A few months ago I wrote about 3 cab drivers that took a guy from the train station in Detroit to Washington, DC and when they got there he had no money, well this is got that beat.
A driver picked up a man in Tokyo who wanted to go to Fukuoka 1,100 km or just under 550 miles away, but wait it gets better.
The next day when the meter got to 359,230 yen (about $3625.00) the driver stopped for gas and at this point he got suspicious and called the cops, it took him this long to get suspicious?
When the cops caught up to them they found out the fare had only 500 yen (about $5) which the driver gave him to buy snacks (are you laughing yet).
Enjoy the story its from Japan Today.com
TOKYO —
A man who took a taxi from Tokyo to Fukuoka was arrested Monday for failure to pay the fare which totaled 359,230 yen, police said Tuesday.
According to police, the suspect, identified as Takeshi Utsunomiya, 49, got into the taxi near Shinagawa station in Tokyo and asked the driver to take him to his hometown, Kagoshima, on Saturday March 28. The driver told police he was dubious, but decided to set off on the 1,100-km drive to Kagoshima anyway.
On the following day, when the taxi stopped at a gas station, the driver got suspicious and called the police to report the incident. Police caught up with the taxi driver and his passenger at Dazaifu in Fukuoka Prefecture, and took Utsunomiya in for questioning.
At the time of his arrest, Utsunomiya, who is unemployed, had a bag, two broken cell phones and roughly 500 yen in his possession. The driver told police the 500 yen in loose change was his because he had loaned Utsunomiya some money to buy snacks along the way.
While on the road, Utsunomiya borrowed the driver’s cell phone and asked his relatives to pay the fare. Although all of his relatives said no, he pretended that he could manage to borrow the money from one of his relatives once they got to Kagoshima, police said.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Monday, March 30, 2009
PGA TOUR
It would have been better if the media told the whole story. Yes Woods had a good round. But Sean just had a bad round. It the that the King!!! did that well. Why does the media think this guy can walk on water.
The above is as letter I sent to PTI ib ESPN. I am wonder if they or any of you out their would care to comment on the Arn old Palmer turny.
I remember when he first became a pro. Made 30 million before he picked up a driver for the first shot. Just my opion folks. Be careful there.
The above is as letter I sent to PTI ib ESPN. I am wonder if they or any of you out their would care to comment on the Arn old Palmer turny.
I remember when he first became a pro. Made 30 million before he picked up a driver for the first shot. Just my opion folks. Be careful there.
Saturday, March 28, 2009
A prince among men
I have been told it takes all kinds to make the world go around, but try not to laugh or cry too hard when reading about this jerk, this guy takes the cake!
This story is from the Salem News.
SALEM — They say there's no such thing as a free lunch or a free ride, but a Salem man managed to find both — at least for a while — police say.
Louis Siriani III, 39, of 201 Lafayette St. was arraigned yesterday on larceny charges stemming from an incident that started late Monday night, when he called to order a pizza from Mandee's on Essex Street.
The shop was about to close when Siriani told the delivery driver that he had forgotten his cash and needed a ride to get some, prosecutor Caleb Weiner said.
The driver agreed to give Siriani a ride to his "grandmother's" house. When they pulled up, Siriani suddenly asked if he happened to have change for the $100 bill his grandmother would be giving him. The driver pulled out a total of $90 and Siriani grabbed it and the pizza, telling the driver he'd be right back.
When Siriani didn't come back, the driver and his manager called police.
Turns out, the police were familiar with Siriani, Salem Detective William Jennings said yesterday.
He'd been pulling a similar scam on cab drivers for months and was also a suspect in a similar theft from a Chinese restaurant, Jennings said.
In May 2007, police got a call from a Boston cabbie who had been stiffed out of a $50 fare. Siriani was not charged after he agreed to make restitution.
A few months later, he did the same thing to a Salem cab driver who said Siriani asked to be driven to his "grandmother's house" on Highland Avenue to get cash for the fare, then disappeared inside. A charge of evading a fare was dismissed after he agreed to pay $50 restitution.
In December 2008, another Boston cab driver was stiffed twice by Siriani, who first couldn't pay his fare and exchanged cell phone numbers with the driver, then called him back and said he could get the money if the cabbie would take him to his grandmother's on Highland Avenue. Once there, he disappeared inside.
And in January, a Salem cab driver learned a hard lesson when he picked up Siriani for a ride to Revere and was asked to stop on the way at his grandmother's to get money. This time, he asked if the cabbie could break a $100 bill he was going to get.
Jennings said he's concerned that there may be other victims out there who are too embarrassed to come forward.
When police went to his apartment yesterday morning to arrest him, Siriani called 911, wanting to make sure the men pounding on the door were really police officers.
As for his grandma? Well, police spoke to the current resident of the Highland Avenue apartment, and there's no generous elderly woman doling out $100 bills there — just a new tenant who thinks Siriani must still have a key to the building.
Siriani's lawyer, Heidi Shore, called it a case of mistaken identity.
Salem District Court Judge Richard Mori set Siriani's bail at $1,000 cash but also revoked his bail in the January case — meaning Siriani will be getting a few more free meals and free rides courtesy of the Sheriff's Department.
