Apr 1, 2009 9:09 pm US/Eastern
Cab Drivers Complain About Having To Take Plastic
BOSTON (WBZ) ―
As the deadline approaches for getting all Boston cabs installed with self-swipe credit card machines in the rear seats, some taxi drivers say they aren't happy about it.
The technology is a requirement with the City of Boston's mandate, that by late June 2009, all taxis must provide rear-seat credit card acceptance capability.
While customers say they love the convenience of being able to pay with their credit cards, some cab drivers say they don't want the systems because they are concerned their tips will suffer.
Some drivers told WBZ's Jonathan Elias they simply prefer to be paid in cash while others say they are concerned some customers won't be as generous when tipping via credit card.
Others explained there is a 6 percent fee that will go to the credit card companies with each transaction. This is because the system is paid for by the credit cards not the cab companies, Elias learned.
New York City cabs have already implemented the rear-seat, self-swipe credit card payment system as well as multi-channel, interactive media screens.
In addition to the credit card system, Boston taxicabs aim to be fully hybrid by 2015.
The plan, put into action by Boston police Commissioner Ed Davis and Mayor Thomas Menino, requires cab owners to replace their taxis with hybrid vehicles, which is expected to reduce carbon emissions from the taxi fleet by 50 percent and will save taxi drivers an estimated $1,000 a month in fuel costs.
Drivers will also have to adjust to new rules, including not being allowed to use cell phones while driving and being required to be professionally dressed, neat and clean in appearance.
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