\u201cMajor hotel properties, thru [sic] their actions of promoting ride share companies, are sending the message that Taxi Drivers are not valued nor wanted on their properties,\u201d a statement on the website reads. It goes on to say that \u201cthough these actions are unfortunate, management needs to see what happens when the Cabs Don\u2019t Show Up!\u201d<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\nBut it may be the cab drivers themselves who see what happens, because it could well be absolutely nothing.<\/p>\n
Plight of the Industry<\/h2>\n
It\u2019s printed in big, bold red print on the website for Vegas Driver Unite: \u201c2018 will be devastating for most drivers in this industry.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\nThat prediction is proving to be true. The Las Vegas Review-Journal <\/em>reported trips dropped by over 10 percent in May<\/a> compared to 2017. That coincided with an over 12 percent revenue drop for the same period. For the year, rides are down over 12 percent and revenue is down over 13 percent for the industry as a whole, the R-J <\/em>reported.<\/p>\nIt\u2019s fair to wonder how noticeable the boycotts will actually be.<\/p>\n
Taxi drivers not showing up at all to pick up passengers hasn’t helped their cause. One instance reported by the R-J<\/em> led to an internal investigation by the manager of Western Cab Company, who was ultimately discovered to have never even ordered a cab for the waiting customer in question. That customer ultimately simply gave up and presumably found another mode of transportation.<\/p>\nBut Nevada Taxicab Authority Administrator Scott Whittemore insists\u00a0he hasn\u2019t received a single written or emailed complaint about no-show drivers in the last 12 months.<\/p>\n
Not all taxi drivers in the valley are on board with the protest. The amusing taxi driver “day in the life” Twitter account @LVCabChronicles, operated by Las Vegas driver Andrew Gnatovich, demonstrated the pushback.<\/span><\/p>\n