City Enforces Taxi Regulations—Three Drivers Suspended Thus Far

Stepping into a taxi at the stand by the PATH station in downtown Hoboken can be a complicated affair. How many people is the driver taking? What's the fare? Who will be dropped off first?

Now, the city wants to enforce rules and regulations and has instituted a "three strikes, you're out" policy, for all cab drivers. 

Officially the first passenger has to grant the driver permission to accept another fare during the same ride. This practice started as a measure if there were too many passengers for cars available. Even though that's barely the case anymore, Chapparro said, it's still allowed so that cab drivers can pick up more fares in less time. 

Hoboken has a flat $5 rate, anywhere in town. Chapparro said the she's working with the Department of Transportation and Parking to develop a rate book for places outside of Hoboken. Right now, the price is negotiated by the cab driver.

Annette Chapparro, from the city's Division of Taxi and Limousine Licensing, is in charge of the complaints and said she receives a lot of e-mails and phone calls. Most e-mails, she said, are people who simply want to rant and air their complaints. But when it comes to taking action against the cab driver, they're usually wary. In order to process a complaint, Chapparro said, she needs the cab number in order to track down the driver. 

So far this year, Chapparro said, she received 61 e-mail complaints. In 2009, the department received 130 e-mail complaints, she said.  

One passenger who recently filed a complaint, was Councilman David Mello. In a press release, City Spokesman Juan Melli said that Mello saw a woman who did not want to share a cab with other fares. The cab driver still tried to pick up other passengers, the release stated, until Mello said something. Mello then reported the cab number to Chaparro. The driver, who had been working in Hoboken for 7 years according to Chapparro, was suspended for three days. 

After three suspensions, a driver is terminated and no longer allowed to work in Hoboken, Chapparro said. 

Two other drivers will be suspended, because of similar complaints. 

Chapparro said she wants to change the attitude people have, that complaining won't change anything. 

"Going forward, this is going to be a hot topic," Chapparro said. Even without formal complaints, she said, "drivers are calling to explain themselves."