It's a good idea to know how to get the best from them before you travel (Taxis in New York)

Member Name: andyLDN

Product:	Taxis in New York
Date:	20/11/08 (129 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: still pretty cheap, comfortable ride,

Disadvantages: using willy-nilly will drain your finances, and you must tip the driver too!

The big yellow taxis are an iconic feature of New York's streets, and any trip to the city would be incomplete without a trip in one.

There is a general consensus that yellow cabs are cheap and I would agree with this, afterall fuel prices are still far cheaper in the US than the UK and drivers rely on gratuities to support their wages drawn from the low fares.

Another reason is the layout of Manhattan. Of course the city is gridlocked just like London, but with a grid format traffic flows alot quicker and your destination is quick to navigate for the driver. This makes travelling in a cab more efficient, not like sitting in a jam in an indirect one way system in London.

However, the value of the pound has fallen significantly against the dollar in the past few months and catching cabs here, there and everywhere will soon add up. For travel around the city, I would recomend the Subway which costs $7.50 for a day ticket or $35 for the week.

There are certain situations where I would definitely recommend a cab. For example if you ever find yourself alone on an empty street, don't take the risk - jump in a taxi. You can even pay by debit or credit card if you don't have cash.

Also, after a night out the streets are clear and its a particularly cheap and safe way to head home, especially if you've had a few drinks. When I was there, we drank in the northern part of Manhattan and to return to our hostel on East 47th street only cost $6 + tip.

According to the website nyc.com, the exact pricing as of June 2006 is a flat charge is $2.50 or $3.00 after 8pm and $3.50 during the peak hours of 4-8pm. The fare then increases based on a combination of distance and time taken (40 cents for each 1/5 mile or 1 minute standstil or when the vehicle is travelling under 12mph.)

The majority of cabs are Ford Crown Victoria models which seat up to 4 passengers (1 child is allowed on a lap in addition) but other larger cars such as the Ford Escape can hold up to 5. Taxi's often have a small tv screen in the back showing local news and weather which is quite interesting.

It's also handy to know that traffic tends to flow north and south much quicker than it does east and west. Therefore travelling across town will take you much longer, so it might be quicker to walk or take the subway!

To take a cab in New York, you need to hail a car down and in such a crowded city you need to be ruthless and assertive. Facial expressions and hand gestures seem to do the trick. Cars with the central light (on the roof) lit up are available for hire, no light means the cab is occupied. They tend to circulate in mainly in Manhattan, but are also widely available in the outer districts.

Summary: Cabs are great, but use them to your advantage!