Virgin Atlantic’s Taxi Share
November 09, 2009
Taxis have a long tradition of gouging passengers on the ride to and from the airport. It's one of the only times when even the most economically minded traveler might balk at public transportation, given the dreary prospect of hauling luggage onto a subway or bus. So far, that's left the terrible options of Super Shuttle, where you'll inevitably be dropped off last, or a pricey cab ride. In New York, that taxi ride will cost you $45 + tip, and in San Francisco (where SFO and OAK are located outside the actual city) you're looking at closer to $50-$70 for anywhere that's farther than a few miles away. Enter Virgin Atlantic's taxi program, run in conjunction with Taxi2.
Taxi2 takes the idea of the Craigslist rideshare to a new and less kidnappy level. All you have to do is sign up, type in your flight deets and local destinations, and the program will match you up with suitable travel companion headed in your same direction. You can agree or disagree to the match, and decide where the two of you will meet up. The site even provides you with a printable Taxi2 sign to use at the airport to locate your taxi match upon arrival. Female travelers can request only female matches (no word if males can do the same).
Comments (3)
Posted by Athan Rebelos on Mon Nov 9, 2009 at 02.22 pm
This article grossly misrepresents the taxi fare from San Francisco to SFO or OAK. A driver’s union is not even relevant to the fare structure in terms of uniformity, I don’t understand where that statement even comes from. The metered fare from the City to SFO is less than $40 from all but the City’s most northwesterly districts. The fare to OAK from the City is typically less than $55. The fares are standardized and uniform. The City’s taxicabs operate on a medallion system much like NYC’s yellow cabs.
Posted by Allan J. Fromberg on Mon Nov 9, 2009 at 04.31 pm
Thanks for correcting!
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Posted by Allan J. Fromberg on Mon Nov 9, 2009 at 01.02 pm
Just to clarify, a trip to or from JFK International Airport and Manhattan is actually a $45 flat fare, and not $50 as reported above. The New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission regulates the price. (On the Web at http://www.nyc.gov/taxi.)