April Early, Off To Death Valley: The Seattle/King County Medallion Retirement Controversy & The Toxic Work Environment All Cabbies Share & NYC Cabbie's Comment About Gasoline Prices & NCAA Basketball Memories 1988

 Off to the Death Valley National Park's Flower "Super Bloom (I Hope) 

Here in the southwest corner of New Mexico, the temperatures, like the greater Southwestern states, are much higher than normal, meaning Death Valley, that wonderful park bordering the western border of Nevada, is experiencing 100 plus degrees F. this week, potentially wilting the flowers I hope to see.  But off I go on a 700 mile one-way excursion. My only complaint is Trump's unnecessary war with Iran, and the accompanying spike in gasoline prices. 

Thankfully, tiny San Lorenzo has been spared the bombs and missiles. The only direct impact here is local gas prices having increased by over a one dollar a gallon. I will make every attempt to avoid buying gas in California. I do not want to pay $6.00 per gallon or whatever it may be. No thanks to that! 

Donald Trump keeps repeating that these high gas prices are short term but what he isn't saying is that this is the fastest gasoline price rise in American history. Is his middle name "infamous?" It will be soon. 

But isn't it fun being part of a history making event? All of us will be mentioned someday in future history books, if not individually, collectively. That should be solace enough for a quickly emptying wallet, don't you think?  Or perhaps not. 

Appeasement to Uber and Their Teamster Buddies? An Examination of Seattle/King County's Medallion Retirements

Sorry folks, is all I can say. I should have been paying better attention, your ever faithful taxi watchdog asleep in the front yard. Normally I'm barking if not growling. But now I'm on the hunt, my bloodhound nose pressed to the bureaucratic ground, sniffing for clues. I think I more or less understand how the medallion retirements came about. Do I know who decided to start auditing the medallions, a kind of Santa Claus (Father Christmas) naughty or nice process of seeing who was actively interested in operating a taxicab with their stagnant medallion or medallions?  No I don't but I know they are hiding somewhere in one of those tall building reaching for the sky in DT Seattle. 

But I want everyone to understand why the vast majority of the inactive medallions were not on working cabs: because the association system that once sustained the local Seattle/King County taxicab industry has fallen apart, only a faint memory of what it once was. As to why that is something I think everyone knows, that being the 2014 Seattle City Council's fatal decision not to cap Uber and Lyft at 250 cars each. Yes, this is old history, so let's run up a few years to December 2023, December 12th to be exact, and find out what our friends on the City Council were doing for or not for the now stumbling Seattle taxicab community.

Regulators from both the City and the County decided rules for taxis need updated. Some were positive, like allowing cabs to pickup passengers anywhere in Seattle and King County. Others not so positive, like insisting that owner/operators only use an association-based payment system, though their "smart meter" is damnably similar to Lyft and Uber's systems networks, someone somehow thinking it would level the "playing field" between TNCs and taxis. This is also when all those sitting medallions were scrutinized as to their status, and what should be done concerning them. One question I have is why hadn't this medallion audit instead been done yearly, instead of a sudden shocked gasp, exclaiming "Oh my god! What is going on here?!"  

Shortening this narrative, the regulators put all their new rules and plans in a package and took it to the Seattle City Council for examination. One important part of it had nothing to do with taxicabs whatsoever but instead a Teamsters Local 117 lobbying initiative to operate a TNC Drivers Union funded by a cool one million dollars. How truly actively involved the Teamsters were in creating the regulatory package that came to be known as Seattle Municipal Code 6.311, I do not know. But I do know that the Teamsters were at times adversarial, as exemplified by a long running lawsuit against Eastside Flat-rate for Hire. It seemed they were "out for blood," a kind of revanchism for what real reason I was never clear about.

One thing I know for sure is that the Seattle City Council loves talking to "legitimate" voices like the Teamsters and established entities like Puget Sound Dispatch (Seattle Yellow Cab), the City Council more than happy to pretend that Teamsters and PSD are representing owner/operator's real views and opinions, when nothing further from the truth is true. Why negotiate with the unwashed rabble when instead far more pleasant speaking with "establishment" figureheads?  Think of 1792 and the French Revolution.  Who wants to talk to Maximilien Robespierre when far better speaking to a powdered, cultured Marie Antoinette?  You don't want to lose your head.

I am joking but I want to return to the subject of the medallion retirements themselves. It has been explained to me that some medallion owners effectively abandoned their medallions, basically not paying attention to their own property. Inattention unfortunately is something rampant throughout Seattle's taxi history. And I was told that notices were sent out in 2024 providing a full year of warning of what the Seattle/County were planning regarding medallions. Then last fall they starting sending out notices of pending medallion retirement if no response was received.

