City Urges Visitors to Beware of Bandit Taxicabs During Pride

The City of West Hollywood is urging CSW LA PRIDE weekend visitors to avoid illegal taxicabs and has launched a new campaign to distribute informational flyers about bandit taxicabs to visitors. 

Bandit taxicabs are taxicabs that are not licensed to operate in the City of West Hollywood. Currently, there are seven fully-licensed and insured franchised taxi companies that are authorized to operate in West Hollywood.  These companies employ drivers that have passed a criminal background check and are subject to random drug and/or alcohol testing.  In addition, each vehicle is subject to an annual inspection.

Each year, more than 400,000 people visit West Hollywood during CSW LA PRIDE weekend, which results in nearly a $20 million boost to the local economy. For many visitors, taxicabs are a convenient way to travel to the many LA PRIDE-related events. As part of the City’s campaign against bandit taxicabs, posters will be displayed in local retail businesses and flyers will be distributed to attendees at this weekends CSW LA PRIDE Festival.

Every “Licensed Taxicab” is required to display a City of West Hollywood seal which is displayed in the right rear bumper area. Beginning July 1, 2011, they will also be required to display the seal on the passenger side of the vehicle.

Riding in a bandit taxi cab (unlicensed taxi) is a huge risk and may jeopardize a person’s safety.  What are the dangers?

• Some passengers have been overcharged, victimized by credit card fraud, identity theft or theft of their ATM PIN number

• Some drivers have been found to have criminal records or have committed sexual assault

• Some drivers may have drug or alcohol problems

• Bandit taxis sometimes are not insured

Before you enter a taxi cab, check to see if it is displaying a City of West Hollywood “Licensed Taxicab” seal! For your safety - NO SEAL, NO DEAL!

For more information, contact the City of West Hollywood’s Taxi Specialist at (323) 848-6362 or visit www.weho.org