New York needs more transportation options and economic opportunities – especially upstate. Ridesharing apps like Lyft are already available in major cities across America where they connect millions of passengers with safe rides from neighbors, while helping drivers offset car costs and supplement their income. These apps can bring affordable transportation to everyday people in our communities, but not unless legislators in Albany modernize our state’s outdated laws.

I’m from Rochester, and I’ve traveled across the state to make New York safer and more economically friendly for residents. As the former president of Rochester Young Professionals, I’ve seen that access to transportation is a critical issue. Options that would allow us to get safely to and from work, as well as home from bars and restaurants, are priorities for our community. Traveling across town can be difficult and lead to long waits, wasted time, and unsafe situations. Options are few and far between late at night, when people are most in need of a safe ride home.

Last April, Lyft launched in Rochester and Buffalo, bringing a much-needed transportation option for our cities. But in July, state actions forced Lyft to leave, and we lost a service that filled a gap in our transportation network. Today, Rochester and Buffalo are stuck with antiquated transportation options as cities across the country move forward by adopting ridesharing.

Safe, affordable transportation that embraces technology is essential to the progress of New York. It's time to bring these options to our great state. New York's elected officials should embrace new mobile apps like Lyft and welcome ridesharing to Rochester and beyond.