Jul 8, 2008 9:00 am US/Eastern
NYC Taxi Drivers Demand $1 Fuel Surcharge
Bloomberg Administration Opposes Idea; Union Threatens Its Own Unspecified Opposition
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
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Big Apple taxi drivers are hit hard by rising gas prices.
CBS
New York City taxi cab drivers say soaring gas prices are threatening to drive them out of business, causing many to demand a $1 gas surcharge to be mandated.
Some drivers are saying their cooking pots are empty and their incomes are falling as gas prices continue to rise. They want a surcharge immediately, and additional increases if pump prices continue to go up.
"Why is it that taxi drivers are always treated as second-class citizens?" asked Bhairavi Desai, the Executive Director Taxi Workers Alliance. "Is it because the majority of drivers are people of color? Is it because the majority of drivers are immigrants?"
Mayor Michael Bloomberg and the TLC are opposed to the surcharge, saying the drivers have gotten two raises in the past four years.
"I don't think that at this point you need a fuel surcharge on taxis," Bloomberg said. "We need a surcharge on automobiles."
The TLC claims the average driver earned about $290 a day in June, between $13.40 and $16 an hour depending on whether they have a hybrid car.
"You get $50 for yourself, you cannot live like that," said cab driver Ibrahim Balde.
Rival taxi group, the New York State Federation of Taxi Drivers, says drivers are still doing OK because of the previous rate hikes.
But the TWA disagrees, claiming gas has risen from $1.80 a gallon in 2004 to $4.38 today, causing them to lose as much as $1,000 a month.
"Cab drivers today can't pay their bills. I have members in my family who are paying rent and driving cabs and have to owe rent," said cabbie Beresford Simmons.
Some even say a $1 hike is not enough, calling for a hike of more than $3.
Many in the riding public sympathize with the drivers, but admit they're feeling the economy's bite as well.
"We're all in a terrible crunch with the gas prices going up. I empathize with them, but I don't know that I'd want to do it," said Teaneck, N.J. resident Sheila Zaretsky.
And still some say they'd be fine with a hike.
"I guess they gotta get it, they gotta live too," said Greenwich Village resident Harry Crespi.
The TWA is asking the Bloomberg administration to reconsider its opposition and threatening its own unspecified opposition if it doesn't.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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