The city is testing out five new electric taxis in the downtown area but some cabbies aren't happy with the decision. The boundaries for the testing area are Oak Street to Polk and Lake Michigan to Clinton, selected because, according to Efrat Stein, a spokeswoman for the city's Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection, the downtown area meets the needs for "short trips traveling at low speeds." Each four-door cab will be capable of seating four people (driver included). more ›

For what feels like the umpteenth time, Chicago's cabbies are demanding a fare hike and threatening to strike, but instead of just talking the talk, today they walked the walk. Literally. A group of cab drivers protested in the loop demanding an immediate 16 percent fare increase. Lest you forget, this shitstorm revolves around the dropping of the gas surcharge since gas prices have dropped below a set threshold, and the cabbies want the fare hike by January 1. City Hall hasn't complied but has said a hike is in works, though it wouldn't go into effect until Spring 2009 at the earliest. To get their point across, this group of cabbies claims they will strike for 24 hours starting at 2 p.m. on Sunday, which may or may not be effective with travellers returning home from the holiday. Because there's no alternative transportation from Chicago's airports. more ›

That cut in the gas surcharge has enraged the city's cabbies to the point they've threatened a strike unless Mayor Daley enacts a proposed 16 percent fare hike, tentatively scheduled to go into effect next spring, by January 1, 2009. They've given the Mayor a two-week deadline. United Taxidrivers Community Council chairman Fayez Khozindar said, "We refuse to be subjected to this roller coaster. We are not beggars. We need a permanent fare increase — 16 percent on the meter. If the city will not treat its ambassadors decently, then we'll act ourselves and paralyze the city one day, two days or three days. We’ll do it when it’s successful for us. It will be a surprise for the city." Yeah, guys, strong arm Mayor Daley; we're sure he'll love that. more ›