| MINNEAPOLIS — The Metropolitan Airport Commission voted 11-0 on April 17 for new penalties for airport cab drivers who refuse service. The issue drew national attention when it became evident that a number of potential riders were being refused service by Muslim cab drivers because they were carrying alcohol or needed the assistance of a guide dog.
The new penalties, which start May 11, state that any airport taxi driver refusing riders will face a 30-day suspension. Drivers committing a second offense will have their license revoked for two years.
“We’re just sending a message that if you want to drive here at this airport, you have to take all our customers,” said Steve Wareham, director of Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport.
Representatives for Muslim cab drivers called the penalty harsh and intolerant to Muslims trying to practice their faith. Estimates are that three-quarters of the 900 licensed airport cab drivers are Somali and most are Muslim.
According to the MAC, there were 27 alcohol-related refusals of service out of approximately 120,000 rides between mid-November and mid-January. Airport officials also noted that ride refusals have been less of an issue since Aug. 11, when carrying liquids on planes was banned.
Earlier in 2007, the MAC proposed a compromise that would have let Muslim drivers display a colored light on their cabs if they were not willing to carry passengers with alcohol. That proposal triggered a strong negative reaction from passengers and taxi drivers.
Representatives for the airport and the Muslim cab drivers agreed that the ruling is likely headed for a court challenge.
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