BOSTON
10.24.2007
Taxi owners and drivers expressed concern over a City Council resolution that would create a “Bill of Rights” for cab passengers, while asking that their own rights be given more consideration.
The measure, sponsored by Councilor Michael Ross, would create a “Bill of Rights” that would allow taxi passengers to choose their own destination route, prohibit the driver from speaking on a cell phone or listening to the radio, and control the temperature inside the vehicle. The bill of rights would be posted inside the city’s licensed cabs.
Yesterday, Ross and other city councilors met at City Hall with taxi drivers and owners, a union representative and Mark Cohen, director of licensing for the Boston Police Department’s Hackney Division, which oversees taxi-related issues and complaints. Ross, who filed a similar bill in 2005, said a bill of rights would be welcoming for visitors and tourists, as well as those who may not feel empowered to question a driver.
Meanwhile, several taxi drivers present at the meeting said most of the 10 “rights” listed are either already being followed or out of their control. In addition, one driver said not all of the taxi vans have automatic controls for the rear windows, while another cab owner questioned the liability issues that could stem from giving passengers “rights.”
“I’m not opposed to providing safe passage,” said Donna Blythe-Shaw of the United Steelworkers Union, which represents roughly 1,200 local taxi drivers. “But, I’m concerned of the ramifications that a bill of rights would have on the drivers.”
Several others requested that taxi drivers themselves also get a bill of rights, an idea Ross said has already been discussed among some of his colleagues. Ross also said he’d give serious consideration to establishing a task force to examine bills of rights for both sides.
Other cities, such as New York, Chicago and San Francisco, have adopted their own bills of rights for taxi passengers. Cohen said many of the rights outlined in Ross’s resolution are already rights that cab customers have, but publicly displaying them in cabs throughout the city would be just another tool to provide quality transportation and “shouldn’t be viewed [by drivers] as a threat.”
Today, Councilor Maureen Feeney will also introduce a measure calling for a separate hearing to discuss the rights of taxicab drivers.
Monday, July 7, 2008
Well, what do ya know...
Three popular Volkswagen Beetles wait in line during a taxi regulation program in Mexico City, 28 December 2007. The Beetles will stop being used as taxi cabs in 2008 as part of a program of renovation of public transportation in the Mexico City, in spite of being one of the favorite of the drivers. The VW Beetle, called "vochito" by Mexicans, is the predominant automobile among the taxis of Mexico' s capital. Of the 104,000 taxis that circulate daily, more than 50,000 are Beetles, painted in live green and white, according to numbers of the Mexican Secretary of Transportation.
Taxi Cabs Feeling Pain At The Pump
7/4/2008
Rising gas prices are forcing drivers to find other means of transportation including busses, bikes, and carpools. What about hailing a cab?
Many area taxicab companies and drivers say they are taking a hit from the fuel costs. Most of them have raised their rates, making the falling demand for cabs even worse.
Tim Cox, the owner of Akron Canton Taxi Co., says the high fuel costs have cut into business and driven people away from taking taxis and airport taxis. This decline in business is a direct result of the rate increases the company has had to apply to cover the painful gas prices.
Tim Cox discuss gas prices effects on his company
On the other hand, Derek McClenathen, President of City Yellow Cab, says gas price hikes haven't led to rate raises which, unlike his counterparts, has caused an incline in business. McClenathan said that they have not had to increase rates in over a year and his taxi company, like busses, serves as an alternate mode of transportation.
Derek McClenathen talk about rising gas prices
Although McClenathen has managed to keep his costs down, drivers seem to be taking the biggest hit with the gas prices. Simeon Turpin is a courier driver at Imagine That Transportation LLC and says gas prices aren't the only thing affecting how much he is making. The upkeep on his car is proving to be just as expensive as the gasoline. Since the price of oil has gone up, maintenance work costs much more.
Simeon Turpin tell how gas prices are effecting drivers
The effects of the raising gas prices seem to be affecting both consumers and the taxi companies, because as gas costs go up, so does the price of transportation. Tim Cox says that most taxi companies are being left without a choice, but to raise rates. Otherwise, they would be losing money.
Rising gas prices are forcing drivers to find other means of transportation including busses, bikes, and carpools. What about hailing a cab?
Many area taxicab companies and drivers say they are taking a hit from the fuel costs. Most of them have raised their rates, making the falling demand for cabs even worse.
Tim Cox, the owner of Akron Canton Taxi Co., says the high fuel costs have cut into business and driven people away from taking taxis and airport taxis. This decline in business is a direct result of the rate increases the company has had to apply to cover the painful gas prices.
