Gothamist: Taxi Plunge Off Red Hook

ShinGo

Tue, 24 Feb 2004 03:46:50 -0500

On my 5th trip to NYC in 1999, I saw a taxi across the street from me with a single passenger in the back. All of a sudden, I heard a loud bang that sounded like a small bomb going off. The cause? The cab's transmission had exploded and fallen off the bottom of the vehicle. The car was about 2 feet from rear ending another taxi in front. The passenger, a guy in a business suit and briefcase, thought unhurt, looked stunned and dazed. He just grabbed his belongings and walked away like he was sleep walking, without once looking back or paying his fare. I guess if your life has just flashed in front of your eyes, you're likely entitled to a free ride or at least a discount

monty

Mon, 23 Feb 2004 23:45:54 -0500

this was a question posed to the ethicist in nytimes magazine! randy cohen says that the ethical thing to do is to pay the fare owed at the time of the accident. unless you're in the river and the car is fillling with water, in which case the meter has probably shorted out and doesn't work.

Matteo

Mon, 23 Feb 2004 19:15:21 -0500

Relevant only tangentially, the Conan O'Brian sketch with the writer catching a NYC cab to Canada was hilarity.

Mase

Mon, 23 Feb 2004 18:51:49 -0500

years ago, I was in the back of a taxi that ran a light and hit (appropriately enough) another taxi. I had warned the taxi about the slick streets (it was raining) and to slow down. I just got out, gave my name and phone number to the OTHER cabbie as a witness, and hailed another taxi. Never heard from anyone about the incident.

G

Mon, 23 Feb 2004 18:19:18 -0500

I have always wondered if I were to be in taxi that is involved in an accident, and the driver was responsible, would I have to pay the fare? And if so, does the meter continue to run until the accident is investigated and the drivers are allowed to go?