Chatty Cabbies

We knew it! The NY Sun reports that many cab drivers chat on party lines with other taxi drivers during the shifts. What do hacks discuss on party lines? Traffic, have group prayers, try to help out other drivers who may need help. Party lines are also most popular with South Asians and Russians, in their native languages.

And while the TLC bans any cellphone usage (even hands-free) by cabbies, transportation consultant Bruce Schaller says, "If talking on the cell phone increases job satisfaction, then drivers may stay in the business longer, and experienced drivers are better drivers. Even though passengers, including myself, find it annoying, there might be some benefits."

What do you think of taxi drivers talking on the phone?

Detail of a photo by Swaneeswan

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Jen Chung in News on January 11, 2007 5:20 PM

Comments [rss]

rere

Two things:

1. This is a service industry. It is inappropriate to gab on a phone while there are passengers in the car

2. It is also totally illegal:

From: Http://www.nyc.gov/html/tlc/ht...

• What is the law for cell phone usage and taxicab drivers?

From Driver Rule 2-25h (in PDF):

According to the Taxi and Limousine Commission rules, drivers are not allowed to use cellular phones or any communication device, hands free or otherwise, while operating a cab.

rere

Two things:

1. This is a service industry. It is inappropriate to gab on a phone while there are passengers in the car

2. It is also totally illegal:

From: http://www.nyc.gov/html/tlc/html/passenger/faq_pass.shtml#8

• What is the law for cell phone usage and taxicab drivers?

From Driver Rule 2-25h (in PDF):

According to the Taxi and Limousine Commission rules, drivers are not allowed to use cellular phones or any communication device, hands free or otherwise, while operating a cab.

jk

for the first commentor, only out-of-towners think cabbies are taking them the slow traffic-laden route. youre probably one of those that try to waive down every cab you see, whether its off duty or already has a passenger in it and you end up complaining about it.

go back to seattle or wherever youre from.

Jessie

anonymASS:

Hahaha, okay I got it.

No hard feelings now okay? I promise to never drop the ASS again!

anonymass

Anonymous - I'm sorry, you are correct. Driving in traffic is not taxing at all. I truly stand corrected.

Why have you quoted the word "interesting"? Did you mean to say "ridiculous" "silly" or something else that safely allows you to call me a sappy stupid cab driver supporter?

First of all, the moniker is "anonymass." No worries though.

I didn't say that driving a long shift isn't taxing. It could be taxing on, say, your vertebrae. I would, however, contend that anyone finding driving in traffic "mentally taxing," should limit their own career choices to mopping things up, putting purchases into bags for shoppers, things of that nature.

So yes, "ridiculous" and "silly" are good (while mild) adjectives. I might use "asinine" if I were inclined to be more abrasive.

Jessie

Samantha T: I am not going to try and deny the fact that what you and DC are saying is correct. Everyone is entitled to a safe and clean taxi ride. But talking on a cell phone while using a hands-free head set is still legal in NYC, and until the cab companies create stricter regulations it is up to the individual rider to say something to their driver.

As for checking your email, eating sloppy lasagna lunches, or other such activities that require visual attention (other then watching the road)- well that is just crazy - and one should either buckle up tight or get out of the car ASAP!

toby

I think you should be able to tell the cabbie if you do or don't want him on the phone. You are paying for a service.

As a taxi rider, you have the right to:

<ul>

<li>Direct the destination and route used;

</li><li>Travel to any destination in the five boroughs of the City of New York;

</li><li>A courteous, English-speaking driver who knows the streets in Manhattan and the way to major destinations in other boroughs;

</li><li>A driver who knows and obeys all traffic laws;

</li><li>Air-conditioning on demand;

</li><li>A radio-free (silent) trip;

</li><li>Smoke and incense-free air;

</li><li>A clean passenger seat area;

</li><li>A clean trunk

</li><li>A driver who uses the horn only when necessary to warn of danger; and

</li><li>Refuse to tip, if the above are not complied with.

</li></ul>

I've seen "A driver who is not using his cellphone" on the newer bill of rights but this one is posted at: old rider's bill of rights

If you want, you can file a complaint there too. But you'll need your receipt.

dan

Studies have shown talking on a cell phone while driving to be just as dangerous as drunk driving, hands free or not. I'm amazed that so many people find cell phone talking okay, putting their own safety and lives in danger. Would they care if their driver was drunk?

Samantha T

"DC - Do you need some help removing the large stick from your uptight ass? You are a total Snooty McSnoods if you ask me."

Why, because he actually gives a shit about his safety and comfort when he's paying somebody to get him from point A to point B? I can't frigging stand when cabbies are on the phone the entire time. How many places have banned cell phone use in cars because there's a demonstrated link between cell phone usage and lack of attention to the road? I understand the job's boring, but there's a lot at stake when somebody's in your vehicle.

Krazy Komments

"I always feel like their planning the next terrorist attack....."

Hey, "null," your (sic) funny!

Jessie

Anonymous - I'm sorry, you are correct. Driving in traffic is not taxing at all. I truly stand corrected.

