The State Of Taxi Today In Seattle, Washington Late November 2017---Yellow Version

As  2017 ends, I feel compelled to once again assay where we are both locally as an industry, and specifically, Yellow Cab Seattle as an association, where signs of revolution are popping up, with drivers and owners popping off.  In terms of the overall taxi industry I can say little, knowing next to nothing what is truly happening with my American taxi brethren though I can guess they are not having a particular good nor happy time.

But in Seattle and King County I know more than I want, wishing and hoping things were better but fantasy is better confined to fairy tales and religion where visions of sugar plums and messiahs vie for attention.  Yes, I could say a prayer but to whom I have no idea unless it is to new Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan, requesting a new commonsense administrative approach to engulf the city east, west, north and south and City Hall too.  Yes, that would be nice.

My brief report will be broken down into four categories as follows: Regulatory, Association, Owner & Driver, and Passenger/Customer.  Brevity will be my goal due to these topics having many been addressed and mentioned in previous postings so why repeat what has been said other than to pound the obvious into reluctant minds?

Yes, knowing full well that many aren't interested in either listening or responding despite obvious reality, I will still officially recount for the current record what shouldn't be avoided but has been sidestepped for years regardless of necessity and urgency.  Why move forward when instead it is so comfortable remaining mired in dysfunction?

For most individuals connected directly and peripherally with taxi, doing nothing, saying nothing the operative stance, taking us to where we find ourselves: nowhere whatsoever.  But are we in Seattle's taxi industry solely to blame for our issues and problems? 

I say not, especially with the announcement that Uber concealed the hacking of over 57 million driver and passenger accounts, failing to notify either government regulators or the individuals whose privacy were violated. Uber even paid the hackers $100,00, and making it worse, even identified who they were, making them sign nondisclosure agreements, all this making wonder just who are the real criminals in this amazing transaction.

And just who, I ask you, embraced Uber, welcoming it into Seattle's business community like a long lost family member?  Why of course the very same administrators charged with protecting the taxi industry.  As I keep asking, why did they do this, and more, why do they continue to allow Uber and Lyft to regulate themselves, given the many proven violations screaming upon media bylines and front pages?

Seattle Regulators: Bureaucratic Hubris

All the various Seattle and King County entities regulating the area taxi industry appear to hold two simultaneous stances: to have complete control yet do nothing to actively assist the industry.  While quick to demand fees, they respond, when asked to address poor cab maintenance and questionable independent operator treatment, by saying they have no jurisdiction concerning day-to-day operations.

And what are the results to this approach, heavy hand of government is used to only collect the money?  Driver and owner grievances are left unanswered, with dysfunctional and dangerous cabs allowed to put out upon rainy streets regardless of consequence.  That what happened in 1989 is still occurring in 2017 says everything about administrative mismanagement.  And it isn't that the City of Seattle and King County haven't been told, because they have yet still the same issues remain from day to week to month to year, nothing changing because no one truly appears to care.

And if  City and County government care, and if asked, they will say they do, then why are Uber and Lyft drivers allowed to operate one minute minus required for-hire licenses and commercial car insurance?  We in the taxi industry are not allowed this kind of leeway in any manner, shape or form.  Then what can be going on, allowing Uber and Lyft to blatantly break the law, especially when now it is clear that Uber cannot be trusted to respect usual conventions?

The verdict: Arrogance and dysfunction

Seattle Taxi & Flat-Rate Associations: Milking the Taxi Cow

Yellow, I can attest, is in near disarray. Drivers are screaming that they are not making money despite paying the weekly required $180.00 dispatch fee.  The dispatch company based in Las Vegas continues to make unforced rookie errors, like listing  Seahawk Stadium's address as 8000 Occidental South, when it is actually 800 Occidental South.  Petitions are now being distributed to remove the general manager and his dispatch manager.  The shop is closed on Sunday so flats remain un-repaired, and often, it is reported, there are no replacement tires available anytime during the week. 

So what is the primary issue  plaguing Yellow and other local associations?  The refusal to re-monetize and reinvest into their own business, taking money out that instead should, at least short-term, be used to replace aging vehicles plus ensuring fleet drivers have all necessary replacement parts and speedy car repairs available.  That this should be the bare minimum is obvious, and not something open to argument and debate. 

The verdict: Disinterest and avarice

Drivers & Owners: The Unyielding Conundrum

I have come to an avoidable conclusion concerning the many drivers and single owners operating both taxis, flat-rate for hire cars and TNC (Uber & Lyft) vehicles:  the large majority are simply awful, don't know what they are doing, and even worse, don't care if they get it right or not.  The reasons are many but the conclusion is clear:  the "adding water and mix" model of placing people beneath the top-light and into ride-share cars is a very bad idea. 

One thing I have seen, even amongst longtime veteran drivers, is the compounding of error, and though it should be obvious, intentionally avoiding potentially positive alternatives.  I witnessed a fellow Yellow cabbie driving 80 MPH very heavy northbound traffic upon a rainy Saturday morning.  A blowout would have sent him spinning into the surrounding cars. 

Is he and other taxi and Uber drivers considering the true consequences of what they are doing?  No, they are not, and when it is pointed out, refuse to either listen or alter dumbbell behavior.  Part of the issue is poor cultural assimilation. The other is pure obstinance, a stupid refusal to admit there could be a better way of operating.  So when they don't make money, it is never their fault but the truth is, often it is.

The verdict: We are in trouble

Passengers and Customers: They Deserve Better Service

Of course there are crazy and unpleasant passengers but from my experience, 95 % of them are just fine, a pleasure to have in the cab.  That too many passengers receive bad and indifferent service belies what I just said, that most taxi, Uber and flat-rate drivers either don't know what they are doing or don't care. 

And please remember, over the past 10 years I have been an industry and operator advocate, so when I say big changes are needed in terms of basic customer service, I know what I am referencing.  Taxi customers pay a real premium for that ride from A to B and back home again.  Respect is required unless the passenger makes it clear none is deserving.  Where would we be without them?  Nowhere is the answer. 

The verdict:  Passengers are our "bread & butter, something that can never be forgotten

Conclusion:

Making it short, not sweet but clearly sour---taxi is no fun, no fun for all the reasons mentioned.  A real money maker, yes, but fun, no it isn't, and after 30 years, I can claim to know, which is how it is this waning November 2017.  What else is there to say?  Nothing, nothing whatsoever!