Thaindian News

By Gina Gomez
Sep 23, (THAINDIAN NEWS) New York City’s cabbies are facing a lot of heat at the hands of law after more than fifty cab drivers were arrested for ripping off the tourists by doubling the meter. According to reports, 59 drivers have been arrested for doubling fare rate by manipulating the meter. One driver has reportedly over charged more than 5,100 times via meter manipulation. Six of the drivers who were arrested are reported to have taken in $10,000 apiece by putting the meter up at a higher suburban rate while still being in the city. Cabs are only allowed to charge double fare only when they drive into suburban Westchester or Nassau counties. The city taxi and Limousine estimated that about 22,000 cabbies had unfairly charged double rate from their customers. The commission said that the total money reeled in by the cab drivers amounts to $1.1 million.

There are about 48,000 yellow cab drivers in the city and most of them do not seem to be a part of the plot. Nevertheless, the fact that about 22,000 yellow cab drivers have cheated their customers is both disturbing and shocking. The cabs are an important method of transportation in New York city and a typical experience for visitors in the city. The city has responded to the situation by taking strong action against the cabbies. 161 cab drivers have lost their license with another 124 being fined an amount ranging from $1,000 to $10,000.

Officials started looking into the issue after a passengers complained that the taxi fares had gone up too fast since last July. The investigation comprised of ‘taxi technology’ that includes GPS system to accumulate their data. It is being speculated that legal actions will prevent future cab drivers to play foul with their customers. However action has already been taken as 13,000 cabs are installed with an alarm system that goes off if the cabbies charge more than usual.