Inmate tried to hail cab from hospital

Inmate tried to hail cab from hospital

You puke, you pay! $50 fee for taxi riders who vomit in cab

You puke, you pay! $50 fee for taxi riders who vomit in cab

Happy Indendence Day!

Peachtree Road Race

Parades

Atlanta Braves Baseball

Fireworks



Record High Temperatures in Atlanta

Atlanta scorching temperatures hit a historical high of 106 degrees on Saturday.  Across the state record high temperatures.  Macon hit 107 on Saturday and Athens broke a all time high with 109.  Gainsville, Braselton, and Savannah a high of 100 degrees. Cummings 104 degrees. 

It was the second straight day of record or near record highs in the state and more of the same is expected through at least Tuesday.

The AJC Peachtree Road Race will be warm and muggy on Wednesday morning.  Morning temperatures will be around 75 degrees and will quickly move up to 94 degrees by the afternoon.

Taxi Drivers and Local Spa Calls

Cabby laments toll 'clip joints' take on colleagues' reputation - News - ReviewJournal.com

This happen in Las Vegas, but taxi driver's right here in Atlanta take customers to the Spa's on Piedmont for kickbacks.  At least, Atlanta Spa's give the customer something for there money.

Smartphones and Cabs

Smartphones are changing the way consumers call for taxicabs.  According to Nielsen reports 46% of mobile phone users in the US had a smartphone by the end of 2011.  These smartphones are able to download third party programs or applications (often called "apps").
There are hundreds of thousands of smartphone apps available from games, ereaders, GPS tracking apps that help you find your phone when you misplace it. 
But there is another type of app gaining popularity in this fledgling industry, and these apps have offered convenience to customers, extra income to taxi drivers, and, at times, headaches to regulatory agencies.

The industry is still relatively young, but as smartphones become more powerful and more advanced, it begs the question, “how many aspects of our lives will be forever altered by small, glowing rectangles?” And although the vast majority of taxi fares are still booked by traditional means, even the companies that make traditional dispatch systems are developing smartphone technology.

This discussion list is open to all members of the taxicab industry, including drivers, mechanics, owners, operators, vendors, regulators, journalists, and regular taxi passengers.
We invite you to comment and post on your blog.  We value all of your comments and opinions.

Atlanta Airport Leaders Look To The FUTURE

Atlanta airport leaders look to future - WTVM.com-Columbus, GA News Weather & Sports

There long term goals include adding a sixth runway and two new concourses.  Also, Delta plans to move its hangers in the area of the old Ford Plant which was acquired by the Airport last year.

Cab Driver Complaints

I'm sure we have all looked at reviews of companies on Yelp.  I reviewed some of the reviews of local cab companies and there drivers.  Rapid Taxi, Decaturs Best Taxi Service, Checker Cab, Atlanta Lenox, and Yellow Cab of Georgia just to mention a few.
Customer complaints:
- Rude and disrespectful drivers (Decaturs Best and Rapid Taxi)
- Drivers getting lost (REALLY!!!) A taxi driver should never get lost.  Most cell phones have GPS.
- Dispatchers and call takers are rude and not professional (Rapid and Yellow Taxi)
- Customers being overcharged for fares
- Cabs are dirty, smelly, full of newspaper and other items on front seat, and drivers w/BO
- Customer request a taxi and cab never shows (Atlanta Lenox, Yellow and Rapid Taxi)
Customers need to register there complaints with the Atlanta Taxi Bureau at (404) 546-3090.  If more customers would start complaining about these drivers, I believe this would help change driver attitudes and make companies more accountable for there drivers.
You will need the cab number, which is a four digit number located on the passenger side window of the car. 

Vanessa Williams in Atlanta Today | accessAtlanta

Vanessa Williams and mother, Helen, co-write memoir  | accessAtlanta

Williams and her mother will be in town Monday for a reading, signing and photo opportunity at the Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta.

Vanessa Williams, has she finally written a tell-all memoir, she co-wrote it with her mom, Helen Williams. The result, "You  Have No Idea: A Famous Daughter, Her No-Nonsense Mother and How They Survived Pageants, Hollywood, Love, Loss (and Each Other)" (Gotham Books, $28), hit stores in April.



Transportation Referendum Information Session May 10th

Please attend  anyone involved in the transportation industry.
When:  Thu, May 10th 2012
Time:   6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Location: Marting Luther King Jr. Recreation Center
Address:  90 Boulevard NE, Atlanta, GA 30312
Telephone: 404-658-1149

Passage of Transportation Referendum would enable the City of Atlanta to provide crucial, last-mile connectivity within the region to employment, education and entertainment centers in the City. On July 31, 2012 voters will cast their ballots. The Atlanta Beltline will be hosting "Transportation Referendum Information Sessions" to discuss how this important legislation impacts Downtown Atlanta, the City and region as a whole.

Learn about The Atlanta Beltline, stay informed.

New State of the Art International Terminal to open May 16

Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed announced in mid March the opening of the new International Terminal on May 16.  Reed says, "The international terminal will strengthen Atlanta's position as the capital of the Southeast and a vital global gateway for the United States".

Preview of the new terminal

Before opening, Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport recruited 1,600 volunteers for a simulation exercise.  The international terminal cost nearly $1.5 billion.  The volunteers were given a script, boarding passes and told to bring their luggage for the "dress rehearsal" to test potential problems.