While not condoning Seattle and King County's actions and decisions, it would have been imperative to properly respond to what was being said, and many did not respond, leading to the mess the vast majority find themselves in: their medallions have been retired. This, guys, is no way to conduct business. You must be awake to what is happening around you. 

From what I see now, if a solution is to be found, is for everyone to become proactive. And the first place to start is to email Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson and tell her, in your own words, what has happened and what you think the remedy is.  Just google "Contact the Seattle Mayor" and her website will appear.  It is very easy to do.  

Another part of this is to meet in an organized fashion with the mayor. Karl Porter, if you know him, is a person to contact about this. Sooner than later is better when meeting with the mayor. 

I hope I have provided some clarification concerning all this. I end with this advice. Always be aware of what you need to do to maintain your business, your livelihood. If the Seattle and King County cabbies had been more awake concerning what the City and County were planning, you would not have been surprised when they came knocking at your door, saying the medallion you thought was yours has now been taken away.  

Part of the conversation that must be had is what is "real property" and what is "leased property?"  Why would anyone pay, for instance, $100,000 for a taxicab medallion, when it simply is an lease agreement that can be terminated for a sundry of bureaucratic reasons?  Why does that make any sense?  It doesn't. 

Health and the Cabbie: My Personal Situation 

I am telling everyone this to serve as an important warning for all cabbies. Recently I have been diagnosed with prostrate cancer.  Thankfully it has not spread beyond the prostrate but still, without intervention, I will die. I am approaching my treatment choices pragmatically, choosing to undergo naturopathic, Chinese, and traditional (radiation) treatments.  I was shocked at my diagnosis but like all of you, we have all worked in a carbon toxic work environment that is unhealthy. 

The average lifespan for a cabbie in the USA is age 67.  I am 72.  If you are over 40, and especially if you are 50 or older, consider a prostrate biopsy. it could save your life.  Another suggestion is, clean up your diet. Online you will find many suggestions. Get lots of sleep.  I am sure my crazy habit of working taxi weekends of 44 hours out of 48 did not help my body.  My pocketbook loved it, and I did take Monday-Friday off but the stress, wear and tear was not good.  Be smarter than me. Take good care of yourself. 

Back in 2024 in Seattle, an astrologer said I would live to at least age 90.  I am trying to make that prediction come true. 

Great Comment by Somone who Knows

At the start of this war (Trump) caused gasoline crisis, a NYC cabbie was interviewed on the APR/NPR Marketplace radio program while fueling up his taxi at a gas station near LaGuardia Airport. He said, normally, gasoline to fill his taxicab's tank would cost $35.00. That day it was costing him $61.00.  The interview ended with him saying,"When gas goes up, I go down."  Not a truer statement said. 

Nothing Like Sporting Events for the Big Money

The Men's NCAA  basketball games playing out now reminds  me of the first big basketball tournament I worked in Seattle. I was still dumb and new in the business, remembering going up with some passengers to their hotel room at the Kennedy. drinking brandy. These crazy guys ended giving me lots of money but later, no way would I do something so stupid. I was 34 so I wasn't a kid.  Post-divorce depression?  Probably. One always needs an excuse when they are idiotic. 

If You Live in Seattle's North End, District 5

It would be great if Silas James ended on up on Seattle's City Council. There is a special election coming up. Not only will you get the opportunity to vote for James, but you can also send him your two City of Seattle Democracy vouchers.  The Seattle City Council could use some wild-eyed idealism. Please remember that the taxicab community has had few real friends on Seattle's City Council.  Silas James just might be one. 

DId You Know Your Bus Lane Violation Ticket Could Become A Moving Violation? & CA SB 720 Safer Streets Act & Chicago Ordered To Refund $69.6 Million & When in Paris, France: English Speaking (Taxi Parisien) Cabs , Rates And More & Emily Steel, Our Hero & A Conversation With A Seattle Taxi Veteran & Seattle Times Uber Article & TaxiPoint UK Taxi News

 Watch Out for those Ticket Cameras

The new camera law in CA got me to thinking about something I struggled with when I was forced to insure my car with New Mexico-based auto insurance.  I might have written about it last year but what I had to deal with was an erroneous report from the City of Seattle saying a bus lane ticket was a moving violation. It took me months and many telephone calls and emails to correct the mistake. I was never told why it happened. Mistakes are made is the simple answer.  

I write this as a warning to all of you who are now paying the highest taxicab insurance rates ever noted in the USA industry. It doesn't matter if your five-year MVR is completely clear, you are still looking at paying $5-6000. annually. Get a ticket on your MVR and expect your rate to skyrocket to the moon.  

The unfortunate reality is that with so many miles on the road each month, tickets, at least camera generated tickets, are coming your way. In San Francisco, cabs are allowed to use bus lanes but in Seattle they are a revenue-based violation the city uses to bolster their budget. 

