The line stretched across Queensbridge Park as hundreds of people came out to learn more about becoming an Uber driver. The park is the first stop on the Uber Jobs Fair Tour that kicked off in Queens on Tuesday.
Moises Abrego says joining the for-hire private car service has changed his life.
"I was jobless. I didn't have, I was facing very, very tight economic situation. I couldn't even sleep," he says. "Once I joined Uber, all of that has disappeared."
Current drivers are encouraged to bring their friends to learn more about the business opportunity.
Uber launched in 2010 and has grown exponentially in the city. Company officials say they need more drivers to meet growing demand.
"We think in the next year, we can add 10,000 jobs on our platform, adding to the 26,000 who make a living with Uber already," said Uber General Manager Josh Mohrer. "The other story is the rider side. You know, every week, 25,000 people take their first ride on the Uber platform."
The job fair, though, was also part rally as Uber officials tried to drum up support against a proposal expected to be voted on by the City Council this week that would put a one-year freeze on the number of divers Uber could hire as the city conducts a congestion impact study.
"This bill is not about congestion. It's not about anything that the mayor is saying right now. It's about stopping competition for the taxi industry," Mohrer said.
Mayor Bill de Blasio denies that claim.
Still, drivers like Abrego hope it will remain business as usual.
"I think by letting Uber continue to hire people and provide the services across the city, a lot more people are going to have jobs and have the opportunity to keep their families afloat," he said.
Uber plans to have six additional job tour events throughout the city in as many weeks.