He's due back in court on April 23.
This story is from the Salem News.
SALEM — They say there's no such thing as a free lunch or a free ride, but a Salem man managed to find both — at least for a while — police say.
Louis Siriani III, 39, of 201 Lafayette St. was arraigned yesterday on larceny charges stemming from an incident that started late Monday night, when he called to order a pizza from Mandee's on Essex Street.
The shop was about to close when Siriani told the delivery driver that he had forgotten his cash and needed a ride to get some, prosecutor Caleb Weiner said.
The driver agreed to give Siriani a ride to his "grandmother's" house. When they pulled up, Siriani suddenly asked if he happened to have change for the $100 bill his grandmother would be giving him. The driver pulled out a total of $90 and Siriani grabbed it and the pizza, telling the driver he'd be right back.
When Siriani didn't come back, the driver and his manager called police.
Turns out, the police were familiar with Siriani, Salem Detective William Jennings said yesterday.
He'd been pulling a similar scam on cab drivers for months and was also a suspect in a similar theft from a Chinese restaurant, Jennings said.
In May 2007, police got a call from a Boston cabbie who had been stiffed out of a $50 fare. Siriani was not charged after he agreed to make restitution.
A few months later, he did the same thing to a Salem cab driver who said Siriani asked to be driven to his "grandmother's house" on Highland Avenue to get cash for the fare, then disappeared inside. A charge of evading a fare was dismissed after he agreed to pay $50 restitution.
In December 2008, another Boston cab driver was stiffed twice by Siriani, who first couldn't pay his fare and exchanged cell phone numbers with the driver, then called him back and said he could get the money if the cabbie would take him to his grandmother's on Highland Avenue. Once there, he disappeared inside.
And in January, a Salem cab driver learned a hard lesson when he picked up Siriani for a ride to Revere and was asked to stop on the way at his grandmother's to get money. This time, he asked if the cabbie could break a $100 bill he was going to get.
Jennings said he's concerned that there may be other victims out there who are too embarrassed to come forward.
When police went to his apartment yesterday morning to arrest him, Siriani called 911, wanting to make sure the men pounding on the door were really police officers.
As for his grandma? Well, police spoke to the current resident of the Highland Avenue apartment, and there's no generous elderly woman doling out $100 bills there — just a new tenant who thinks Siriani must still have a key to the building.
Siriani's lawyer, Heidi Shore, called it a case of mistaken identity.
Salem District Court Judge Richard Mori set Siriani's bail at $1,000 cash but also revoked his bail in the January case — meaning Siriani will be getting a few more free meals and free rides courtesy of the Sheriff's Department.
He's due back in court on April 23.
Friday, March 27, 2009
Study: Taxi-Driver Income a Pittance
I just read a story from WBEZ Chicago Public Radio's website about a study that found that Chicago cab drivers earn only 1/3 of what experts thought they did.
Yeah what a big surprise that is, add to that drivers are working more hours to make less money, yes we have a bad situation here.
Lets pile some more on the cabby's, the number of cab robberies and beatings I read about from Google News while looking for something to write about in the blog is astounding.
Its like open season on cab drivers,and if we do something wrong even when we are off duty and makes the paper the person is listed as a cab driver, after posting a story on this months ago I e-mailed the newspaper, but never got a reply, big surprise.
Yeah what a big surprise that is, add to that drivers are working more hours to make less money, yes we have a bad situation here.
Lets pile some more on the cabby's, the number of cab robberies and beatings I read about from Google News while looking for something to write about in the blog is astounding.
Its like open season on cab drivers,and if we do something wrong even when we are off duty and makes the paper the person is listed as a cab driver, after posting a story on this months ago I e-mailed the newspaper, but never got a reply, big surprise.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
The dumbing of America
We hear about it all the time, school kids who can't find a given state on a map or someone who can't add 2 numbers without a calculator.
Here is another example of the dumbing of America, I went into my local Radio Shack to buy a cable for my computer.
While waiting my turn I got a bit annoyed with the chatter from the talking GPS device, while the clerk was ringing up my cable I asked if the chatter drove him nuts and he said he got used to it.
I then said what happend to reading maps, he then told me he had one and loved it, at that point the line at the top of this story came to mind, "the dumbing of America'.
This story is from AOL News
The phrase "You have reached your final destination" almost took on a whole new meaning for one British driver on Sunday when the soothing robot voice of his car's GPS became a siren's call luring him toward his doom.
The trusting motorist followed the device's instructions as it led him off the road and on to a narrow public footpath. Heading down the steep, rocky trail, he continued blindly obeying commands until the point when the front of his vehicle ran up against a thin wire fence, inches from a 100-foot drop. (story continues below)
"It kept insisting the path was a road, even as it was getting narrower and steeper, so I just trusted it," delivery driver Robert Jones reportedly explained after the incident.
Onlookers in the West Yorkshire village of Todmorden gathered to watch as police used a quad bike to haul Jones's BMW away from the cliff's edge and back up to the road. The 43-year-old, who now faces charges of careless driving, described the incident as a "nightmare."