To get to the new terminal you must use I-75 South. 

Taxi Fares in Atlanta

Taxi Cabs

Atlanta has established set taxi fares between the airport and the downtown convention district and several other locations.

Taxi Fee Structure - Business District Flat Rate Zone from/to the Airport Downtown $ 30.00 Buckhead $ 40.00 Midtown $ 32.00 *$2.00 charge for ea. additional person. *$2.00 Fuel Surcharge per trip Taxi Fee Structure - Outside Business District Rates computed by a meter $ 2.50 for the first 1/8 mile $ 0.25 for ea. additional 1/8 mile $ 21.00/hr Wait time $2.00 Fuel Surcharge per trip Fares originating from a business and concluding at a business within the zone of Downtown, Buckhead and Midtown at a rate of $8.00 one person ($2.00 charge for ea. person and $2.00 fuel surcharge per trip ). More information is available by calling 678-613-9809.

Funny Story...Taxi Driver raids the fridge

I came across this story on the Internet today.  This story is from Sydney.  A Sydney cabbie raids the fridge of a customer who didn't have any money on him and had forgotten his pin number for his bank card.  The cabbie refused to leave.  Cabbie asked the customer, do you have any cans of fruit, or veg or anything?  The pair then walked into the customer's house and the driver helped himself to chicken, cheese, and crackers.

The driver was disappointed cause the customer didn't have $27 worth of food in his house, which was the amount of the fare.  The customer explains, "I hadn't been shopping yet".

The passenger thinks he got a good deal out of the bizarre barter.

Interesting, next time a passenger doesn't have money to pay me I'm gonna try this.  Will it work?

Taxi Cab Ettiquette

DO'S AND DON'TS FOR RIDING IN A TAXICAB

When using the service of your local taxi cab service there are unwritten rules that apply. For customers that request a cab at a certain time it is imperative that you be ready, time is money. If the driver has to wait to long they may leave to pick up another fare or they can start the meter. As a passenger in a taxi cab you must remember you are in someone else's car and you must respect the company's rules and policies.

For example, do not smoke in the cab unless the driver gives you permission that it is okay. The drinking of alcohol or use of drunks is definitely not acceptable. The use of profanity or vulgar language are also not acceptable behavior in a taxicab. Before getting into the cab make sure you have enough money to pay for the ride. Drivers most times to do have change for large bills such as $100 notes. It is also important that you do business with reputable and professional taxicab company's that are properly licensed and insured according to the laws of there area.

Taxi drivers down in the dumps and the pumps

Driver's in Atlanta are spending about $1500 per month on gas. "It's tough when you see it going up, and then they talk about it being $5 a gallon before summer time," says Abdul a driver for Yellow Cab of Georgia. He tells us his average ride brings in about $12.  Gas prices shrink his profit, and he has to cut back on some of his trips.

He predicts that enough drivers cutting back will begin to hurt customers. Relief at the pump can't come soon enough.

I have been driving a cab over eight years. Gas prices are at a record high. Yes we should charge fuel surcharges.  Our costs don't go down, our cost go up just like everybody else's. All other companies, when their cost go up, what do they do? They pass it on to the customer, right, so we should be able to do the same thing.  As gas goes up, profits for cab drivers come down. Limousine companies can implement a surcharge to help make up for climbing gas prices, but taxi companies must wait for the city to approve a surcharge. The city's taxi companies are at the mercy of political forces and are not allowed to raise rates, which are regulated by the city and enforced by a bureau of taxicab standards.

Weekend Buzz in Atlanta

This weekend is buzzing...to start it off with the 76th Annual Atlanta Dogwood Festival in Piedmont Park.  Candler Park is hosting the Sweetwater 420 Fest from 4:15pm to 7pm today.  Musical performances at both events today and plenty of spirits! 

SO PLEASE DON'T DRINK AND DRIVE.  Your local cab services are ready to drive you home or to another event.

What's new on the streets of Atlanta?

Atlanta Checker Cab is the 1st cab company in Atlanta to introduce the new MV-1 handicap accessible vehicle.  This vehicle is ADA compliant and can hold two wheelchairs and three passengers or one motorized wheelchair and four passengers or it can carry regular passengers.  The MV-1 is a versatile vehicle. Checker Cab has been a leader in bringing new technology to the Atlanta Taxi business. They were the first company to have natural gas cars and also a car fueled by propane. Checker cab set the standard in the Atlanta market with the introduction of the computer based dispatching system equipment in all of there taxis.

Welcome to the Atlanta Taxi Business Blog.  Our blog is designed to inform and educate the metro Atlanta area taxi riders and drivers.  Feel free to jump right in with any news, issues, or concerns that might affect our industry.  This blog was designed by a taxi driver with 8+  years of experience driving a cab in the Atlanta market. I have driven for Checker Cab, Dekalb Taxi, Yellow Cab of Georgia, and for a limousine/car service. In Atlanta, drivers sit at the Airport for hours waiting for a fare.  In New York taxis cruise through downtown with fares almost on every corner.  Almost 3 million people live within the city limits of Atlanta and on any given day a taxi driver can drive for hours and can't pick up a fare on the streets in Atlanta.