After Hail-a-Taxi's Approval, a Cabbie Breathes a Sigh of Relief

DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES — Garnik Rostami has spent seventeen years on the streets of Los Angeles county as a cab driver, with the last decade or so focused on the Downtown area. He attended this morning's Council meeting to make sure the proposed Hail-a-Taxi pilot program was successfully passed.

Asked whether the new program was a good thing, Rostami was quick to say yes. He said that he's been ticketed for stopping in illegal spots a number of times, all while simply trying to let a passenger out safely. The new rules would make life easier on both him and his passengers.

Rostami gave one story in particular of getting ticketed right near City Hall while helping a blind passenger out of his vehicle. He explained the situation to the officer and was told to go ahead, only to later find the ticket mailed to his house.

As he turned to re-enter the Council chambers, Rostami summed up the day's events. "This is great," he exclaimed.