Orleans readies for Super Bowl, amid cabbies’ protest

As taxi drivers paraded by New Orleans’ City Hall with horns blaring in protest, Mayor Mitch Landrieu made it clear the city won’t back away from broad new regulations governing their vehicles, insisting that all taxis be in compliance if they want to do business during next year’s Super Bowl. “I know some of them are disgruntled,” Landrieu told reporters at a news conference today, where city and state officials discussed plans for the Feb. 3 game and the events surrounding it. “And I’m sorry, because taxi cab drivers are the ambassadors of the city of New Orleans.” Deputy Mayor Michelle Thomas says that by the end of January, all taxis on the street will be in compliance with requirements that include air conditioning, surveillance cameras, credit card machines and global positioning devices. The regulations were approved by the City Council in April and have survived court challenges. Aside from regulations governing the vehicles’ condition and equipment, the new rules also require that taxis be no more than 11 years old. Some cab drivers and owners claim the new regulations will be too costly. Scores of drivers passed City Hall at about the same time as the news conference, honking in protest of regulations that will affect about, 1,600 vehicles. “Ditch Mitch,” read one sign on bright green poster board affixed to the side of a cab.