waymo to Launch in New York City (Podcast)