Originally Posted by Steve M

Well, that's the thing, isn't it? How many people, especially tourists, are going to go to that trouble? Virtually none. Which is exactly what the drivers know and why it continues.



I'm inferring from that statement that a $1000 fine is a typical sentence handed down, and that, along with the low chances of prosecution, apparently doesn't provide much of a deterrent. Now, I don't think the solution is to fill up the jails with cabbies. But, how about this? First offence for the egregious taxi violations (failure to use the meter, or refusing a fare): $1000 fine and a 30-day suspension of the taxicab driver's license. Some types of violations, like speeding or unsafe driving, and perhaps charging for luggage that's close to the minimum size for such charge, can be subjective and are a matter of degree. But failure to use the meter or refusing a fare are fundamental to being a cab driver and are Yes/No violations, and impossible to commit without specific intent, such as due to lax attention. Drivers willing to commit them shouldn't be driving a taxi.