Why have you quoted the word "interesting"? Did you mean to say "ridiculous" "silly" or something else that safely allows you to call me a sappy stupid cab driver supporter?

anonymass

I'm not saying I'd want to drive a cab, but of all things, I wouldn't characterize it as "mentally exhausting."

Some of you people have "interesting" perspectives.

Jessie

DC - Do you need some help removing the large stick from your uptight ass? You are a total Snooty McSnoods if you ask me.

If you want immaculate service, call a limousine company or professional car service. We are talking about NYC cab drivers - who probably have one of the toughest and most mentally exhausting professions in the city (have you ever tried to drive from point A to point B in rush hour? - try it all day and night 7 days a week). Give the drivers a break.

If a driver is talking on the phone and they get robbed inside the cab, at least they have a chance of getting some help. I've also had drivers ask friends for directions or advice on routes and traffic buildups. But if it bothers you so much, just politely let them know that you don't feel comfortable with them talking on the phone and I am sure they won't mind putting their phone away.

j

ugh, i was in a cab once with a kid & he kept rambling on and asking me dumb kid stuff and i noticed a constant hand motion and the cabbie kept looking at the kid and chuckling and then he'd look down at every light...finally i realized what he was doing and just slunk down in my seat and pretended not to notice he was jerking off to my kid's jokes. totally made the kid get the change.

null

I always feel like their planning the next terrorist attack.....

cynical

It's a moot point, as there has never been a cabbie who didn't talk on the phone ever since the invention of cellphones.

ricky

I'm all for talking if they share traffic tips - when I use cabs I'm looking to get from point A to point B as fast as possible. As long as accidents aren't up and they're occasionally making my trips faster, more power to 'em.

I once had a cabbie call a friend of his who was on the BQE when I was debating Midtown tunnel v. Williamsburg Bridge (traffic on the BQE was horrendous), saved me 30 minutes I sorely needed.

jt

I'm not sure how safe it is, but there's something sweet about the group prayers and helping each other out part of that.

dude

Wake me up when cabbies start adding eating pussy tp their multi-tasking.

carla

I think most people view taxi drivers' chatting on the phone as a lesser evil than having to carry on a conversation with them. When I first moved to NYC in the late '80s I used to dread taking a cab home at night because it invariably involved having to recount my life history to the inquisitive cabbie (who often wanted a date!). Now I just worry about them plowing into the back of other cars while obliviously chatting away, or not hearing my instructions because they were busy yakking.

VideoDame

It only bothers me in the sense that I say my destination about three times more often if they are talking--I'm paranoid about being misunderstood more than anything.

VideoDame

DC

What is the point of the list of passenger rights in every cab when almost no cab driver heeds any of them? Is there any process of training or enforcement? I don't know who all these people are who don't care if their drivers chat on the phone but hope none of them (or anyone else) ends up in an accident as a result of the distraction, as I have on 2 occasions. Drivers should be subject to fines for talking on the phone while driving. It's not just an annoyance (though it surely is that); it is a hazard that I don't contract for when I agree to pay whatever the acccelerated rate is for a driver who acts as if he is doing me a favor by picking me up in the course of conducting his busy life: talking, eating, pausing to talk with other drivers, listening to the radio etc. I know lots of people who feel the same way and none of us is anything close to being an 'uptight UWS lad[y]'.

bklynd

Personally I don't mind the talking on the phone because it relieves you of any pressure to chat with them, and you can talk to your companions without feeling like someone is listening to every word.

daniel

I'd say let them chat away, check email and watch movies all they want - cab driving is serious multi-tasking business anyway.

It seems that the only people who whine about cabbies on the phone are uptight UWS ladies who write letters to the Times about this "problem."

anonymous

Nothing, of course, beats the cabbie I had who wasn't on the phone as he drove--HE WAS CHECKING HIS EMAIL.

Not checking his email on a smartphone, mind you. The guy had a full-blown mac laptop in the front seat, on a little holder that was somehow connected to the dash, and that he could swivel the mac around in so he could look at it from the driver's seat, or someone could look at it from the front passenger's seat. He had the thing turned towards him and was literally typing at stoplights.

Craziest thing I ever saw. He said he watched movies on it at the airport.

ed_Extinct

I can tell you this...

there's nothing i hate more than watching my cab driver tail a slow moving car while all the other traffic barrels past our car... they use slow moving vehicles as a kind of cruise control while they're on their phones...

janelle

as long as they're paying attention to driving, i really don't mind. i'd rather they talk amongst themselves than try to talk to me. nothing against cabbies, i'm just not a fan of small talk.

Point

Mark, cabbies make more money when they go fast. It is not in their financial interest to go slow. Maybe they are just trying to mess with you?

Em

Hey I talk on my phone in the cab-as long as it is at a reasonable volume I don't mind. I would rather them be pn the phone then trying to strike up a chat with me I suppose.

Misplaced Modifier

What's a "hands-free, transportation consultant"? Is he disabled? Can he consult without using his hands?

Mark

I'm probably be being paranoid, but I've always suspected that cabbies keep in touch to purposely drive into traffic in order to slow the ride down and jack up the meter. How many times have you ever been in a cab when the drive turns onto a side street only find that you're trapped behind a line of cars not moving because of construction or some other delay?