If you do get a camera issued ticket, make sure you get records stating the following: that it is paid; that it  clearly states what kind of violation it is; and that it is a non-moving violation. Make a copy and send it to your insurance agent. That way, if a mistake occurs, you will save time and money because, like me, your insurer will immediately be charging you more.  

Also please remember this: the insurance companies do not care about you or the cab industry in general.  I found that out beyond any doubt when Progressive tried to blame me for an accident when I was sitting stationary at a light and a driver, driving on the wrong side of the street, struck my cab. Outrageous but true.  Progressive corrected their error but did they apologize?  No. 

State of California Camera Rule Changes

CA SB Bill 720, in a compromise to allow for more traffic camera expansion, makes all violations a civil not criminal violation. Whether that will stop drivers from running red lights, or increase the likelihood, it still might be an improvement. Always stay informed to ticket rule changes in your home state, city and county. You the cab driver are an easy target. Never forget it. 

And in Chicago: Judge Rules City Violated State Law

On Feb 19th, 2026, Circuit Court Judge William B. Sullivan, ruled in a lawsuit filed in 2018, that the City of Chicago must pay $69.6 million in refunds in drivers who had received citations.  He also ordered that the City of Chicago forgive $93.8 million in debt held by ticketed drivers. Why this incredibly large monetary settlement?  

Because the City of Chicago violated Illinois state law by illegally charging late fees that were not allowed. What is interesting to me about this is that in 2017, Chicago agreed to a $38.7 settlement alleging it had failed to provide adequate notice to drivers ticketed by red light and speed cameras in over one million issued citations. Talk about not learning your lesson. 

Given that Chicago has over 13,000 taxicab drivers, you can be sure many of those tickets in both cases were issued to them. And concerning the recent judgement, the City of Chicago is weighting whether it should appeal. Why not kick the can down the road?  Why care about the many affected drivers?  Why care about anything except $$$? 

All About Taking a Cab in Paris, France

Paris is my favorite big city.  If you hadn't been, go, and you too will see what I mean. My favorite part of the city is around the Gare du Nord (the North Train Station).  If I ever live there again, that will be my first choice, a migrant filled neighborhood that is filled with vibrancy, urban vigor at its shouting best.  To further entice you, here are a few lines from the song "Give Paris One More Chance" performed by Jonathan Richman and his Modern Lovers in 1983:

"Well, if you've been to cities but you've had enough

Have you been to Paris, France?

And if you doubt Paris was made for love

Give Paris one more chance" 

On my second to last visit I met this lovely French woman at a bookstore. We began talking about books and poetry and clearly there was a connection. I walked into the night but then, was it hallucination?  was it wishful thinking? or just pure madness? I heard in my brain "come back, come back" but I didn't go back because I knew if I did I might be starting something that wouldn't stop, something I wasn't prepared to do. So, you too might want to give Paris a chance. You might never come back. Screw Seattle!

Paris cabs (Taxi Parisien) are everywhere. Their toplights are either beaming green or red.  A green light means they are vacant, free to be taken. A red light shows they are occupied. 

You can easily find them on the many stands throughout the city but if wanting to guarantee an English-speaking cabbie then the taxi company G7 would be your first choice.  Their 24/7 telephone number is 0 41 27 66 99.  Their app link is: https://www.g7.fr/en/  Their customer service in English website is https://aide.g7.fr/he/fr

The minimum fare in Paris is 8 euros ($9.41), so taking a cab, like taking a London Black Cab, is not cheap. There are two major airports in Paris, Charles de Gaulle and Orly.  Fares from de Gaulle: 65 euros to the Left Bank; 56 euros to the Right Bank of the city. The River Seine is the divider. From Orly: 36 euros to the Left Bank; 45 euros to the Right Bank. 

Unless you have lots of luggage, I suggest taking a train or bus. Trains have always been my first choice. The RER B runs from de Gaulle very 15 minutes from 5:30 AM -11:30 PM, ending at the Gare du Nord. There is now new bus service from de Gaulle, the Express 9517, that will take you to the Metro Line 14 for about 3 euros. From there , the Metro will take you into central Paris. If arriving in the daylight, do that and see the city.  I make every effort in every foreign city I arrive in to take local buses. For me they are cheap tour buses. Never boring. 

And here are more examples of how cab rates in Paris are divided in a given day and week. How anyone can keep track of all this is beyond me. Do the meters automatically change as the clock ticks on?  Next time I am in Paris I will have to take a G7 cab and find out for sure.  Despite all my time in France, I am not a French speaker. My ex-wife was the opposite, having learned French in Belgium and France when she was 14.  The rates are divided as Tariffs and all the rates are in euros:

Tariff A

10 AM-5 PM except Sundays and Holidays. 1.25 per kilometer and max hourly rate 38.85 (As I said, cabs are expensive in Paris. One kilometer is about 2/3rds of a mile.)

