"Dupont Circle please" I told the driver as I climbed into his cab today.
"Where in Dupont?" he asked.
"Anywhere. I'll find it."
I don't recall much of the short trip from U Street and mostly was lost in thoughts about my 11:00 am meeting.
Arriving at the circle I handed him $6.00 for the $4.25 fare, giving him a five and a one.
He handed me the dollar bill back.
Not sure he understood I attempted to give him the dollar again and he silently waved it off.
This interchange dominated my thoughts today and I still ponder its meaning.
Maybe there is no meaning but that dollar bill is now on my refrigerator door and I see it each time I walk into the kitchen. I know I need to do something with it but for now it will remain there until I better understand.
Showing posts with label Taxis. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Taxis. Show all posts
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Sunday, February 1, 2009
The Worst Cab Ride Ever! The Best Cab Ride Ever!
It was Friday night and I had just left work, looking for a warm cab and a Pity Party for One. I had been working long hours and as the World's Oldest Living Systems Analyst III, was feeling very unappreciated at the Big Humanitarian Non-Profit. Did I say I was exhausted and more than a little cranky? Riding the Metro was not an option tonight, no siree. Riding the Metro was only an option if you wanted to read Saturday headlines of "Manic Systems Analyst III Mutilates Metro Manager with SmartTrip Card Machete" or "They Said He Could Give a Look That Kills So He Did."
Climbing into the nearest cab which was fortunately quite toasty I grumbled something about the freaking cold weather.
"But February is the coldest month, right sir?" the cabby said in an odd sing-song manner.
"Oh great," I thought, "a chatty cab driver." I needed this like I needed another 1.75 % merit increase since I am "at the top of the salary band for your grade." Whatever. Suck it Human Resources.
"Sometimes January is colder" I said as patronizingly as possible, pretending to apply for a very complex commercial mortgage on my cell phone keypad.
"But the song says February makes me shiver."
"Huh?"
"Is it okay if I sing it for you?"
Before I could finish miming typing "Debt service coverage ratio" and yell "NO!" he launched into singing in his high pitched lightly accented style.
A long, long time ago...
I can still remember
How that music used to make me smile.
And I knew if I had my chance
That I could make those people dance
And, maybe, they'd be happy for a while.
But February made me shiver
With every paper I'd deliver.
Bad news on the doorstep;
I couldn't take one more step.
Suddenly I recognized the tune. This can't be true?
OH MY GOD HE IS SERENADING ME WITH DON MCLEAN'S "AMERICAN PIE" THE WORLD'S LONGEST SONG! AM I BEING PUNK'D?
(If so I wanted to have a long man-to-man with Ashton and get a really good closeup look of Demi for signs of recent plastic surgery or the receipt for the sale of her soul but that was beside the point.)
I was tired.
And angry.
I just wanted to get home!
He stopped singing for a minute to explain.
"I am from West Africa and we sing all the time. When I moved here I learned your English by singing American songs. That is how you learn the language and the soul of a culture."
He resumed singing:
I can't remember if I cried
When I read about his widowed bride,
But something touched me deep inside
The day the music died.
So bye-bye, Miss American Pie...
The traffic was slowly moving up 20th St and he turned around and said,"You can join me."
This can't be happening! This cheerfully demented West African Mary Poppins is going to sing the entirety of "American Pie" and he wants me to sing the chorus with him?
This was looking to be the worst cab ride of my life.
Or the best.
So I joined him singing...
"Bye-bye, Miss American Pie."
Drove my Chevy to the levee,
But the levee was dry.
Them good old boys were drinkin' whiskey and rye
And singin, "This'll be the day that I die.
This'll be the day that I die."
Traffic was terrible as we painstakingly sang our way through Dupont Circle and the history of the 50s and 60s. Somewhere around 18th and Q, the Father, Son and Holy Ghost had caught the last train for the coast and we finished the song with both of us bursting out laughing.
