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NYC Taxi Drivers Plan To Protest Monday

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Jul 7, 2008 3:04 pm US/Eastern

NYC Taxi Drivers Plan To Protest Monday

Complain About Pain At The Pump, Want $1 Gas Surcharge Added To Fares

Reporting
Jay Dow

NEW YORK (CBS) ―

Click to enlarge 1 of 1: Big Apple taxi drivers are hit hard by rising gas prices.
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Taxi drivers in the Big Apple planned to protest outside the Taxi and Limousine Commission's headquarters Monday. They said they're in the red thanks to rising gas prices, and they want a one dollar gas surcharge added to their fares to offset their losses.

"Why do I need it? Because I'm bleeding and hemorrhaging money filling my tank with $85 every day. It'll soon be $100 going up a day just to fill the tank. That's 19 gallons. If I gotta pay $100 a day to fill the tank then I'm paying almost the same amount that I pay for a shift," said taxi driver Pat Burke.

The drivers plan to take their proposal to the Taxi and Limousine Commission Monday.

Even drivers of fuel efficient, hybrid taxis are pushing for a surcharge. "The weather is hot. The minute I put the AC on, on low, that's for me and the passenger. The minute I put the AC on, I'm saving nothing! You wanna talk about profits? We're talking about money taken out of my pocket," an unidentified driver said.

AAA said travel over the holiday weekend was down about 1.3 percent thanks to regular self serve gas that's clocking in at an average of $4.11 a gallon.

Taxi customers said they're not prepared to pick up the taxi industry's financial slack. "Forget about the surcharge! Can't handle it! I'll walk. That's it. I'll just keep walking," said Chuck Seeley, Princeton resident.

"I understand where they're coming from. But the fuel charges, it doesn't make it easier for us to get to where we have to go," said Manhattan resident Rashida Cheatham.

"Gas prices are killing them? How about us? They have to make a living too, but a dollar? I think it's a bit much. They could have went for 50 cents," said Bronx resident Johnny Gibson.

The New York Taxi Workers Alliance said its drivers use about 20 gallons per shift, and are currently losing about $1,000 a month. The plea comes as no surprise.

The Commission, however is standing firm, saying "Under no circumstances is the TLC considering a gas surcharge."

The Commission granted taxi drivers two fare increases since 2004.

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