When it comes to cabs I am the most tyrannical guy you've ever met. I think that the London black cabs are what all cabs in the world should strive for. They are comfortable, always clean, rarely smelly and, since the drivers are all owner operators and make a lot, they always know where they are going.
New York, however, is the antithesis of London. The cabs are uncomfortable, they tell you that they can take 5 passengers but you really can't fit 4 people on the rear bench seat and the front seat is often occupied by the driver's junk, there is practically no leg room and the cabs often stink.
The problem with NY cabs is really well exemplified in the fight that went on between the mayor and the cab companies a few years ago when the mayor was forcing them to install air conditioning for the back seats. In a city with summer time temperatures in the 90s and an almost constant sticky humidity you would think that air conditioning would be a no brainier. Wrong. The cab companies fought it tooth and nail but were finally forced to cave.
Toronto cabs are worse than NY. At least NY cabs generally know where they are going. In Toronto you have to give them directions to even the most central locations.
I was recently in Florence and found that I could appreciate the cab system there. Like in London there are specific customer friendly standards for the cabs (pictured). All of the drivers are owner operators and I never had to give directions to any of them even though my hotel was a little out of the way. The cab ordering system there was the coolest. Instead of telephoning for a cab, you simply press a button on a credit card approval like device which spits out a small piece of paper with the eta of your taxi and the taxi number.
1 comment:
You may have had some experience with cabs in DC. They are so awful.
They have a zone system instead of meters and if a driver drifts into another zone (even for a block) they double the fare.
Drivers rarely know where they are going.
Surcharges are added in addition to the regular fare: $1 - fuel charge
You'll pay an extra $1.50 for each additional person. A rush-hour surcharge of $1 is in effect from 7:00 to 9:30 a.m. and 4:00 to 6:30 p.m. on weekdays. For more than one grocery bag or suitcase per person, there is a $0.50/piece addition, and larger objects will cost $2.00. Cabs can double the fare during snow emergencies. There is a $1.00 charge for radio-dispatched cabs so make sure you hail a taxi.
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