Cab drivers revved up over lack of registration enforcement

Raleigh, N.C. — Taxi drivers say they want more cab stands and a crackdown on unregistered drivers. They took their concerns to the Raleigh City Council Tuesday evening.

Robin Sarnor has driven a taxi cab in Raleigh for nearly 20 years.

WATCH VIDEO
Raleigh cab drivers want changes

"The business has changed drastically,” she said.

One change is the number of new taxi companies operating downtown. Some estimate as many as 110 cab businesses are fighting for riders. In response, drivers are calling for a cap on compensation.

The business "has really deteriorated,” said David Johnson, with Community Cab.

Johnson said some of the new cabs are not registered with the city and the quality of service is paying the price.

"The business has gone down a lot. There are a lot of (cab) companies coming out,” Sarnor said.

"That has really put a hurting on people even calling for a cab,” Johnson said.

Cab drivers say that to make money, they need more places to pick up riders. They want cab stands in high-traffic areas, like bars and clubs along Glenwood South and outside downtown hotels.

"We think the concerns are legitimate, and we want to hear them out. And we want to work with them to hopefully meet their needs and the needs of the city,” City Councilman James West said.

Council members have asked city staff to look at placing cab stands at the downtown Marriott, the Glenwood South area and at the new convention center.