Because the city and state say that livery drivers not already covered by workers' compensation - about half - must pay for coverage.

Since January, 21 cab and livery drivers have been killed.

In contrast, during the early 1990's, more than 30 livery drivers were killed every year.

From 1990 to 1994, 139 livery drivers were killed on the job.

The purpose was to discuss the problems faced by livery drivers, many of whom are Dominican.

By law, livery drivers can pick people up only by previous arrangement.

The few family members available last night described him as one of the city's many Muslim livery drivers.

The law was intended to hold rich owners responsible for the damage caused when their livery drivers were involved in crashes.

Even for those men who took other jobs, often as livery drivers, business has turned sour.

Last year, there were 34 such homicides, all but 3 involving livery drivers.