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Cab Drivers Are Turning an SFO Parking Lot Into a Literal Dump

Aug. 30, 2018
2 min read
One Third Of San Francisco Cabbies Switch To Ridesharing Services
Cab Drivers Are Turning an SFO Parking Lot Into a Literal Dump
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San Francisco International Airport (SFO) has an odd problem on its hands. In a city where Uber and Lyft were founded and disrupted the taxi industry, there's a new crappy situation that's literally plaguing the cab business.

SFO management has had to crack down on cab drivers who are apparently urinating and defecating in the airport's taxi parking lot, the San Francisco Examiner reports. The newspaper obtained an email from Seth Morgan, a senior transportation planner at SFO, which was sent to cab drivers last week.

"Airport staff have noticed an increased rate of urination and defecation in the rear of SFO Taxi Lot #3 and nearby stairwells," Morgan wrote. "This creates a highly unsanitary condition and a health hazard for SFO custodians and other staff handling the materials stored in these areas."

The airport even got the police involved, who will be increasing patrols in the parking lot along with airport security guards. Morgan said that drivers will see additional enforcement actions including suspensions, fines and/or arrests if cabbies don't use designated restrooms — which are located near the lot and open 24/7.

"Regular patrols through this area are being added both during the day and overnight, including during open lot hours," Morgan wrote.

Cab drivers have to park their car in line while waiting to pick up passengers at SFO, and if they leave to go to the restroom, they may lose their spot. Morgan encouraged drivers to plan their visits to the restroom appropriately to avoid being placed at the end of the queue.

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