Yeah give me a good map anyday.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Salt Lake City has a different idea
Salt Lake City wants to lower the number of taxi's not raise them, why can't Tampa and other city's see the light.
I read between 5 and 10 newspaper stories per day from city's around the world about city's that want to increase the number of taxi's.
The reason is they are under pressure from from the riding public who think more taxi's = better service, which is wrong because no matter how many cab's there are some area's just will not get good service.
From the Salt Lake Tribune
On Tuesday night, residents can comment on a proposal that would put contracts out to bid for taxi service and cut the number of cabs in Salt Lake City by 25 percent to help prop up drivers' incomes.
In addition, a formula would determine fare rates, rather than the City Council. Drivers would be required to accept debit and credit cards. And the city would drop special permits for taxi service, instead awarding two to four companies contracts.
If the city adopts the proposal, the administration will seek to cut the number of cabs from 268 to 210, according to a report issued to the council.
"People needing to go someplace at night, say to the hospital or from a bar, will suffer if the number of taxicabs is cut," said Don Barron, director with Yellow Cab Drivers Association, which has operated in Salt Lake City since 1932.
Currently, the city has given 145 permits to Yellow Cab, 78 permits to Ute Cab and 45to City Cab. If the number of cabs is reduced to 210, the number of permits would be at the same level as 1999.
The taxi industry contends it must compete with transportation companies operating some 464 limousines, vans and SUVs in the city. The report to the council indicated that courtesy vehicles offered by hotels, resorts and other businesses now outnumber the amount of cab trips by more than 2-to-1.
Other forms of transportation, including a planned light-rail line to Salt Lake City International
Airport, could slice into taxi incomes even more. Many drivers said they worked 14 to 16 hours a day while earning less than the minimum wage when all their hours of waiting time were taken into consideration, according to a Ground Transportation Study for the city.
Drivers also have complained that illegal cab operators are taking the most profitable routes. Illegal cabs are charging $25 to $30 for each trip from the airport to downtown while regulated cab drivers charge $17 for the same trip. Drivers estimated the number of illegal cabs at 186 to 195. But the city's research analyst Russell Weeks disputed the figure, saying most were licensed ground-transportation businesses.
In August, the council approved a fare increase, the fourth taxi-rate boost since 2005. Currently the per-mile rate for cabs is $2.20, up from $2 per mile.
I read between 5 and 10 newspaper stories per day from city's around the world about city's that want to increase the number of taxi's.
The reason is they are under pressure from from the riding public who think more taxi's = better service, which is wrong because no matter how many cab's there are some area's just will not get good service.
From the Salt Lake Tribune
On Tuesday night, residents can comment on a proposal that would put contracts out to bid for taxi service and cut the number of cabs in Salt Lake City by 25 percent to help prop up drivers' incomes.
In addition, a formula would determine fare rates, rather than the City Council. Drivers would be required to accept debit and credit cards. And the city would drop special permits for taxi service, instead awarding two to four companies contracts.
If the city adopts the proposal, the administration will seek to cut the number of cabs from 268 to 210, according to a report issued to the council.
"People needing to go someplace at night, say to the hospital or from a bar, will suffer if the number of taxicabs is cut," said Don Barron, director with Yellow Cab Drivers Association, which has operated in Salt Lake City since 1932.
Currently, the city has given 145 permits to Yellow Cab, 78 permits to Ute Cab and 45to City Cab. If the number of cabs is reduced to 210, the number of permits would be at the same level as 1999.
The taxi industry contends it must compete with transportation companies operating some 464 limousines, vans and SUVs in the city. The report to the council indicated that courtesy vehicles offered by hotels, resorts and other businesses now outnumber the amount of cab trips by more than 2-to-1.
Other forms of transportation, including a planned light-rail line to Salt Lake City International
Airport, could slice into taxi incomes even more. Many drivers said they worked 14 to 16 hours a day while earning less than the minimum wage when all their hours of waiting time were taken into consideration, according to a Ground Transportation Study for the city.
Drivers also have complained that illegal cab operators are taking the most profitable routes. Illegal cabs are charging $25 to $30 for each trip from the airport to downtown while regulated cab drivers charge $17 for the same trip. Drivers estimated the number of illegal cabs at 186 to 195. But the city's research analyst Russell Weeks disputed the figure, saying most were licensed ground-transportation businesses.
In August, the council approved a fare increase, the fourth taxi-rate boost since 2005. Currently the per-mile rate for cabs is $2.20, up from $2 per mile.
Sunday, March 22, 2009
It's just spring But
The Rays shut down the now what is the name of that team from up north, oh year the lYankees and their 9 game win streak' In all fairness to my co-writer, it is going to be a long season. The Yankee's have gotten better as have the Red Sox. I think it will go down to the last of September. The winner of the one run and two run ball games in April and May will be so very important. I, again have went crazy, and hve gotten myself 6 fantasy teams to keep track of. When you have retired and have given up cigarettes and beer, oh my, not much else to do. But no hang overs anymore. Be safe out there.
