Several van drivers for New Flushing Transportation Company came to City Councilman John Liu’s office to file complaints against Greater China Transportation Company for allegedly attempting to do away with the competition in the van transportation industry. Some drivers said that they were being extorted and told to pay “road fees.” In response to these complaints, Greater Chinatown Transportation Company claimed it was just doing business. Its spokesperson, Mr. Lok, said that the company always solicits business legally. Dismissing the complaints, he said if the problems did exist, the drivers should report them to the police.

New Flushing Transportation Company director Michael Lee, along with more than 10 drivers, went to John Liu’s office to lodge the complaints. Liu’s office aid heard their complaints and planned to pass the information on to Liu.

Mr. Yu, a van driver for New Flushing Transportation Company, said that starting on the 18th, the Greater China Transportation Company started to compete for loading spots – almost all the spots on Flushing’s 41st Avenue are taken and closed off to other van companies, preventing them from doing business. Moreover, Greater China Transportation Company asked drivers working for other companies for “road fees,” demanding $2,000 in order to leave them with some loading spots.

A driver for the New Flushing Transportation Company, who wished to remain anonymous, said that two drivers ended up paying the road fees because they had to support their families; this allowed them to work yesterday while the rest of the drivers were forced to stop working. Mr. Yu said that he was being threatened by Greater China Transportation Company.

Upset by what he heard from the drivers, Michael Lee was determined to fight for justice for the drivers.

In response to the complaints from those drivers, Greater China Transportation Company’s Lok emphasized that he operated the van business in a legal way, rejecting the “road fee” allegation. He also said that his drivers had no right and would not be able to block any loading spots.

Lok said New Flushing Transportation Company lowered their price for each ride to $1, which was out of ordinary. A van could only earn $20 from its passengers. It also needed to pay for gasoline, which could amount to $14 or $16, leaving the driver with $6, which is below the minimum wage. Lok believed the drivers of rival companies did not go to work because they knew that they would not be able to earn enough money.