Boston City Council votes on new delivery service accountability ordinance

In the heart of Boston's City Hall, a significant discussion unfolded on April 2, 2025, as the City Council convened to address pressing issues surrounding third-party delivery services. The atmosphere was charged with anticipation as Councilor Gabriela Colette Zapata presented Docket Number 0407, an ordinance aimed at enhancing road safety and accountability for delivery providers operating within the city.

The proposed ordinance, which has been in the works since February, seeks to establish a framework for regulating large delivery platforms such as Uber Eats, DoorDash, and Grubhub. Key provisions include mandatory registration with the city, insurance requirements to protect individuals involved in accidents, and data-sharing obligations to aid in traffic management. Councilor Zapata emphasized the importance of these regulations, noting that they would help mitigate the reckless behavior often associated with delivery drivers, which has raised safety concerns among residents.

During the meeting, Councilor Zapata highlighted a crucial amendment that clarified the definition of a third-party delivery provider, adjusting the threshold for applicability from weekly to an annual basis of one million orders. This change aims to ensure that the ordinance targets the major players in the market while exempting smaller businesses and grocery delivery services like Instacart, which operate differently and do not contribute significantly to street congestion.

The council's discussions also touched on the enforcement mechanisms of the ordinance, which include fines for non-compliance and the potential revocation of operating permits. Councilor Durkin expressed optimism about the ordinance's potential to hold delivery companies accountable, while also voicing disappointment over the council's decision to exclude a proposed 15-cent delivery fee intended to fund enforcement efforts. This fee, he argued, could have provided necessary resources to address the challenges posed by increased delivery traffic.

However, not all councilors were in favor of the ordinance. Councilor Murphy raised concerns about the potential burdens it could impose on delivery companies and the risk of higher costs being passed on to consumers. He argued that existing traffic laws should be enforced more effectively rather than introducing new regulations that may disproportionately target specific companies.

As the meeting concluded, Councilor Zapata recommended that the ordinance move forward for further discussion and formal action, reflecting a collaborative effort to balance safety, accountability, and the needs of Boston's diverse community. The outcome of this ordinance could reshape the landscape of food delivery services in the city, ensuring that both residents and delivery workers are protected on the streets of Boston.