Has this happened to you? [1] Taxi cab with its off-duty light on pulls up [2] driver asks’ “where are you going?”
Right there a rule has been broken. While the off-duty light is used during taxi changeover, a year-long PIX11 investigation found drivers are using it as a common practice to ‘pick’ their rides, which is not allowed under the city’s rules. The vast majority of city taxi cabs belong to fleets for which shift-change generally takes place between 4pm to 5pm and again between 4am to 5am. During which time a driver is permitted to ask “are you going my way?” The difference is subtle but important – if a driver states which way he or she is headed for the cab’s handover, it maintains an appearance of propriety.
The off-duty “where you going?” question, far from the shift-change hour and used in mass, is considered “cherry-picking” within the taxi industry, and is illegal. But in recent years, the practice has become blatantly common on nights when demand is high – often on weekends in nightlife intensive neighborhoods including the Lower East Side, East Village, SoHo, West Village, and the Meatpacking District.
During the course of the PIX11 investigation, drivers admitted to using the off-duty lights to avoid taking passengers to outer boroughs even though TLC drivers are required by law to take passengers anywhere within the 5 boroughs. Even passengers going to Manhattan were denied by drivers who did not want to make multiple stops or go across town. Drivers told PIX11 crosstown trips often take longer and since the meter runs more slowly at red lights or in traffic, they refuse the passenger under the guise of being “off-duty.”
Part II of our series “Hack Job” features an inside look at a TLC crackdown and an interview with TLC Commissioner David Yassky who attempts to hail a cab to Brooklyn, where he actually lives.
Read more: http://pix11.com/2013/02/18/hack-job-part-i-the-games-taxi-drivers-play
I think this is good. Cab driver should not refuse any one. I drive yellow cab. I never ask any one where they going blank or white. Make good money. Happy every cab driver should follow rule.
This is mostly Bullshit.
So many errors. We no longer have the right of refusal at all from ’4pm to 5pm.’ They eliminated the off duty light entirely. What are you supposed to do at the end of the day shift now, pray you don’t get an airport? Quit early and lose a bunch of money after working 10 hours? I guess I can see why the TLC eliminated the light if this abuse is as rampant as they say, but it needs to be reinstated immediately..Tie it in to the computer system and permit it’s use only during 3pm-5pm or so.
Jim,
There should be no restrictions for going off duty. You’re driving a car. If you don’t feel up to par you have every right to take a brake at any time. Not having an “Off Duty” light is cruel and unusual punishment. Those who have created this situation will soon be out of office. We need to elect someone who understands our needs!
that lady on tv who was going to flatbush williasmberg.i picked her up from 14 st and 7 ave and took her to flatbush near williasmberg
she lives closed to broadway ,she was drunk but just made her self drunk and slept in my cab for 45 minute till i called the police and refused to pay me saying that i took her to a wrong destination.
Drivers are businessmen in a way. Some want to go to Brooklyn, others to airport, somebody must return cab to garage. Is it too hard to keep all parties happy? Not at all. Apps for drivers convinience. Three buttons(or more) JFK, Brkln, Queens .
Group rides might work.
Go to Lagaurdia airport and JFK airport to catch crook Dispatcher And crook driver who pay every ride 10 to Dispatcher there is lots of Drivers who Never Stay in Taxi Lot they have a big connection , Today i pick up Custumer from terminal 7 there is 100 people waiitng for cab and dispatcher never call for any cab because he is waiting for his crook friends,
so better to make video on this go in lagaurdia central terminal they take 5 dollar for shorty ticket this is such a bullshit and they all devide money i saw dispatcher name called Louis he take 5 dollar and people like me and other innocent driver have to wait in line 2 hours where is TLC ?
therfore i stopped going to airport, unless a psgnr brings me there…..
Certain restrictions to apps use might bring the doomed idea to live.
1)Apps can only be used between the hours of 4p.m. and 7 p. m.
2)The only destinations allowed are from Manhattan to outer boroughs.
3)the extra money, in form of tipping ,passengers are willing to pay to compensate for driver’s losses.