"See," he said "You hardly noticed the bad traffic."
Traffic? Work? This was better than any Happy Hour! He sang a bit of Glenn Campbell's "Wichita Lineman" and John Denver's "Take Me Home, Country Roads" before pulling in front of my house.
"Now we will sing the song every child knows" he instructed.
"Itsy Bitsy spider climbed up the water spout..."
Parked with the interior lights on for all to see, my West African Mary Poppins of a cab driver and I sang that childhood favorite--complete with hand gestures.
It was the best cab ride of my life! I emptied my wallet and gave him a $20 tip wishing I had more money to offer.
Did I mention it was the best cab ride ever!
I smiled all weekend.
And I'm smiling now...
And they were singing,
"Bye-bye, Miss American Pie."
Drove my Chevy to the levee,
But the levee was dry.
And them good old boys were drinkin' whiskey and rye
Singin', "This'll be the day that I die.
This'll be the day that I die."
Climbing into the nearest cab which was fortunately quite toasty I grumbled something about the freaking cold weather.
"But February is the coldest month, right sir?" the cabby said in an odd sing-song manner.
"Oh great," I thought, "a chatty cab driver." I needed this like I needed another 1.75 % merit increase since I am "at the top of the salary band for your grade." Whatever. Suck it Human Resources.
"Sometimes January is colder" I said as patronizingly as possible, pretending to apply for a very complex commercial mortgage on my cell phone keypad.
"But the song says February makes me shiver."
"Huh?"
"Is it okay if I sing it for you?"
Before I could finish miming typing "Debt service coverage ratio" and yell "NO!" he launched into singing in his high pitched lightly accented style.
A long, long time ago...
I can still remember
How that music used to make me smile.
And I knew if I had my chance
That I could make those people dance
And, maybe, they'd be happy for a while.
But February made me shiver
With every paper I'd deliver.
Bad news on the doorstep;
I couldn't take one more step.
Suddenly I recognized the tune. This can't be true?
OH MY GOD HE IS SERENADING ME WITH DON MCLEAN'S "AMERICAN PIE" THE WORLD'S LONGEST SONG! AM I BEING PUNK'D?
(If so I wanted to have a long man-to-man with Ashton and get a really good closeup look of Demi for signs of recent plastic surgery or the receipt for the sale of her soul but that was beside the point.)
I was tired.
And angry.
I just wanted to get home!
He stopped singing for a minute to explain.
"I am from West Africa and we sing all the time. When I moved here I learned your English by singing American songs. That is how you learn the language and the soul of a culture."
He resumed singing:
I can't remember if I cried
When I read about his widowed bride,
But something touched me deep inside
The day the music died.
So bye-bye, Miss American Pie...
The traffic was slowly moving up 20th St and he turned around and said,"You can join me."
This can't be happening! This cheerfully demented West African Mary Poppins is going to sing the entirety of "American Pie" and he wants me to sing the chorus with him?
This was looking to be the worst cab ride of my life.
Or the best.
So I joined him singing...
"Bye-bye, Miss American Pie."
Drove my Chevy to the levee,
But the levee was dry.
Them good old boys were drinkin' whiskey and rye
And singin, "This'll be the day that I die.
This'll be the day that I die."
Traffic was terrible as we painstakingly sang our way through Dupont Circle and the history of the 50s and 60s. Somewhere around 18th and Q, the Father, Son and Holy Ghost had caught the last train for the coast and we finished the song with both of us bursting out laughing.
"See," he said "You hardly noticed the bad traffic."
Traffic? Work? This was better than any Happy Hour! He sang a bit of Glenn Campbell's "Wichita Lineman" and John Denver's "Take Me Home, Country Roads" before pulling in front of my house.
"Now we will sing the song every child knows" he instructed.
"Itsy Bitsy spider climbed up the water spout..."
Parked with the interior lights on for all to see, my West African Mary Poppins of a cab driver and I sang that childhood favorite--complete with hand gestures.
