The so called “taxi bill of rights”, proposed and forced upon the taxi industry by Kevin Falcon transportation minister, states as follows:

As a Taxi Passenger you have the right to:

* Be picked up and transported to your stated destination by any available on duty taxi driver.
Easier said than done.

What is the matter you ask? If the driver is behind the seat and his light is on (night) he has to pick up any and all valid fares regardless of the destination. Sure if the cabbie has no rights or civil liberties. There are a plethora of valid reasons for a taxi driver not to be able to take a long trip, even though his shift change time is a long way away.

All these have impending times, lets say in 30 minutes or so.

1. He is about to go on a lunch, coffee break (meeting other taxi driver friends) in 30 minutes so a long out of town trip is not possible, However short trips are no problem.
2. He has a doctors appointment or some other appointment.
3. Has to pick his kids up form school at a certain time.
4. Has a prior commitment coming up shortly transporting a regular customer who gives him a lot of business, and who he would like to continue serving. Short trips to fill in the time are no problem.
5. He is holding collateral or other items (that someone left in his cab), and is awaiting a phone call so he can deliver it. The caller then has to take this lost item (laptop, cell phone etc) on a trip so needs it immediately upon calling.
6. He is not planning on working a full shift, and wants to quit in 30 minutes.
7. He does not want to drive long distances like he does all other times (can be proven using GPS records). He is tired, and would like to have an easy going day today!
8. Has a girlfriend he visits everyday at mid shift.
9. He take a walks or goes to the gym in the middle of his shift. Too much sitting in the same place has compromised his health.
10. He has a flatulent stomach and needs to go the the restroom every 20 minutes or so. Taking short trips is okay, but sitting in traffic for long periods of time may lead to a messy situation.

Like I said, the list is endless.

There is nothing in a taxi drivers hiring agreement that states s/he cannot do the above freely.

What is your mindset is the real question. Do you believe:

• A taxi driver has no civil rights or freedoms.
• A taxi driver is your servant or better still a slave.

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