New York cabs

[filthiestfis]

Why is it that yellow cabs are synonymous with New York City? Aren't they available in other North American cities?

[jen78]

Yes they are.

I think the yellow idea was historically because they were easily seen but believe tht is as decreed in NYC that certain taxis were painted yellow to distinguish them from other taxis/livery firms.

Maybe due to the big change and maybe because it's sooo busy all the time and just chocablock with cabs.

I don't know if you've ever been but they are everywhere so I guess, part of the landscape.

Think of the Hackney cab though, foreigners see if as London thing but they are all over the UK.

[filthiestfis]

Yes, I was there last july but didn't ride on one as they were seen to be expensive.

[jen78]

I was only in one yellow cab and that was from Newark into the city and was horribly expensive with tolls and tip, seemed to be held together by gaffa tape as well!!!

[filthiestfis]

jen78 are you a member of the AB on facebook? ;-)

[jen78]

yes :) i have an anonymous e.mail - [email protected] or you can find me on the AB or CB facebook groups.

[filthiestfis]

what is CB? I was a member of the AB on facebook until last week. Guess I will join again to see who you are!

[filthiestfis]

ah that anonymous email does not bring me any leads.

[Jugglering]

I was in Nashville once and there wasn't a single yellow taxi to be seen... mind, when I did finally manage to get hold of a taxi cab I made the mistake of commenting on the driver's lack of Country Music being played.... he growled at me...and said (he was a very large Afro-American guy)... "no way am I gonna let poncy dirt music be played in my cab......" I guess I must have chosen THE only non white cabbie in the area ! He was actually playing some Bob Marley, nice too.

[jen78]

There's a group for Chatterbank as well, Chatterbankers of the World United :)

Ahhh, you have to say who you are too lol :)

[filthiestfis]

ah wait turns out I am still a member! Why did I think that I had opted out of AB on facebook? Yeah my profile is the one with a pair of monkeys on it ;-)

[jen78]

Ok, I shall go seek....

[filthiestfis]

No wait. Not 2 monkeys. Its one monkey now. D'oh! Still cannot find you though, unless you are the lass who is in a relationship with A.B.

[jen78]

I think I added you... erm one money may have been hiding though!!!

[chazza]

I've seen them in other US cities that I've been to, LA etc.
Apparently they rip you off something shocking if you get them from the airports, we were warned about this before going to NY.

However we got one from our hotel to a club we were going to (and vice versa) and they was very reasonably priced, certainly cheaper than what we would have paid at home for a similar journey!

[auntiebertie]

It is a fixed flat fare from both JFK and EWR into down town Manhattan do I do not agree that 'they rip you off something shocking'.....

[Twinkle17]

Oh dear,....I need to get one from Newark tAirport to Manhattan next week......can anybody confirm if I should get one or if they do rip you off ?......what other options are there available....many thanks x

P.s the cheaper option the better, im on a budget....

[Twinkle17]

sorry filthiestfis just realised thats very rude of me to post a question on yours, will raise a new one.....!! :0)

[filthiestfis]

nah its OK Twinkle17. I flew to New York via JFK so cannot answer your question.

[jen78]

I did Newark to Manhatten (corner of 45th and Madison).

YOu queue up outside and the wardens come and ask you were you are going and write the fare on a slip of paper you give to the driver and that's what you pay.

I think it was $63.00 then we had to give another $10 for the tolls to go over the state line and the obligatory tip at the end.

I think we have him $80.00 and he said that was nowhere near enough (they are very blunt about tips) and ended up giving him abut $85 I think!

We got the hotel car back to the airport which worked out cheaper.

If it's rish hour you may be in the cab for a while so take something warm, depending on the weather, as some of the New Jersey cabs are falling to bits.

[jen78]

Where do you need to get to in Manhatten and I'll try and help (or find Eng Teach who lives there).

If you don't want to say on here I have my AB e.mail - [email protected].