Council committee hears mayor's delivery ordinance, weighing insurance, data and enforcement

Boston City Council's Committee on Government Operations held a Feb. 24 hearing on the mayor's "Road Safety and Accountability for Delivery Providers" ordinance (Docket 0407), a proposal that would require large third-party delivery platforms to obtain city permits, carry umbrella liability insurance and share aggregated data on pickup, delivery and vehicle operations.

The ordinance, sponsored by Mayor Michelle Wu and referred to the committee, is aimed at addressing what the administration called increasing congestion, illegal parking and unsafe operation by app-based delivery drivers. The committee did not take a vote at the hearing; city officials and platform representatives said they would continue negotiating regulatory details in follow-up working sessions.

Chief of Streets Joshua Franklin Hodge framed the proposal as an effort to bring accountability to a growing industry. "Food delivery apps support restaurants and they provide convenience to residents, but their explosive and unregulated growth in recent years has generated unintended consequences and created safety concerns on our streets," Hodge said. Under the draft ordinance, companies above an applicability threshold would register with the city, demonstrate insurance coverage that serves as a financial backstop for crashes or injuries, and supply aggregated operational data to the Boston Transportation Department (BTD) to inform curb and enforcement decisions.

The administration emphasized three central elements: registration/permits, an…