Democrats want to screw the cab drivers. I thought the Dems were 'for the little guy' ?!?!
Voucher proposal angers cabdrivers
By David Abel and Stephanie Vosk, Globe Staff And Globe Correspondent | June 17, 2004
Boston taxi drivers are threatening to boycott the Democratic National Convention after city officials this week told them they may have to accept vouchers in lieu of using their meters to drive delegates to and from the airport.
At the taxi pool at Logan Airport last night, irate cabdrivers said the city first told them that vouchers would be worth only $8. After meeting with city officials, drivers said the city increased the value of the vouchers to $10.
"This is absolutely crazy," said Jean Abrahm, 45, a 16-year veteran driver from Boston. "If you take one person to town, it's usually about $30, and I'm going to take one person for $10? And I have to pay the toll, too? With gas now up, this is just a rip-off."
Abrahm and other cabdrivers said last night that with all the traffic and closed roads during the convention, they worried they would lose money going to and from the airport. Instead, they said, unless the city revises its proposal, they might boycott the convention and take the week off.
Officials from the Massachusetts Port Authority said there is no final plan, but Carol Brennan, director of external affairs, said representatives from Massport, the Boston Police Department's Hackney Unit, and Boston 2004, the convention host committee, have met to discuss ways to transport the 5,000 delegates to and from Logan.
"We're trying to come up with a plan that gives [the taxi drivers] some of the business rather than move it to private contracts, which is what has historically been done," Brennan said.
She said the groups have the taxi industry's "best interest at heart."
Karen Grant, communications director for Boston 2004, said the flat rates for taxis was one of several ideas being discussed. She said the committee, which is obligated to provide transportation for the delegates to and from the airport, also is looking at using the existing airport shuttle system or hiring a private carrier.
"Right now, the goal is to figure out whatever the best method is to transport delegates from the airport to their hotels," Grant said.
Cabdrivers yesterday said city officials have offered several incentives that would make the vouchers more attractive. One incentive includes Massport waiving the $1.75 fee taxi drivers pay every time they take a fare into the city. However, drivers would still have to pay the $4.50 commercial toll, which would take a significant portion of their fare. Another incentive would allow drivers accepting vouchers to go to the front of the line at the Logan taxi pool.
"If the city won't go up to at least $45 to take three passengers, we'll go on strike," said Balwinder Gill, 37, a 10-year veteran driver from Everett. "We're just not going to take it. We're going to lose money."
Other drivers said they hope the city revises its offer at a meeting between drivers and city officials expected to be held in police headquarters at noon tomorrow.
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