Friday, March 20, 2009
Your Move
A man returns home a day early from a business trip. It’s after midnight. While en route home he asks the cabby if he would be a witness.
The man suspects his wife is having an affair and he wants to catch her in the act. For $100, the cabby agrees.
Quietly arriving home, the husband and cabby tip toe into the bedroom. The husband switches on the lights, yanks the blanket back and there is his wife in bed with another man!
The husband puts a gun to the naked man’s head. The wife shouts, ‘Don’t do it! I lied when I told you I inherited money. HE paid for the Corvette I gave you. HE paid for our new cabin cruiser. HE paid for your season Pittsburgh Steelers tickets. HE paid for our house at the lake. HE paid for our country club membership, and HE even pays the monthly dues!’
Shaking his head from side-to-side, the husband lowers the gun. He looks over at the cabby and says, ‘What would you do?
The cabby replies, ‘I’d cover his ass with that blanket before he catches a cold.’
VN:F [1.1.7_509]
The man suspects his wife is having an affair and he wants to catch her in the act. For $100, the cabby agrees.
Quietly arriving home, the husband and cabby tip toe into the bedroom. The husband switches on the lights, yanks the blanket back and there is his wife in bed with another man!
The husband puts a gun to the naked man’s head. The wife shouts, ‘Don’t do it! I lied when I told you I inherited money. HE paid for the Corvette I gave you. HE paid for our new cabin cruiser. HE paid for your season Pittsburgh Steelers tickets. HE paid for our house at the lake. HE paid for our country club membership, and HE even pays the monthly dues!’
Shaking his head from side-to-side, the husband lowers the gun. He looks over at the cabby and says, ‘What would you do?
The cabby replies, ‘I’d cover his ass with that blanket before he catches a cold.’
VN:F [1.1.7_509]
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Cab driver injured by hammer and broken glass
McAdams was charged with a total of six counts, including 2 felony's plus he violated probation on a previous drug case, what would you bet he gets probation again, I would not bet against it, this story from the Alton Telegraph
JERSEYVILLE - A Jerseyville man who called a cab to his home is accused of throwing a claw hammer at the driver, with whom he apparently had a previous dispute, police said.
Michael J. McAdams, 47, was charged Thursday in Jersey County Circuit Court with harassment of a witness, aggravated battery, aggravated assault, criminal damage to property, reckless conduct and unlawful violation of bail bond.
A report from the Jerseyville Police Department said McAdams called Comfort Cab and asked for a taxi to be sent to his home in the 700 block of Franklin Street about 10:45 p.m. Wednesday. When the car arrived at his home, McAdams apparently recognized the cab driver as someone who had given him rides previously. The two men apparently "had issues," police said.
McAdams allegedly went back into his home, returned with a claw hammer and told the driver to roll down his window. The cab driver began to back out of the driveway, and McAdams allegedly threw the hammer at the driver's-side window of the vehicle.
The hammer broke the window, and the cab driver was injured by broken glass and the hammer, police said. They said the cab driver then called them on his cell phone.
Officers responded to the scene and arrested McAdams, who was taken to the Jersey County Jail.
McAdams was charged with a total of six counts:
- one count of harassment of a witness, a Class 2 felony, punishable upon conviction by a prison term of three to seven years, up to four years of probation, two years of mandatory supervised release and a maximum fine of $25,000.
- one count of aggravated battery, a Class 3 felony carrying a prison term of two to five years, up to 30 months of probation, one years of mandatory supervised release and a fine of up to $25,000.
- one count of criminal damage to property, a Class 4 felony, punishable by one to three years in prison, up to 30 months of probation, one year of mandatory supervised release and a fine of up to $25,000.
- one count of unlawful violation of bail bond for allegedly violating a condition of his bail by committing the offense of aggravated battery. Authorities said McAdams had posted bail March 6 for an appearance in Jersey County Circuit Court on a charge of possession of controlled substances.
- one count of aggravated assault, a Class A misdemeanor.
- one count of reckless conduct, a Class A misdemeanor.
McAdams posted $5,000 of the $50,000 bail and was released.
The cab driver, whose name is not being released, refused medical treatment.
JERSEYVILLE - A Jerseyville man who called a cab to his home is accused of throwing a claw hammer at the driver, with whom he apparently had a previous dispute, police said.
Michael J. McAdams, 47, was charged Thursday in Jersey County Circuit Court with harassment of a witness, aggravated battery, aggravated assault, criminal damage to property, reckless conduct and unlawful violation of bail bond.
A report from the Jerseyville Police Department said McAdams called Comfort Cab and asked for a taxi to be sent to his home in the 700 block of Franklin Street about 10:45 p.m. Wednesday. When the car arrived at his home, McAdams apparently recognized the cab driver as someone who had given him rides previously. The two men apparently "had issues," police said.
McAdams allegedly went back into his home, returned with a claw hammer and told the driver to roll down his window. The cab driver began to back out of the driveway, and McAdams allegedly threw the hammer at the driver's-side window of the vehicle.
The hammer broke the window, and the cab driver was injured by broken glass and the hammer, police said. They said the cab driver then called them on his cell phone.
