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Illegal taxi operation

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Illegal taxicabs, sometimes known as pirate taxis, gypsy cabs, or jitney cabs, are taxicabs and other vehicles for hire that are not duly licensed or permitted by the jurisdiction in which they operate. Most major cities worldwide require taxicabs to be licensed, safety-inspected, have automobile insurance as vehicles for hire, and to use taximeters, and there may also be requirements that the taxi driver be registered or accredited. However, many unlicensed cabs are in operation. Illegal cabs may be marked taxi vehicles (sometimes referred to as "speedy cabs"), and others are personal vehicles used by an individual to offer unauthorized taxi-like services. Illegal cabs are prevalent in cities with medallion systems, which restrict the number of legal cabs in operation.

Terminology and operations

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A variety of terms are used in the industry to describe legal and illegal transportation providers. Hacks or hackers is a common term that originated with the hackney horse, a breed of horse typically offered for hire in the 19th century. Other terms used are livery cab, car service, or jitney taxi cab.[1][2][3][4][5][6]

The phrases vary by locality and often refer to different classes of licensed transportation providers.

In mainland China, illegal cabs are referred to as black taxis or black cars (黑车), or alternatively blue-plate cars (蓝牌车), referring to the colour of the licence plates for private vehicles, rather than yellow for public service vehicles.[citation needed]

In Lagos, Nigeria, illegal cabs are usually referred to as kabu kabu.[7]

In Hong Kong, illegal cabs are usually referred to as white card, due to the different licence plate appearance between commercial and non-commercial vehicles.[citation needed]

In Malaysia, illegal taxicabs are called prebet sapu (sweep privates).[8]

In the Philippines, illegal taxis operating as Public Utility Vehicles (PUVs) without proper franchise are called colorums.

In Madrid, Spain, illegal taxicabs meant for carrying drug addicts to the meeting point with drug dealers are called cundas (singular, cunda).[9]

In Argentina, illegal taxicabs are called remises truchos (false taxis).[10]

In Norway and Denmark, an illegal cab is called pirattaxi (pirate taxi).[11]

In Gabon they are called clandos.[12]

In the Netherlands they are called snorders; the term derives from the Yiddish verb snorren, to scrounge, cadge.[13][14]

In Turkey, an illegal taxicab is known as a korsan taksi (pirate taxi).[15]

In Ireland, in 2024, seven vehicles were seized as part of an illegal taxi operation.[16]

In Baltimore, supermarkets in working-class neighborhoods frequently have "courtesy drivers" who, although not employed by the supermarket, have shown identification to management and are allowed to wait in front of the store for fares. Unlike licensed cab drivers, these courtesy drivers will also help to carry groceries up to one's apartment. "Hacking" in Baltimore has grown grass-roots style to a region-wide phenomenon, originating from "Hack Clubs", organizations usually operating in converted rowhouses where "hacks" made their cars available, distributed business cards with a central number, employed a "dispatcher", and hung around the rowhouse waiting in line for calls. This practice continues today, but hacking has evolved to the point where people nowadays just wag a finger toward the street, and wait for anyone to stop. This new way of getting around remains popular, despite being potentially dangerous, due to disillusionment with the city transit service, and the fact that licensed cabs seldom stop for fares in the most dangerous parts of town. There are plenty of willing drivers, and competition can be fierce. The fare is negotiated and paid upfront. Police maintain this is illegal, and sometimes enforce with $500 tickets, and a trip to the courthouse.

In Pittsburgh, jitneys are unlicensed cabs that specialize in areas underserved by traditional taxis and public transport, particularly the historically Black Hill District. This is the inspiration for August Wilson's play Jitney, which is set at a Hill District car service office.[17]

In Chicago, raiteros are drivers who take immigrant workers to distant farms and factories. They sometimes function also as temp agency.[18]

Amish taxis of rural Pennsylvania

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Unlicensed cabs are also found among the Amish of rural Pennsylvania, who do not drive. Amish taxis can be licensed or unlicensed; in some cases unlicensed taxis are easier to find.[19] A paratransit license from the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) is required to operate an Amish taxi legally in Pennsylvania. This applies to anyone who transports people for a fee. The vehicle cannot hold more than 15 passengers, and must display a PUC identification number on both sides of the vehicle.[20][21]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Dalzell, Tom (2007). The new Partridge dictionary of slang and unconventional English (Reprint ed.). Routledge. p. 943. ISBN 978-0415259378.
  2. ^ Merriam-Webster's pocket guide to English usage. Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster. 1998. p. 178. ISBN 0877795142.
  3. ^ Garner, Bryan A. (2009). Garner's modern American usage (3rd ed.). New York: Oxford University Press. p. 405. ISBN 978-0195382754.
  4. ^ Wedeck, H.E. (1973). Dictionary of gypsy life and lore. with the assistance of Wade Baskin. New York: Philosophical Library. ISBN 0806529857.
  5. ^ Garner, Bryan A. (2011). A dictionary of modern legal usage (3rd ed.). New York: Oxford University Press. p. 400. ISBN 978-0195384208.
  6. ^ Bolaffi, Guido (2002). Dictionary of race, ethnicity and culture (1. publ., [Nachdr.]. ed.). SAGE Publications. p. 291. ISBN 0761969004.
  7. ^ Akoni, Olasunkanmi (August 17, 2016). "Lagos to enforce regulation on 'Kabu kabu', others". Vanguard Nigeria. Vanguard Media Limited. Retrieved 19 September 2022.
  8. ^ Mohamad Fahd Rahmat (7 January 2011). "Prebet sapu makin ligat" (in Malay). Berita Harian. Retrieved 23 January 2013.
  9. ^ How cundas, taxis of drugs, work. Telemadrid.
  10. ^ "Advierten que cada vez hay más remises "truchos"". Diario El Sol Mendoza (in European Spanish). Retrieved 2020-09-05.
  11. ^ "Pirate taxis cruise streets". Copenhagen Post. 3 April 2007. Retrieved 23 September 2012.
  12. ^ "Gabun; Improvisation, Korruption: Die Offiziellen Schwarzmarkt-Taxis – les taxis "clandos" de Libreville bientôt tous en jaunes "comme à New York"". Archiv Afrikanews 2009-2014.
  13. ^ Nicoline van der Sijs, Chronologisch woordenboek (in Dutch). Retrieved 2022-06-17 – via Digitale Bibliotheek voor de Nederlandse Letteren (DBNL).
  14. ^ "Wat is een snorder?". Amsterdam.nl (in Dutch). Retrieved 2022-06-17.
  15. ^ "Taksicilerden özeleştiri, vatandaştan şikayet (Korsan taksi tartışması)". www.ntv.com.tr (in Turkish). Retrieved 2024-12-14.
  16. ^ "Seven vehicles seized as part of illegal taxi operation". Police Service of Northern Ireland. 3 July 2024.
  17. ^ Mendelson, Abby (July 22, 2015). "For some neighborhoods, jitney is the only way to travel". Pittsburgh City Paper. Retrieved 21 April 2021.
  18. ^ Grabell, Michael (April 29, 2013). "Taken for a Ride: Temp Agencies and 'Raiteros' in Immigrant Chicago". ProPublica.
  19. ^ "Pa. Officials Cracking Down on Unlicensed 'Amish Taxis'". Insurance Journal. January 4, 2008.
  20. ^ "Drivers of 'Amish Taxis' Require State Certification" (Press release). Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission. January 10, 2005.
  21. ^ Mautner, Chris (February 16, 2019). "Helping the Amish get around: Driver services supplement buggies in Lancaster County". PennLive.
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