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New York's New Cabby Regulations Irks Drivers

A P Kamath in New York

Deepan Singh, 21, prides himself as a model driver but like hundreds of new taxi drivers he will have to wait for at least six months before he can drive a taxi in this city.

In what it described as yet another measure against reckless driving, the Taxi and Limousine Commission approved on June 24 a rule barring drivers with six-month probationary licenses issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles from applying for a cab license.

The rule -- which goes into effect on August 1 -- follows a series of TLC reforms approved over the past year that makes it easier to strip licenses of reckless and over-speeding cabbies. Several leaders of taxi driver unions, including Bhairavi Desai, have denounced many of the new regulations, saying that they stemmed from anti-immigrant and anti-working class sentiments. Most of New York's 30,000 taxi drivers are immigrants; about 40 per cent are from the Indian subcontinent.

The new rule plugs a loophole that let new drivers get taxi licenses four to five weeks after getting their driver's licenses. The DMV considers all newly licensed drivers on probation for six months.

Many would-be taxi drivers called the new measure an attack on New York's working class.

"They are hitting the working poor and lower middle class very hard," said Deepan Singh. "A taxi driver in New York is indeed a working class man, for he could make just about $100 a day, despite what people think. If he owns the car, well, he could make about $300 a day."

Rules for probationary licenses are tough -- they can be suspended for 60 days for a single speeding, tailgating or reckless driving offense or for two other moving violations.

"Why should someone on probation be driving a New York City taxicab? Our standard for professional drivers is higher. We're raising the bar," said TLC chairwoman Diane McGrath-McKechnie.

She said drivers need time to learn how to maneuver around congested city streets before becoming a cabby in New York. TLC officials said there have been instances of probationers becoming cabbies.

In the past, cabbies with numerous license suspensions have slipped through the cracks and continued to drive a cab because of mix-ups between the DMV and taxi officials. Passengers and many cabbies endorsed the six-month waiting period.

Raminder Singh, a candy store owner who occasionally takes a cab, said she was surprised some experience wasn't already required.

"In England, I believe they even insist on geographical test," he said. "I have had problems with cab drivers in New York who ask me the best way to reach the airport. Drivers certainly need solid experience before carrying passengers."

Gurbir Bajwa, who has worked as a cabby on and off for over a decade, said good regulations will help not only passengers but also fellow taxi drivers.

"Sometimes when I see a reckless driver, I wonder if I am in Dhaka or Bombay," he says with a sigh. "Many of us have to be more courteous, more presentable... But if you say these things openly, you are called a racist by your own people."

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