The state's taxi union demanded accountability from Gov. Andrew Cuomo after they say the death of nine livery cab drivers from one car company could have been prevented.

Taxi drivers have been essential during the pandemic to get front-line workers where they need to go, and now one group of drivers say more should have been done to keep them safe behind the wheel.

The New York state Federation of Taxi Drivers met outside of High Class Car Service in University Heights. The union says nine drivers from that company died of COVID-19, and that the city and state should have done more to keep them safe from the beginning.

It claims that the Taxi and Limousine Commission didn't deliver PPE to the city's 540 car services, only leaving it for pickup - not publicizing its availability or whereabouts.

The union says drivers have been unprotected while taking coronavirus patients to and from hospitals and nursing homes.

Protesters add that because drivers are forced to take passengers where they want to go once the person gets into the car, they could not refuse rides to people who wouldn't wear a mask.

They also say drivers should have been at the top of the list to get vaccinated. Even though they are now eligible, they say supply issues mean most behind the wheel are still left unprotected.

Protesters demanded more transparency from the state, and say they want the city to release the total number of taxi drivers who died of COVID-19.

News 12 reached out to the city and state about the protest.