Cabbie: Exclusive BWI contract keeps cabs nice
Johnny Mattei, who says he's an owner operator for the incumbent BWI taxi contractor, says my column advocating deregulation of BWI cabs ran out of gas. Having an exclusive deal keeps cabs clean and safe, he says, and the drivers can't pick up fares anywhere but BWI. Mattei:
I am a owner/operator of a BWI Taxi and I feel your article is worthless!! All of our cabs are subjected to twice a year inspections for cleanliness and serviceability! Have you ever taken a county cab or city cab and see how they look and smell? We wear uniforms and are presentable and make our customers happy and want to use our service time and time again! There are close to 400 drivers at BWI who have families and mortgages, all of our work comes from BWI and BWI only we are not allowed to pick up in the city or surrounding counties! The city has their cabs, the counties have their cabs and the airport has their own! That is just the way it is!! People will pay for comfort and convenience!!
The Board of Public Works meets Wednesday to again consider awarding a new contract to Dulles Airport Taxi. Liz Kay covered Tuesday's driver protest against the deal, which drivers say would put their jobs and income at risk.
Comments
Oh wow. Inspections twice a year! What amazing standards!
The only thing that improves businesses is competition. Sorry, Johnny Mattei, your argument is complete BS.
On a side note, the airport taxis have never struck me as superior to the others in the city.
Posted by: V | June 14, 2011 8:28 PM
Quick tip - BWI Taxi drivers will do nearly anything to avoid the records generated by credit card payments so as not to report their income. I had a fare of $25 or so and tried to pay with a credit card. The cabbie asked me to pay in cash. I only had $18. He accepted it. This will be my go-to strategy for all future cab rides from BWI.
If they're going to screw the rest of us by not paying their fair share of taxes, I might as well recoup that money somehow.
Posted by: Anonymous | June 15, 2011 11:41 AM
Mr anonymous, you best fit to remain anonymous because your comments are worthless as well! if you choose to take those stinky cabs other than BWI cabs than goes to show the type of person you are, and if you would like to meet in person and discuss this I'd gladly accomodate!!!
Posted by: Johnny Mattei | June 16, 2011 7:17 AM
Wow, Johnny, that is a shortsighted view. Increased competition would be good for everyone. If BWI was smart, it would allow the deregulation of cab service. They'd keep their branded cabs and tout them as higher quality than the nasty yellow cabs from the city. They might grab some business they didn't have before by differentiating their product a bit. Some people who take other cheaper forms of transport from the airport might be enticed if prices were lower (due to more competition). Monopolies are only good for the people at the top. Workers and consumers always get screwed.
Posted by: andrew | June 16, 2011 11:53 AM
trust me I know this, the powers that be won't allow this, at Dulles they can pick up in the surrounding counties near the airport, The owner of Dulles Taxi is bidding on BWI right now, but is planning on making major changes, many drivers fear it affect them negatively! I am speaking on behalf of the BWI cabbies, I no longer drive for them but have friends and family that does! do you know of the 100 or so jobs we lose a day to gypsy cabs that sit on the outside lane without the proper permits or taxi meters? The cops do nothing about this! There is so much more than meets the eye!!
Posted by: Johnny Mattei | June 16, 2011 1:50 PM
Johnny Mattei (June 14, 2011): "I am a owner/operator of a BWI Taxi"
Johnny Mattei (June 16, 2011): "I am speaking on behalf of the BWI cabbies, I no longer drive for them"
Thanks for playing.
Posted by: Anonymous | June 16, 2011 2:33 PM