Illegal taxi operation
Illegal taxicabs, sometimes known as pirate taxis, gypsy cabs, or jitney cabs, are taxis and other vehicles for hire that operate illegally because they do not have proper licenses, permits, registrations, and accreditations, safety inspections, vehicle insurance, and/or taximeters. Illegal cabs may be marked taxi vehicles or be 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 by jurisdiction
[edit]Mainland China: black taxis or black cars (黑车), or blue-plate cars (蓝牌车), referring to the colour of the licence plates.[citation needed]
Hong Kong: white card, due to the different licence plate appearance between commercial and non-commercial vehicles.[citation needed]
Malaysia:prebet sapu (sweep privates).[2]
Philippines: colorums.
Madrid: cundas (singular, cunda) - for carrying drug addicts to the meeting point with drug dealers.[3]
Argentina: remises truchos (false taxis).[4]
Norway and Denmark: pirattaxi (pirate taxi).[5]
Netherlands: snorders; derives from the Yiddish verb snorren, to scrounge, cadge.[7]
Turkey: korsan taksi (pirate taxi).[8]
Incidents
[edit]In 1989, 7 taxi drivers were arrested for operating an illegal taxi operation in Los Angeles.[9]
In Pittsburgh, as of 2015, unlicensed cabs served areas underserved by traditional taxis and public transport, particularly the historically Black Hill District. This was the inspiration for August Wilson's play Jitney (1982), which is set at a Hill District car service office.[10]
As of 2008, unlicensed cabs were 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.[11]
In 2017, 8 illegal taxis were caught in Shanghai via checkpoints.[12]
Also in 2017, 15 illegal taxi drivers were caught in a one-hour undercover sting in Nottingham.[13]
In 2022, residents in Abu Dhabi were warned against using illegal taxis.[14]
In 2023, authorities in Japan warned about using illegal taxis after an increase in tourism.[15]
In the summer of 2023, a motorist was caught operating an illegal taxi in Timoleague, Ireland.[16]
In Ireland, in 2024, 7 vehicles were seized as part of an illegal taxi operation in Derry.[17][18]
In 2024, illegal taxis in Japan sometimes posed as legal taxis.[19] Authorities were having trouble catching illegal taxis in Gifu Prefecture, many of which were booked online.[20]
Also in 2024, illegal taxis were becoming more popular in Malaysia at universities, and were being ordered via Telegram.[21] They were also accused of aiding in illegal immigration.[2]
In March 2025, a driver was fined for offering illegal taxi rides in Reading, Berkshire.[22]
In 2025, a chef was caught giving illegal taxi rides in Dublin.[23]
Also in 2025, illegal taxis were an issue in Russia[24] and in Dubai.[25]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Akoni, Olasunkanmi (August 17, 2016). "Lagos to enforce regulation on 'Kabu kabu', others". Vanguard.
- ^ a b Abdullah, Sharifah Mahsinah (January 20, 2024). "On thin ice: Kelantan's 'prebet sapu' taxis under scrutiny for alleged involvement in illegal immigration". New Straits Times.
- ^ "Así trabajan en Madrid las cundas, los taxis de la droga" [How cundas, taxis of drugs, work]. Telemadrid (in Spanish). August 1, 2018.
- ^ Montivero, Alexis. "Advierten que cada vez hay más remises "truchos"" [They warn that there are more and more "fake" taxis]. Diario El Sol Mendoza (in Spanish).
- ^ "Pirate taxis cruise streets". Jyllands-Posten. The Copenhagen Post. 3 April 2007.
- ^ Nze, Ismaël Obiang (May 24, 2022). "Les "clandos", taxis informels et vétustes, incontournables à Libreville" [The "clandos", informal and dilapidated taxis, essential in Libreville]. Voice of America (in French).
- ^ van der Sijs, Nicoline. Chronologisch woordenboek [Chronological dictionary] (in Dutch) – via Digital Library for Dutch Literature.
- ^ "Taksicilerden özeleştiri, vatandaştan şikayet (Korsan taksi tartışması)" [Self-criticism from taxi drivers, complaints from citizens (Pirate taxi debate)]. NTV (in Turkish). July 1, 2020.
- ^ CONNELLY, MICHAEL; KOH, BARBARA (January 22, 1989). "Car Wars : 'Sting' Inflames Taxi Turf Battle". Los Angeles Times.
- ^ Mendelson, Abby (July 22, 2015). "For some neighborhoods, jitney is the only way to travel". Pittsburgh City Paper.
- ^ "Pa. Officials Cracking Down on Unlicensed 'Amish Taxis'". Insurance Journal. January 4, 2008.
- ^ Lingchao, Xu (December 30, 2017). "Illegal cabs busted in clever 10-minute sting". Shanghai Daily.
- ^ Jarram, Matt (December 16, 2017). "Undercover sting catches 15 illegal taxi drivers in the city in just ONE hour". Nottingham Post.
- ^ Sebugwaawo, Ismail (August 1, 2022). "Abu Dhabi residents warned about dangers of using illegal taxis". Khaleej Times.
- ^ "Japan cracking down on illegal taxis as tourism boom drives demand". Kyodo News. Chiba. November 18, 2023.
- ^ "Illegal 'taxi' is fined after garda sting". The Southern Star. March 8, 2024.
- ^ "Seven vehicles seized as part of illegal taxi operation". Police Service of Northern Ireland. 3 July 2024.
- ^ "Derry: Police seize seven vehicles in illegal taxis crackdown". BBC News. July 3, 2024.
- ^ "FEATURE: Illegal taxis creating quandary for Japan's police, cab monopolies". Kyodo News. Tokyo. June 15, 2024.
- ^ Shimbun, Chunichi (August 12, 2024). "Gifu struggles to crack down on illegal cabs at tourist hot spots". The Japan Times.
- ^ Hasbi, Ahmad (May 13, 2024). "Illegal taxis make a comeback at universities". New Straits Times.
- ^ "Driver fined for offering illegal taxi rides in Reading". Reading, Berkshire. March 20, 2025.
- ^ Cosgrove, Liam (February 15, 2025). "Chef caught operating illegal taxi service was charging customers €35 for Mullingar to Dublin Airport fare". Irish Independent.
- ^ "The expert explained the danger of illegal taxis". Izvestia. May 6, 2025.
- ^ Husain, Zainab (April 7, 2025). "Avoid illegal taxis in Dubai: How to identify official RTA taxis". Gulf News.