TAXI, TAXI!! (Taxis in New York)

Member Name: OhLala-17

Product:	Taxis in New York
Date:	05/08/09 (44 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Clean, Easy To Get Around.

Disadvantages: Expensive, Get Stuck In Traffic.

In 2007 & 2008 I went to New York. Before we went I didn't really know how we would get around the city except by Taxi.

Our first trip was from JFK airport to our Hotel (reviewed) in Manhatten Approx 5-10 minutes from Times Square.
At the airport we were told where to find the Taxi Rank which is located just outside of the doors, across the road. It is very clearly marked with a box for the taxi's to park in and it has taxi's arriving / leaving constantly.
They have many types of Taxi's including people carriers which are great for large groups.

At the Taxi Rank the driver took our bags and put them in the boot, we asked what the flat rate was for going to our hotel and we were told $45.00.
The Taxi we went in was clean, with leather seats and seat belts. I have to say I hardly ever saw anyone use a seat belt in a Taxi except for me Lol.
Between the front and back seats it had what looked like a glass or plastic cover I guess to protect the driver. On this cover it had the drivers information, a map of the city and prices.

The ride into Manhatten took approx 1 hour, it should take 30 mins from JFK-Manhatten but because of traffic it takes longer. Except at night it took us 25 mins!!
We went over a toll bridge and we had to pay for this which is what we expected and costs about $2.50.

Overall the journey was good, the driver was a little fast for my liking but I suppose he is used to driving in the City so knows what he is doing!

I haven't encountered a negative thing about the Taxi's yet, although they are expensive.
I could get a pass for the Subway which meant I could go anywhere in Manhatten for $2.00 which was valid for 2 hours I think. The Subway always worked out alot cheaper but it is harder if you have young children or don't know the City that well.

We took a taxi from Bloomingdales to the Ground Zero site and it cost us $30.00 for what should have been a 7 minute journey. But because of traffic took about 15 -20 minutes.
Well the price was just under $30 at $26 but just before the Taxi Man fully stopped to end our journey he switched the price meter off and he rounded the price up!
The driver obviously thought we hadn't noticed the price before he turned the meter off, so when he only got $30 he was a bit peed off as he would have expected a tip on top of that!

These were the only journeys we took in a taxi, going to and from the airport and that 1 trip to Ground Zero.
On the 1st trip to NYC the Hop On Hop Off Bus took us everywhere or we walked. The 2nd time we walked or got the Subway.
All the Taxi Men were very kind, some were a little harder to understand. We had a very kind New Yorker who told us about how they have to rent the Taxi and they don't actually get alot of money for doing the job.


- Prices -
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As I've said the prices are expensive!

As you get into the taxi it will cost you $2.50 then costs $0.40 for every one fifth of a mile, when the taxi is doing 6mph or more.
Every 60 seconds your stuck in traffic not moving or going less then 12mph it will also cost $0.40.
Night charge is $0.50 after 8pm and before 6am.

With the amount of traffic in the city prices soon add up!
You are meant to give a tip of 10-20% of the fair, but if you had terrible service you don't have to tip.



- Overall -
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I would use New York Taxi's again, probably just for travelling to and from the airport as I think the price is good for that.
For short trips inside of Manhatten I would avoid them as much as possible and try to walk to my destination or use the Subway.
As I have said all Taxi's I went in were clean and of a good standard, they are very easy to find aswell!
They are all over the city and run at all hours.
To get one you just have to wave your hand or get your hotel reception to ring for one.

For people with babies, toddlers or older people I would say using a Taxi is a better way to get around the City.
Overall I would recommend them.


August 2009.

Summary: A Good Way To Get Around The City, At A Price!