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Here we are - day two of the taxi strike by a group of taxi drivers upset with the changes that the Taxi and Limousine Commission has enacted. The New York Taxi Workers Alliance, which organized the strike, claimed that 90% of all drivers were on strike yesterday, but Mayor Bloomberg contradicted that claim, saying the strike had a "limited impact, if at all." To combat the strike, the city has added buses and changed the fare structure as an incentive to keep drivers from striking. Bloomberg said that 75% of fleet-owned cabs were on the streets (versus 93% last Wednesday), but that doesn't include owner-operated cabs (fleets comprise only 30-40% of cabs). A taxi industry group reported that 72% of the city's 3,200 cabs were on the road.
The city's taxi strike contingency plan allows for cabs to charge a flat-fare, zone-based pricing, and allowed drivers to pick up several passengers at a time. The temporary rates - rides starting at $10 for travel within one zone and $5 for each subsequent zone, $20 and $30 trips from Manhattan to LGA and JFK respectively - have the drivers that are working raking in the dough. The Post talked to several drivers who made more money than they typically make. "I support the strikers but I already paid for my car," said Fred Amoaf who made $400 yesterday (he usually makes $100/day). Another driver said, "Tuesday, I worked for 12 hours and I only made $200 all day. Today, I started at 5 a.m. and I have $270 already. By 5 p.m., I will make at least $350 - all because of the strike."
There are mixed reports of how the taxi strike affected riders. One rider told the Daily News that he was having a hard time finding a cab outside Penn Station, while another said "What strike?" after finding a cab in midtown after "five seconds". Other riders were put off by the price increases and the inconveniences of sharing indirect rides.
The Taxi Workers Alliance, which claims to represent 1/5th of the 44,000 licensed drivers, called for the strike to protest rules that require GPS technology, equipment to accept credit cards and interactive video screens to be installed as taxis come up for inspection after October 1st. The group says that most drivers are opposed to the new systems, which may track a driver's activities, are allowing credit cards is slow and cuts into driver profits. The changes were included with the 2004 fare increase that was previously approved by the TLC.
Photograph of people waiting outside Madison Square Garden for a taxi by Mark Lennihan/AP
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I like the scab who supports the strike, but crosses the picket line.
I tried taking a cab last night, and the cabbie just made up a fare amount that was nearly double the correct fare. Sometimes you just have to sub it loaded.
this op-ed piece in the times changed my mind about the whole gps thing.
Taxi drivers rank slightly behind pigeons and rats on my list of detestable things in New York City ... and yet I can't help but feel that they're probably getting screwed by these changes and are right to strike, even though it will be ineffectual.
The end result, of course, will be increased fares for us. Fortunately, I barely ever use taxis. Public transportation is better, faster, and cheaper.
I agree with the op-ed piece, except for one rather dishonest statement she makes about most cabs already having credit card slides. They dont. And of the few ones I've been in that did have credit card readers, not one of them worked. I suspected the cabbies has sabotaged them in order to prevent their use.
The credit card readers are the only worthwhile functionality of these devices, and these are the only things really necessary. A GPS tracking device could be installed in the cabs without the need for a touch-screen computer that is really just there to pump advertising noise at you.
This really is scam being foisted upon the cabbies by hardware vendors and marketing trolls. I wonder who in the city's administration is being paid off to impose this. I feel for the drivers. What they really should do is form a union. A tough thing to do in these days of über-capitalist and anti-worker's rights political climate.
I caught an ad for Fox 5 News the night before the strike, and, just like Fox 5 News, they were like, "Possible taxi strike tomorrow -- how will you deal with it?" Um, take the subway to work? Walk? Take a bus? Ride a bike? Who cares! So what, the taxis are striking, big deal. Who takes a taxi to work anyway? Taxis are a luxury, not a necessity.
There was an interesting report on WPIX-TV Channel 11 (of all places) last night that pointed out that taxi drivers are much like waiters (who are also paid mostly in cash) in that they tend to under-report their gross income.
The drivers are worried that the new credit card devices and GPS devices when combined will serve as an electronic "paper trail" of their daily income.
At the same time, the bidders for the GPS devices themselves all have ties to fleet owners and the TLC, so each side has a little secret.
I say ditch the meters and go for this flat-rate plan for normal use. Maybe just limit the number of extra pickups that can be made if you're a solo fare, to save some time -- one extra, perhaps.
Personally, I think the special fares are a great value as long as you're not making very short trips. Going through at least one zone makes it worthwhile, and the $20/$30 airport fare (including tolls?!?!) is superb.
Regarding the Times Op-Ed that zodak mentioned, as well as other tidbits that have made the press from the TWA; why did they agree to the GPS deal months ago if they knew it was bad?
this is more of bloomberg's corporate dealings,
anyone remember the Snapple plan?
The taxi drivers are scum.
It's been said befor and I will say it AGAIN.
The GPS systems were part of the deal that they made that got them not one, but TWO FARE INCREASES.
Suck it up assholes, or roll back the fares.
Taxi Drivers=Shitheads.
[9] is right. They AGREED to the GPS systems as a trade-off for fare increases. They're just trying to back out of that agreement now. See if they're willing to roll back the fares. Didn't think so.
yeah, we linked to that op-ed piece in a previous post.
I don't trust a thing coming out of a corrupt agency such as the TLC.
Why don't the wall streeters and fashionistas just take the subway like everyone else? Unless you have a kid, a disabiliity, a huge package, or are going to the airport, taxi are a luxery.
Whatever. I take the subway. Two bucks wherever I want to go. Can't beat it. No traffic, and I don't have to deal with a cabbie who doesn't know where I'm going or how to get there as well as I do and insists on taking a longer, more traffic-clogged route.
taxis are a luxury and this zoned per person plan is ridiculous.
I'm glad my mom has access-a-ride for her md appointments. and, a car for those treks out to peter lugers. a car is a luxury, too.
I have seen a demonstration of one of the video screen things and it is basically designed for putting ads in your face. There really is no need for it and strongly suspect that there was some back room deal behind it. And how much you want to bet these things will wind up getting vandalized?
GPS navigation is a good thing, but this isn't it.
Accepting credit and debit cards is a good thing for the riders, unlike this kludge of yet another ad delivery system.
Good riddance, cabbies!
Screw the cabbies - I could care less. However, I'd like to get to know that little hottie in the middle there a little more...
What they really should do is form a union. A tough thing to do in these days of über-capitalist and anti-worker's rights political climate.
Enough with the union rhetoric. Cabbies could unionize in a heartbeat. And with the Democrats in Congress pushing a bill that takes away secret balloting union leaders could strong arm a vote in no time. The cabbies aren't up against Wal-Mart which thwarts union organizers by closing entire stores and firing every employee. If cab drivers are getting screwed by anyone it's the medallion system which makes it almost impossible for new entrants to the market. That's not terribly uber-capitalist. Sounds rather monopolistic but the government allows it.