Cab Driver Woes: “gypsy” and private hire cabs

New York city is known for its yellow cabs. These cars dominate tourist areas and all of downtown Manhattan because it is legal for them to pick up passengers in the street. These cabs can be hailed conveniently at any street corner. For this photo essay I chose the ongoing issue of the lack of earnings in the cab driving occupation, specifically by “gypsy” and private hire cabs. “Gypsy” or unlicensed cabs are limited to places where the police will not likely lurk such as small neighborhoods , shopping centers or grocery stores as they have no permit to pick up passengers at all.

For hire cabs cannot pick passengers up off the street and are required to only take calls from a dispatcher. Many people will not call a cab company or simply do not know the number. Their cars are required to meet numerous requirements such as having automobiles from a particular year, which is updated every couple of years by the Taxi and Limousine commission. Many cab drivers are forced to rent a car or share the expenses with another driver. Because cab driving is among the most dangerous jobs in New York City in recent years after numerous of attacks and murders of cab drivers, the installation of cameras or partitions is now required to prevent these attacks.

There are fewer permits given out each year because of the regulations that are now applied to cab driving.

Drivers are also the most directly affected by higher gas prices and increased tolls. For hire cabs must also pay the dispatcher as well as the expense of radio receivers, the antenna to receive transmissions, and parking because these items are frequently stolen if the car is found unattended. In short, there are numerous causes for the lack of earning ranging from regulatory expenses to cost of living expenses that affect us all.