by KYW's Tony Hanson
The president of the Taxi Drivers Alliance in Philadelphia has been ordered to stand trial on simple assault, unlawful restraint, and other charges for allegedly attacking a passenger in South Philadelphia last March who wanted to pay with a credit card.
Prosecutor Aiton Blanc says the victim tried to pay her $30 fare with a credit card but that driver Ronald Blount said the credit card machine in his cab was broken.
The passenger says that when she got out of the cab, Blount choked her and slammed her head into the roof of the cab.
Blanc picks up the story:
"And then she was thrown back into the taxicab while still being choked. This lasted for approximately a minute. At that point she was able to get out of the taxicab."
The passenger says words were exchanged and Blount drove off. She reported the incident to police right away and was treated the next day for headaches and neck pain.
A felony aggravated assault charge against Blount was dismissed. He is pleading not guilty to the remaining charges.
Both Blount and his attorney declined comment. Blount and the alliance are on record opposing credit card payments for many reasons, including that drivers lose five percent of each fare to fees.
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