Jan 25, 2007 11:42 pm US/Eastern
I-Team Finds Boston Cab Drivers Breaking The Rules
Undercover Cameras Catch Cabbies Refusing Short Trip Fares
by Kathy Curran
BOSTON (WBZ) ―
An undercover investigation by the WBZ-TV I-Team put Boston cabbies to the test. If you're having a tough time getting a cab at South Station you're not alone. The I-Team's Kathy Curran found some drivers are breaking the rules, refusing to take customers where they want to go.
"Cab drivers are there to provide a service," said Mark Cohen, the director of licensing for the Boston Police Department's Hackney Division
Some Hub cabbies are serious about service, but our investigation found, at times, catching a cab in Boston depends on who is behind the wheel and how often customers come to the curb.
The I-Team hit the street at South Station looking for a ride. When it's slow people hop in and drivers hit the gas. "Probably the best way to travel around the city," one commuter said.
However, when the crowd picks up some drivers pick and choose - going fishing for a fare. "They flat out refuse because it's too short a fare," a commuter told us.
"It's awful whenever I travel from Boston to New York and come back in the evening I can't get a ride back to South Boston," another traveler said.
The I-Team's Kathy Curran went undercover at South Station. She put a Boston Cab driver to the test. Our undercover cameras were rolling when Curran asked the driver to take her to South Boston. He wouldn't. Watch the video to the right of your screen which captured the exchange.
If you are heading to Southie, the Seaport or any short distance from South Station some cabbies won't take you where you want to go. One driver told Curran to walk to the new Convention Center. Our cameras caught another driver who wouldn't take a woman from the train station to State Street.
"If you want to go two blocks, that's where you can go," Mark Cohen told the I-Team. He is the director of licensing for cabs in the city.
"You must provide that service," Cohen said. "There are people out there who depend on it. People who travel late at night, live in isolated areas need this service."
Hackney officials say, bottom line, cabbies are here to provide a service. The only reason they can refuse a fare is if they fear for their lives.
"We're not really interested in excuses they may give," said Cohen. "Unless there's a situation that involves personal safety, drivers must take fares at all times."
The I-Team found not every person behind the wheel of a cab follows the Boston Hackney rules of the road.
Cabbie Felix Fuks says he has seen people stranded by fellow drivers. "I see a lot of people who don't, because you spend an hour and a half in the cab stand somebody gets in for a $3 ride. It can be upsetting."
"We take this seriously," said Cohen. "If you have a problem with a taxi, conduct or refusal call us and we'll take appropriate action."
So it comes down to this. Unless there's an issue with personal safety, cab drivers can't refuse a fare. If a cabbie won't take you where you need to go you should make note of the cab company and more importantly the cab's medallion number and report the problem to the Hackney Division of the Boston Police Department at (617)343-4475.
Three strikes and the cab driver's hackney license can be pulled.
Have a tip for the I-Team? Email them your story idea.
(© MMVII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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