taxis

Remember when Boston cab companies got fare increases because of gas prices?

adamg — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 08:55:22 -0500

The Outraged Liberal's been wondering about that:

Now that gasoline prices have plummeted, shouldn't Boston taxi fares do the same? Yeah, I know, pretty stupid. Too much tryptophan-induced delirium I guess. But at the very least, shouldn't the increased rates only apply to cabs that don't have a "Check Engine" light illuminating the dashboard? ...

Boston orders local cabs to get cleaner, safer

adamg — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 16:09:10 -0400

Boston today approved higher fares for local cabs - but at a price: In addition to allowing rates to go up (from $13.95 to $16.20 for a five-mile ride

), Mayor Tom Menino and Police Commissioner Ed Davis announced a series of new regulations aimed at making local cabs - and their drivers - cleaner and safer.

By 2015, all Boston cab drivers will have to convert their vehicles to hybrids. More immediately, a series of new measures aimed at cleaning up the soiled reputations of local cabs goes into effect Jan. 1, 2009, including:

Cabbies will be required to accept credit cards.
Cabs must be clean "at all times" - washed and vacuumed at least once a day.
Same goes for drivers, who will no longer be allowed to wear T-shirts (clean or not) or any sort of ripped apparel or apparel bearing offensive words or logos. Swimsuits, jogging suits, tank tops and gym shorts are right out.
Drivers will no longer be allowed to talk on cell phones while driving.
Owners have to install roof lights that indicate whether a cab is available or not and prominently display fare information in the passenger area.

"Today's announcement underscores our commitment to ensuring that Boston residents, members of the business community and our many tourists are provided with safe, clean and efficient taxi service," Davis, whose Hackney Carriage Unit oversees Boston cabs, said in a statement. "The implementation and strict enforcement of these improvements will significantly enhance our local taxi service and provide a more customer-friendly experience."

Menino said requiring hybrid cabs would lead to cleaner air, reduce gas costs for drivers and improve service for customers.

Boston cab driver agrees not to break law after passenger threatens to report him

adamg — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 09:03:07 -0400

Fabulously Out There had just an absolutely swell time getting home to East Boston after taking in a movie at the Loews on Tremont Street, what with the cabbie refusing to take her unless she paid for his tolls on the way back:

... So I did what my East Boston cab drivers told me to do and started looking for his cab license number.

"Where is your license number," I said.

"WHAT?"

"Your license number. Your cab number. Where is it?"

"WHY?"

"Because you are NOT supposed to charge me for the tolls and I want the number so I can call Hackney." ...

With a special sad coda.

Hell on wheels

adamg — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 16:30:02 -0400

If Boston cab-fleet owners want fare increases, they should be forced to clean up their acts, City Council President Maureen Feeney says in a letter to Police Commissioner Ed Davis, who oversees taxi fares in Boston.

The taxicab industry has been described as "sharecropping on wheels" with drivers forced to pay thousands of dollars in fees before they can earn any salary. This system penalizes both drivers and passengers. It is time for a comprehensive look at our taxi cab system in Boston. I ask you to strongly consider establishing a commission to review the taxi cab industry in Boston and recommend reforms to address the serious concerns raised both by passengers and by drivers.

My office has received several reports of illegal and out-of-town cabs operating in Boston, and of illegal kickbacks from hotel doormen to livery services. Taxi cab drivers face serious challenges and, in addition to your hearing today, I hope you will continue to work with them to address these issues. ...

Globe: Taxi drivers push for fare increases.

Earlier:
Unfare?
Boston to Brookline cabbies: Butt out.

Unfare?

adamg — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 13:16:56 -0400

Taxi drivers push for fare increase.

The Outraged Liberal sympathizes with cab drivers, but wonders if fleet owners, who charge drivers $77 a day, are making out like bandits:

Another reason she hates Boston

adamg — Sun, 06 Jan 2008 23:37:11 -0500

ChezNiki explains how she just hates how there's no way to get from Logan to anywhere else by public transit in the wee hours, like, say, when her plane gets in. She posts a copy of a text message she sent a friend about her ride home to the West End recently:

... Just gettg home now. F*ckg cabby drove through lynn, revere, medford + everett before I threatend him with callg the police + taxi comm. THEN he took me back (home) to Boston! 10 min ride took 25 mins! Hate f*ckg Boston! Im back for 10 mins and the bullsh*t already startd! ...