NYCYellowCabTaxi.com is a private blog about New York City Yellow Cab Taxis and is not affiliated with the New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission
  • Home
  • Book a Ride
  • Lost and Found
Toll Free: +1-800-609-8731

Cash-strapped veteran cab driver hangs himself in his Queens garage

Posted by NYCYellowCabTaxi.com on March 26, 2018

A Queens cabbie who drove a yellow taxi for three decades hanged himself in his garage after suffering massive financial woes in the era of Uber, officials and friends said Wednesday.

Nicanor Ochisor, 65, was found hanging from a wooden beam in his garage on 58th Road near 69th Lane in Maspeth Friday morning, police said.

Taxi advocates quickly blamed the Romanian immigrant’s suicide on the glut of drivers working for app-driven, for-hire companies like Uber and Lyft taking money from medallion drivers.

“He could no longer bear the strain of the impending loss of everything he had worked for in his life in America,” the Taxi Medallion Owner and Driver Association said in a statement.

The organization pointed out that in 2014, medallions were selling for more than $1 million. Now, the value has dropped to about $175,000.

The group said Ochisor is the fourth cab driver, and first medallion owner, to take his own life over the last few months.

“We have been begging the mayor and the Taxi and Limousine Commission to act, and all we have gotten is either lip service or meaningless gestures that don’t get to the root of the problem: There are way too many cars on the streets,” taxi industry group spokesman Nino Hervias said.

TLC Commissioner Meera Joshi said the agency was “deeply distressed” by Ochisor’s death.

“To all that he has left behind, his family, friends and his brothers and sisters in the industry, our heartfelt condolences — we mourn with you,” Joshi said.

Ochisor had his medallion for nearly 30 years after purchasing it in 1989, officials said. He never rented out his medallion, but shared the driving duties with his wife, longtime friend Dan Nitescu said.

“His wife was driving in the morning, he was driving in the afternoon to midnight,” said Nitescu, 64. “Since Uber came to town … the whole taxi business was almost destroyed. The medallion value went to almost zero.”

As the price of a taxi medallion continued to tumble, Ochisor “got into a deep depression,” Nitescu said.

“He was telling me all the time that the value of the medallion is not going to be like it used to be anymore, ever,” he said. “Now, he told me, for the last six, seven months that whatever he makes together with his wife, he was making by himself alone, before the Uber.

“He’s gotta pay his mortgage on the medallion,” Nitescu added. “He was making the payments, but it was very hard. He struggled himself. It was bothering him all the time.”

Councilman Ruben Diaz Sr. (D-Bronx) has proposed a bill that would more tightly regulate the online for-hire industry.

The bill would establish an annual $2,000 fee on each vehicle, and any new services would have to do an environmental study. It would cap the number of vehicles per base at 250. Currently any Uber driver can respond to a call from any Uber base.

You may also like

  • Yellow Cabs Get New GadgetsYellow Cabs Get New Gadgets
  • TLC fines Trump-touting cab drivers for rants targeting Muslims, immigrants, liberalsTLC fines Trump-touting cab drivers for rants targeting Muslims, immigrants, liberals
  • Have taxis finally hit rock bottom?Have taxis finally hit rock bottom?
  • New York City’s safest cabdrivers join TLC’s honor rollNew York City’s safest cabdrivers join TLC’s honor roll
  • Sikh Cabbie Says Passengers Attacked Him, Ripped Turban off His HeadSikh Cabbie Says Passengers Attacked Him, Ripped Turban off His Head

6 thoughts on “Cash-strapped veteran cab driver hangs himself in his Queens garage”

  1. Martindoups on April 24, 2018 at 10:05 pm said:

    Hi All im newbie here. Good art! Thx! Thx!

  2. Buffalo Taxi on April 30, 2018 at 2:19 am said:

    It is very sad situation, thank you for sharing this. I am deeply saddened by the news. My thoughts and prayers are with his wife and your family. In my opinion, since I am driving my own taxi. Uber and other App transport business are not affecting my business. I develop my own regular clients, and yeah there are huge demands for taxi service that we don’t have to worry for anything. It’s a healthy competition on transport business.

