Alderman Wants Ads, Dress Codes

By Margaret Lyons in News on Sep 28, 2004 4:35PM

The cab-fare increase has been in the works for a while now, but Alderman Thomas Allen (38th), chairman of the City Council's Transportation Committee, has put a few more ideas out there, just to keep us on our toes. This "influential alderman" said Monday that he is in favor of permitting advertising on cabs and instating a dress code for drivers.

The money from advertising would probably not affect this fare increase—which is expected to be approved—but could slow and shrink fare increases in the future. Word. According to the Trib, "city officials in the past have been concerned about ads on the outside lest they obscure cab numbers or block windows," which sounds pretty stupid to us. Ads on cabs—not actually a big deal. You heard it here first.

Allen's dress code suggestion was unspecific, but he did say that a dress code fits with the trend in service industries "that are very careful in making sure their people who are out in front present a good appearance." Cab drivers serve as ambassadors for the city, and Allen defended his suggestion by saying that it comes down to "improving the appearance, the friendliness, the congeniality of the cabdrivers." And now, for our favorite quote of the day, at least so far: "Checker Taxi Association President John Moberg acknowledged the need for cabbies to improve their appearance and hygiene." Moberg added, though, that being a cab driver is pretty hard work for pretty crappy pay, and maybe the last thing we need to do is making and harder.

We'd probably settle for a "no hocking loogies out the window while you're driving a cab" ordinance, because seriously, that is fucking disgrossting, but a dress code seems a little over the top. We can't believe Allen didn't combine these suggestions: rather than wrapping the cabs in ads, give cab drivers ad-based t-shirts and baseball hats. We think that's a win-win. Hello, influential Alderman Chicagoist.