A copy will be posted in every taxi in the city
Within a few weeks, people riding in New Orleans taxis will be able to read an official notice spelling out their rights as passengers, including rights to a clean, well-maintained vehicle, "a clean and noise-free environment" and a neat, well-groomed driver who knows the city, "speaks and understands English," obeys all traffic laws and "operates in a professional and courteous manner." Some longtime passengers, New Orleans City Council members fear, might not have realized they can expect such seemingly basic amenities when riding in local cabs.
View full sizeThese taxis in a holding area at Louis Armstrong International Airport were photographed in May 2009. The council Thursday unanimously adopted an ordinance requiring that a copy of the passengers' "bill of rights" be posted in every taxi in the city.
Councilwoman Kristin Gisleson Palmer said the law is just the beginning of an effort to reform the city's taxi fleet and the City Hall bureau charged with regulating it. Both have been the target of much criticism over the years.
The official notice also will say that passengers are entitled to:
- Have a service animal, such as a seeing-eye dog, in the cab with them.
- "Decline to tip for poor service."
- Be charged only the fare shown on the taxi's meter or fees in accordance with special rates established by the council.
- Receive an explanation of any fare charged and a written receipt listing the driver's name and taxi number, the fare, and where the trip began and ended.
The notice also says cabs must have working seat belts for all passengers and "operating heat and air conditioning turned on/off at your request."
Palmer originally wanted the document to say that passengers can expect drivers not to use mobile phones, either hand-held or hands-free, while driving, but at the request of some drivers she amended it to say only that drivers should "limit the use of mobile phone devices."
Sending text messages while driving is prohibited by state law.
Several dozen drivers showed up at the start of the council meeting, but by the time the council got to the ordinance a few hours later, all of them had left except for spokesman Jason Coleman, who said the drivers were pleased with that amendment and a few other minor changes agreed to by Palmer, chairwoman of the council's Ground Transportation Committee.
Coleman said he looks forward to the city establishing a drivers' bill of rights as well. He did not say what rights he wants it to enumerate.
The ordinance does not spell out how soon the list of rights must be posted in each cab. The law will not take effect until it is signed by Mayor Mitch Landrieu, after which the Ground Transportation Bureau is directed to provide every driver with a copy of the document to be posted on the back of each cab's front seat.
The administration has supported the reform measure, agreeing with council members that making the city's cabs more inviting to passengers is important to enhancing New Orleans' vital tourism economy.
Bruce Eggler can be reached at beggler@timespicayune.com or 504.826.3320.