Taxicabs & Livery Cars

Wheelchair Accessible Transportation A NEW RULE PASSED: If you are disabled, the driver cannot use the taximeter until you are settled in, plus drivers are required to assist you. Borough Taxis are serving New Yorkers starting summer 2013. When hailing a taxicab, you simply put your arm out to signal to a cab that you need a ride. This should be done on the sidewalk by the curb. (Though some bold folks go right out into the gutter and stand near traffic). All NYC Medallion taxicabs have a small light atop the roof of the cab with a medalion number and the words, "off duty". - medallion number lit: cab is vacant and can take you as a passenger. - medallion number unlit: cab already has a passenger and will not stop for you. - medallion number lit with words "off duty": cabbie is off-duty and won't pick you up. (occasionally, a cabbie might pick you up as a last fare when s/he is off-duty if you are going in the same direction s/he is going). A taxi cab's passenger limit is 5 people which includes the driver, so you can only have 3 other passengers with you. Additional passengers are only accepted if under 7 years old, and must sit in the lap of an adult in the back seat. All cabs have seat belts, so buckle up! NYC TAXI CAB FARES $2.50 - when you first get into the cab $0.50 - per 1/5th mile when cab is going 6mph or more $0.50 - per minute, going less than 6mph or waiting time $0.50 - night surcharge, 8pm - 6am $1.00 - peak hour surcharge, Monday - Friday, after 4pm and before 8pm $0.50 - NY State tax surcharge All cabs can print out a receipt and its best to ask for this after s/he tells you what the fare is at the end of your trip. Most cabs can accept credit cards. You can request a particular route, or ask the driver to turn off any audio. Click here to file a complaint. Click here if you left some of your property in a cab. LIVERY CARS Occasionally, I have taken a Livery car to work from the train station in Crown Heights. At that time, there were no commercial cabs to be found in that area (this was in the early 90s).. I'd say their price was fair and I didn't run into any wacko or rude drivers with crude mouths. Here in Manhattan, they were very nice about taking small furniture across town in their trunk. In the dark it is hard to tell a livery car from someone just trying to get you to get into his car. LIMOUSINES There are many limousine servives in NYC, and unfortunately, I cannot recoomend any. Perhaps the clerk at your hotel knows of a good service.

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