Gothamist: Taxi Ray Has Taxi Seized

miatta

Mon, 16 Jun 2008 14:33:43 -0500

Our beloved "crabby cabbie" Taxi Ray passed away on Saturday evening - he will be deeply missed by his friends and neighbors in Hell's Kitchen. Heaven-O - our Dear Friend!

hollyt

Tue, 08 Apr 2008 11:18:35 -0500

I am surprised by the turn of events regarding Taxi Ray. I cannot imagine that his taxi rides harms the Taxi industry in NYC. He seems to be an icon and should be appreciated in any capacity. He is retired and has a great hobby. I find it amazing that anyone is going forward with "trying to get him off the streets." I feel so much safer now!!

Murray Hillster

Thu, 26 Jul 2007 16:49:17 -0500

@11 While you state that "nor is it part of some conspiracy", I think you've provided more than enough evidence support to the idea that there is in fact a conspiracy to go after Kottner. Whether or not the passenger was in on it is somewhat moot if, as you say, the TLC just makes shit up about what the person actually saw. I guess that's easier than trying to get a plant in Kottner's cab.

guest

Mon, 23 Jul 2007 11:57:40 -0500

I'm shocked at some of you... An 80-year old man who offers New Yorkers a free ride and some good conversation, and then [allegedly] asks for a tip? Sounds like a New York experience to me! You prefer a disgruntled guy who has been driving for 16 hours, making probably $10/hour? They are usually more interested in talking on their cell phone headsets than they are in your destination, let alone pointing out interesting landmarks. I have a friend who has gotten a ride from Mr. Kottner, and it sounds like an adventure. I hope the TLC doesn't ruin this for New Yorkers, and that some day Mr. Kottner will pick me up.

guest

Mon, 23 Jul 2007 01:03:30 -0500

The TLC sucks, plain and simple, and is the biggest robber of taxi drivers.

guest

Sun, 22 Jul 2007 02:57:57 -0500

As a person who witnessed a portion of this story and who tipped the media, I would like to clarify a few things. The allegation that the lady passenger gave Mr. Kottner $10 is neither a product of a sting operation by the TLC nor is it part of some conspiracy, nor is it true because it is alleged. The fact is that the CLAIM by the TLC inspectors that the lady passenger stated that she was asked for the money by Kottner is nothing more than an unsupported allegation by an agency that has every incentive to lie. Kottner does not contest that the lady gave him $10. He did not, however, ask for it, extort it, hand her fare sheets, or anything else. The inspectors make these allegations because they can get away with it. There was recently a documentary exhibited at the Tribeca Film Festival about Mr. Kottner and his charitable taxi service. Mr. Kottner provides free late night rides to various late night workers who otherwise could not afford a nightly taxi trip home. His story has been told in the news media from New York to California. Many tourists who come to NY and spot his taxi will ask for rides. His vintage checker is not just a ride for the poor, it is also an attraction for wealthier New Yorkers and tourists. A Manhattan child psychologist who happened by on the street as Channel 9 interviewed Mr. Kottner volunteered to the media that Mr. Kottner had given her a ride home late one night and never asked for any money. She openly handed him a $100 bill to help him to pay for his car which this City is holding hostage. Mr. Kottner is not Bill Gates. Like most charitable enterprises, he needs contributions from those who can afford to do so. There is no reason why those who choose on their own to ride in his vintage checker should not, if they can afford it, contribute to the free rides of those less fortunate. Mr. Kottner does not claim his car is a licensed NYC taxi. Anyone who chooses to ride his car does so no less voluntarily than one chooses to accept a ride from a friend or neighbor. If your buddy picks you up everyday and drives you to work, and you give him money to pay for gas and share the tolls, does that make your friend an illegal taxi, someone who is "stealing" from legitimate cab drivers, or someone who needs taxi insurance, a medallion, and a taxi registration? The answer is obviously "No." The TLC has no more jurisdiction over Mr. Kottner than over your neighbor who drives to work. The only thing differentiating Mr. Kottner is that he enjoys driving a vehicle that looks like a vintage NYC taxi. No one is likely to mistake it for a real taxi. Most people who approach it in the streets having never seen it before inquire as whether it is being used in a movie. For the Taxi Owners union to claim that Mr. Kottner is stealing from cab drivers by giving people free rides and tourists or couples on dates a tour of the City is akin to Walmart's claiming that the Salavation Army is stealing from Walmart's legitimate clothing business. The claim is patently absurd, and rife with self-interest. When did the Taxi Owner's Union ever do anything to help the public? The TLC operates like those small town judges and police officers in the South whose living comes from the fines they hand out to motorists from elsewhere. It is bad enough that the City would seek to charge $185 for a three block tow. In this case they admit they are asking Mr. Kottner for $185 which will go to the TLC inspector who drove the car a few blocks from 24th and 8th to the pound on 17th Street and 12th. Taxi Inspectors take home about $15 per hour after deductions. If a $185 "commision" for having driven a car to the pound is not an incentive for them to falsely claim that a passenger said they were asked for money, then I don't know what is. Typically, the inspectors will not have the name, the address, or any information about the passenger they claim made the statement to them, nor will the TLC require them to have it. The TLC will claim that such anonymous hearsay is "admissable" at TLC hearings and collect the fines that keeps the political hacks collecting their salaries at the Commission. The last time this happened to Mr. kottner, he knew the passenger because she was a regular free rider. He brought her to the hearing as witness. Typically, the TLC inspectors claimed they were told Mr. Kottner asked for a fare. Of course, they did not know the name of the passenger, or address. The did give a description. Mr. Kottner's witness fit the description. She testified under oath that she was the passenger. She stated that when she was questioned in the street by the inspectors,she did not state she gave Mr. Kottner money. She testified under oath that she gave him no money. The TLC was not to be denied. The inspectors were asked to testify again about the statements of the witness. They were, of course, unlikely to admit they lied under oath. Instead, they made the incredible claim that although the witness fit the description they gave, that she was not the person who was the passenger. The TLC hearing officer decided that some fictitious person with no address and no name was more credible than the lady sitting in front of them testifying under oath and subjecting herself to cross-examination. The TLC decided in facor of its inspectors (big surprise) and fined Mr. Kottner $1200. One-third of that fine was for not having a TLC license despite the fact that Mr. Kottner had a TLC taxi driver's license which he produced at the start of the hearing. The news media present noticed the conviction and questioned it to the TLC media spokesperson, Fromberg. Mr. Fromberg then went into the hearing room, had a private discussion with the hearing officer, and the charge was changed to dismissed. Such is justice and the nature of independent hearing hearing officers at the TLC. Suffice it to say that the TLC makes the NYC Parking Violations Bureau look like a pinnacle of justice.

