New York City cabbies who refuse to take passengers to the airport or other faraway destinations are about to face increased penalties for their dereliction.
The New York Post reports that incidents of refusal of service, which rank among the most egregious nonviolent offenses a driver can commit, have risen dramatically, prompting the Taxi and Limousine Commission to crack down. The paper reports that from 2009 to 2010, the number of incidences of service refusal jumped from 1,963 to 2,341, a 38 percent increase.
Currently, the penalty for refusing to pick up a passenger ranges from $200 to $350 for a first offense, and $350 to $500 plus a possible 30-day license suspension for a second offense. The new fines would be $500 for a first offense, and $750 and a 30-day suspension for a second offense within 24 months.
Penalties for a third strike will remain the same: a mandatory revocation of the driver’s license for a third offense with a 36-month period.
By way of explaining the stringent new rulings, David Yassky, TLC Commissioner and Chair is quoted as saying:
A core component of taxi service is that the passenger chooses where to go in the five boroughs. Unfortunately, it is getting to be like the bad old days when taxis wouldn’t go to Brooklyn.
In the drivers' defense, it should be noted that New York City covers 330 square miles. Driving a passenger to the southermost point in Brooklyn, where fares are few and between, can be a costly proposition in lost time and wages. A second factor is driver safety. Being required to drive a passenger to a remote location, especially after dark, could cost a driver his life.
Before the new rulings go into effect, the City Council will need to vote on the fine schedule.
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Comments
Finally! I was late to a funeral because it took me 45 minutes once to find a cab to take me to queens. 8 cabs stopped with their doors locked and asked me where I was going. I am a good tipper, now I would rather walk if at all possible.
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