Officers responded to the scene and arrested McAdams, who was taken to the Jersey County Jail.
McAdams was charged with a total of six counts:
- one count of harassment of a witness, a Class 2 felony, punishable upon conviction by a prison term of three to seven years, up to four years of probation, two years of mandatory supervised release and a maximum fine of $25,000.
- one count of aggravated battery, a Class 3 felony carrying a prison term of two to five years, up to 30 months of probation, one years of mandatory supervised release and a fine of up to $25,000.
- one count of criminal damage to property, a Class 4 felony, punishable by one to three years in prison, up to 30 months of probation, one year of mandatory supervised release and a fine of up to $25,000.
- one count of unlawful violation of bail bond for allegedly violating a condition of his bail by committing the offense of aggravated battery. Authorities said McAdams had posted bail March 6 for an appearance in Jersey County Circuit Court on a charge of possession of controlled substances.
- one count of aggravated assault, a Class A misdemeanor.
- one count of reckless conduct, a Class A misdemeanor.
McAdams posted $5,000 of the $50,000 bail and was released.
The cab driver, whose name is not being released, refused medical treatment.
Saturday, March 14, 2009
New men in United Cab's shop
This is what happened when these guys were coming to work the first day. I am sure Nancy would be proud.
A salesman, and engineer, and a technician are driving in a car when, just outside of town, they get a flat tire. The three of them get out of the car and scratch their heads.
The salesman says, "Maybe I should walk into town and get us a new tire. I know that I can bargain with the man at the parts store and get us a great deal."
The engineer stops him, saying, "No, before you do that, we'll have to do some computations, figuring the grade of the road, the asphalt temperature, and the average rate of speed we will be traveling to know what kind of tire you should buy."
The technician laughs and shakes his head. "No, no, no! What's wrong with you guys? Hell, we have a spare tire in the trunk - now all we have to do is start swapping tires until we find the flat one!"
I am sure the mayor of Apolo beach would be impressed.
A salesman, and engineer, and a technician are driving in a car when, just outside of town, they get a flat tire. The three of them get out of the car and scratch their heads.
The salesman says, "Maybe I should walk into town and get us a new tire. I know that I can bargain with the man at the parts store and get us a great deal."
The engineer stops him, saying, "No, before you do that, we'll have to do some computations, figuring the grade of the road, the asphalt temperature, and the average rate of speed we will be traveling to know what kind of tire you should buy."
The technician laughs and shakes his head. "No, no, no! What's wrong with you guys? Hell, we have a spare tire in the trunk - now all we have to do is start swapping tires until we find the flat one!"
I am sure the mayor of Apolo beach would be impressed.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Opening Day Starter
Rays on the mound: James Shields made his second spring start and pitched like he was ready for his Opening Day assignment. The right-hander allowed just one hit, a walk and three strikeouts in four innings. Troy Percival made his first spring appearance and retired the Phillies in order in the fifth. Dan Wheeler retired the side in order in the sixth, striking out two in the process. Grant Balfour struggled in two-thirds of an inning, allowing one run on one hit and three walks while striking out one. The outing was the right-hander's first since taking a line drive off his right forearm Saturday.
Now there is going to be a lot exspected of the Rays after the great season they had last year. I think they will answer the bell and come out strong. They are averaging 6.1 runs a game, as soon as the pitching comes around we will be good to go.
As for my Dodgers with the exception of Manny and Billingley we will have to rebuild.
Now there is going to be a lot exspected of the Rays after the great season they had last year. I think they will answer the bell and come out strong. They are averaging 6.1 runs a game, as soon as the pitching comes around we will be good to go.
As for my Dodgers with the exception of Manny and Billingley we will have to rebuild.
Sunday, March 8, 2009
This woman doesn't want too much
She wants to call a half hour before a DR appointment and get there on time, no matter the weather or road conditions, and she also wants the driver to show up with a child seat, no tall order.
The town of Bracebridge, Canada along with many other towns around the word are concidering adding to the number of taxi permits for the town.
Story is from the Bracebridge Eximiner.
Woman slams local cab company for lousy service
March 6, 2009 - by Matthew Sitler
A Bracebridge woman slammed local cab companies for being late and unaccommodating, during a recent council session.
The complaint was made at Bracebridge town council’s last meeting, during discussion about increasing the number of cab licences.
Kristy Kolyn, a Fairlawn Boulevard resident, said that having more taxi licences would be “a really good idea.”
“Since I started … calling taxis, I’ve waited 20-30 minutes,” she said. It’s even more exasperating to her when she has to attend a doctor’s appointment, she added.
“The doctor says ‘be here at 12 o’clock’ and I phone (for a cab) at 11:15 or 11:30 and the cab companies say ‘oh it will be a half-hour or 45-minute wait,’” she told council. “It’s like, ‘OK, I thought I’d given you sufficient time.’”
Kolyn thinks having more licences would allow for more taxis, and people might not have to wait as long.
Another one of her cab complaints concerns child safety seats.
“No taxi company seems to carry a child seat and not every parent with a child drives,” she said.
