D.C. taxi chair Ron Linton lectures a driver
The Taxi Link airs Sat. 7-8 pm on WUST 1120 AM. Listen here:
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“That’s what you people do all the time. You got a lousy system out there. I’m trying to help you save it.” – D.C. taxi chair Ron Linton
The D.C. Taxicab Commission appears to have a policy of suspending drivers over alleged violations before their guilt or innocence is determined, thereby depriving them of their right to earn a living while their case remains open. The Taxi Link spoke with a driver facing this situation but he asked to remain anonymous because he fears speaking out may hurt his case. “Drivers are just presumed to be guilty. It’s like they’re just second-class citizens,” said Tony Norman, co-host of The Taxi Link and chairman of D.C. Advisory Neighborhood Commission 1B.
After Friday’s very brief, and questionable, meeting of the taxi commission, Norman challenged taxi chair Ron Linton. “You’re depriving the driver of his livelihood… before he’s even declared innocent,” said Norman. Linton didn’t take kindly to being challenged, telling Norman, “That’s what you people do all the time. You got a lousy system out there. I’m trying to help you save it.”
Linton insists he’s not “punishing the driver” by suspending him before his innocence or guilt has been established. After all, Linton explained, “He can [still] make a living. He can do something else. But he can’t drive his vehicle.”
“That’s against the Constitution,” responded Norman. “Then take us to court,” said Linton, who hasn’t always faired well when a judge reviews his actions, such as the $35 million “taxi smart meter” contract with Verifone that was overturned.
Meanwhile in Prince George’s County, taxicab drivers who service National Harbor, the luxury resort and mini-city on the Potomac River, are fighting to stay there. Drivers are worried that they’re being pushed out to make way for Veolia, the powerful French transportation company.
Gaylord National
In a statement provided to The Taxi Link last week, Gaylord National, the largest of National Harbor’s six hotels, said Veolia would be offering enhanced services to its customers beginning in June. In an apparent swipe at Prince George’s County taxi drivers, Gaylord wrote, “Our guests have expressed their desires for high-quality personal transportation service with clean vehicles [and] courteous and knowledgeable drivers.”
“I don’t understand why they’re trying to say we are not knowledgeable, we are not clean, we are not fit to serve the customers at National Harbor,” said taxi leader Amanuel Gebrewold who has been providing rides to guests since National Harbor opened five years ago.
National Harbor has been the beneficiary of huge public investments from Prince George’s County and the state of Maryland. Yet the $2 billion operation – which is slated to grow dramatically in the coming years with a shopping mall and then casino on their way – appears to be taking jobs away from Prince George’s County residents for the benefit of a French transportation company. “[If] we are good enough for PG County residents,” said taxi leader Fisseha Tesfaye, “why don’t they use our service [at National Harbor]?”
Tesfaye said drivers are scheduled to meet with Gaylord National management on Tuesday.
– This video of a taxi making a U-turn on Pennsylvania Avenue has gone viral generating more than a million hits.
– The D.C. Taxicab Commission is scheduled to hold a hearing on the one-color scheme on Wednesday, May 29 at 10 a.m at 441 4th St., NW.
The Taxi Link airs Saturday 7-8 p.m. on WUST 1120 AM. The show is sponsored by The Small Business Association of DC Taxicab Drivers; hosted by TheFightBack’s Pete Tucker and D.C. Advisory Neighborhood Commission 1B chairman Tony Norman; produced by Will Martin; and engineered by Mark Taylor.