Village to blame for taxi-clogged lot

In the past I was a daily commuter to downtown Chicago from Palatine. Every evening my wife or one of the kids had to negotiate the maze of taxi drivers in the commuter lot to pick me up. Now, as an occasional commuter, I see nothing has changed. I have witnessed:

• Taxi drivers napping in their cars;

• Drivers standing with doors open, talking to other drivers, thus narrowing the already narrow drive lane;

• Drivers occupying both sides of the drive, making it nearly impossible to pass through;

• Drivers parking between parked cars in the handicapped area;

• Drivers parking in designated handicapped spots;

• Drivers blocking handicapped drivers who are attempting to exit their spots.

Seldom have I witnessed a fare actually being picked up. Without exception, these drivers are rude and insensitive. Their only concern is to attempt to make a living, which is fine by me, but they must exhibit consideration for everyone else who uses the lot.

The Village of Palatine is to blame for this mess! The Village created a short-term (15 minutes) parking area on Wood Street across from the main entrance to the train station. There is room for 4-6 cars in that area. Why is it that this area cannot be a designate taxi stand? It's a pretty simple process -- 4-6 taxis may park there and await fares, a passenger exits the main entrance and hails a taxi, the first in line pulls up through the drop-off area and picks up the fare.

This solution keeps the drop-off area next to the main entrance clear for all to use, it keeps the lot clear so that those parking there may exit safely and it keeps the lot drive clear so that commuters may be picked up in that area.

I don't have specific knowledge of the current Village ordinance governing taxi drivers but, if it cannot accommodate the proposed solution, it needs to be amended.

If safety in the commuter lot is a concern of Village government, they must step up to the plate and exhibit that concern.

Jimmie H. Protsman

Palatine