Want a Reason to Take the Subway?

Want a reason to take the subway? How about 22-year-old Wasim Khalid Cheema? The New York cab driver has lost his license after earning more than $40,000 from overcharging passengers. According to news station NY1, authorities discovered that Cheema was setting his meter to suburban fare rates, which are double those used in the city.

Cheema used the same tactic to overcharge nearly 600 customers during the month of July alone. The Taxi and Limousine Commission removed Cheema’s license in January, but the decision was not made public until last week. Cheema had 11 prior traffic offenses, including speeding, disobeying traffic lights, driving without a license, and a prior conviction for overcharging, none of which had caused his license to be revoked. Cheema has worked as a cabbie since 2007.

“It’s bullshit,” said local New York cab rider Randy Smith, “I work my ass off and take a cab home for the speed and convenience. It’s expensive enough as it is, I don’t need any more money taken from me.”

The cabbie had an easy time switching the fares, all it took was the press of a button. Cabbies select a limit rate based on whether they’re staying in the city or driving beyond the limits to somewhere like Newark or Westchester.

An investigation began after one of Cheema’s passengers noticed the meter price quickly increasing during an inner city trip. The TLC discovered that Cheema had stolen over $40,000 between February and July of 2009 through use of a GPS system linked to his car (a device that all cab drivers must use).

Judge Alessandra Zorgniotti told the New Jersey Real-Time News that Cheema’s actions were “reprehensible” and recommended a $500 fine.