SAN FRANCISCO, CA - Hundreds of San Francisco taxi drivers circled San Francisco City Hall earlier this week, protesting a five percent charge they're being forced to pay on fares paid by credit cards, the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Dozens of drivers circled City Hall in their taxis, honking their horns, before driving down Polks Street, while other drivers responded with cheers.

By 1:00 pm, hundreds of the drivers entered City Hall to voice their outrage to the Municipal Transportation Agency??s Board, which oversees taxi service in the city.

The credit card charges were instituted several months ago. Drivers complained that the fee is excessive and that it cuts into their already modest profits (taxi drivers are obligated to accept credit card payments in San Francisco).

"The five percent is ridiculous," said Mychael Monroe, who has driven a taxicab for 42 years. She suggested passengers should pay extra if they choose to pay by credit card. "The customers don't mind," she said. "I've asked them."

The city has scheduled town hall meetings on May 11 and 16 and will consider concerns at its May 17 meeting.