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Cab Drivers Stop Traffic On Strip

Drivers Say It's Tougher To Make Ends Meet Than Last Year

POSTED: 10:15 pm PDT March 31, 2008
UPDATED: 10:31 pm PDT March 31, 2008

Hundreds of cab drivers stopped traffic on the north end of the Strip Monday night in protest.

The drivers said it's getting tougher to make ends meet -- as more taxis are allowed on the road.

They held signs and wore buttons that read "No More Cabs."

They don't want more cabs on the road, and they plan on conducting more protests.

From up high and from down low, Valley cab drivers were hard to miss Monday night.

They slowed traffic on Las Vegas Boulevard and on Fashion Show Drive.

They yelled demands and encouraged support from drivers on the road.

“Because every time they add another cab, it just cuts into the pie. You split the pie. How many times you gonna split the pie?” said Valley cab driver Tony Marzolla.

Valley cab driver and father Dustin Qualls said his salary has gone down so much his son doesn't get any child care.

“Can't afford babysitting because there's too many cabs out here. So, he's coming out and passing out a couple of flyers and trying to be a part of it. It affects him more than it affects me. I'm pretty sure he's getting tired of eating Top Ramen every night,” Qualls said.

The protest was organized by the United Steelworkers Union and the International Technical Professional Employees Union.

The groups represent about 4,500 drivers.

Soon, the taxicab authority said it will consider adding more permanent medallions, the license that allows the cabs to operate.

If that happens, some say they may have to consider another profession.

The drivers are planning another protest in three weeks and more rallies each month, well into the summer.

In July, the taxicab authority is set to decide how many more cabs will be allowed on Valley roads.

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