NYC cab drivers lobby for right to use cellphones on duty
About this time last year, the cab drivers of New York City were taking a stand against GPS installations. This year, they've taken to the streets of downtown Manhattan in order to rally for the right to use cellphones while on duty. For those unaware, NYC cabbies are currently disallowed from using hands-free apparatuses while on the clock, and those in the profession are arguing that having one would enable them to feel safer and more connected to the outside world. Unfortunately, the New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission doesn't seem ready to budge, as it reportedly replied to the lobbying by stating that "cellphone abuse has resulted in many instances of drivers leaving their passengers feeling improperly served and downright unsafe." What's a cab driver got to do to get his / her Snake on, huh?[Via textually]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
cyclescott @ Mar 21st 2008 7:31AM
Wow - in Northern VA, I've been in cabs where the cabbie was on his cell phone the whole trip. That's normal around here though (laws be damned).
utterer @ Mar 21st 2008 10:34AM
Almost every taxi I am in in NY has a driver on the phone. They usually have the headsets that are still wired to the phone mumbling in there quietly. It sounds like their whole conversations consist of yes and no. I doubt this is going to stop even though on the Passengers Bill of Rights on the taxi it clearly says the driver won't talk on the phone even with a hands free device.
Michael S @ Mar 21st 2008 10:49AM
About half of the time the cabs I've ridden in here in Seattle have had cabbies that were on the phone for almost the entire ride. The one thing they will stop chatting on the phone for is to collect the fare at the end. That is one thing they never forget.
Gib @ Mar 21st 2008 11:57AM
Who cares if they are on the phone. As long as they get me to my destination in a reasonable amount of time without us both ending up in a fireball of death, I see no problem.
Kunikos @ Mar 21st 2008 11:48PM
I care. I don't really feel like listening to 1.5 hours of Hindi before I get to my destination, all the while white-knuckling the seat while the driver weaves in and out of traffic lanes one-handed and half-distracted.
what? @ Mar 23rd 2008 5:42PM
@Kunikos
finally..someone who understands that brown people don't speak "Indian"..
Anthony @ Mar 21st 2008 6:32PM
Better a cell phone that the CB of yore (or not so yore as I was in one just last week where he was talking into some sort of walkie-talkie type thing getting directions- very loudly).
Juice @ Mar 21st 2008 7:04PM
Poor mans GPS...
Joe B @ Mar 22nd 2008 10:21AM
I'm not allowed to sit at my desk making personal calls all day while I work. The clerks at the grocery store aren't allowed to use their cell phones while they scan my groceries or stock the shelves. Why do cabbies feel they should be allowed to jabber while performing their duties?
Besides, most of the people I know usually enjoy small talk with cabbies. And generally give them bigger tips after a pleasant conversation en route to their destination.
Gib @ Mar 25th 2008 5:43PM
But then if that the case, its the cabbie's loss if he doesn't chat you up. For me, i pay extra to not be talked to in those situations. Not everyone is going to please a 100% of the time but i figure if they gotta sit a car for hours on end and drive, they should be allowed to chat on the phone. And its their choice whether it is to their finacial detriment or not.