Boston City Council reviews new ordinance on food delivery driver regulations

The Boston City Council convened on February 24, 2025, to discuss a proposed ordinance aimed at regulating food delivery services within the city. The meeting focused on safety concerns related to delivery drivers and the insurance requirements for companies operating in this sector.

The session began with a review of the ordinance, which highlighted the need for clearer insurance coverage for delivery drivers. Councilor Murphy raised questions regarding the accuracy of police reports related to delivery incidents, indicating a lack of clarity on the data available. This concern set the stage for a broader discussion on the regulatory framework for food delivery services.

Councilor Weber emphasized the distinction between transportation network companies (TNCs) like Uber and Lyft, and food delivery drivers, noting that the ordinance was designed to address specific safety issues rather than create a comprehensive regulatory system. The ordinance aims to establish a focused set of requirements, particularly concerning insurance coverage and safety protocols for delivery drivers.

A significant point of discussion was the potential for companies to pass insurance costs onto drivers. Councilor Weber expressed concerns about whether delivery companies could require drivers to pay for insurance mandated by the ordinance. The response indicated that this issue would need further exploration during the rule-making process, as the ordinance provides a framework but does not finalize specific insurance requirements.

The conversation also touched on the need for data sharing from delivery companies to better understand the impact of their operations on city infrastructure. Councilor O'Brien noted the lack of information regarding the number of deliveries and the types of vehicles used, which complicates efforts to assess the toll on city roads. The ordinance includes a data-sharing requirement to address this gap.

Additionally, the council discussed the importance of ensuring that delivery drivers are adequately insured during all phases of their work, including when they are waiting for orders. The intention is to cover drivers while they are actively engaged in delivery-related activities, but the precise language of the ordinance will need to be refined with input from both the council and industry stakeholders.

In conclusion, the meeting underscored the city's commitment to enhancing safety and accountability within the food delivery sector. The proposed ordinance is a step towards establishing clearer regulations, but further discussions and refinements are necessary to address the complexities of insurance requirements and data sharing. The council plans to continue working on these issues to ensure that the ordinance effectively meets the needs of both drivers and the community.