CABBIES PLAY FAIR?
'Persistent' drivers keep disregarding taxi rules

Thursday, January 29, 2009
By TOM SHORTELL
JOURNAL STAFF WRITER

Just months after the City Council passed stricter taxicab regulations, Jersey City residents and officials are still reporting problems with drivers at Journal Square.

In August, the council passed a law prohibiting cabbies from loading their taxis with multiple passengers heading to different destinations.

Nearly five months later, some cabbies are still packing riders in and violating policies, said Paul Barna, director of the city's Division of Commerce.

"What we're dealing with is a few chronic and persistent drivers," Barna said.

The most common complaints are that drivers load in several passengers, refuse to turn on their meters, and turn away passengers who only want to go a few blocks, Barna said.

Since the city began a crackdown on taxi violations last year, more than 400 summonses have been issued, Barna said. Drivers found guilty face a fine of at least $100. Repeated violations result in higher fines and potentially suspensions and dismissals.

For John Lynch, 48, the disciplinary actions can't come down fast enough. He's had so many problems with the cab drivers out of Journal Square that he's ready for action.

"I am going to work on a boycott. This is the only thing these guys are going to understand - taking money out of their pocket," Lynch said.

Lynch, who lives on Jefferson Avenue, said the drivers often fail to give senior citizens the discount rates they're entitled to and in one case he's aware of assaulted a passenger.

Barna confirmed the driver of Journal Square taxicab No. 1 is being investigated regarding an incident that took place around New Year's Day, but declined to release further information.

"Some of us are really bad. Those bad drivers get a lot of tickets, a lot of summons," said Sarwad Wadid, a Jersey City cab driver for nine years. "There should be some serious consequences."

Taxicab complaints can be reported to the city's Division of Commerce at (201) 547-5139.