In New York City, the deteriorating problem of potholes on the roads has unexpectedly given rise to a “nighttime business opportunity.” According to the New York Post, a 23-year-old mechanic stationed next to a pothole in Brooklyn offers tire changing services on-site, earning up to $2,200 per night.
Javier Yat, a car repair technician from Guatemala, explains that he usually drives his truck to a stretch near the Belt Parkway 9A exit in Brooklyn around 12:30 am to “wait for the rabbits.” The area has a pothole that is about 60 square inches and 12 inches deep, causing many drivers to experience tire blowouts due to poor visibility at night or high speeds.
During the day, while working at an auto repair shop, Yat typically changes only four to five tires for customers on average. However, his business significantly increases at night, allowing him to replace 15 to 20 tires each night. His charges vary based on the tire size, ranging from $150 to $300 per tire. Due to high demand, Yat even needs to hire someone to replenish tire inventory back and forth from the shop.
The deteriorating road conditions have also led to an increase in business for other repair services. A technician from a gas station in Queens stated that the number of tire replacements per month has increased by about 20 since the winter.
Potholes are usually formed when rainwater seeps into cracks in the road surface, freezes, and expands. Additionally, the heavy use of de-icing salt during the winter can accelerate road damage.
Potholes on the roads have even resulted in fatal accidents. On the 9th of this month, a 46-year-old man riding an electric scooter in Ozone Park, Queens crashed into a pothole and tragically passed away. The city government urges the public to report any dangerous potholes they come across by dialing 311.