It was the best cab ride of my life! I emptied my wallet and gave him a $20 tip wishing I had more money to offer.
Did I mention it was the best cab ride ever!
I smiled all weekend.
And I'm smiling now...
And they were singing,
"Bye-bye, Miss American Pie."
Drove my Chevy to the levee,
But the levee was dry.
And them good old boys were drinkin' whiskey and rye
Singin', "This'll be the day that I die.
This'll be the day that I die."
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
The DC COMEDY CAB: Jokes! Misogyny! Monica Lewinsky!
It was not just my first ride in a sweet metered Diamond Cab Company DC Cab. What, you are expecting some typical weenie DC blog post about how-nice-to-finally-see-a-meter-so-I- tipped- the- driver-extra-money-for-obeying-the-law. Nope, not here bud cause I got jokes, I got Hillary, I even witnessed the return of Monica Frackin' Lewinsky cause I was riding in the DC COMEDY CAB!
And off we go departing from 14th and T NW! Whee!!!!
Meter: $3.00
DC COMEDY CAB: Did you hear that Bill Clinton's dog died? He climbed into bed with Hillary and froze to death.
Meter: $3.75.
DC COMEDY CAB: Do you know why Bill Clinton won't let Hillary wear mini skirts? He doesn't want her b***s to show!
Meter: $5.25
DC COMEDY CAB: Did you hear that Monica Lewinsky is leaving the Democrat Party? She said that the Democrats left a bad taste in her mouth.
Meter $6.50
DC COMEDY CAB: Monica was at the dry cleaners and asked the hard of hearing owner when her dress would be ready. "Come again?" he said. Monica "No just ketchup this time."
Meter $7.75
DC COMEDY CAB: So Chelsea Clinton was visiting Iraq and asked a soldier if he was ever scared. He said "The only thing that scares me is Osama, Obama, and yo Mama."
Arriving at 17th and E the total damage was $7.75 plus the $1.00 gas surcharge for $8.75 which was only .25 more than the old reviled zone rate. And I got COMEDY! I got Bill Clinton! Just don't forget to tip your DC COMEDY CAB DRIVER! He'll be here all week. Try the veal!
Monday, April 21, 2008
DC Wins Taxi Meter Dispute!
WASHINGTON - A judge cleared the way for meters in all taxi cabs in D.C., but the ruling issued Monday will be appealed.
William Wright Jr., one of the members of the Taxi Cab Drivers Coalition that sued the city, tells WTOP the judge's ruling "surprised" him.
The cab drivers have 30 days to file a Notice of Appeal with the D.C. Court of Appeals.
Last October, Fenty announced the switch from the zone system to meters in order to reduce confusion and increase transparency in the fare system.
Fenty is expected to hold a news conference Tuesday morning to announce final details of the meter system.
The move to meters has prompted taxi strikes in the city, and could prompt more.
Most taxi drivers are balking at paying the estimated $350 for a meter.
City officials had said drivers who have not installed the meters will face a $1,000 fine every time they're caught picking up rides without them.
Under the meter system, cabs will charge a $3 flag drop rate and 25 cents for every one-sixth of a mile after the first sixth of a mile traveled. There also will be a 25-cent charge for every minute spent stopped or traveling less than 10 miles per hour. The snow emergency rate will be the regular fare plus 25 percent.
The maximum fare for all trips within the city will be $19.
The Washington Post's Taxi Fare Calculator can be found here.
William Wright Jr., one of the members of the Taxi Cab Drivers Coalition that sued the city, tells WTOP the judge's ruling "surprised" him.
The cab drivers have 30 days to file a Notice of Appeal with the D.C. Court of Appeals.
Last October, Fenty announced the switch from the zone system to meters in order to reduce confusion and increase transparency in the fare system.
Fenty is expected to hold a news conference Tuesday morning to announce final details of the meter system.
The move to meters has prompted taxi strikes in the city, and could prompt more.