“You need a form of transportation to get around, either for grocery shopping or doctor’s appointments. Having a child safety seat available in a taxi would be very helpful. I’ve known people who’ve had to go grocery shopping and one person has had to walk home, while the other one takes groceries in the taxi.”
Kolyn said even though it might seem onerous for cab drivers, there should always be a way of at least offering this form of courtesy to customers.
Overall, Kolyn said, it’s great to see Bracebridge expanding, but she finds it odd the town has lost a cab company along the way. “In the ’80s, we had three taxi companies and now, we’ve gone to two,” she pointed out. “Everything is a lot more spread out, now that we don’t have the same town centre. Not everything is in walking distance for everybody now.”
Mayor Don Coates told Kolyn the town can’t govern the number of cab companies but, he noted, the new licences allow for an increase in the number of potential cabs on the street. “There is provision in this new bylaw for more taxis,” he said. “In fact, one of the existing companies has taken up one of those licences already, so that means there’s one more cab on the road.”
As for the child seat issue, Bracebridge chief bylaw officer Scott Stakiw told council he has discovered that taxi companies are specifically exempt under provincial legislation from the requirement to have car seats. “The Highway Traffic Act exempts them,” he said.
“The drivers are not responsible; it’s up to the caregiver to bring car seats.”
Further to this, Kolyn said she’s called cab companies and inquired about putting car seats in and she’s been “given a hard time about that.”
Councillor Edith Nichols weighed in on this last point, saying she, too, has received a couple of calls from people who say local cab drivers wouldn’t help with attaching child seats. “I can’t understand why they would not want to make sure the seats are strapped in,” she said.
Cameron Hoffman, co-owner of Bracebridge Taxi, said having drivers help put in child car seats becomes a legal issue.
“It becomes a legal issue where the parent or guardian needs to strap the child in,” he explained. “From a driver’s perspective, they can assist, putting the seat in the car, but they can’t do the connections of the straps and such.
The drivers can’t even strap the seat into the vehicle, because the tethers and such are so different from each seat to the next. They can’t be expected to know each and every one. It’s not that they wouldn’t be willing to do it, but we need to delineate the line — and that’s the line — they cannot strap the child in.”
Contacted Thursday, Century Taxi owner Jim Peake said it’s up to parents to provide child car seats but that, if they provide one, his drivers will help put the seats in. “If they (drivers) don’t, then I should be told about it and, if I’m not told, I can’t do anything about it,” he said.
As for cabs being late in Bracebridge, Cameron said cab companies can’t dictate the weather or road conditions. “We would rather get someone safely to their destination and from their destination,” he commented. People should know booking a cab ahead of time is usually a good way of getting to an appointment on time, he added.
“Calling 10 minutes before you need to be at a place is not a good practice,” he said, noting that calling half an hour prior to an appointment should be sufficient. “But, if you have an appointment, pre-book a car,” he stressed. “If you have an appointment booked the next day, phone the day before and book the car.”
The town of Bracebridge, Canada along with many other towns around the word are concidering adding to the number of taxi permits for the town.
Story is from the Bracebridge Eximiner.
Woman slams local cab company for lousy service
March 6, 2009 - by Matthew Sitler
A Bracebridge woman slammed local cab companies for being late and unaccommodating, during a recent council session.
The complaint was made at Bracebridge town council’s last meeting, during discussion about increasing the number of cab licences.
Kristy Kolyn, a Fairlawn Boulevard resident, said that having more taxi licences would be “a really good idea.”
“Since I started … calling taxis, I’ve waited 20-30 minutes,” she said. It’s even more exasperating to her when she has to attend a doctor’s appointment, she added.
“The doctor says ‘be here at 12 o’clock’ and I phone (for a cab) at 11:15 or 11:30 and the cab companies say ‘oh it will be a half-hour or 45-minute wait,’” she told council. “It’s like, ‘OK, I thought I’d given you sufficient time.’”
Kolyn thinks having more licences would allow for more taxis, and people might not have to wait as long.
Another one of her cab complaints concerns child safety seats.
“No taxi company seems to carry a child seat and not every parent with a child drives,” she said.
“You need a form of transportation to get around, either for grocery shopping or doctor’s appointments. Having a child safety seat available in a taxi would be very helpful. I’ve known people who’ve had to go grocery shopping and one person has had to walk home, while the other one takes groceries in the taxi.”
Kolyn said even though it might seem onerous for cab drivers, there should always be a way of at least offering this form of courtesy to customers.
Overall, Kolyn said, it’s great to see Bracebridge expanding, but she finds it odd the town has lost a cab company along the way. “In the ’80s, we had three taxi companies and now, we’ve gone to two,” she pointed out. “Everything is a lot more spread out, now that we don’t have the same town centre. Not everything is in walking distance for everybody now.”
Mayor Don Coates told Kolyn the town can’t govern the number of cab companies but, he noted, the new licences allow for an increase in the number of potential cabs on the street. “There is provision in this new bylaw for more taxis,” he said. “In fact, one of the existing companies has taken up one of those licences already, so that means there’s one more cab on the road.”
