To me, the biggest question with taxis is scheduling and demand -- how to get extra cabs to the places/times people need to take cabs from, and the fact that this isn't really compatible with people who want to drive a cab on a predictable block schedule.
I agree. I've never successfully gotten a cab to take me to LGA, for example. (Someone is getting them, though, because I've never not gotten a cab from LGA.)
The distribution throughout the city is also strangely uneven. I used to live a 6th/27th and even at 3 am on a Tuesday, 6th Ave. was densely packed with cabs. But over in Brooklyn Heights where I live now, I think I've seen a cab once or twice. The one time I took a cab in Brooklyn, I had to explain to the driver how to get to a major through street. (The explanation was: "I never leave Manhattan.")
Overall, it doesn't work very well, and 99.99% of the time I take the train. Much cheaper anyway.
> I agree. I've never successfully gotten a cab to take me to LGA
You probably already know this, but always get in the cab first (if possible), then tell them you're going to LGA. Cabbies aren't allowed to turn down a fare in city limits once you're already in the cab. If they protest, snap a photo of their badge # and tell them you know the law - most will give up and take you where you want to go. It's a pain in the ass, but you gotta do it sometimes.
Yeah. Now that I live in the city, I am perfectly comfortable saving $35 and just take the bus. Slow, but I'd just be reading my book in the terminal anyway.
I agree. I've never successfully gotten a cab to take me to LGA, for example. (Someone is getting them, though, because I've never not gotten a cab from LGA.)
The distribution throughout the city is also strangely uneven. I used to live a 6th/27th and even at 3 am on a Tuesday, 6th Ave. was densely packed with cabs. But over in Brooklyn Heights where I live now, I think I've seen a cab once or twice. The one time I took a cab in Brooklyn, I had to explain to the driver how to get to a major through street. (The explanation was: "I never leave Manhattan.")
Overall, it doesn't work very well, and 99.99% of the time I take the train. Much cheaper anyway.