Boston cabdrivers struck by rising gasoline prices

Boston, MA (HOL) - As the price of fuel increases everywhere, Boston cabdrivers anticipate a gloomier future for the battered taxi industry. In both the Somali restaurant at Roxbury, Dayib Café, and the taxi pool at Logan International Airport, Somali drivers converge to discuss about the high cost of gas and the hunt for fares to make up the lease they pay for cab rents.

 

For two weeks now, drivers pay over $4 per gallon at the pump in most gas stations. To many cabdrivers, this means spending $60 or more for gas at the end of a 12-hours shift. The cabdrivers union under United Steelworkers has requested from Boston to arrange a public hearing for fare increases to adjust the meter with rising gas prices.

 

With sympathy for the ordeal of these drivers, the city which regulates the taxis could relieve them with a raise, but that move could make passengers to opt out taxi for public transportations, as one expert suggested.

 

The gas hike has forced Hassan Sharif, a fulltime taxi driver from Somalia, to turn off the air conditioning since his old Ford car consumes more gas when the AC is on.  “At least it saves gas and most passengers don’t have a problem with that, if windows are rolled down” explains Mr. Sharif, who pays $35 for gas than he did few weeks ago with only $22.

Mr. Abdullahi Jama fills up a half-tank for $49.12 after long 12 hours night shift at the Exxon Mobile Fenway. Gas price displays $4.05 per gallon

 

Abdirahman Abbib is a young part-timer, who believes the gas burden has never been more pressing. “The minimal reaction from the city and the rising cost of gas has frustrated all of us. It is almost impossible to make ends meet these days. We need this fixed sooner” said Abbib as he leaned on his rented Boston Cab at Logan Airport.

 

Elmi Muhyadin and Abdirahman Abbib in the taxi pool at Logan Airport, Boston

 

Walking, jogging and chatting mostly about Somalia are the norm when there are no fares to pick, as Somali drivers call the taxi pool "Ceelka" meaning the well

The rising gas has also prompted neighboring city of Cambridge to encourage taxi companies to adopt hybrid cars as part of an environmental measure with loan and other incentives for participants. Boston is to follow suit, with its 1,825 fleet, as officials embraced the idea, according to city spokeswoman.

 

With more than 300 Somali cabdrivers, winning the basics has now become a priority for many. “I can’t send money to my family in Somalia anymore, because after I pay the bills here, I have zero remainder. It’s our reality, but the hungry people in Somalia wouldn’t accept it” said Mr. Elmi Muhyadin, who works seven days in the week with 16 hours per day.

 

“The cost of gas hit us so hard that it is forcing us to consider doing other businesses.”

 

Ibrahim Abdulkadir, Hiiraan Online

Boston, MA

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