On Friday, nearly a dozen New York Mayors and County Executives sent a letter to Governor Andrew Cuomo and legislative leaders asking them to give all New Yorkers access to ridesharing this year.

The letter states that “47 states around the country have access to ridesharing services like Uber. Yet, after years of debate, New Yorkers are still left out. The time for debate is over and now is the time to act.”

The letter was signed by: Monroe County Executive Cheryl Dinolfo, Dutchess County Executive Marcus J. Molinaro, Albany Mayor Kathy Shaheen, Rochester Mayor Lovely Warren, Syracuse Mayor Stephanie Miner, Schenectady Mayor Gary McCarthy, Troy Mayor Patrick Madden, Utica Mayor Robert Palmieri, Binghamton Mayor Richard C. David and Kingston Mayor Steve Noble.

This comes after a number of Upstate Mayors have joined the NYNeedsUber coalition including: Rochester Mayor Lovely Warren, Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown, Binghamton Mayor Richard David, Syracuse Mayor Stephanie Miner, Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan, Utica Mayor Robert Palmieri, Ithaca Mayor Svante Myrick, Rome Mayor Jacqueline M. Izzo and Hornell Mayor Shawn Hogan.

The full text of the letter is here:

“Dear Governor Andrew Cuomo, Senate Majority Leader John Flanagan, Speaker of the Assembly Carl Heastie, Independent Democratic Conference Leader Jeffrey Klein, Senate Minority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, and Assembly Minority Leader Brian Kolb:

“47 states around the country have access to ridesharing services like Uber. Yet, after years of debate, New Yorkers are still left out. The time for debate is over and now is the time to act.

“Upstate cities are undergoing a revitalization but that can’t continue unless we have the most basic services that nearly every other city in the U.S. enjoys. When visitors arrive in Albany, Buffalo, Syracuse, Rochester, Utica and other cities, they are simply stunned when they open up their Uber app and see that they can’t get a ride here.

“Simply put, we must join the 21st century if we expect to attract and retain businesses and grow our economies.

“Our constituents are demanding it. From Binghamton to Batavia, the chorus is being heard loud and clear. In fact, 80% of New Yorkers want a statewide regulatory framework in place to allow Uber to operate in their communities.

“The benefits are clear.

“In cities where it operates, Uber has been proven to help reduce drunk driving incidents. For example, DUI arrests in Seattle decreased by more than 10% after Uber started serving riders and drivers in the city, according to a recent study. An independent study conducted by Temple University found cities where Uber operates have 3.6%-5.6% fewer drunk driving deaths than cities without access to ridesharing.

“A report by Uber and Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) released last January concludes that when empowered with more transportation options like Uber, people are making responsible choices that result in fewer alcohol-related crashes.

“And small business owners across the State are demanding it to help bring customers safely to and from their restaurants, bars and other businesses.

“Most importantly, Upstate cities are in desperate need of better transit options and services like Uber is a no-brainer – New Yorkers across the State should be able to get an affordable, reliable ride at the touch of a button.

“As local elected officials, we implore you to listen to your constituents and pass ridesharing this year.”