Cabbies feel the heat and seek shade

Taxi drivers at the Stamford train station temporarily went on strike Tuesday morning forcing commuters to find another way to work. Drivers said they want a change to the operating procedure that doesn't

News 12 Staff

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Jun 4, 2008, 7:59 PM

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Updated 6,049 days ago

Taxi drivers at the Stamford train station temporarily went on strike Tuesday morning forcing commuters to find another way to work.

Drivers said they want a change to the operating procedure that doesn't allow drivers to stray far away while waiting for customers, even on hot days.

"We're going to probably have to take the bus, which means we're going to be late to work," said one commuter.

The taxi drivers would rather sit in a shady area across the street, but a rule in the operating procedures won't allow it.

"They want you to stay in your car when it's 80 degrees, they don't want you to go somewhere and stay until the people [are] coming, that's why we're on strike," said Phayo Louis, a striking taxi driver.

Cab companies, drivers and the train station fought throughout the day, and generated some solutions, including designing a canopy to cover the taxi queue.

Department of Transportation officials will meet Wednesday to discuss a solution to keep drivers cool.