No Woman, No Cry

The Taxi & Limousine Commission released figures showing complaints against cabbies are on the decline:

Cabbies working the city’s mean streets are getting nicer.

The number of Taxi and Limousine Commission summonses issued to cabbies for rudeness has plummeted 26%, city records show. And the decline in boorish behavior behind the wheel came even as the number of yellow cab drivers increased and taxi-related calls to the city soared

Cab drivers insist they are working hard not to come off like bastards, even when faced with rising fuel prices and nonpaying customers:

Cabbie Saghar Hussain, 37, of Brooklyn, said he treats passengers with respect – even if they walk away without paying. “Sometimes you make money, sometimes you lose money,” he said. “You don’t have to get upset, be mad with anyone.”

By way of explanation, drivers note that stress levels for those in the industry can be high, and suggested lifestyle choices to mitigate the pressure:

Ronald Lee, 61, a cab driver from Manhattan, said there are three reasons behind cabbie rudeness: the pressure to make a living with increased costs, TLC harassment and wives. “I’ve been driving 34 years and I’ve never had one complaint,” he said – quickly adding that he’s not married.