News

New York City seeks to add more food truck licenses

December 14, 2017

A bill to provide hundreds of additional food truck and cart licenses is set for a city council vote on Tuesday, according to the New York Post.

The newspaper, in an editorial, has criticized the manner in which the city council is pushing the bill for a vote. The editorial stated that it supports the aim of the bill, but not the secretive manner in which the city council is handling it.

The bill would add hundreds of new licenses for food trucks and carts over the next 10 years and set aside 10 percent for veterans. It would also create a special law enforcement unit and advisory council for the industry.

Concerns include traffic congestion, pedestrian safety and the impact on brick-and-mortar businesses.

The editorial noted that existing permits, renewable every two years for $200, can go for more than $20,000 on the black market.

Council tabled a similar bill last year and has not held hearings on the issues that caused the bill to be tabled.

The details of the new bill have not been subjected to criticism, the editorial noted.