English No Longer Requirement for New York City Taxi Drivers(翻译)

In New York City, taxicab drivers are a largely immigrant community. And now, they are no longer required to know English.

In April, New York City’s city council approved a bill that allows tests required to get a taxi license to be given in foreign languages. The bill went into effect on August 26.

New York City's taxi industry has been dominated by foreign-born drivers for decades. Only four percent of current New York cab drivers were born in the United States. That statistic comes from the Taxi and Limousine Commission.

Sponsors of the bill in the city council argued that the law will allow more immigrants who need work to support themselves.

Some New York City residents are concerned that the new law would make communication between the driver and the customer even more difficult.

Residents are also unsure how they would instruct a driver which route to take or precisely where they are headed. Also, what if payment issues arise? How will the drivers communicate?

Perhaps technology is the answer.

Before advances in technology, the conversation between driver and customer might go something like this:

Driver: Where are you heading?

Customer: I need to go to West 79th Street and Broadway. But I saw there was construction on the West Side Highway, so can you go up 10th Avenue?

Driver: The traffic there is terrible. How about 8th and cut across on Broadway?

Customer: Sure, but I’m really in a hurry. Can you step on it?

Driver: Okay, here you are. West 79th and Broadway. That’ll be $22.50.

Customer: Here’s $30. Do you have a five?

Driver: Let me look.

Customer: Never mind! Just keep the change.

But these day most taxi drivers use automated payment systems. People pay the fare with their credit or debit cards. They can also use the machines to add a tip.

Also, with the increased use of GPS and navigation apps, communication between drivers and riders has decreased. They really don’t need to talk to each other.

Many New Yorkers feel that as long as their driver can get them to their destination safely, conversation is not needed. Generally speaking, New Yorkers are not known for chit-chatting.

Even hailing or flagging a taxi does not require speaking. Simply raise your arm and a taxi – you hope – will come.

I’m Anna Matteo.

Esha Sarai wrote this story for VOA News in New York City. Anna Matteo adapted it for Learning English. Kelly Jean Kelly was the editor.