wnyc.org / 93.9fm / am 820

Comments

• [1] robert from park slope October 04, 2007 - 10:13AM

  Like many of the presidential candidates, your guest is "barking up the wrong tree" in asking employers to be responsible for health care. lobbying efforts should be directed for a single-payor national health care plan.

  
  
• [2] James from DUMBO October 04, 2007 - 10:15AM

  I'm sorry, this doesn't make any sense. I am an independant contractor too and have to pay for my own health insurance so why should it be different for cab drivers? And yes, good question Brian, why doesn't the "union" organize a health care plan for drivers?! I think the taxi driver union's complaints are extremely unfounded.

  
  
• [3] carolita from manhattan October 04, 2007 - 10:16AM

  Let them agree to the GPS system and the new counters, and THEN let them have health insurance. They can't have their cake and eat it too!

  
  
• [4] hjs from 11211 October 04, 2007 - 10:16AM

  raise the fares!

  i like the strikes its good for global warming!!

  
  
• [5] Marcia from 11th ave and Prospect Ave. Windsor Terrace Brooklyn October 04, 2007 - 10:16AM

  If the taxi drivers are independent contractors, how can they be forced to buy the GPS systems?

  
  
• [6] David Harrington from Columbia University October 04, 2007 - 10:19AM

  I think it is part of my duty as a citizen to help contribute to the well-being of my fellow citizens--that includes helping the people who (occasionally) help me with transportation (at the expense of long unhealthy hours to them). I am perfectly willing to pay a small increase in fares for this. However, cab companies also have a responsibility to their workers: they should contribute too. Additionally, cab companies will be making tons of money off the insidious in-cab advertising off those little GPS screens--it would only be fair to share some of that revenue with the drivers as contributions to health care and coverage of credit card swipe fees that the drivers are forced to pay. Taxis are luxuries; we don't need to squeeze them.

  
  
• [7] carolita from manhattan October 04, 2007 - 10:19AM

  And if we're going to pay extra in order for them to have health insurance, they'll have to be a LOT more polite. The amount of taxi drivers who have shouted at me or ignored me is beyond belief. A lot of them have a big problem taking directions from a woman. They need some real lessons in etiquette.

  
  
• [8] kyle October 04, 2007 - 10:21AM

  I haven't heard anyone point out that it may not just be the cab drivers that are being tracked. I'm surprised no one has pointed out that the gps devices can be used in conjunction with the credit card machines to track the riders.

  
  
• [9] eric fluger from jersey city October 04, 2007 - 10:23AM

  would the GPS system be more welcome if it included navigation assistance for the driver (perhaps coupled with on-screen warning about traffic jams, etc.).

  
  
• [10] anne from brooklyn October 04, 2007 - 10:23AM

  How about putting the money from medallion sales into public transit, for people who can't afford taxis anyway? If the medallions are selling for over a half million dollars each, that could be a great way to raise funds for public transit.

  
  
• [11] James from DUMBO October 04, 2007 - 10:24AM

  So much of what she says makes me upset. YES drivers do not have a guaranteed income but they can make MORE on a given day or LESS on another day. Would she be willing to say drivers should get paid a flat rate and ALL TIPS would go to the garage?! If so, FINE. Also, she never states a valid reason why they are so opposed to GPS. It makes no sense, why SHOULDN'T the TLC and the madallion owners know where the drivers go during their shift?!?!?! It seems to me like if I was a cab driver I would have plenty to be upset about (lack of restroom access etc.) but none of what she keeps talking about is worthy of consideration much less a strike!

  
  
• [12] simka from jackson heights October 04, 2007 - 10:26AM

  i would like to see a combined union of taxi and livery drivers. the livery driver industry is one of the most exploitative industries in the city:

  $400/week to lease a vehicle; drivers are responsible for fixing flat tires and many other repairs; cars can be revoked at any time that the garage owner wants it back (with no warning and no replacement car). if they're in an accident, they're responsible for repairs to the vehicle, even though they're paying exhorbitant rates for leasing. companies don't take state or city taxes or medicaid/social security out of workers' paychecks and take 33% of their income right off the top. This is in addition to the $400/week lease fare. no health insurance, sick pay, or vacation pay. no benefits at all. workers have to work a minimum of 12 hours/day just to meet their basic overhead.

  
  
• [13] Gail from Brooklyn October 04, 2007 - 10:28AM

  I am dissapointed -and a bit disgusted - by the self-centered responses of the listeners that have called in to the show on this topic and posted on this board. You have complaints about taxi drivers, fine. I have my share as well. But why is it so easy to let such complaints overshadow a discussion of whether taxi drivers deserve fair treatment by their employers? What does it mean that we can't step back from our own needs long enough to admit that the drivers are in a difficult position?

  
  
• [14] Lars Engstrom from Windsor Terrace, Brooklyn October 04, 2007 - 10:29AM

  Although I agree that a lot of cab drivers seem to have minimal regard to their driving, I agree with the guest that they should be provided with insurance and other benefits with medallion revenues, as long as the drivers also contribute. The best way to improve cabs in the city is to professionalize the occupation.

  Personally, I think that cabs in New York are not just a private, non-government entity. Regardless of public money not running it, it is an integral part of our infrastructure. Imagine the quality of our life if there were no cabs in New York and everyone had to use cars or crowd the transit system even more?

  Cabs need to be respected, and if they are, the drivers will respect it, too.

  By the way, other than the fact that the drivers can't use the GPS themselves, I don't see what the big deal is. What job doesn't require one's location to be known when on the clock?

  
  
• [15] RC from queens October 04, 2007 - 01:22PM

  But,

  If you are going to strike, do it at a time when you can really have an effect which would be Friday and Saturday night in Manhattan. That is when everyone takes taxis etc.. especially all the bar and club hoppers and restaurant goers..

  There are enough alternatives in the daytime.