10/03/2013
You can now watch our SAFE CAB SAN DIEGO Prezi online to find out what Safe Cab is all about and how you can help us create a better, safer San Diego taxi industry for everyone!
Safe Cab San Diego Prezi
Over the last year new research on San Diego's taxi industry has revealed frustration among lease drivers, continued low levels of passenger satisfaction, and concerns about the way the industry currently operates. SAFE CAB SAN DIEGO is a coalition working to create a healthy and dynamic taxi indust...
08/25/2013
San Diego Is Miles Behind on Taxi Safety Standards | Speak City Heights
San Diego Is Miles Behind on Taxi Safety Standards | Speak City Heights
A study last month called into question low wages and poor working conditions for taxicab drivers. But what about conditions for passengers? Are we safe in the cars we hire? | Video Credit: Nicholas McVicker, KPBS
06/10/2013
UNION TRIBUNE POLL: "Do you think San Diego's taxi cab system needs an overhaul?" PLEASE VOTE YES TODAY!
Filner moving to revamp taxicab system
Mayor forging ahead with series of stakeholder meetings on the issue this month.
06/05/2013
Welcome to Safe Cab San Diego!! SAFE CAB SAN DIEGO is a coalition working to create a healthy and dynamic taxi industry for city residents, visitors and taxi workers. We are UNITED in the belief that America's finest city should have America's finest taxi's.
The first step is informing and educating the public about the unsafe conditions under the current system. More information coming soon about how you can help by joining the Safe Cab coalition! For now downloading, reading and sharing the recent study released by SDSU and CPI "Driven to Despair" is a great first step! =)
Key Findings:
1) Almost 90% of licensed taxi drivers in San Diego are “lease drivers,” who rent the cars from individual or business owners, usually by the week.
2) San Diego taxi drivers earn a median of less than $5 an hour. They must drive for more than 70 hours a week to earn what a minimum-wage worker makes in 40 hours.
Drivers make only 30¢ of each $1 collected, including tips.
3) Virtually no drivers have job-related health coverage or workers’ compensation insurance, and few are covered for injuries in case of accidents. While they lack employee benefits, drivers also are denied the business practices standard for independent contractors.
4) The current system encourages taxi drivers to drive when tired or sick, and allows lax vehicle maintenance, putting public health and safety at risk.
5) City permits are re-sold on the open market without regulation, for tens of thousands of dollars more than their purchase price. As a result, drivers pay high lease prices and are blocked from becoming owner-operators.
http://onlinecpi.org/reports/driven-to-despair/
Driven to Despair | Center on Policy Initiatives
This report presents results of a survey of San Diego taxi drivers conducted in March and April of 2013. We surveyed 331 taxi drivers, asking about earnings, expenses, hours, health care, vehicle safety and industry practices. The findings reveal problems with the taxi regulatory system and working…
05/24/2013
KPBS! "City Considers Taxi Industry Overhaul Amid Reports Of Low Wages And Unsafe Cabs"
City Considers Taxi Industry Overhaul Amid Reports Of Low Wages And Unsafe Cabs | KPBS.org
The city will not renew its five-year contract with MTS for overseeing San Diego's taxi industry due to complaints about poor working conditions, passenger safety and lax oversight.