Why do I see people asking cabbies if they can take them somewhere? (Hudson: how much, pollution)

[G.Costanza]

If the 'Off Duty' light is on, you'll see some negotiating going on as the cabbie may decide to take someone going his way. Otherwise, just hop in and then tell him where you want to go!

[lynn79os]

I once had trouble going from Houston Street to Penn Station. I didn't realize this rule at the time, and would always ask before I got in. I believe I tried five or six cabs before one took me. Normally I would just take the train, but it was for work and they wanted me in a cab with the information I was carrying at the time for a client in Connecticut. I almost missed my train due to waiting through so many cabs.

I was very confused on why they wouldn't take me to Penn Station. Perhaps due to how many cabs there always are around Penn Station? It's difficult/competitive for them to get another fare? What do you think?

[Fred314X]

I can't imagine why a cab wouldn't want to take you to Penn Station. It's probably one of the easiest places in the city for them to pick up another fare. (A taxi driver trying to avoid bad traffic in midtown Manhattan? Then he was in the wrong line of work!)

[daaaaave]

Originally Posted by lynn79os

I once had trouble going from Houston Street to Penn Station. I didn't realize this rule at the time, and would always ask before I got in. I believe I tried five or six cabs before one took me. Normally I would just take the train, but it was for work and they wanted me in a cab with the information I was carrying at the time for a client in Connecticut. I almost missed my train due to waiting through so many cabs.

I was very confused on why they wouldn't take me to Penn Station. Perhaps due to how many cabs there always are around Penn Station? It's difficult/competitive for them to get another fare? What do you think?

I really have no idea, however when I was at Penn Station there was a line of cabs and they have to wait in order so maybe he thought he'd have to wait? Pretty sure he could just drive a block away from Penn Station though and pick someone up on the street.

[delg23]

Originally Posted by Fred314X

I can't imagine why a cab wouldn't want to take you to Penn Station. It's probably one of the easiest places in the city for them to pick up another fare. (A taxi driver trying to avoid bad traffic in midtown Manhattan? Then he was in the wrong line of work!)

Yea thats just weird. I had a cabby roll his eyes because I wanted to go to Houston from 23rd. Thought that was odd too.

[lynn79os]

Originally Posted by daaaaave

I really have no idea, however when I was at Penn Station there was a line of cabs and they have to wait in order so maybe he thought he'd have to wait? Pretty sure he could just drive a block away from Penn Station though and pick someone up on the street.

That's what I was thinking too - he'd have to wait instead of getting someone right away. But you are right, there are people everywhere around there hailing cabs...who knows!

[WillowG]

Originally Posted by daaaaave

I see people ask cabbies if they can go somewhere and they are like, "is that ok?" Aren't cabbies required to go whereever you want in the boros the quickest route?

I have heard that there are cab drivers who will not go to Brooklyn and from more than one source but I have never had to go to BK so I don't know what thats all about. I never ask. When I get a yellow cab out of the city, I tell them I'm going to Queens and they take me. No questions asked.

[canyontothesky]

I get really pissed off when I tell a cabbie where I want to go and they won't take me, but on the other hand I rather have a pleasant cab driver than a disgruntled one, I don't have time for someone with a bad attitude.

[ohiogirl22]

I asked a cab driver if I could go to 15th and A last night (near styvesant town) and hes like NO THATS THE PROJECTS and I tried to explain to him that No its not that projects. Still weird tho.

[G.Costanza]

15th & A doesn't really exist. A pretty much ends at 14th st