Tariff B

5 PM-10 PM and Sundays 7 AM-Midnight and all day on public holidays. 1.64 per kilometer and max hourly rate 51.79.

Tariff C 

Sundays 12 AM-7 AM 1.74 per kilometer and max hourly rate 42.52.

Ya got all that?  Talk about complicated.  And rates are different outside of Paris. But the reality in Paris is that the public transport in so good, it makes little sense to take a cab. The weekly transit pass is cheap when compared to taxi rates.

Back in Sept 1984, being assigned the task of moving our bags from our apartment to our hotel, I took a cab across Paris. It was a good ride but remembering thinking it was too expensive. The next day, walking and finding ourselves lost in the giant park that is the Bois de Boulogne, we flagged a cab and got back to our hotel, and a little bit later, had one of our best meals in Paris, eating in a cafe sharing a long table with locals. Such is the wonder and pleasure of travel!

Another Emily Steel NY Times article concerning Uber

The Feb 19th, 2026 article is entitled "Uber Moves to Enact Stricter Background Checks for Drivers."  It reminds everyone that between 2017-2022 sexual assault or sexual misconduct was reported on an average of every 8 minutes to Uber.  And of course, Uber did nothing to stop these attacks.  

Who is to blame?  Certainly Uber itself but more broadly it was Uber's enablers in State, County and City governments that allowed this to happen by letting Uber dictate the rules. In CA this fall there is a statewide ballot initiative to make Uber responsible for the actions of its drivers. Makes complete sense.

A Very Entertaining Conversation with a Taxi Buddy

From 1700 miles away I can laugh but living the dysfunction that is now Seattle taxi (and Uber and Lyft and town car) is certainly no fun. Tales of ripoff mechanics (I know the guy) and drivers who have gone over the edge (a friend of mine) makes for a sad narrative. From him I only received more evidence that the vast majority of Seattle cabbies are living in the past even while the present isn't very nice.  His tale of just trying to purchase another car to be his next taxi was harrowing.  Can you trust anyone?  Perhaps not.  

If I had the millions necessary I would sweep in and attempt to rescue everyone. Perhaps I better buy a lottery ticket. I would unite all the associations, and suddenly, all the cabbies would be making real money again, and the customer service would be at a historical high. We would give Seattle transportation customers new reasons to take cabs while giving Uber and Lyft the boot.  Wouldn't that all be great fun? 

Seattle Times Feb 26th, 2026 Article concerning too many Ubers: Seattle Has an Uber Problem

It is entitled "WA Union for Uber, Lyft Drivers says Too Many Rideshare Drivers on the Road." Reported by Nicholas Deshais.  Nothing new here but it adds to the obvious.  I encourage everyone interested to write your opinion to him at ndeshais@seattletimes.com.  Educate the reporter!

TaxiPoint/TaxiPoint Premium UK Taxi News

This is a website I have subscribed to, providing helpful news concerning our taxicab comrades faraway across the mighty Atlantic in merry old England.  Reading it can keep you updated to new trends as London's Black Cab industry could be considered the pinnacle of worldwide taxi. But that doesn't mean it is a perfect world, as the latest report describes. Check it out with a 90 day free trial. 

It turns out that connectivity issues affecting mobile payment systems have led some passengers to accuse  Black Cab cabbies of impropriety, resulting in complaints to the taxicab ruling Transport for London (TfL). As any cabbie in this modern world knows, connectivity failure is commonplace. I have certainly lost money due to connectivity drops, finding myself unable to properly and timely authorize a credit card charge. Over my taxi career, I estimate I lost about $1000.00 total from run-outs etc. Part of the fun and games that is taxi. 

There are two things going on with these London complaints. One, it is too typical to blame the cabbie, because longstanding mythology shouts every cabbie is a thief. Everyone knows that!  The other is basic.  To become a certified Black Cab London cabbie, you will spend two-four arduous years learning every bloody street in the ENTIRE city of London and metro area.  

Why would any cabbie throw all of that toil away to gain an extra penny from a passenger?  It's nonsensical but as every cabbie knows, that never stops some asshole passenger from saying you are this and that. Over my 35 years plus years beneath the toplight I was accused of every crime imaginable save murder. And the only reason I wasn't accused of murder is that a body had to be produced. 

In other words, the issue plaguing Black Cab cabbies is totally bogus, and hopefully the TfL is smart enough not to waste everyone's time. There are real reasons why every ride should be recorded, taping both sound and motion.  And once it is proved that the passenger lied, off to the gallows we go!  Keep a rope in the boot. Hang 'em high!