SANTA MONICA, Calif. — For many Armenians who have immigrated to Los Angeles, driving a taxi has become one of the few ways of squeezing out a living. But for Armenian companies and drivers in Santa Monica, this source of employment may soon be cut off.
“They are trying to push us out of the city,” said Elen Poghosyan, owner of VIP Yellow Cab. “Anybody with an Armenian last name is automatically being denied a taxi franchise in Santa Monica.”
As part of an overhaul of the taxi system in Santa Monica, a committee of City Hall staff recently released a recommendation calling for only five companies to be allowed to operate in the city. Out of these five companies, none are Armenian—despite the fact that at least six of the thirteen who originally submitted proposals to receive a franchise were Armenian-owned or operated.
“How are we being denied a franchise when we are much more experienced, financially stable, and locally-based than most of the five companies the city is recommending?” asks David Bagramian of Pacific Yellow Cab. “The only conclusion we can draw is that they’re trying to get rid of us.”
