NYC Taxi Rides to Become Communal Experience in Share Plan

Photograph by heathbrandon on Flickr

New Yorkers aren't exactly known for a "sharing is caring" attitude, but cab riders across town may soon be forced to make room in the back seat for total strangers, if several new proposals are approved by the Taxi and Limousine Commission. Today the TLC will meet to discuss and possibly vote on three pilot programs they say would help reduce congestion, make more cabs available, and pull in extra money for hacks. Under consideration:

In a pilot program, 1,000 yellow cabs would be equipped with meters that could calculate two fares at once, allowing cabbies to stop en route and pick up additional passengers. The taxis would be retrofitted with electronic signs showing the neighborhoods where they're headed, and when a second rider hops in, the first rider would get a 50% discount on the rest of his or her (awkward? romantic?) journey.

In the second proposal, several taxi stands would serve as group-ride pickup locations during the morning rush, from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. The cabs would travel in a designated corridor, say, from Penn Station up Sixth Avenue to 59th Street, and charge passengers a flat fare of $3 or $4 to be dropped off anywhere along the route.

The third plan would set up dispatch centers for livery cars in areas with limited access to other forms of mass transportation. Dispatch centers could also be set up in "anticipation" of passengers at peak travel times and at popular destinations such as ferry terminals, bus terminals, and terminus of train and bus lines.

All fine ideas, but who gets to choose which channel to watch on the taxi TV? In a statement, TLC chairman Matthew Daus says the most important thing is that "using the same number of vehicles to serve more people is good for the environment, and passengers will pay less while drivers will earn more-it is a true win-win." According to the Times, the taxi stand pilot program could start as early as autumn, but the multi-meter group ride pilot, if approved, won't begin testing until next year because the new meters and signs have to be installed.

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

By John Del Signore in News on May 28, 2009 9:55 AM

Comments [rss]

REALITY CHECK

Proposal #2 (taxi stands specifically for group rides during rush hour) is the best one, because you agree to share a cab before getting in, and you won't have to worry about accidentally hailing a group-ride cab on the street.

NannyState

Do it but don't lower the fares which turns cabs into buses. Instead, upgrade the amenities and get rid of those goddamn TVs.

glennQNYC

Drivers are villified for seeking comfort, convience, and privacy, why not those evil enough to seek the same in a taxi?

gobama

Horrible idea. Washington, DC used to do this and it was a total nightmare. I agree with #20 above, I'm paying for a solo and direct ride. The cost savings in no way make up for the delays and inconveniences of sharing, not to mention safety concerns. Awesome that the partition protects the cab driver, but not me from other passengers. As a young(ish) woman, it makes me uncomfortable to be trapped in a moving cab with a stranger. I don't want to rely on the driver for protection. I also would not want any random stranger in my cab late at night or knowing where I live.

WorksInDUMBO

Agreed--it was a complete nightmare in DC. And you had NO choice in the matter, either!

Though I do like the idea of the $3 or $4 flat fee to go to a set destination.

virgilstarkwell

all change is bad.

stuffed quahog

This is already done in Jersey City & Hoboken and it blows. Forget about getting anywhere in a hurry.

Gothampc

All this retrofitting with new gadgets will drive up the price of a fare. Welcome to the $10 per 1/4 mile ride.

I think it's Bloomberg's master plan to do everything he can to get rid of the middle class.

Thespis

I ride in a cab because I want to hire a car and a driver to take me somewhere directly, in peace and quiet, without having to make small talk or share space.

If shared cabs become the norm, I'd be far less likely to take them. Even at half the cost -- it's just not worth it to me. Just imagine sitting there, wondering whether you were going to get to your destination in peace or whether your cabbie is going to suddenly stop and pick up:

1. Smelly Guy;

2. Chatty Cathy;

3. Old Lady (taking her dead cat to the vet);

4. Captain Crazy;

5. Religious Nut (running a "cab ministry" and wondering if you've ever heard the Good Word of Jesus Christ);

6. Moving Dude (with a ton of stuff that's going to take him 10 minutes to get into the trunk);

7. Hugh Jass (who squeeze his fat rolls through the door and right into your lap);

8. Suburban Street Tough (who wants to tell you about how he's makin' money, gettin' paid in his lawnmowing job in New Jersey); or

9. Well, any damned body -- since it's my cab!

This is a city of misanthropes, outcasts, and people I'd rather not smell. Cramming them into the back of a cab with me -- forget it!

Gwinny

Just wondering: are you including yourself as a misanthrope in your list?

Thespis

Abso-freakin'-lutely.

Gwinny

oh good - just checkin' :)

nicemarmot

Um. How about NO? I take cabs because I don't want to be crammed in with a bunch of other people. I take the subway when I want to smell some random stranger.

Chilkin Bilskits

i once shared a cab with the hipster grifter. she gave me a hand job with her mouth.

Mr Mel

This'll be great for the stick up guys. Not only can they rob the drivers they can rob the passengers as well. Also the other creeps, that'll know where the other passengers live.

villagetwist

Exactly...and since the city has set this up, I can't wait for the lawsuits that follow.

TrippinJoJo

hey here is an idea....walking.

WesleySnipesAlot

A rational response in the Gothamist comments section? begone with you sir! there is no place for your normal mode of thinking here.

TrippinJoJo

he he....i like your name "WesleySnipesAlot"

whitecastlerock

Can't this city leave anything alone? Let's retrofit a taxi with new meters and more electronic devices! Who pays the new drop off fare that bails out the scumbuckets at the MTA?