guest

Sun, 22 Jul 2007 00:31:28 -0500

anyone here get one of his "free" rides? what's the real deal mcNeil? what's the story mr. Kottner? Looks like he already makes good money renting out that advertising space. so, why the extortion Mr. Kottner? another nice guy turned bad, my mother told me to be wary of nice guys. at least, with bad guys, you already know their history.

guest

Sat, 21 Jul 2007 23:01:33 -0500

Leave the Old man alone ! He's what [80]yrs. old and was trying to occupy his time by interacting with people . It's not like there was a fair chance that this one guy was going to rival the TLC so what's the point in harassing him ? It's just petty and stupid he's an entrepreneur . Posted by; "Still Not Amused"

Ace

Sat, 21 Jul 2007 20:48:00 -0500

Guest 7: I haven't read that book. What book is it from?

guest

Sat, 21 Jul 2007 16:21:18 -0500

ace: ever read a book? murray, toby: you're totally right, it was a setup! down with the man! viva che!

Toby von Meistersinger

Sat, 21 Jul 2007 16:02:37 -0500

There is something that seems very unkosher about the whole thing. If it wasn't the TLC behind it, then it was probably someone who wants to get him off the road.

guest

Sat, 21 Jul 2007 15:19:06 -0500

@Murray: I love people like you, where the baseless, convenient conspiracy theory is the "obvious" answer and everyone else is dumb for looking at, um, facts.

Murray Hillster

Sat, 21 Jul 2007 15:04:48 -0500

"The passenger who gave Kottner $10 told TLC investigators that he asked for it." Obviously, there's no love lost between the TLC and Mr. Kottner. And I'm sure there's no chance that the person claiming Kottner asked for the money has any relation to the TLC. I'm also quite sure that after being on the TLC's radar for so long, Kottner remained completely unaware of the fact that if he asked for money, he'd be busted. I'm also in the market for a bridge. Preferably one going to Brooklyn.

guest

Sat, 21 Jul 2007 14:49:21 -0500

wait, he extorted passengers for this $10 "tip"? did he also have the old sheet of paper showing how much the "fare" would be if the passengers took a real TLC cab? for shame, mr. kottner.

guest

Sat, 21 Jul 2007 14:43:42 -0500

the old pretending to do charity work but really stealing from society. Just like the Ford Foundation.

Ace

Sat, 21 Jul 2007 14:22:39 -0500

he offers an irascible personality and doesn't suffer fools gladly. What?