Taxi Blog

Welcome all, even regulators, to the inaugural page of TaxiBlog.com. While my goal at TaxiBlog is to inform the industry and the riding public about the taxicab and transportation issues that affect us all, I have never been known to keep quiet on ANY subject. So nothing is taboo, and although the odds of seeing Paris Hilton videos here is slim to none, we will probably touch on politics, movies, why you should lock your children in the closet when they reach high school age, and, of course, taxicabs.

Information and preparation are keys to success in any arena, especially commerce. If you own or operate a taxicab company you should contact the Taxicab Livery and Paratransit Association and join up. There is no better way to keep abreast of national events that will affect your operations than through a TLPA membership, and the conventions offer invaluable access to others in your industry, some of  whom have probably already been through whatever problems you are facing now.

If you are a regulator, or you are involved in a governmental agency that licenses taxicabs or paratransit vehicles, I strongly recommend that you join the International Association of Transportation Regulators. Like the TLPA, the IATR has regular meetings where regulators discuss issues that affect all segments of the transportation industry. I have never been to an IATR meeting, but I hear the debates are very spirited. The food is said to be better at the TLPA meetings though.

I also urge regulators to speak with members of the industry prior to making “sweeping reforms”.  Contrary to popular belief, many of us do know what we are doing, and we not only wish to make money, but we wish to improve the industry just as you do. Of course, there have been many wonderful programs put in place without industry comment. Those of us in New York remember how well the natural gas experiment worked out in New York City, where there were no stations available for drivers, not to mention the “talking taxi” program, where such melodic voices as Ertha Kitt and Elmo talked to passengers and drivers ad nauseum until they were finally removed.

In upcoming pages I will be giving my humble take on such issues as “greening” your fleet, accessible transportation, credit card acceptance, vehicles soon to hit the market,  cameras v. partitions, and used vehicle purchasing.  For those of you who don’t know me, and who wish to know what my credentials are to speak on these subjects, sorry. This is the internet. I can say what I want and you get to believe me or not. Comment or don’t, but if you do please keep your comments civil.

Thanks for stopping by, and new posts will be up daily, so keep coming back.

Mike