  3. Tampa Taxi on May 18, 2018 at 12:08 am said:

    Our hearts go out to the wife and your family. Although we don’t know exactly what to say, we want the family to know that we are with you in thought and wish you comfort and peace as you remember Nicanor Ochiso.

  4. Buffalo Express Taxi on May 18, 2018 at 12:11 am said:

    Our heart aches for you and your family during this time. Our condolences.

  5. Phil Mccracken on May 30, 2018 at 2:01 am said:

    Why kill yourself over money?

  6. dan anton on November 25, 2018 at 3:55 am said:

    MANY TOURISTS TOLD ME THEY LIKE NEW -YORK,BECAUSE OF FRIENDLY TAXI DRIVERS, THIS WAS ONE OF THOSE!
    YELLOW CABS IN NYC IT IS ,AND IT WAS A “STATE OF MIND”…..
    UNFORTUNATLY SOMEBODY,FROM THEYRS HATE OF HARDS WANTED TO KILL IT!
    THEY KILLED THIS FREE PR OF NEW YORK!
    GOOD NIGHT SMALL BUSINESS,…GOOD MORNING ,…BIG CORPORATIONS!!
    THE SOCIAL STATE FOR …CORPORATIONS!
    ANY COOMENTS ? CALL ME AT 929 435 1456 DANY

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *


Drivers Lounge

Previous Next All

Darneyi Amar: Please )!! I Need Jobs Guíve to Me The Esqueyule Waht You Can.Mi Number Phone Is 929 328 7797 Thank You)!!!

Jordan: Taxi to the library and thank you

jordan: taxi to lincoln and thank you

Rachid: I am looking for Sunday double 347-867-2729

Carswell mickeu: I need a cab to queens rn call me ASAP 9294138446

GUSTAVO E CABREJOS: need to buy a wav yellow car call me at 9179452616

Taxi Not Using meter: The taxi number 2A53 is not using meter. He may get the money in his pocket. I am happy to share with you the photo of proof the driver not using meter.

Taxi 1c37 is trying to charge cash instead of credit: Taxi driver is trying to charge more for a ride between Manhattan and JFK about 90 USD

Jhon Doe: Uber was allowed to operate in NYC because technically was a car service company not a taxi,but now they want cab crivers to accept uber requests, it was a plan for the very beginning and we all knoe the master of it,I have been driving for 30 years and do not need help finding my fares.

Akmaljon: Hi I’m looking weekly yellow cab for rent (732-570-6005) thanks

Syed: Looking for night shift.Jackson heights area . Call me 7183161091

Waqas ahmad: Looking for yellow cab night shift Brooklyn sheepshead bay

Islam: : I want to buy Medelion please call6469432652

Harbans lal: 2 drivers wanted for NYC Taxi Mediallion Lease. If interested, please call me for information at (347) 819-7073.

Mr S: Looking to buy usd taxi let me know if you have one thanks

Salaheldin: I’m looking for 2021hybrid yellowcab for weekly or day shift lease

1 (718) 210-7378: Toyota Prius day shift available in Jamaica by Liberty Avenue and Vanwyck. Lease $400 shift 5am-5pm Car Pick and drop at my location. If anyone interested text to 1 (718) 210-7378 1 (718) 210-7378

Mr T: Looking to buy wave van let me know if anyone selling

Sultan mehmood: I need job sir I am working in Dubai as a texi driver 4 years +971586597209

I am henok: My name is henok I am 24 years old active driver and any one can dm me on watsapp +251931539562

»




