10/26/2007:

hoboken-taxi.jpgReceived another reader email about issues with the taxi stand. Wasn’t sure where to put it, so I bumped this old article from March. This is one of the ongoing and blatant violations of the “one fare per cab” law in Hoboken that NEVER gets upheld.

“When I get off the PATH and hail a taxi from the line, it clearly states on the side of the cab that it only takes “one fare per cab.” Yet the cabs pick up additional passengers. It’s not the end of the world, but at times it is annoying to have to go to other stops before your own.

Is this just a local custom or are they breaking a law or is it a “recommendation” that they don’t ever follow?”

Read some other interesting stuff that was mentioned about “taxi law” in Hoboken after the jump.

Nothing has changed.

3/22/2007 Update #2:

Got a little more info about the city hall emailer. I asked who it was, why it was coming from a gmail account, etc. He responds:


“I’m an internet guy/political junkie, a city government employee. With some graphic designers, I’m overhauling their entire online presence, but that is a long term project. In the meantime, I’m acting as the conduit between city hall and everything online. So when something pops up that I think should be addressed, I get the wheels turning. Hoboken isn’t my only account (actually I’m all over the place), but I do what I can.

I’d appreciate it if you could confirm this is a city hall employee. But, as a conduit, I’m no one and everyone. Almost always, I will be speaking on behalf of someone else, in some part of city government. So who I am specifically isn’t really that important.”

3/22/2007 Update:

A helpful person called “hobokencityhall@gmail.com” (the one who emailed the Library video) sent this email today regarding the taxi stand by the PATH, along with a PDF of the licensed taxis. Who is this person? “The Secret Mayor”?

Download the list here: http://www.divshare.com/download/268688-389

I wanted to let you know that the people in constituent services are working to resolve some of the issues with the taxi stand. There are several courses of action we can take, and it will take some time to review and decide on the best one. We’ll let you know soon.

But for now, something proactive citizens can do is to be aware of what cabs can and will be held responsible to your city government if acting improperly. When we get complaints about taxis, we often find the worst offenders aren’t from Hoboken, and therefore, they are unaccountable to us. (These cabs are not allowed in line at the taxi stand, and many times are the offenders who pick up those off line.)

So, for your readers’ information and your Transportation section of the Hoboken Directory, here are the cabs, limos, and the livery service that are licensed with the City of Hoboken. Thanks

3/12/2007:
Here a Hoboken411 reader gripes about the selfish actions some people take when on the supposedly civil taxi line, as well as the cabs that play along. What makes some people think they don’t have to wait like the rest?

hoboken-taxi.jpgDo you know if there are any rules for the taxi stand outside the PATH? It seems that about 90% of people wait on the makeshift line on the street, and then idiots run on the sidewalk to the cabs down Hudson Street bypassing the line. You would think enough people would be mature enough to respect the line, but once one person does it, drunk jackasses and the classy neighborhood girls can’t wait to join them. One (easy) solution: Tell the cab companies they aren’t allowed to pick people up until the beginning of the line (after all, that’s why there is a cab stand in the first place). Supposedly the cab stand is there for safety issues, so tickets could be issued (and enforced by setting up a camera there,) as opposed to needing constant screening by policemen. Anyone else agree?

Anonymous

The city code has no specific provisions for “cutting the line” at the taxi stand. One could argue that picking up passengers outside the ordered line may be considered “cruising” as stated in the city ordinance:

§ 179-23. Solicitation of passengers; acceptance and discharge of passengers; cruising.

J. Cruising shall be allowed so long as it is conducted within the following criteria:

(2) Cruising shall not be allowed within five hundred (500) feet of a taxi stand. Cruising is prohibited within fifty (50) feet of a bus stop, unless hailed by a prospective passenger.

If that is not enforceable, I feel nothing can be done about it until the city ordinance is amended. Maybe we can add an amendment that causes the city cab to relinquish control and drive directly into the Hudson River each time they try to cheat.

Photo credit: Claus Guglberger

Hoboken NJ

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