Yellow Cab "Group Rides" Start Friday!

Taking a cue from Flatbush Avenue’s Dollar Vans, some yellow cabs will begin running on routes with predetermined stops where passengers can get on and off. Best of all, the credit card swipe for these “group rides” will be significantly less costly than in a single-payer situation. In Midtown Manhattan the group rides will be available during the morning rush hour from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. "The concept really boils down to: take less money out of passengers’ pockets, put more money in drivers’ pockets, put less pollution in the air, and give passengers more transportation options," said outgoing Taxi and Limousine Commission chief Matt Daus.

So far there are three pick-up spots:
-W. 57th Street and Eighth Avenue with dropoffs allowed on Park Avenue between 57th Street until 42nd Street
-W.72nd Street. and Columbus Avenue with dropoffs on Park Avenue from 72nd Street to 42nd Street
-E. 72nd Street and Third Avenue with dropoffs on Park Avenue from 72nd Street to 42nd Street

It's sounds way easier than ride-sharing. To get a cheap fare ($3 for the first passenger, and $4 for each additional rider) there must be more than one person in the cab, according to the Post, but people can hop in along the way. Credit card or cash is still OK, and to expedite the many dropoffs passengers can pay the set fare while the cab is in motion. Group rides are set to begin on Friday. "What’s not to like?" said Haus. Let's wait and see whether unspoken "no talking" rules apply to answer that question.

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By Sabrina Jaszi in News on February 21, 2010 10:14 AM

Comments [rss]

Glenwoodnyc

It may not be time effective, but it can be a great way to spend some time socializing with people you otherwise would have never met. Think of it as a needed break from our busy days, where we can connect with others, before retreating to our apartments in Manhattan.

rapscallion

They have these in Jamaica - called route taxis. They only stop when they can fit more people in (read: 6 people in a civic).

I think something like this would be better for longer distance routes that would normally be higher price. Although cross town is not bad ...

Did they say how they will distinguish these from normal cabs?

Thinky Think

Dear jaycjay please do the world a favour and bury yourself. The city is already congested sharing a cab means it takes longer to get where your going.The van service works for flatbush because traffic is not always congested.

Dollar

It's ironic that it takes a group of enterprising immigrants in Brooklyn & Queens (among other locations) to show the MTA how to provide cost effective and user-demanded transportation.

The link to the Sally Connors video was taken down on advice of legal counsel.

If you want to see other music videos made in a Flatbush dollar van, please visit http://www.dollarvandemos.com

ed_Extinct

if you're going to roughly the same places sure. If you're not, you're running the meter up and then you have to figure how much you owe, plus the service charge of $3.00.

Athan

This is a horrible idea. Other comments are exactly right, buses and jitneys already do this. Cabs are used by people who want door to door service...

jaycjay

"Cabs are used by people who want door to door service..."

And anyone who wants that can still choose it. This doesn't eliminate regular cabs.

Phillip

Sounds confusing and pointless. Just take the bus or train.

ianmac47

Isn't this also known as a "bus" ?

Thinky Think

Prepare for mintor-major delays. Cost effecive but could not time effective.

jaycjay

Always thinky-think before you hit "Submit."

adpwnage

I love it...awesome!

Spirit of 76

Back when I went to college, the shyster cabbies in that city were happy to pick up multiple fares. With one difference. Everybody got charged the full amount on the meter. So if someone was going 5 miles and you needed to go one mile further to your dorm, the hack got more than double the fare, since you'd be charged for the entire 6 miles. Nice racket if you can get it.