TLC Public Service Announcement Takes On Cabbies Who Refuse Service

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- The Taxi and Limousine Commission wants people to know the rules regarding taxi drivers who might refuse them service.

The agency has created a video public service announcement, with City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito providing the voice-over, notifying riders about their rights.

The 30-second spot opens with an African-American couple looking frustrated as a cab zooms by them, WCBS 880's Alex Silverman reported.

The video, which is being shown on backseat cab monitors and online, instructs passengers they cannot be refused service if they're going anywhere in New York City, Westchester County, Nassau County or to Newark Liberty Airport. Green Boro Taxis, however, are not allowed to pick up street hails in much of Manhattan.

Passengers also cannot be denied service because of their race, ethnicity or disability, the PSA says.

"Taxi service is for all New Yorkers," TLC Commissioner Meera Joshi said in a news release. "There are few violations more viscerally hurtful and offensive than service refusal. This PSA will highlight the issue by showing what a refusal looks like and encouraging people to report it so that we can take action."

"Every borough, neighborhood, and community in our great city has something unique to offer," Mark-Viverito said, "and taxis should always be ready to help take you there."

Officials are urging people who are wrongfully denied service to write down the cab's medallion number and report it to 311. Complainants are then asked to participate in a hearing, either over the phone or in person.

Drivers can be fined up to $500 for a first violation and up to $1,000 and a revoked license for three offenses.

Last month, the mayor of San Juan, Puerto Rico, Carmen Yulin Cruz, said a taxi driver would not take her to a hotel in the South Bronx.

After traveling for a few blocks, the driver claimed to not know where the hotel was and let the mayor out of the car, Cruz said.

She said a second cabbie did agree to go to the Bronx but complained the entire trip.

Mark-Viverito, a friend of Cruz's, condemned the drivers' behavior and promised an investigation.