Hacks Do Hackjob On Travel Plans

If you’re looking to head somewhere in town today, you better have a car or (even worse) ride SEPTA, since there aren’t going to be too many taxis out there today.

In a protest of new regulations, the Philadelphia Brotherhood of Unified Taxi Drivers and Owners are striking for 12 hours today in protest of new regulations. The regulations bar cabs with 250,000 miles or more on them, and also require all cabs to have GPS in them by October.

While I understand the cab drivers’ plight — last time I checked, gas was about $4 a pint — I don’t know if this strike is going to do much. You see, there’s only about 400 members in the Brotherhood. And there are 5,000 cabs cab drivers in this city and 1,600 cabs. Five thousand! Sixteen hundred! Think about that next time you’re standing on Walnut Street in 20 degree weather and you can’t get a taxi.

If you can’t find a cab today, the head of the Brotherhood has something to say to you, according to KYW 1060: “[Muhammad] Chungthai apologizes in advacne to customers for the inconvenience.”

It’s cool, Muhammad. Just don’t make everyone ride SEPTA again. Or don’t get all 5,000 cabbies to strike.

Update: My mistake. There are 5,000 cab drivers in this city and 1,600 cabs. Thanks to JS for writing in.

Phila. cabdrivers plan protest today [Inky]
Phila. Cabbies Threaten Work Stoppage [KYW 1060]
Photo by lunchtimemama

Quickies: Smart design aleck

• The mayor sues for control of the parking authority and gets his lawsuit tossed. You got served! [AP via Philly.com]

• Can’t get enough of Ben Franklin despite the fact he’s mentioned every five pages in the newspapers and every five minutes on television? Well, you can buy a coin with him on it. [KYW 1060]

• Former Camden hoops star Dujuan Wagner’s stepdad gets life without parole for trafficking in crack cocaine. Yikes. [DN]

• Unemployment in Pennsylvania is up! It’ll be up even more next month when all those intelligent design teachers lose their jobs. [Inky]