Best Cabbie Ever?

Usually when Gothamist is riding in a cab in New York, we're just happy if we can communicate, get to our destination in one piece, and that the driver doesn't get lost. All reasonable expectations, we think. The Taxi and Limousine Commission announced their cab driver of the year yesterday, who, by most standards seems to have done his job very well. Hossam Abdalla, an Egyptian cab driver, has been driving a taxi since 1999, returned $1 million worth of gold, diamonds, and titanium left in his cab last year. With all that, he could have joined the some of those other millionaires out there.

The TLC has a list online of the taxicab rider's bill of rights and an online complaint form. And there's Gothamist's interview with Melissa Plaut the driver behind the blog, New York Hack.

There are always plenty of taxi horror stories out there, do you have any good ones to share?

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By tien mao in News on March 30, 2006 8:14 AM

Comments [rss]

Samantha T

That shit drives me CRAZY. It's not as if she whipped out a $500 bill. It is absolutely his responsibility to make change. Poor thing.

Christine

Does anyone know if there are rules about exact change? At the conclusion of a recent visit by my little sister she took a cab to LaGuardia. After they got to Queens the driver asked her if she had small bills. When she said she only had $20s he pulled over at a convenient store and made her buy something (I think she got gum).

My poor little sister who's not from the city isn't going to argue with a cab driver in Queens while trying to make a flight on time, but I thought this was pretty inappropriate. It's not her fault the driver didn't have change. Shouldn't HE have to buy gum, and before he picks up a fare? Does anyone know if there are official rules about this, it's not addressed in the "Bill of Rights".

John

No... In fact it is NOT the drivers responsibility. Most cabs have signs on them that the driver carries no more then $5 in change. This is for the drivers safety. Why do you think driving a cab is listed as the MOST dangerous occupation? It is more dangerous then police officers and others. Why? Because we deal with strangers, they think we have lots of cash on us, and we appear to be easy targets for criminals. The driver was actually following basic cabbie safety rules by doing this. So next time, think about your comment before you open your mouth and voice your narrow minded opinion to the rest of the world. I know this post is older, but it still applies none the less.

Glennis

I took a 20 minute ride in a cab when I first moved to NY. The cabbie was on the phone the whole ride speaking in his native tongue. When we arrived at my destination he got off the phone and said, "I found this phone in my cab this morning, what should I do with it?"

Samantha T

I am always impressed when a cab driver waits for a woman to go into her building before he takes off like a bat out of hell down the street. I know this isn't always possible with traffic and all, but I live on a very quiet street in Brooklyn where a cab could easily wait 15 seconds for me to get to the door. I found out from a cab driver that this is, in fact, a rule for yellow cabs!

Gwinny

Recently I took a cab to bring home my new flat-screen TV from my office (where I'd had it delivered) - the cab driver put it in the trunk for me, and then when he heard it bumping around a bit, he got out at a red light to secure it better! Dude definitely got a good tip for watching out for my stuff like that.

padilla

....Usually when Gothamist is riding in a cab in New York, we're just happy if we can communicate, get to our destination in one piece, and that the driver doesn't get lost....

what i'm most happy about, is that added rudeness from his part that comes in handy when tipping.

diana

when i first moved to ny, i had about 500 of rent money cash in my wallet. dropped it in cab and the cabbie brought it all back.

Kaveh

A couple of years ago I was telling a Jamaican cabbie about how I had never been to the Carribean and how much I'd like to go - the man took out a piece of scrap paper, wrote down his name and phone number down in Jamaica, and told me that if I was ever there I could stay at his family's home. I haven't been to Jamaica yet, but I still have the piece of scrap paper.