As for the child seat issue, Bracebridge chief bylaw officer Scott Stakiw told council he has discovered that taxi companies are specifically exempt under provincial legislation from the requirement to have car seats. “The Highway Traffic Act exempts them,” he said.
“The drivers are not responsible; it’s up to the caregiver to bring car seats.”
Further to this, Kolyn said she’s called cab companies and inquired about putting car seats in and she’s been “given a hard time about that.”
Councillor Edith Nichols weighed in on this last point, saying she, too, has received a couple of calls from people who say local cab drivers wouldn’t help with attaching child seats. “I can’t understand why they would not want to make sure the seats are strapped in,” she said.
Cameron Hoffman, co-owner of Bracebridge Taxi, said having drivers help put in child car seats becomes a legal issue.
“It becomes a legal issue where the parent or guardian needs to strap the child in,” he explained. “From a driver’s perspective, they can assist, putting the seat in the car, but they can’t do the connections of the straps and such.
The drivers can’t even strap the seat into the vehicle, because the tethers and such are so different from each seat to the next. They can’t be expected to know each and every one. It’s not that they wouldn’t be willing to do it, but we need to delineate the line — and that’s the line — they cannot strap the child in.”
Contacted Thursday, Century Taxi owner Jim Peake said it’s up to parents to provide child car seats but that, if they provide one, his drivers will help put the seats in. “If they (drivers) don’t, then I should be told about it and, if I’m not told, I can’t do anything about it,” he said.
As for cabs being late in Bracebridge, Cameron said cab companies can’t dictate the weather or road conditions. “We would rather get someone safely to their destination and from their destination,” he commented. People should know booking a cab ahead of time is usually a good way of getting to an appointment on time, he added.
“Calling 10 minutes before you need to be at a place is not a good practice,” he said, noting that calling half an hour prior to an appointment should be sufficient. “But, if you have an appointment, pre-book a car,” he stressed. “If you have an appointment booked the next day, phone the day before and book the car.”
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Its good to hear at least one city government can see the error of there ways.
I wrote last month about the cab drivers of Stockport England who where at risk of losing there cab's and there home's, because of the threat of deregulation of the numbers of cab's in there small town.
It seems the powers that be have at least for now dropped the plan.
The story is from the Stockport Express, which has to be thanked, cab drivers in Tampa Bay would never get such positive coverage from our local fish wraps.
LICENSING councillors in Stockport have stalled on their decision to de-regulate black taxi cabs in Stockport.
To the obvious delight of cab drivers at a packed full council meeting last Thursday, Councillor Chris Gordon, the chairman of licensing, said the restrictions would now remain pending a decision at a future meeting of his committee as to the wisdom of removing licence limits just as the economic downturn takes hold.
The Stockport Express exclusively revealed the plight of the cabbies last month. The licences were limited by the council to 120 but a decision to deregulate would mean anyone could apply for a taxi licence.
Coun Gordon said: "In the light of the economic recession, I intend to invite the licensing, environment and safety committee at a future meeting to reconsider whether now is an appropriate time to be delimiting the number of hackney carriage licences."
Steve Hulme, the chairman of Stockport Owners Drivers Association (SODA) said that while his colleagues were pleased with the plan to reconsider the de-regulation, the group would still be taking the issue to judicial review.
Mr Hulme explained: "On behalf of the taxi drivers and their families I commend the council and in particular Coun Gordon, for his statement to defer implementation of de-regulating taxi licences in the light of the current economic climate.
"I don’t think councillors were quite prepared for the outcry that it has caused not only throughout Stockport, but in many other boroughs."
However, Mr Hulme warned the authority that his members would still be seeking a judicial review of the decision taken on Feb 11 to de-regulate.
He added: "I would hope now that we can get together and come up with an amicable solution that will enrich the lives of the people of Stockport rather than enriching the lives of legal profession."
Councillor Peter Scott, the leader of Stockport’s Labour group said: "The announcement by Coun Gordon is a bit of an about face.
"It was important that there is some sort of limit on licences because some of the taxi drivers have invested as much as £50,000 and de-regulation would have lost them their money.
It seems the powers that be have at least for now dropped the plan.
The story is from the Stockport Express, which has to be thanked, cab drivers in Tampa Bay would never get such positive coverage from our local fish wraps.
LICENSING councillors in Stockport have stalled on their decision to de-regulate black taxi cabs in Stockport.
To the obvious delight of cab drivers at a packed full council meeting last Thursday, Councillor Chris Gordon, the chairman of licensing, said the restrictions would now remain pending a decision at a future meeting of his committee as to the wisdom of removing licence limits just as the economic downturn takes hold.
The Stockport Express exclusively revealed the plight of the cabbies last month. The licences were limited by the council to 120 but a decision to deregulate would mean anyone could apply for a taxi licence.
Coun Gordon said: "In the light of the economic recession, I intend to invite the licensing, environment and safety committee at a future meeting to reconsider whether now is an appropriate time to be delimiting the number of hackney carriage licences."
