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Cabbie Doesn't Want iPod, Wants Fare
By
Jen Carlson
Published Jan 21, 2009
Modified Jan 21, 2009
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By
Jen Carlson
Published Jan 21, 2009
Modified Jan 21, 2009
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Last week a story seemingly of the "friend of a friend" urban legend variety started circulating, and at the center of it was an out-of-town 20-year-old and her iPod. The woman claimed Port Authority officers forced her to give up her iPod when the cab's credit card machine malfunctioned and she was unable to pay with plastic. Now, the NY Post has picked up on the story, shedding some new light on the passenger's unfare experience...and guys, it was just a Nano!
Natalie Lenhart, of Sacramento, Calif., said the $140 music player, full of "oldies" by The Beatles and James Taylor, was valued at more than $90 more than the final cab fare, with tip, that she racked up last month. The driver, Mohammed Islam, said he still has the iPod and wants to give it back in the presence of a Taxi and Limousine Commission official. Islam said he called 911 after Lenhart swiped her credit card 20 times at Kennedy Airport, and Port Authority officers responded.
Turns out the problem was with Lenhart's credit card, not the cab's machine, and the TLC says the driver is innocent as he was forced to take the "payment" by the Port Authority officers. Islam told the paper, "I want to give it back, and I would like my fare." Meanwhile, the Port Authority has issued a statement saying that "this is against our policy if it happened as reported, and we will investigate and take appropriate action if it's found that someone didn't follow proper procedures."
Tagged
airport
cab
credit card
fare
ipod
Natalie Lenhart
port authority
Jen Carlson
Jen Carlson is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
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