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OPINION

Better taxicabs needed to impress city’s visitors

Letter
Comments (11)

Monday, February 8, 2010

(Updated 3:00 am)

If Greensboro wants to improve its image and attract more tourists, I suggest having decent taxicabs available for transportation. The taxicabs available now are mostly dirty and often lacking in seat belts and air conditioning. At least one has a broken door that sags. Some are of ancient vintage.

It takes more than a new hotel to impress visitors.

Svea Sauer
Greensboro

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firerescuechick

February 8, 2010 - 5:06 am EST

Yes....new taxis.....because that is certainly the first thing I look at when I am deciding to visit a city. "Old and ugly taxicabs, you say? Well, I certainly won't be spending my money there! *with nose in air*" Give me a break!

Mick

February 8, 2010 - 6:30 am EST

Arent taxi cabs privately owned?

Sawdust

February 8, 2010 - 7:02 am EST

Not if Obama gets his way. Maybe he can use his Nobel prize money to buy some new cabs. Whoa, that's HIS money. He's not too big on spending his own money.

Get A Clue

February 8, 2010 - 8:02 am EST

Do you have anything to add to the debate, or must you continually prove yourself witless and immature?

Yvonne

February 8, 2010 - 8:00 am EST

While visiting NYC, I rejected the clunkers in favor of the cabs that looked as if they would actually get me to my destination. My time is precious, each time I visit. Besides, I drive clunkers at home. The difference is I know I keep my clunkers mechanically sound. Thus, this has nothing to do with "nose in the air" disdain, rather private selection based on judgment.

firerescuechick

February 8, 2010 - 6:22 pm EST

My point was that when most people are making a decision as to what city to visit, the condition of taxis is not usually on the list. Most people look at shopping, dining, entertainment, cultural aspects, etc. of said city. I have never once heard someone come back from visiting a city and rave about the taxis.

Get A Clue

February 8, 2010 - 8:05 am EST

Good point. A chain is only as strong as its weakest link. I've visited the city many times (I have a child in college there.) but have my own car, so I've never needed a cab.
Hopefully the cabbies will read this and take note. I've waved on cabs that appear dirty or unsafe; I am not obligated to risk my life or have my clothes cleaned simply because a cab was the next in line.

hugh

February 8, 2010 - 8:25 am EST

There are plenty of nice "cabs" in the city, they just don't look like taxi cabs and have higher rates. Look up transportation services in the phone book.

oh good grief

February 8, 2010 - 8:47 am EST

Yes, higher rates -- $20.00 for 7 miles (plus a $5.00 tip of my choice) -- and it was worth every penny for an uneventful nighttime trip in bad weather in a safe, well-maintained vehicle with a gentleman driver in a blazer and tie and neatly pressed khakis who kept his eyes on the road and both hands on the steering wheel, who did not speed, and who had the strength to pick up that huge piece of luggage and very heavy carry-on and bring them up the icy and snow-covered porch steps and deposit them right at my front door.

Huck9

February 8, 2010 - 9:08 am EST

Greensboro has a "franchise system" that does not allow for competition in the cab industry. No one can start a new cab company because they cannot get a franchise. Cab are independently owned and the owners can keep the franchises for life. Some of them have franchises but don't actually operate cabs. Some of them only carry regular customers and don't take calls.