Aug. 6, 2015 By Michael Florio
A turf war over parking spaces has broken out in Astoria.
Green taxi’s are parking in the metered spots along 31st Street below the 30th Ave subway station, according to a report from Pix11 News.
The taxi drivers are taking the metered spaces as they wait for potential customers as they get off the subway, according to the report.
This has been irking business owners who want the limited number of spots to be available for store customers.
“This has become a free taxi stand”, Alfred Hansen, the manager of Grand Wine and Liquors, located at 30-05 31st Street, told Pix 11.
“They do not pay the meter and block our customers from shopping,” Hansen added.
The report states that when one taxi drives away, another takes its space, monopolizing the parking spaces.
Hansen told Pix 11 that the city should provide the cab drivers with a spot or two, but not allow them to take up the entire block.
Both sides claim they are just trying to make a living.
The NYC Taxi & Limousine Commission told Pix11 News that they will send their enforcement division to check it out.
The green taxis are also known as borough taxis and are allowed to operate in the city except for certain parts of Manhattan.
