Cabbie Wanted $120 From Puking Passenger

Getting sick in cabs, there's really no protocol on how to handle the situation, and in the past it's even led to physical assault. The latest tale of cab sickness has made it to the NY Post, where they report a 6-year-old boy got sick in the back seat of a cab, which he was riding in with his mom Shamie Cuthbert near Lincoln Center on Saturday night.

The two were headed home to Washington Heights when the boy became ill, and Cuthbert told the paper, "I leaned over into the front of the cab and said [to the driver], 'As soon as we get home, my husband will come down with cleaning products, and I will clean everything up.'" Fair enough, no? The cabbie—Nahidul Islam—wasn't satisfied with that deal, however, and allegedly shouted, "This isn't right! You need to give me $120, or I can't use my cab! I am going to lose a lot of money today!" (According to the TLC, passengers are encouraged to compensate the driver for lost time but "there is no provision in our rules for such a fee.")

Islam called 911, but the police told him they could not force Cuthbert to pay him $120—the amount he said he would need to pay a crew of expert "Mexican cleaners" in Queens to remove the vomit smell from his car. He says he also lost $200 in fares that night after potential passengers didn't want to ride in the allegedly malodorous car.

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

By Jen Carlson in News on October 25, 2010 9:46 AM

Comments [rss]

Eric

Why not have puke bags attached to the back of the front seats, like on a plane? Also I feel like passengers puking is sort of a hazard of the job. It shouldn't be expected, but it shouldn't be the end of the world when it happens.

Cannibal

I agree. I think a great percentage of the cabs I take are because I think I might puke.

gooeyblob

Sounds pretty close to reasonable to me, even if you could clean the car completely it's going to take you some time and you're costing him fares.

Potty Boy

I'm really sympathetic with the cabbies. They get hammered by the TLC, by customers, by people in general. They get no respect from any side.

Lao one

Should be like in Dublin where it is clearly posted in cabs "soiling charge 100 euro"

Rocknrope

Let's hope the cabbie doesn't become a rollercoaster operator:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tJNDDTny9gg

soxinthecity

Even Mexicans can't get the smell of puke out of a car, especially if it's on/into a door or the seats. Anyone that got into his cab, would have to run out right away, or puke themselves, no matter how many car washes he went to.

Of course, he could have picked up all those poor, stranded folks from Brooklyn looking to get home, they would have been desperate enough to tolerate the smell.

Kreo

You know what is really bad? Fill a syringe with raw egg contents, then inject the fabric car seat with it. The seat will have to be replaced. That is if the car driver finds the source of the stench.

soxinthecity

I know someone that left a bunch of eggs in a drop ceiling when he moved, after having a hard time with the landlord.

Your idea is great for people that are being given a hard time by a cabbie that doesn't want to go to Brooklyn. You wont take me to Brooklyn? Ok, just take me about 10 blocks so I can ruin your cab.

Dirk

There are lots of big 24 hour car washes in Washington Heights & Inwood (I can think of three right off the bat). That cab driver should have stopped by one of those, and he could have been on the road again in less than half an hour.

Spirit of 76

I have an idea. For the cab of the future that the TLC is looking for, require a steel grating floor instead of a solid floor. Puke would go right through. Oh, and put those clear vinyl slipcovers over the seats.

Personally, I never take cabs because I can't stand the smell (not to mention the incredible expense). Not of the cabbies, just that mix of exhaust fumes, vinyl upholstery, pine air freshener and other odors.

Aleksey

"the incredible expense"

$2.50 ? GTFO

ckl

The initial charges are more than $2.50. And they charge you even more when you move!

Cannibal

Oh i never go in cabs to go places. I just like the smell. They charge $2.50 just to stick your head in the window and inhale.

Spirit of 76

You must either not live in the city or only take taxis for ridiculously short rides.

Nyctini11

Man, with a moniker like yours, where's the compassion? You're the shameful one here.

Rocknrope

Well, did they clean it up or not? She should have handed him a bottle of Febreze and called it even.

jaycjay

According to the article, yes they did. And used Fabreze. The driver said it still smelled, and needed to be cleaned by professionals who specialize in cleaning vomit in cabs.