Over the last year new research on San Diego's taxi industry has revealed long hours and low wages of taxi lease drivers, continued low levels of passenger satisfaction, and concerns about the way the industry currently operates. Whereas Safe Cab San Diego is a coalition of individuals, organizations, government agencies, and community businesses who are working to create a healthy and dynamic tax
i industry that provides safe, quality service to city residents and visitors and a livable wage and safe working conditions for San Diego taxi drivers. Whereas Safe Cab San Diego calls for the City of San Diego, who owns the taxi permits, to take over administration from MTS to increase transparency and to better address the concerns of taxi drivers and the public. Whereas Safe Cab San Diego recognizes that the current system encourages taxi drivers to drive when sick or tiered and allows lax vehicle maintenance which puts the public’s health and safety at risk and asks that the City of San Diego adopt the following policy reforms:
1) A Safe Cab Lease Cap: Lease rates have more than doubled since 2002. Lease caps have worked in Seattle, San Francisco, Philadelphia, Chicago and New York.
2) A Safe Cab Age Standard: This would expand the Airport Authorities standard of excellence to San Diego's entire taxicab fleet by enacting a ten year age standard.
3) Safe Cab Whistleblower Protection: This would cover taxicab drivers and owners with basic OSHA occupational health and safety standards. http://safecabsandiego.org/join/
We would be happy to come present Safe Cab San Diego for your board or organization! Please email [email protected] to schedule a time!
