(TN) The Taxi ordinance prohibits any taxi from picking up
(VLF)anyone downtown when the taxi is not on the taxi stand.
I never flag cabs down. I usually call dispatch so there is always a record of the ride. Also, When I speak about catching a cab from downtown Minneapolis, it is always, always from a taxi stand. I know the cabs are not owned by the city, I realized this after I sent off my post to the list, my humble apologies.
(TN)It's extremely understandable,
(VLF)considering that most of the cities cab drivers are of East-African origin and are experiencing a lot of racial profiling from the MPD that they would be a little paranoid about picking up in certain areas.
Some, not all- drivers of East-African orgin, seem to profile African American riders. I can not speak for anyone else, but myself, the feeling's I get when this happens to me, is one of being a second class citizen. The feeling that I have to tip very well so cab drivers would remember me in future cab rides. I once came out of the Marriott hotel downtown Minneapolis, I noticed a blue and white cab, as I walked toward the cab, the cab driver was pointing to the cab behind him, which was yellow, I continued toward his cab anyway. As, I reached my hand to the door, he took off.
The cab behind him, blew at me to get into his cab, and proceeded to tell me that his friend was just waiting on a better fair. When I asked how to report his friend, this cab driver said he did not know. Another time, I was sick being released from a hospital, call ABC taxi. When I got into the cab, I told the cab driver I needed to stop and drop off my prescription at Walgreen's. Why, this man, down right frowned up his faced, and refused. Told me he did not have time, as he had to pick up his wife from work. I want to know this, if I am paying for the services of the cab, why can't this cab take me here and there. It as if blockbuster told me, I can rent the video, but I can't take it home.
Vanessa Freeman
Hawthorne
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