February 17, 2006

3 percent of cabbies caught refusing service in sting

(This item might best read while listening to Lenny Kravitz's "Mr. Cab Driver.")

In 3,500 undercover test last year, only 3 percent of New York City cab drivers rejected passengers based on skin color, disability or destination, a far cry from the 10 percent rate a decade ago, according to a report in the Daily News.

Punishment ranges from fines to license revocation.

The city's Taxi and Limousine Commission aggressively stepped up enforcement in 2000 after black actor Danny Glover complained about being unable to get a cab in Manhattan.

City taxi rules state that "(i)t is against the law to refuse a person based on race, disability, or a destination in New York City. A taxicab driver is required to drive a passenger to any destination in the five boroughs."

Here are two more relevant bits from the city's official FAQ on taxi use:

Are drivers required to know how to get to any destination in New York City?

Drivers are required to know the streets of Manhattan as well as major destinations in the other boroughs. Additionally, all New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission licensed taxi drivers must have a map available to them when on duty. If they do not, they are in violation of TLC rules and regulations. In addition, as per TLC rules, they are required to know the "lay of the land", that is, have extensive knowledge of the NYC area. Taxi drivers are not permitted to refuse service, because they do not know how to reach a destination. They must consult their 5-borough map to identify the best route to any destination within the 5 boroughs.

Is there any circumstance when a driver can refuse to take a passenger to Westchester or Nassau Counties or to Newark Airport?

If the driver has been operating the taxicab for more than eight (8) hours of any continuous twenty-four (24) hour period, then he may refuse to take a passenger to these destinations.

February 17, 2006 08:01 AM in Transportology

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