Hidden within the various colored taxis of Baltimore is a rich variety of stories and cultures. People from all over the world and nearly every walk of life can be found piloting these vehicles-for-hire. Some have chosen the life, while others have been forced into it by circumstance. A sampling from the taxicab lineup in front of Penn Station can lead to stories from Ethiopia, Nigeria, Pakistan, Jamaica and various cities in the United States. Many drivers, especially those from other countries, drive taxis to stay afloat financially. Some are well educated, experienced and find driving a taxi demeaning.
One of these drivers is a tall, dark man from Nigeria. When asked about his reasons for being a taxi driver, he nearly walks away without answering. After a second thought, he turns back to explain his reluctance: He arrived in the United States in 1981 and studied in New York. There he earned a bachelor's degree and masters degree and later worked in the World Trade Center for three years. He is not proud to be a taxi driver. Another driver, who has been driving about a year, voices plainly his aversion for the job. "You don't get any respect. People in stores who get five dollars an hour get more respect than me. I make ten dollars an hour ... It is not a respectable job," he says.
Other drivers don't mind the line of work. One man from Ethiopia has been in the United States for 34 years. "Driving a cab is fun, but it has ups and downs just like any other job ... I enjoy the people." This driver came to the United States for a better life. "I like it here, that's why I have been here 34 years. If I didn't like it I would have made a U-turn and went right back ... 'cause I have a round trip ticket."
His family, including a wife and two children, live and go to school here in Baltimore. "I have two kids, a boy and a girl. They were born here; they are Americans ... apple pie and all of that."
While some have ended up driving taxis out of need, others have chosen the life. One such person is a tall gray bearded man named Marshal. Leaning up against the brick wall of Penn Station waiting for a customer, he is both experienced and eloquent. From Louisville, Ky., he came to Baltimore in 1970 and started driving a cab in 1991. Like many other drivers, he planned on driving a taxi for only for a short time. "During the recession in 1991 I was going to float resumes and go back into computer programming. I got tired of it. I am a retired mainframe IBM programmer." His speech and mannerisms evoke images of a college professor.
Another driver, Lee, started driving due to necessity and now drives part time for some extra money. He has a bright smile and a sociable character. A slight southern twang reflects his North Carolina roots. Lee went to school in Baltimore where he also spent about a year at a community college. He started driving a taxi in 1984. "I was laid-off from Bethlehem Steel for three years and seven months. All of my benefits and everything ran out and the only thing left was the taxi. I didn't want to drive a taxi ... but at the time it was beautiful because that was the only income I had."
Lee's situation quickly took a turn for the better. "I figured since I had to drive a taxi I might as well buy my own. When I bought my own, Bethlehem Steel called me back. Then I had to drive a cab and work there at the same time. I figured the cab was my good luck. As long as I keep the cab I keep working." He now works full time at Bethlehem Steel and drives a taxi part time. "With Bethlehem Steel you get benefits, retirement and all. Here you don't get anything."
Baltimore taxi drivers have stories as different as their places of origin. Some enjoy the work, meeting new people and getting to know the city. Others despise the lack of respect for their job, one which is essential to the community.
Only one thing is for sure; anyone can be a taxi driver. "Police drive cabs, there are a whole bunch of us professionals that drive, just on the side. We have ministers that drive cabs. College students that want to make a little extra money, people of all walks." Lee says.
