Are they what they seem?

As a result of an advisory published by the U.S. State Department concerning assaults committed in Mexico City taxicabs, society in general has taken a new interest in this matter which had, until then, been largely considered as simply another manifestation of the rising levels of insecurity that exist in this metropolis. The national press dedicated ample coverage to this problem, and the local government reacted by presenting a myriad of declarations and statistics.

However, the situation should be regarded in an appropriate context: assaults are committed every day in taxicabs (in which the passengers or the drivers alike may be victims), but these represent only a minuscule percentage of the daily taxicab rides which occur. According to official data 80,000 taxicabs, generating 780,000 rides daily, circulate in Mexico City, and less than 10 assaults are committed each day.

The Secretary of Public Safety for the Federal District has reported that in order to prevent criminal acts against taxicab passengers, a number of measures have been taken in the hotel zones of Polanco, Reforma and the Zona Rosa, as well as at the Mexico City international airport and the principal bus terminals and railroad stations. Nevertheless, according to data furnished by the Federal District Attorney General's office, these assaults continue to occur, although mainly in outlying areas of the city.

Furthermore, it should not be forgotten that the great majority of taxi drivers are family men who use their vehicle as an honest means of making a living. Moreover, far more common than assaults are the examples of support and assistance provided by taxi drivers to other drivers who experience mechanical problems with their cars, or of honesty in returning documents or even large sums of money which absent-minded passengers may have inadvertently left behind in their cabs.

Taxi drivers also - above and beyond their occasionally reckless driving techniques - share in common with all Mexicans their proverbial hospitality towards visitors, whom they are always ready to help and assist.

The following recommendations which the Federal District Attorney Generalís office published in response to the State Department's advisory should not, however, be overlooked:

• Choose the taxicab that you wish to use. Do not enter a cab that simply pulls up in front of you.

• Make sure that the vehicle has the new license plates, issued by the DGST, which in addition to indicating their tag number also have a distinctively-colored flash - either green or coral, as the case may be.

• Check that the driver has his respective I.D. which identifies him as a registered taxi driver.

• Memorize the name of the driver, as well as the license plate number of the vehicle.

• Do not use taxicabs of which the license plate numbers or identification numbers have been altered in any way.

• Do not enter a taxicab if it is already carrying another passenger.

• Always try to use a taxicab accompanied by a friend.

• If possible, try to avoid using cabs at night or in poorly-lit areas.

• Check that the passengerís side door lock works, and secure it.

• Keep windows open a bare minimum.

• Check, discretely, that your cab is not being followed by another vehicle.

• Be on the alert for any suspicious activity such as a supposed mechanical malfunction of the cab, especially one that may prevent the doors from being locked.

• Do not allow the driver to deviate from the determined route.

• If you should detect any of these anomalies, calmly and quietly ask to driver to let you out of the cab.

• Have exact change ready to pay your fare, and do not flash high denomination bills.

• Phone a taxicab (double fee but very secure)

• Some radio taxi telephones:
  Entire city: 5516 60 20, 5519 76 90, 56 48 28 28
  South area: Cuicuilco 56 74 61 20, Tlalpan 5573 6857, Las Águilas 5680 3930
  North area: Polanco 52 82 18 83, Palmas 52 82 46 98, Lomas Verdes 53 44 41 99