Steve Hulme, the chairman of Stockport Owners Drivers Association (SODA) said that while his colleagues were pleased with the plan to reconsider the de-regulation, the group would still be taking the issue to judicial review.
Mr Hulme explained: "On behalf of the taxi drivers and their families I commend the council and in particular Coun Gordon, for his statement to defer implementation of de-regulating taxi licences in the light of the current economic climate.
"I don’t think councillors were quite prepared for the outcry that it has caused not only throughout Stockport, but in many other boroughs."
However, Mr Hulme warned the authority that his members would still be seeking a judicial review of the decision taken on Feb 11 to de-regulate.
He added: "I would hope now that we can get together and come up with an amicable solution that will enrich the lives of the people of Stockport rather than enriching the lives of legal profession."
Councillor Peter Scott, the leader of Stockport’s Labour group said: "The announcement by Coun Gordon is a bit of an about face.
"It was important that there is some sort of limit on licences because some of the taxi drivers have invested as much as £50,000 and de-regulation would have lost them their money.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Time to put another notch in your belt
I was driving south bound on Rome and Cypress. As I was going past the United Cab office and shop I noticed all of the cabs on the lot. I wonder if Nancy would give me one to drive now. Na don't think so. It is only the beginning of March. I know it has been only a month and Omaba has at least got his kids a dog. I also wonder about his home state and the mess he left there. I know I know you followers of him you think he had nothing to do with that he most likely didn't. I truly hope that the real cab drivers stay with it until it imporves. Times like this will seperate the real cabbies from the wannabees. Keep plugging guys and above just because it is slow don't nothing stupid. By that I mean don't take any chances that you wouldn't take when things were rolling.
Monday, March 2, 2009
UCLA vs NOTRE DAME 1974
UCLA's winning sreak was up to 88 games when John Wooden brought Bill Walton and his gang to South Bend Ind., 35 years ago. Notre Dame was undefeated and ranked #2 under 32 year old coach Digger Phelps.
The Bruins controled the game were up by as many 17 points and up by ll with under 3 minutes to go. Then Phelps rallied his squad with a stiring speech that, according to co-captain and consensus All American John Shumate gave his players an adrenaline kick like they're never experienced. The result : a 71*70 Notre Dame win that is considered one of the greatest upsets ever.
On the last practice before the game the coach told them they would upset them. Then he said, "in my book it won't be a upset, it will be a victory for the Fighting Irish" The rest boys and girls is history.
In closing a great speaker passed away a few days ago, Paul Harvey, he was 90. I used listen his radio show from time to time. I also read one of his books. I think it was called "the rest of the story"
The Bruins controled the game were up by as many 17 points and up by ll with under 3 minutes to go. Then Phelps rallied his squad with a stiring speech that, according to co-captain and consensus All American John Shumate gave his players an adrenaline kick like they're never experienced. The result : a 71*70 Notre Dame win that is considered one of the greatest upsets ever.
On the last practice before the game the coach told them they would upset them. Then he said, "in my book it won't be a upset, it will be a victory for the Fighting Irish" The rest boys and girls is history.
In closing a great speaker passed away a few days ago, Paul Harvey, he was 90. I used listen his radio show from time to time. I also read one of his books. I think it was called "the rest of the story"
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Two more good reasons to get cash up front from young riders!
I just read 2 stories from this week about teen fare beats, the first is from Chestnut Ridge, NY and the second is from Kingston, Ont, Canada.
The Chestnut Ridge incident involved 4 teens who when they arrived at there destination announced they would not pay, not they had no cash.
Chestnut Ridge is in Westchester County which is one of the more affluent county's in the country, and this was probably just something to do to break up the boredom.
When the driver confronted the teens he was threatened with a knife and what he thought was a gun, which turned out to be a pellet gun, they also broke the drivers side window, for something to do.
The teens ranged in ages from 15-17, so we will have to wait to find out how much of a slap on the wrist they get if any, as they will show up in court with all kinds of high priced lawyers, if it gets that far.
The second is from Kingston, Ont and involves 2 teen girls, who scratched and tried to bite the driver as he tried to preform a citizens arrest on them.
This case has all ready been to settled and the 2 darlings got 12 months probation despite one of them being on probation, what a joke.
Take it easy out there and when you get that funny feeling in your gut, get cash up front.
The Chestnut Ridge incident involved 4 teens who when they arrived at there destination announced they would not pay, not they had no cash.
Chestnut Ridge is in Westchester County which is one of the more affluent county's in the country, and this was probably just something to do to break up the boredom.
When the driver confronted the teens he was threatened with a knife and what he thought was a gun, which turned out to be a pellet gun, they also broke the drivers side window, for something to do.
The teens ranged in ages from 15-17, so we will have to wait to find out how much of a slap on the wrist they get if any, as they will show up in court with all kinds of high priced lawyers, if it gets that far.
The second is from Kingston, Ont and involves 2 teen girls, who scratched and tried to bite the driver as he tried to preform a citizens arrest on them.
This case has all ready been to settled and the 2 darlings got 12 months probation despite one of them being on probation, what a joke.
Take it easy out there and when you get that funny feeling in your gut, get cash up front.
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