San Francisco Cabbies Weigh In On Credit Card Controversy
SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS) – San Francisco cab drivers attending the first of six town hall meetings scheduled over the next week, let the Municipal Transportation Agency know what they think of recent changes to how credit card fees are handled. Recommendations from the meetings will be presented to the agency board.
KCBS' Anna Duckworth Reports:
Around 50 cabbies attended a town hall meeting hosted by the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency, that at times was very contentious. It focused on five percent fees that took effect on April 1st for fares paid by credit cards. So far, cabbies have been absorbing the costs.
"Last night when I drove, I did $281 in credit card sales, and out of that came $15, which is just out of my pocket," said driver Mychael Monroe.
He suggested San Francisco charge customers a flat convenience fee of two or three dollars like they do in Las Vegas.
However, driver Dennis Korkos says cab companies with extra expenses typically raise the gate, which is the rental fee charged to a driver for a shift.
"Gate increases are typically paid for by increasing the meter," said Korkos. "We haven't raised the meter in seven or eight years, so it's way, way overdue."
The MTA board will consider the recommendations at its meeting next Tuesday.
(Copyright 2011 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
