Taxi driver shenanigans are certainly no new phenomena, but that won't stop some intrepid reporters from heading undercover to expose the secret world of cabbie trickery. And what they discovered is that many taxi drivers are ignoring their required E-Z pass tags at tolls and bridges to instead use cash lanes that cost riders more.
More Taxi Scams Uncovered
Elephant Walk Returns Monday, March 22nd
The circus is coming to town, and with it comes the elephants. The annual Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Elephant Walk is this coming Monday, March 22nd, from 11:30 p.m. to 2 a.m. The elephants, and some of their human coworkers, will walk through the Queens Midtown Tunnel to Madison Square Garden. What to expect: six Asian elephants, eight ponies, three stilt walkers, a watusi, and animal trainers. And of course: protesters.
Off-Duty Cop Arrested For DWI After Crashing Into Toll Plaza
Yesterday, the AP reported that an off-duty cop was arrested for DWI in Queens—and now there are details. According to charges, the Post reports that veteran detective James O'Connell "was busted...for drunken driving after he smashed into a tollbooth at the Midtown Tunnel in Queens...[He] was allegedly driving home from a holiday party when he smacked into the lane’s gate arm at the toll plaza around 2 a.m."
Queens-Midtown Toll Dispute Ends in Toll Taker's Firing
It's one tall toll tale: The Post has a pretty crazy story about a toll worker who ended up pulling his "MTA Bridges and Tunnels-issued Glock 9mm pistol on a driver who handed him a wad of crumpled cash."
Video of the Day: The Elephants Arrive
Around midnight, the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus came into Manhattan with its traditional procession of elephants, other animals and performers through the Queens Midtown Tunnel towards Madison Square Garden. Kelly Loudenberg was on the scene and captured comments from the circus as well as protesters. She also writes:
City Council Member Rosie Mendez has introduced legislation to ban wild animal acts. The legislation would prohibit the display of wild or exotic animals for public entertainment or amusement. Recently, the Bronx Zoo decided that they would be closing their elephant exhibit after the death of one or two of its three aging elephants. John Philips, executive director for The League of Humane Voters says, "Not even the Bronx Zoo can provide for elephants' needs, why should we expect that Madison Square Garden can?"more ›
Elephant Walk 2007 is Next Tuesday, March 27
Time At Tunnel: Approx 12:20 AM (Wednesday morning)
So That's Where Toll Money Goes
A man working a toll booth at the Queens Midtown Tunnel was taking his own special toll according to Queens DA. Robert Applegate of Woodside was charged with grand larceny for stealing $2,077.21 in toll money while on the job (tolls are $4.50 for cars). How was he found out? MTA compared the number of cars that went through his toll booth with what he collected! Applegate was fired yesterday and MTA told amNew York that he was a temporary worker. Naturally, the Queens DA accused him of "highway robbery."
Elephant Walk 2006 is Tonight
We've received a flurry of emails about this in the past few days, so we want to confirm that TONIGHT is the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey elephants will enter Manhattan from Queens, to spend a few weeks at Madison Square Garden. And, not to leave the equine sector out, there are horses as well. The walk will begin at the north tube of the Queens Midtown Tunnel (36th Street & 2nd Avenue) and will proceed along 34th Street to Madison Square Garden. The walk starts at 11:55PM, and then the animals are expected at the Midtown Tunnel at about 12:20AM. So, bundle up if you do go.

