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Livery Drivers In The Meatpacking District: God Won't Save You
By
Christopher Robbins
Published Jul 25, 2011
Modified Jul 25, 2011
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By
Christopher Robbins
Published Jul 25, 2011
Modified Jul 25, 2011
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In a heartless campaign of terror, the Taxi and Limousine Commission initiated a livery cab crackdown in the humble Meatpacking District this weekend, handing out 96 summonses for drivers that illegally and "dangerously" scooped up people just trying to get off their six-inch stilettos for a few minutes. According to the Post, one livery driver was ticketed twice, and makes the good point that if you're not breaking the Ten Commandments, there's no crime: "I'm a Christian. I don't know why the TLC is persecuting me!" Exactly. What Would Jesus Do? He'd take you anywhere you need to go (except Brooklyn).
That particular aggrieved, Christlike driver was hit with $850 and could lose his license if he's popped again in the next 36 months. Mayor Bloomberg's plan to issue 30,000 more taxi permits to livery drivers, who would have to install meters and GPS machines but would be able to pick up fares from outer boroughs (except at airports), passed along with the Marriage Equality Act, but is still awaiting Governor Cuomo's signature. In his weekly radio address on Friday, Bloomberg said of the bill, "The Legislature still has one thing to do so it hasn't been sent to the governor yet, but I believe the governor will sign it." But a spokesman for the governor was less optimistic, telling the Daily News, "The governor will make a final determination upon receiving the bill from the Legislature."
Although the bill won't help livery drivers seeking those lucrative Meatpacking fares, it will allow them to pick up customers north of East 96th Street and West 110th Street in Manhattan. As the mayor says: "This would, for the first time, give 80% of the people in the city access to taxi service. How could anybody be against this?" Maybe all those other yellow cars?
Tagged
bloomberg
cabbies
crime
livery cabs
livery drivers
meatpacking district
tlc
Christopher Robbins
Christopher Robbins is a New York City reporter covering transportation, affordable housing, local politics, and criminal justice. His work has also appeared in New York Magazine, The Village Voice and The New York Times. Chris is a graduate of Patrick Henry High School in Roanoke, Virginia, and enjoys biking to Fort Tilden in the summertime.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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