Photo: Kyle Bray/WBZ NewsRadio
BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — The Boston City Council has passed a new ordinance that will require third-party food delivery companies to acquire a new permit to operate in the city.
The first-of-its kind ordinance, which went into effect on Saturday, requires companies like DoorDash, UberEats, and GrubHub submit proof of insurance policies that cover their drivers, while also providing driver data to the transportation department.
The data collected will examine things such as the type of vehicles used during deliveries, the restaurants that have the largest number of orders and how fast deliveries are made.
The ordinance comes as the city says that the number of food delivery drivers has rapidly increased in the area, with the increase mostly being attributed to drivers who use mopeds.
Some drivers who use these small vehicles have caused problems in the city by driving recklessly in and out of traffic, according to residents like Marcia.
“They don’t wait on the lights, they turn wherever they want, sometimes they’re crossing and they’re in the way, sometimes you don’t know they’re coming left and they’re behind you [or] in front of you,” she said.
There are also concerns about larger vehicles causing street congestion when drivers double-park to pick up and drop off food.
Some people who live in the city say they are in support of the new ordinance and believe that it’s a good first step.
“They run red lights, they don’t obey traffic rules and its dangerous I’ve had near collisions whilst running the intersections,” said Back Bay resident Damien.
“I think it’s important that that law does stays in place and then they have to follow it up with fines, you know people have to be held responsible when they endanger the lives of others,” said Damien.
Another proposal from City Council looks to possibly outright ban Mopeds deliveries, which some residents disagree with as they say it’s a step too far.
“A lot of people rely on that as there way of living and their job and I don’t think its necessarily fair to every delivery driver to just completely ban it in the city,” said Anna.
“If you have a problem, it doesn’t help just to try and cut it out and sweep it under the rug,” said Bob.
WBZ NewsRadio’s Kyle Bray (@KyleBrayWBZ) reports.