Zoe from the Chronicle just hipped us to Phil Bronstein’s latest column, and the accompanying video:
Phil just posted original video interviewing the famous Chronicle Night Cabbie as well as a sampling of other cabbies around town, discussing the mayor’s proposed “medallions for sale” plan. One of the cabbies he talked to said one of the best places in town to grab a fare was the Mission.
Link. The question is, why is the Mission such a great place to grab a fare? Is it because there’s always someone waiting because there’re never enough cabs?
Previously:
I vote for always someone waiting. I am usually that person! Also, I think a lot of people who take taxis FROM the Mission live far enough away that the cabbies can actually make something. Plus, after a few drinks, fares get chatty and friendly, which can make for an interesting night, I bet.
I never go to the mission to drink anymore because getting a cab out of there always takes over an hour. I miss the food and bars, but there’s no way I’m waiting in the cold at 2 am.
is it true that there are never enough cabs?
during the week i never seem to have a problem. on weekends it’s like a joke. i don’t even try.
shouldn’t there be enough cabs – at least in high traffic hoods during prime time – that you should be able to stick your hand in the air and get one?
i never CALL a cab anymore, because they just never show up. and i live right in the thick of things. i’d rather take the fucking bus. or walk. or a magic carpet would be nice, and more likely than calling a fucking cab in the mission on a friday night. standing on the corner, maybe you got a shot.
you all know that when you call a cab in SF, you’re only making a plea, right? and that when the dispatch puts your call up on the radio, he’s only making a suggestion, right? the cabs have NO OBLIGATION whatsoever to answer radio calls.
fairly sad state of affairs given how expensive cabs in SF are.
I have a magic carpet.
daver, hook me up. i rarely go far, and i’m a big tipper. or maybe a zip-car like deal? zip-carpet?
Given how expensive the damn things are, and how unreliable it is to call them up, I want dedicated taxi stands on Mission.
How about 29th, 24th and 16th. And one on 19th and Valencia for good measure…
you. always thinking.
Actually I was at a Bike Coalition event a few weeks back and overheard some mutterings about a push for dedicated taxi stands near 16th and Valencia and 22nd and Mission.
Regarding that, my contact at the Bike Coalition points us to this: http://www.sfgov.org/site/uploadedfiles/planning/City_Design_Group/CDG_mission_streetscape.htm
hey zinzin, zip-carpet is only $100/month + $5 per hour + $1 mile + $.80 a minute if you wanna talk to the pilot.
hee. dude, that’s basically what a cab costs.
Drunk rich white kids with a lot of money?
I think its a simple answer.
since i tend to go out all over the city, I will say that while it sucks to get a cab in the mission, it sucks much worse every where else. Try to get a cab in SoMa, Tendernob, NB, Hayes, etc. Far worse. At least there are (busy/full) cabs in the Mission, in many other place there just aren’t any, at all.
The corner of 16th and Valencia is the biggest nightmare on a Friday or Saturday night. I’m usually fighting with 20 other people for the next cab. I’ve started walking all over the city because I get so impatient.
Heartily agree with notomahead that while the Mission is bad, the rest of the city sucks much harder. Try catching a cab at 10th and Geary sometime. You’ll be there for hours.
even when you call, right? thy just never show…
I agree that that cab situation in this town is horrible. That is one reason people are so attached to their cars. Cabs can be the missing link that fill in gaps in the public transport system, but in SF people get fed up and just rely on their cars.