I have to be careful. Many times I wonder why a news story is a news story. Is it a news story because it happened or because it helps members of society be better prepared to meet the challenges of life? This article is important because it shows corruption in politics and should help the reader understand why they need to be involved in all levels of civic responsibility.
Yesterday, it was announced that again El Paso, Texas, USA will not vote on holding UBER to the same standard this municipal government holds taxi drivers. UBER entered the market place in El Paso, Texas, USA about a few years ago. Approximately, a year ago some taxi drivers and owners of taxi companies filed a petition to have their grievance heard by El Paso Texas city council. Around, September 2015 El Paso, City Council announced that its members would start reviewing Taxi driver and Taxi company complaints against UBER and they would rendered a decision around December 2015.
Nothing happened in December 2015. It was then announced a decision would be made on February of 2016. Noting happened on February 2016. The date for a decision was moved to April 2016. Nothing happened on April 2106 either. Then, it was announced that a decision would be made on May 17, 2016.
UBER informed El Paso, Texas, USA municipal government that if they passed the proposed changes to what is called the Vehicle For Hire Municipal Code of El Paso, Texas, USA, UBER would stop operating in El Paso, Texas. Yesterday, through a Facebook petition enough political pressure was placed on El Paso, TExas, USA municipal government that resulted in the “item” related to changes in the Vehicle For Hire Code being removed for discussion from the agenda of the City Council of El Paso, Texas, USA.
Now the following El Paso, Texas, Municipal Vehicle for Hire Code makes a crime for anyone to operate a personal vehicle like a taxi:
6.24.010. Definition: The term "jitney" as used in this chapter means any motor vehicle or non-motorized vehicle which transports passengers for hire within the city limits of El Paso or from the city of El Paso to the city of Juarez or from the city of Juarez to the city of El Paso, but shall not include:
A. A bus or taxicab operated under a franchise or permit granted by the city or under a contract with the city;
B. An international taxicab duly licensed by the city;
C. Vehicles providing sightseeing or charter services duly licensed by the city;
D. Vehicles providing limousine service duly licensed by the city; and
E. Non-motorized vehicles for hire operated under a license granted by the city.
6.24.020: A. It is unlawful for any person to operate a jitney within the city.
B. It is unlawful for any person to solicit a passenger for a jitney within the city.
6.24.030: Any person violating this chapter shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction there-of, shall be punished as provided in Chapter 1.08 of this code, and if such violation be a continuing violation, every day's violation shall be deemed to be a separate offense.
1.08.030: In addition to the penalties otherwise provided, any condition caused or permitted to exist in violation of any provision of this code or any ordinance, which provision is intended for the protection of the public health, safety or morals, shall be deemed a public nuisance and may be abated by the city as provided by law.
Therefore, UBER partners are breaking the law in El Paso, Texas, USA. By failing to demand enforcement and/or creating one standard for both Taxis and UBER Partners the Mayor, City Representatives, and City Manager are facilitating UBER Partner’s crimes.
This is no longer an issue of better service. This is an issue political leaders encouraging illegal behavior. Why should I follow any law in El Paso, Texas, if the city leaders are telling people they do not have to follow the law.
Taxi drivers and UBER partners are providing the same service to the members of El Paso, Texas, USA. Yet, UBER partners operate with out the responsibility of cost for permitting and licensing and non of the other restrictions put on taxi drivers in El Paso, Texas, USA. Taxi drivers who operate their taxis at the El Paso, Texas international Airport have to pay $165 for their vehicle permit, $250 for the Airport sticker, and about $150 dollars for their chauffeur license. UBER partners do not pay these cost, but park in the near vicinity of the Airport waiting to hailed by their UBER app. The same can be said for the Downtown area of El Paso, Texas, USA. I have have to pay the cost mentioned above to work in the Taxi stand I operate my taxi. UBER partners are parked all over downtown.
Now, I have been patient during this process of review, hoping City Council members and the Mayor would see that they are causing financial harm to members of the El Paso, Texas, USA, taxi industry and correct their error. However, it is apparent to me now that the Mayor and City Council of El Paso, Texas, USA plan on continuing to help UBER partners continue to break the law. City leaders are mentally healthy adults who understand there is a Vehicle For Hire code which classifies UBER partner operations in El Paso, Texas, USA illegal.
In addition, no government in the USA can help one company by creating an unfair business advantage for one group while requiring another group to adhere to business restrictions with their laws. UBER Partners and Taxi Drivers provide the same service. Yet, government of El Paso, Texas, USA holds one illegal standard for UBER Partners and different repressive standard for Taxi Drivers.
Those individuals who are responsible for their Facebook petition in favor of UBER in El Paso, Texas, USA are supporting a criminal enterprise. By bowing down to this political pressure, city government of El Paso, Texas, USA is supporting the same criminal enterprise. I personally think taxi drivers and taxi company owners in El Paso Texas, USA have “just cause” to file a federal lawsuit against the city government because by their actions members of city government are causing financial harm to the members of the Taxi Industry in El Paso, Texas, USA.
What would happen if I opened a restaurant in El Paso, Texas, USA with out any of the license required by law? I am sure I would be shut down and arrested by members of the El Paso, Texas police force. It would not matter that my restaurant is very popular and some one started a Facebook petition.
My calender has 2016 on it. In 2016 things cost more than they did thirty years ago. I buy brake parts, tires, oil, gas, anti-freeze, vehicles, and everything else required to operate a taxi in the 2016 economy.
Moreover, many of you need to get over yourself. Today, community college students want an air conditioned and chauffeured vehicle to take them to their fast-food restaurant job for $3. Any one else see the absurdity of this attitude? Taxi service is not a necessity to sustain life. This service is a luxury people who can afford it purchase for them selves. Taxi drivers are real diamond tennis bracelets, not cheap plastic mickey mouse watches.
After almost 18 years as a taxi driver, I am tired of people’s cheap and poor attitude. I do feel bad that people have encountered an emergency and are limited in income. However, I am a business person who wants to have financial success in the business I operate. Yet, I am held to cheap standards by the attitudes of many of the members of society and intrusive laws.
My personal attitude is that if spending money cause you emotional pain then you probably shouldn’t be out in the real world with the rest of us. However, people love their negative attitude and they enjoy destroying people with this negative attitude.
When all this UBER/Taxi driver conflict started I knew I could compete. Every customer gets a polite greeting and a “thank you and a have a nice day” at end of service. I always keep my taxi clean and presentable and I am fair in my pricing. The customer and I have no problem talking with each other and coming to an agreement. We taxi drivers have the responsibility of being attractive to the customer by being respectful and providing pleasing service. We are smart enough to figure out for our selves how to get and maintain customers.
However, people with a negative attitude towards taxi drivers are negatively impacting my income. I am a person like any one else. The money I earn pays for the life I want. If I am willing to work the long hours under heat and cold, why shouldn’t I profit from my effort?
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RESPECT EVERY ONE