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Boston Taxi Drivers Assoc. Issues Public Safety Advisory
Urges Freshman College Students to Use Only Licensed Cabs

For Immediate Release                                   September 29, 2009

BOSTON, Sept. 29 -- As this year's freshman class arrives on Boston's many college campuses, administrators and faculty are urged to include as part of their school's orientation a set of precautions for students to follow when requiring taxi service.

The United Steelworkers/Boston Taxi Drivers Association (USW/BTDA) has issued an alert to all students - especially the incoming freshman class -- to be sure they confirm an affixed sticker, 'Boston Licensed Taxi,' is on both vehicle rear fenders before entering the cab for a trip. The license affirms the driver has been vetted by the Boston Police Department's (BPD) Hackney Unit.

Unfortunately, such a warning is made necessary by the rising number of sexual assaults on passengers in "gypsy cabs," vehicles operating illegally as taxis in Boston.  Because only Boston cabdrivers have undergone criminal records checks, this warning must extend to taxis licensed in many neighboring cities and towns, which all too often cruise Boston streets for passengers, as well.  What's more, all these taxis charge higher fares - some as much as $1.20 more per mile.

Due to budget constraints, the Hackney Unit no longer has the resources to protect the public from these predatory vehicles after midnight.

Arthur Rose, a BTDA member and cab driver for 30 years says, "Enforcement of the Boston ordinance to remove gypsy cabs from the city streets is a public safety matter. How many women must be attacked before the city takes this matter seriously and finds resources to enforce the law?"

Last year at this time, the BPD released a community service bulletin following a series of rapes and assaults in vehicles passing themselves off as legal Boston taxis. The alert is at: http://www.bpdnews.com/2008/12/community_alert_15.html/.

While police investigated allegations of sexual and indecent assault incidents committed by drivers of these illegal vehicles, the BPD's 'Community Alert' reminds taxi users to be vigilant and aware of their surroundings.  Among their alert's best "Tips for Ensuring Your Personal Safety" are the following:

• Do not accept rides from out-of-town cabs or individuals in personal vehicles.
• Do not accept a ride locally from anything except a Boston Licensed taxi.  They all say "BOSTON LIC. TAXI" on both rear fenders. 
• Don't assume, "It will never happen to me."

The BTDA has issued this alert as a service to students and the general public, urging vigilance on city license stickers for personal safety. The BPD/USW represents more than 1,000 cab drivers. For more information: http://legacy.usw.org/uswa/program/content/4294.php/.

Contact:  Donna Blythe-Shaw, USW/BTDA; 617-640-4299 (cell)

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