March 26, 2007

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  NEWS: Philly Cabs Must Take Plastic

  In January, all of the city of Philadelphia's 1,600 taxis were outfitted with credit card machines so that patrons could pay their fare with plastic. Many drivers, however, refused to let passengers use cards, complaining that the 5% credit card commission per transaction was coming out of their wallets, and that it was taking too long for them to get reimbursement on the card payments. Passengers complained, and the city's Parking Authority handed down an edict – take cards, or get cited and fined.
  
  That verdict has created an uproar, and something of a strike among individual drivers. Some came out in protest in front of news crews this week, offering to be arrested rather than stand for what they call unfair treatment. A representative of the Taxi Workers Alliance stated that the cabbies' complaints were manifold. First of all, when fares were paid on plastic, it could take weeks before the driver got that money in their hands. Second, the commission fees are high, and come out of the drivers' pockets. Third, taxi drivers are poorly paid as it is.
  
  Meanwhile, customers were finding themselves in the midst of the squabble, and not liking it one bit. More than one griped to Philly news teams that the city was advertising card payment for taxis, so they ought to do something about drivers who told them ‘cash only.' While some expressed sympathy for the cab drivers' plight, most were concerned with the disruption in their public transportation plans.
  
  The city stands by its ruling, saying that cabbies must take plastic, and that non-compliers will be cited and fined, with repeated offenders risking losing their drivers' certificates. One cabbie was arrested Tuesday for fighting with police when his cab was towed at Philadelphia Airport after he refused repeatedly to accept plastic-paying customers.
  
  
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