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Beyond the personal preference of whether to Uber or taxi, there are concerns by the local cab drivers that their livelihoods are being affected by poachers.

The issue was brought to light Wednesday by resident Felicia Simmons [in feature photo] during the public portion of the Asbury Park City Council Regular Meeting.

“The taxi drivers are experiencing huge losses,” said Simmons, who sits of the local Board of Education said. “They are community members, a lot of them are residents of Asbury Park, and driving a taxi is their sole form of financing their family.”

Simmons said concerns include a perception of being targeted and the allowance of cab drivers based in area communities being allowed to pick up local fares, particularly during the busiest time frames.

Many city taxi cab drivers not only pay their $5,000 annual insurance and medallion fees, but also pay a $500 per week to lease their vehicles.

A city ordinance prohibit cabs from outside city limits the ability to pick up local fares, unless they are specifically called to do so. But during the weekend late night hours when the entertainment venues are closing, outside cab companies and Uber drivers cue to pick up the local fares, causing the local drivers to lose revenue.

A part of Simmons’ argument is that the local drivers are fined at a much higher rates if they do the same in other towns but because the city’s fine is so low, the outside companies will opt to take a fine in order to reap the revenue.

“These taxi drivers are licensed in town, they have background checks, they have been driving in this specific area, a lot of them, for over 20 years,” Simmons said. “We have to make sure that we are protecting [them].”

Mayor John Moor said he is supportive of the local cab drivers and directed City Manager Michael Capabianco to investigate the fine matter.

Councilman Jesse Kendle said he’s received complaints about the local companies that include a vehicle’s cleanliness, their driving and where they park.

“They need to stick to the rules,” Kendle said. “They need to get their act together before they complain.”

Councilwoman Yvonne Clayton, who recently met with taxi drivers to discuss their concerns, said they will be putting the police department together [once again] with the local drivers to further the discussion.

She said because Uber is regulated by the state, the local government’s hands are tied as to how they can restrict their activity in the city.

“I understand and sympathize with the drivers…,” Clayton said. “Clearly we do understand that there are some concerns and that there are some issues. We are trying to bring it to the satisfaction of everyone.”

Capabianco said the police department has raised concerns about the local drivers discriminating against who they will pick up.

“The police department has been very clear to the taxi cab drivers that if you stop discriminating in the people you are picking up, we will start enforcing this more,” he said. “They are cherry picking on who they want to take and when they want to take them.” 

Simmons, who is a frequent patron of local cab companies, disagreed with the argument.

“Just as a person from here, you can call the cabs, they’ll come pick you up; I go around the corner sometimes,” she said. They have no issues with picking people up. It might be another cab from another town.”

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