Tim Cox discuss gas prices effects on his company
On the other hand, Derek McClenathen, President of City Yellow Cab, says gas price hikes haven't led to rate raises which, unlike his counterparts, has caused an incline in business. McClenathan said that they have not had to increase rates in over a year and his taxi company, like busses, serves as an alternate mode of transportation.
Derek McClenathen talk about rising gas prices
Although McClenathen has managed to keep his costs down, drivers seem to be taking the biggest hit with the gas prices. Simeon Turpin is a courier driver at Imagine That Transportation LLC and says gas prices aren't the only thing affecting how much he is making. The upkeep on his car is proving to be just as expensive as the gasoline. Since the price of oil has gone up, maintenance work costs much more.
Simeon Turpin tell how gas prices are effecting drivers
The effects of the raising gas prices seem to be affecting both consumers and the taxi companies, because as gas costs go up, so does the price of transportation. Tim Cox says that most taxi companies are being left without a choice, but to raise rates. Otherwise, they would be losing money.
High fuel prices blamed for taxi fare increases
Western Australia
June 26, 2008
The fare increase will add about 60 cents to a 7 kilometre journey.
Taxi fares in Perth will rise by almost 4 per cent at the end of the month in response to rising fuel prices.
The Planning and Infrastructure Minister, Alannah MacTiernan, says the price of LPG, which is used by most Perth taxis, has increased significantly in the past 6 months.
The interim fare rise comes ahead of an annual price adjustment in November.
Ms MacTiernan says fares need to reflect the true cost of fuel, to attract more drivers to the industry.
"The customers will understand this," she said.
"I think the most important thing for people wanting a cab out there is to be able to get one and we need to able to make sure that we can give a decent living for people going out there and driving our cabs.
"Since the last increase was given the price of LPG, which is what most of the drivers use, has gone up over 17 per cent.
"Now as I say because fuel is about 30 per cent of the cost structure that this is an appropriate fare increase."
June 26, 2008
The fare increase will add about 60 cents to a 7 kilometre journey.
Taxi fares in Perth will rise by almost 4 per cent at the end of the month in response to rising fuel prices.
The Planning and Infrastructure Minister, Alannah MacTiernan, says the price of LPG, which is used by most Perth taxis, has increased significantly in the past 6 months.
The interim fare rise comes ahead of an annual price adjustment in November.
Ms MacTiernan says fares need to reflect the true cost of fuel, to attract more drivers to the industry.
"The customers will understand this," she said.
"I think the most important thing for people wanting a cab out there is to be able to get one and we need to able to make sure that we can give a decent living for people going out there and driving our cabs.
"Since the last increase was given the price of LPG, which is what most of the drivers use, has gone up over 17 per cent.
"Now as I say because fuel is about 30 per cent of the cost structure that this is an appropriate fare increase."
New York cab drivers seek $1 fuel surcharge
July 6, 2008
A group of New York City taxi drivers wants a $1 fuel surcharge on fares.
Members of the New York Taxi Workers Alliance say they'll meet Monday at the Manhattan headquarters of the Taxi and Limousine Commission to propose an extra $1 on their meters to offset high gas prices.
Several other U.S. cities have implemented taxi fuel surcharges. Non-regulated industries including airlines and delivery services have raised prices because of higher gas costs.
The taxi alliance says the city's 43,000 yellow-cab drivers each use about 20 gallons of gas per shift and lose more than $1,000 a month because the TLC won't help them. It says it proposed a fuel surcharge when Hurricane Katrina crippled refining capacity and pushed gas prices above $3 per gallon in 2005 but the TLC rejected the idea.
The TLC hasn't responded to requests for comment.
A group of New York City taxi drivers wants a $1 fuel surcharge on fares.
Members of the New York Taxi Workers Alliance say they'll meet Monday at the Manhattan headquarters of the Taxi and Limousine Commission to propose an extra $1 on their meters to offset high gas prices.
Several other U.S. cities have implemented taxi fuel surcharges. Non-regulated industries including airlines and delivery services have raised prices because of higher gas costs.
The taxi alliance says the city's 43,000 yellow-cab drivers each use about 20 gallons of gas per shift and lose more than $1,000 a month because the TLC won't help them. It says it proposed a fuel surcharge when Hurricane Katrina crippled refining capacity and pushed gas prices above $3 per gallon in 2005 but the TLC rejected the idea.
The TLC hasn't responded to requests for comment.
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