Ride on!
Cabdrivers who refuse passengers on the basis of race or their far-flung destinations are being targeted by taxi officials who want to stiffen fines for the escalating problem.
Officials hope that by increasing the penalties for “refusals of service” — the most egregious nonviolent offense a hack can commit — they’ll stop the 38 percent rise in trip-denial complaints that took place from 2009 to 2010.
In the last half of 2010, the Taxi and Limousine Commission received 2,341 such complaints — up from 1,693 in the last half of 2009.
Drivers, predominantly around bar-heavy downtown Manhattan and in upscale Brooklyn neighborhoods, often lock their doors and first ask riders where they’re going before allowing them in the cab.
Officials want to increase penalties for the offenses.
* Strike 1: A fine of $200 to $350 would be raised to $500.
* Strike 2: A $350 to $500 fine and possible 30-day license suspension would go up to $750 with mandatory suspension.
* Strike 3: If an infraction involving either previous instance comes within 36 months of the last conviction, it would result in a loss of license.
From July 2009 to June 2010, there were 1,981 summonses issued — 1,777 were from complaints and 204 were by TLC agents.