Unemployed Masses Become Cabbies

Like Melissa Plaut before them, it's being reported that "thousands of New York City residents laid off in the financial crisis have turned to driving taxis." One problem: now there are too many cabbies and not enough cabs. Harlem Yellow Cab says they're "sending people home every shift without a car. It's a very bad situation." City officials report 45,805 taxicab drivers, 13,000 taxis, and "the number of new hack licenses the city issued rose 19% in the past three months." The Daily News points towards one driver, who turned to the profession a few months ago after being a successful realtor and mortgage broker for 20 years. He told them he wanted to remain anonymous for the article: "not because I am ashamed, or embarrassed, but my children are. We are very well-known in our community and lived a good life for so many years." But with the economic crisis hitting just about everyone, are people even taking cabs anymore?

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By Jen Carlson in News on December 22, 2008 3:58 PM

Comments [rss]

Hackflack

Please note that passengers who wish to file complaints with the Taxi and Limousine Commission may now testify by telephone....no in-person hearing is required. If you have a complaint -- OR a compliment -- about a cab ride, it IS worth it to call 311!

NannyState

I hopped into one yesterday. The driver looked a lot like a younger Bernie Madoff. I said "take me to the seventeenth floor".

Jerky

If the cabby won't allow you to use your card, get out of the cab and yell rape or something similar,. If he tries to stop you, smash him in the face or slice his carotid artery with the razor blade hidden between your teeth. That has always worked for me.

Kojak

That's unfortunate. If I had the time and no life I'd pursue every case.

I've gotten into situations where a cabby wouldn't allow me to use my card but I didn't have enough cash to pay the fare (Or basically flat out lied). In the end they caved. Better a CC charge than not getting paid at all.

If I use a card and the Cabby is nice & doesn't give me shit about swiping, i'll throw in an extra buck. That should help with a cc fee.

SP

I've called 311 on a cabbie who refused to take a credit card right when they first instituted the card machines. It's a huge bureaucratic pain in the ass. They send you forms about three weeks later, and then you have to go to court and testify. Short of being physically assaulted by a cabbie, it's really not worth it. They make it impossible.

Mr Mel

Kojak, you've got to be kidding. Have you ever called the number on the taxi receipt? You get an answering machine, leave a message and they'll call you back. Don't wait by the phone too long.

Kojak

Huffy, if a cabby EVER denies you service to any of the 5 boroughs or beyond where they are obligated to provide you service, write down their tag and report them.

Future Taliban

Coming Soon: Unemployed Masses Become Muggers!

ed_Extinct

crazy times.

Huffy6241

Maybe now those assholes will be happy to take you to out Brooklyn & Queens...

TooTallJeff

I'm glad that guy decided to get a real job after 20 years.

moocowtoo

Its usually a big waste of money to take a cab, unless you are in a big rush (and you know the driving route there can get you there faster), OR if it's freezing or raining out. Then sometimes its OK.

NYRefugee

I remember a time in this city when people chose to drive cabs to obsess after office workers, plot assasination attempts against politicos, and save wayward midwestern prostitutes from the likes of Harvey Keitel!!!! Damn has the economy gotten so bad that people now need to do this for income? Viva Travis Bickle!!!!