Authorities crack down on limo drivers soliciting fares

There is something else that needs to be addressed. Insurance !!!!!!! Insurance companies charge a considerable more for taxicab insurance versus that for limo/sedan service/livery or ever those clowns decide to call themselves. Typically $1000 more per year for the same amount of coverage. This increase in premiums for taxis is because they are more active than limos/sedan services/livery. They are not supposed to be used as a taxicab like they often are. Prowling the streets looking for hails, flags, or other rides that are not prearranged. If you take limo or livery insurance out on your vehicle, then turn around and use it as a taxi by taking hails, isn't that insurance fraud!! I bet the insurance industry, as much as I hate them, would like to have that $1000 dollares per year, per car. How many of the a-holes are their out there cheating the system? THOUSANDS!!! I guess that would be in the millions and millions of dollars. Think about that one for a minute.

There should be a cab outside everyones house!!!!!!! Even if they don't make any money... dammit.

They should be allowed to solicite; try catching a cab after 3 p.m. downtown; they are all hanging out at the hotels; or try in the mornings; what we need in this city are more cabs!!!!!!!!!!!

Why is that limousine companies, bus companies & trucking companies must all submit their drivers to random drug testing per the state of California PUC and some cities also require it.How come cab companies do not have to submit there drivers to drug test?????

When you step into a limo that has solicited you from the sidewalk (breaking the same law as a hooker), you are likely entrusting your life to someone who has been on the job for a day or more. Talk about an unregulated business! I quit my job at Associated Limousines in SF after my second 24-hour shift. Hallucinating due to sleep deprivation is not an ideal state when you're driving folks around. I later found out that the owner of the limo I drove didn't insure his drivers. As for drug dealers at SFO: Sure, pal, are YOU high?

One of my most memorable experiences in the city was getting a ride from one of the "rogue" limo drivers. After waiting for at least 45 minutes in line at a popular taxi pickup location, my group gladly negotiated a limo ride to our destination. Our driver was charming, engaging, and I would certainly do it again! -thanks for getting us to the parade on time :) Having such restrictive entitlement licenses creates unnecessary queues and degrade customer service.

Think about safety; I have a better chance of being hit by a taxi driver than winning a good Lotto prize. Taxicab drivers are the ONLY form of public transportation not subject to drug testing! The day that they start testing for drugs will be the day that this city has safer streets. The taxicab industry should be cleaning up their own act in this regard. All the drivers know that they can buy any drug they want in the holding lots at the San Francisco Airport. But don't blame the drivers, who are at the bottom of this upside down pyramid, just trying to make a living. The service companies should start providing workers comp for the taxi drivers so that they are not a burden on the public health care system. The "dead" medallion holders that are still driving taxi's should be turned back into the city. It is only the political fear that the BofSupervisors have of the taxicab drivers influence that will perpetuate this corrupt system for a long time. Only in San Francisco!!!