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Taxi Drivers Say Hotel Doormen Shake Them Down
By
Jen Chung
Published May 13, 2010
Modified May 13, 2010
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By
Jen Chung
Published May 13, 2010
Modified May 13, 2010
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Besides trying to get the public excited about this whole cab share thing, the Taxi and Limousine Commission is investigating claims that hotel doormen are making taxi drivers give them tips for the privilege of taking hotel guests to the airport. According to the Post, some doormen ask for up to $15, "It’s a way for doormen to double their tips, as the tourist they’re hailing a cab for will also toss them some green."
One driver explains, "After they collect the tip from the guests, they wrap around the car and get a tip from the driver. It’s just wrong." Hey, we thought that's when the doorman tells the driver where to take the guest! Doormen are able to squeeze drivers, because they threaten to call livery drivers and shut taxi drivers out of the taxi lines.
Committee for Taxi Safety director David Pollack says, "This stuff goes on day in and day out at hotels all over Midtown. It’s never happened as much as it is now. Everyone’s hurting for money and no one is stopping it." One doorman admits, "It’s a dirty little trade secret. The doormen don’t want this to get out. They figure no one will listen to a cabby so they’re easy to prey on."
Tagged
bribe
hotel doormen
shake down
taxi
taxi and limousine commission
taxi driver
tlc
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
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