Recent Comments

  • Bust a nut: “A police detective? ha, lmfao. That’s double talk. You ain’t sxxx”
  • mohammed kamal hossain: “i worked with his company as a taxi driver. Most time our credit money which paid by customer trip fare…”
  • Faye: “Rode taxi this morning at 5:30 to LaGuardia Airport from Sheraton Time Square, the driver did not turn on his…”
  • Port Transit: “That’s scary!”
  • Thomas: “Is anybody recording the fact that yellow cabs pay 2 to 3 times more than Uber and Lyft and congestion…”
  • amigurumi free patterns: “LYFT IS TEAMING UP WITH AUTOMATIVE INDUSTRY GIANT, MAGNA DEVELOP SELF DRIVING CARS AND GETTING $200 MILLION”
  • Elena M Thomson: “GREED IS A DEADLY SIN. SIN =DEATH. BE FAIR.”
  • Cabbie: “Bey Bey Mr Freidman,All that is on earth will perish, the essence of your Lord, the Master of glory, splendour…”
  • CARLTON L LUNDIE: “I am 79 years old i was planning to sell my medallion 3years ago . My medallion is with a…”
  • jimmy: “who can help organize all the divers in the city?…..call me 929-435-1456 jimmy”
  • jimmy: “Why we don’t have a trustworthy union?…….is anyone on earth who can help us to organize in a good union?…..call…”
  • toplu sms: “nice car 🙂 I like it”
  • dan: “who invented the human trafficking ?…. New Your City?…..write me back for comments! to email”
  • CreditCardCabbie: “What kinds of support cabdrivers are getting from the NYC Taxi and Limousine Commission to drive the new Tesla yellow…”
  • rafael brito: “I had a friend and his wife with corona virus and I sent them some wormwood with instructions on how…”
  • James John: “This is the nice work”
  • Jose H Reynoso: “I had TLC license for more than 20 years: But this year expired because. I’m applying for a new one…”
  • acaustralia: “Assurance Cover Australia was established in response to the rising cost of insurance in the point to point transportation industry.…”
  • Casey hogan: “I did pass three times on cash cab test”
  • brother f: “You are a yellow cab driver. Uber would want nothing more than to see you destroyed. The drivers for those…”
  • pok: “I m a police detective,….and i watch you closely! if you don’t keep your mouth shut,I will destroy you ,….!!”
  • DAVE SANCHEZ: “NEVER MIND THE BAILOUT GETTING READY UBER & LISP, THERE IS YOUR CORONAVIRUS KILLING OUR COMMUNITY, MY BROTHERS!!!! KEEP ON…”
  • Jimmy: “call me 929 435 1456 Jimmy”
  • Pedro herrera: “Hello would you please have Esteban contact me re a pink card i gave to him as a form of…”
  • Pedro herrera: “Hello would you please have Esteban contact me re a pink card i gave to him as a form of…”

You may also like

  • Yellow Cabs Get New GadgetsYellow Cabs Get New Gadgets
  • TLC fines Trump-touting cab drivers for rants targeting Muslims, immigrants, liberalsTLC fines Trump-touting cab drivers for rants targeting Muslims, immigrants, liberals
  • Have taxis finally hit rock bottom?Have taxis finally hit rock bottom?
  • New York City’s safest cabdrivers join TLC’s honor rollNew York City’s safest cabdrivers join TLC’s honor roll
  • Sikh Cabbie Says Passengers Attacked Him, Ripped Turban off His HeadSikh Cabbie Says Passengers Attacked Him, Ripped Turban off His Head

INFORMATION

  • Home
  • Reserve NYC Taxi
  • Lost Property
  • NYC Taxi Phone Number
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Contact

OTHER

  • Drivers Wanted
  • New York Car Service
  • Medallions for Sale or Lease
  • Brooklyn Car Service
  • JFK Airport Taxi
  • Refund Request
  • Satisfaction Guarantee

FOLLOW US

  • New York
  • Brooklyn
  • Queens
  • New York Airports
  • JFK Airport
  • LGA Airport
  • Newark Airport

Footer Logo




© 2022, NYCYellowCabTaxi.com ™. All rights reserved | Privacy Policy | Terms of Services | Disclaimer
NYC Yellow Cab Taxi Lost and Found Service helps increase your chances of recovering your lost property that was left behind in a taxi cab. NYCYellowCabTaxi.com is a private blog about New York City Yellow Cab Taxis and is not affiliated with the New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission. Individual results may vary