On January 4 a livery-driver was shot dead during a robbery in Brooklyn. Despite the risks, there are no shortage of drivers willing to brave the dangerous streets of New York. For most of the 32,000 livery cab drivers, it just boils down to simple economics. But there's no other way to support a family these days. There's not enough jobs.
Most drivers are independent operators.
Many drivers don't speak much English, so their job options are limited. Besides the language barrier, drivers complain that too many legal restrictions prevent them from making a decent living. Unlike yellow cabs, gypsy cab drivers can only pick up fares that have telephoned for a cab. Picking up fares off the street also increases the chance of a driver being assaulted. Even so, most drivers do it.