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8th NYC Taxi Driver Commits Suicide, Reportedly Due To Debt

Jen Chung

Published Nov 15, 2018

Modified Nov 15, 2018

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Jen Chung

Published Nov 15, 2018

Modified Nov 15, 2018

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A 58-year-old taxi driver killed himself in his Queens home this month, marking the eight suicide in the taxi industry this year. The suicide was confirmed by the NYC Medical Examiner on Wednesday, just as the City Council passed bills to give counseling to taxi drivers facing financial and mental health issues.

The Medical Examiner confirmed Kim committed suicide in his Bayside home on November 5th, the Post reports, adding that "Kim, who had just purchased his taxi medallion last year, was more than $500,000 in debt from the deal and struggling to stay afloat." His friend, taxi driver Young Lee, told the tabloid, "He was in a lot of debt from that. For a while he was making money but then it just went slowly down and down and down. All drivers are really struggling."

Taxi and Limousine Commissioner Meera Joshi said, "We have suffered yet another devastating loss with the suicide of taxi owner/driver Roy Kim. This tragedy underscores the importance of finding new ways for government, the industry and lenders to work in unity to address the financial challenges that are weighing so heavily on our licensees."

Last month, Joshi was chased away from a vigil for another driver who committed suicide, with mourners demanding that she resign or be fired.

The taxi industry has been in a tailspin ever since for-hire e-hail vehicle companies, like Uber and Lyft, gained an increasingly popular foothold in New York City. Taxi medallions, once coveted with prices in the millions, are now offered at auction with values around $165,000-250,000. The crisis prompted calls for regulation of the for-hire players, and the Council passed a year-long cap on Uber and other ride-hailing services in August.

Bhairavi Desai, executive director of the New York Taxi Workers Alliance, said, "We are devastated by the news that an eighth New York City professional driver has died by suicide. Friends described Roy Kim as hardworking, quiet, and dignified. Roy worked six days a week up to 14 hours a day. Friends in his community of Korean yellow taxi drivers took him out to dinner to celebrate after he purchased his medallion in 2017." She continued:

Owner-drivers have suffered a deep and vicious slide from the middle class into crushing poverty, in a just a few short years. This crisis can be fixed. The struggle for owner-drivers is reminiscent of the 2008 housing crisis. In that crisis, the industry, government, advocates, and philanthropy came to the table to find solutions. Now, banks and lenders need to work with the city and philanthropy to write off 20% of outstanding debts, lower interest rates, and restructure contracts so that no owner-driver has to lose more than 20% of their monthly income to the mortgage. Drivers need a buffer to stop sinking. And that means financial relief. While the city builds on the For-Hire-Vehicle cap and moves on a package of bills, including one that passed today on a Council Taskforce to study medallion debt, change can't come fast enough when every day is a struggle for drivers.

The Independent Drivers Guild also said it was "deeply saddened by Kim's death. Our message to drivers is to hold on: we are SO close to making this industry better, and you are not alone. We encourage drivers who are feeling low or distressed to reach out to NYC Well and get involved in the IDG where we take care of each other like brothers and sisters. We are developing a mental health and wellness program which we hope will prevent more from families from losing their loved one. The program will launch in the coming months with the support of the Black Car Fund."

You can reach NYC Well, the city's free, confidential support, crisis intervention, and information and referral service, by calling 1-888-NYC-WELL (1-888-692-9355) or texting "WELL" to 65173. There are also counselors available for online chats.

If someone you know exhibits warning signs of suicide: do not leave the person alone; remove any firearms, alcohol, drugs or sharp objects that could be used in a suicide attempt; and call the U.S. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255) or take the person to an emergency room or seek help from a medical or mental health professional.

Tagged

for hire vehicle

taxi

taxi driver

tlc

Jen Chung

Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations

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