Pennsylvania to crack-down on drivers who give rides to The Amish for cash

[Ian David]

PUC cracking down on 'Amish taxi' drivers
Sunday, December 30, 2007
By Cindi Lash, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette


WH Campbell Jr. / Post-Gazette
Bonnie Huzinec, 56, is an outspoken neighbor of Amish families near Luthersburg, Pa., who provides transportation to the Amish families in her area.

LUTHERSBURG, Pa. -- Bonnie Huzinec was stacking bags of groceries in her van when a cluster of bonnet-clad women approached and discreetly asked whether she was busy.

Like Mrs. Huzinec, the Amish women had been shopping at the Sav-a-Lot store in Dubois, Clearfield County. Unlike her, their religious prohibitions against owning or operating vehicles had forced them to hire a driver for the 10-mile round trip to town and back to their tidy farms.

<snip>

Mrs. Huzinec and others around Luthersburg estimate that she is one of as many as 300 "English,'' or non-Amish, people who serve as drivers for a thriving enclave of more than 350 Amish families spanning the boundaries of Clearfield, Jefferson and Indiana counties.


<snip>

Officers have been staking out and confronting drivers who are believed to accept money for transporting Amish people. In the past year, the PUC also has issued 95 letters of warning in the three counties and is considering $1,000 fines for those who refuse to stop.

More:
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07364/845400-85.stm

[bullimiami]

1. what the hell kind of fascist bullshit country do we live in?

they cant pay someone to give them a ride? and someone cant take any money for giving it?

[EFerrari]

7. The government just wants their take. n/t

[truedelphi]

2. We have real problems in this country and then we read about our government agencies MAKING problems

Wake me when someone discovers intelligent life!

[terisan]

3. If they are only driving Amish what is the crime. Taxi without license? Govt overkill.

[Breeze54]

4. I don't get it. What's the big deal?

I've gotten rides from neighbors before and I gave them cash for gas. :shrug:

Is there a standing feud between the hired drivers and the gypsy taxi's?

Sounds like it. Buzzards.

[Ian David]

11. Gas, Grass or Ass. Ye shal not rideth for free. n/t

[mikeytherat]

19. Verily, I say!

mikey_the_rat

[supernova]

5. What's the problem here?

Plenty of people share rides and "gas money."

:wtf:

[cboy4]

6. Eh, what's the big deal? I just think it's funny that their

strict religion prohibits operating vehicles but they're allowed to shop at the "Save-a-Lot." haha

[Naturyl]

8. Why would the Amish ride in autombiles?

They can't own or drive them but they can be carted around by others? Seems rather inconsistent.

[Tesha]

14. For the same reason Orthdox Jews ride in elevators on the Sabbath but can't push the buttons.

When religions make ridiculous demands, people
"lawyer" around them.

Tesha

[Marrah_G]

17. They can't?

Okay that is one of the oddest things I have ever read.

[Tesha]

21. Many modern gadgets offer an "Orthodox Sabbath" mode.

> They can't?

Many modern gadgets offer an "Orthodox Sabbath" mode.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sabbath_mode

For example, the prohibition against working on the Sabbath
is interpreted to mean you can't push the buttons on elevators
or appliances so on the Sabbath, elevators are programmed to
just roam endlessly up and down, stopping and opening their
doors on every floor. You can ride them without pressing
any buttons ("doing work").

Ovens are left running throughout the Sabbath so that you
don't need to do any work by turning the oven on or off.

Religion: endless opportunities to negotiate with Dog.

Tesha

[bullimiami]

24. i hate loopholes and those that jump through them.

if jews want to be orthodox and not work on the sabbath. then dont fucking work. sit at home in the light you left of friday and walk to temple.

[TahitiNut]

16. It's not unique, recent, or unusual. Do you know what a "shabbos goy" is?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shabbos_goy

:shrug:

Once a neighbor of conservative Jews, I myself performed this service for them. No big deal.

[harun]

9. As if our society isn't over-managed enough already

Just let the Amish and the drivers handle things.

[Lobster Martini]

10. The "Let's Not Drive the Amish" song

(To be sung scornfully)

"Let’s not drive the Amish
It’s patently illegal
It’s safer to drive a dachshund,
a terrier or a beagle"

"If you drive the Amish
Be careful, be discreet,
Don’t let the PUC catch you
Driving Amish down the street"

"Let’s not drive the Amish
To buy their groceries
Because although it makes us sad
They simply won’t wear plaid."

[Breeze54]

15. *spits on keyboard*

. . .

[proud2BlibKansan]

12. WTF??

It's illegal to give someone a ride????

[hfojvt]

13. the safety gestapo strikes again

"What the PUC wants
But Ms. Kocher said the PUC requires anyone who transports others for compensation to obtain a certificate of public convenience, which costs $350 and is renewed each year. Drivers with certificates are monitored to ensure they and their vehicles adhere to rules covering rates and territories, meet safety standards and maintain commercial insurance, Ms. Kocher said.

"It's different than something occasional, like taking a neighbor to a grocery store," she said. "We understand that people who are being looked at in one area think they are being picked on. But we are trying to protect the public interest and public safety.""

Both of those requirements sound pretty cost-prohibitive. I wonder if there is some way for ten neighbors to incorporate and get one certificate for the company and a group insurance rate.

[LeftyMom]

18. Commercial insurance that covers livery is crazy expensive.

Ours runs about $1500/car annually.

The costs of getting the PUC permit, insurance down payment, business license, etc are almost certainly prohibitive for anybody who is ferrying the Amish around for a little spending money, especially if they're getting paid in barter sometimes- the insurance company does not accept payment in zucchini or home repairs.

[bunkerbuster1]

20. Make sure to read the last paragraph of the linked story

Made me feel kinda proud of my fellow humans, it did:


"I told other drivers, 'If you turn your back on this, it's like how Hitler started.' A lot of them have quit, {saying} 'I can't afford a fine,' " she said. "But I'm not {quitting.} I'll do it for spite.''

"I'll do it for spite." You go, girl! Fight the power!

[Dukkha]

22. Luthersburg "police" must be really really bored

to waste taxpayer paid duty time with this frivolous bullshit

[damntexdem]

23. So do it for free. You don't need commercial certification to give a lift.

And if you get 'tipped' on arrival, how could PA prove that?