Results tagged “taxi”

We'd never thought we'd be so blessed as to write the phrase "vomit fee," but that's exactly what Chicago cab drivers are asking for in their latest round of demands. The new fees cabbies are asking for from a City Council committee today are:

• First Clout College, now this: the Chicago Tribune reports that the Chicago Public School system has launched an internal investigation looking at how students are selected to admittance for some of the more elite schools after, according to CPS CEO Ron Huberman, information showed, "that existing policies may not have been followed."
• Several media outlets report today that Brian Dugan is ready to plead guilty to the 1983 murder of 10-year-old Jeanine Nicarico; Dugan is already in prison serving two life sentences for two other murders.
• A section of the outbound Bishop Ford Expressway was closed for around eight hours today after a tanker truck spilled corrosive coal tar in the road early this morning.

With Memorial Day here and gone and Summer officially here - even if it doesn't feel like it - it's time for the seasonal increase in gas prices. And with Chicago still at the top in the nation in terms of gas prices ($2.76/gallon over the national average of $2.49/gallon), we've crossed that magical threshold of $2.70 per gallon that initiates the 50-cents-a-ride gas surcharge for cabs, which went back into effect on Friday. [Sun-Times]

Last night was an awful time to be in the way of a taxi. First, a taxi hit a bicyclist near Grant Park, severely injuring the rider. The accident happened at East Balbo and South Columbus Drives around 10 p.m. last night. Chicago police say the taxi had the right of way in the accident so no citations were issued to the driver; the rider was last reported in critical condition at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. Later, two taxis collided on Dearborn, sending one into Petterino's (150 N. Dearborn). No one was hurt, but it was the second time a taxi had hit the restaurant in a little over a month, the previous accident happening on April 14.

After all that huffing, puffing, and striking, it turns out cab drivers may not get that fare hike they've been after all this time.

Norma Reyes, commissioner of the city's newly merged Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Services, said Thursday that circumstances have changed in the weeks and months since she promised to push through Chicago's first cab fare hike in four years.

Continue reading "Taxi Fare Hike On Ice?"

After a lot of huffing and puffing, a group of cab drivers across the city went on strike yesterday at 2 p.m. for 24 hours, but the strike didn't make much of a dent. Advocacy group United Taxidrivers Community Council is calling for a 16 percent fare hike effective January 1; the city has already said the fare hike is coming, it just won't happen until the spring. Spokesman Fayez Khozindar said, "We're sending a message to the city. We're not trying to inconvenience the public." Another group, the Chicago Professional Taxicab Drivers Association, refused to strike for fear of upsetting passengers who have enough to worry about in the trouble economy. Workers and passengers at O'Hare said they didn't notice any problems or fewer cabs. One does have to wonder about the logic of striking on one of the most potentially profitable days of the year.

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.

As gas prices continue to plummet, the gas surcharge on taxis is going away for good. The $0.50 surcharge kicks in when gas prices reach $2.70 per gallon and then rises to $1 when gas hits $3.20 a gallon. The surcharge was dropped back to $0.50 on Halloween, prompting the first warning of a cabbie strike and as the surcharge is now slated to go away Friday, the cabbies of Chicago are renewing that threat. United Taxidrivers Community Council chairman Fayez Khozindar has set a November 25th press conference during which the date for the strike will be announced.

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.