Most taxi drivers are balking at paying the estimated $350 for a meter.
City officials had said drivers who have not installed the meters will face a $1,000 fine every time they're caught picking up rides without them.
Under the meter system, cabs will charge a $3 flag drop rate and 25 cents for every one-sixth of a mile after the first sixth of a mile traveled. There also will be a 25-cent charge for every minute spent stopped or traveling less than 10 miles per hour. The snow emergency rate will be the regular fare plus 25 percent.
The maximum fare for all trips within the city will be $19.
The Washington Post's Taxi Fare Calculator can be found here.
Monday, January 21, 2008
New DC Cab Fares: Who Wins, Who Loses?
I decided to put the Washington Post's handy dandy
District Taxi Fare Estimator to the test to determine who comes out ahead with some sample trips from my house in the Logan/U Street area by comparing the old zone rate to the new time and distance fare system.
From my house to bars and restaurants on 17th St:
Zone $6:50
Fare: $4.00
Winners:
Bars and restaurants on 17th St and the cab drivers. Before I would just stay home instead of paying $6.50 for a short hop but now I believe cab drivers will stay constantly busy in the evening shuttlingdrunks riders short distances.
Losers:
My liver
From my house to the Columbia Heights Giant:
Zone: $8.80
Fare: $4.50
Winners:
Say "Hola!" to the Columbia Heights Giant since previously I didn't shop there since I don't like having to deal with their parking garage and carrying groceries on the Metro was just not gonna happen. Cab drivers once again will stay steadily busy shuttling passengers up and down the hill instead of cruising aimlessly around looking for fares or idling next to the Sticky Fingers Bakery.
Losers:
The Brentwood Giant and your big ass parking lot filled with day laborers. Maybe now I really can sell my car!
From my house to work:
Zone: $7.50 (including rush hour premium)
Fare: $7.50
Winners:
It's a tie baby! Kiss your Aunt and declare the Metro the winner since this reminds me once again how stupid it is for me to take a cab when I can get to my office just fine via Metro. Cab drivers win since what is not included in the above fare are the new wait charges for hitting traffic during rush hour if I do decide that is "No Mass Transit Monday" for me. (And really, if your cab is nice and clean I always add a extra dollar to the tip.)
Losers:
Other Metro riders who will have to deal with my morning crankiness and occasional rankness.
My house to Georgetown Park Mall:
Zone: $8.80
Fare: $ 6.75
Winners:
Oh who are we kidding? Have you seen my pictures on this blog? Like I ever shop at Georgetown Park. Maybe if they opened a Sears there or a rad Brew Thru outlet or something.
Losers:
Sears
My liver
How will fares for your favorite trips change?
From my house to bars and restaurants on 17th St:
Zone $6:50
Fare: $4.00
Winners:
Bars and restaurants on 17th St and the cab drivers. Before I would just stay home instead of paying $6.50 for a short hop but now I believe cab drivers will stay constantly busy in the evening shuttling
Losers:
My liver
From my house to the Columbia Heights Giant:
Zone: $8.80
Fare: $4.50
Winners:
Say "Hola!" to the Columbia Heights Giant since previously I didn't shop there since I don't like having to deal with their parking garage and carrying groceries on the Metro was just not gonna happen. Cab drivers once again will stay steadily busy shuttling passengers up and down the hill instead of cruising aimlessly around looking for fares or idling next to the Sticky Fingers Bakery.
Losers:
The Brentwood Giant and your big ass parking lot filled with day laborers. Maybe now I really can sell my car!
From my house to work:
Zone: $7.50 (including rush hour premium)
Fare: $7.50
Winners:
It's a tie baby! Kiss your Aunt and declare the Metro the winner since this reminds me once again how stupid it is for me to take a cab when I can get to my office just fine via Metro. Cab drivers win since what is not included in the above fare are the new wait charges for hitting traffic during rush hour if I do decide that is "No Mass Transit Monday" for me. (And really, if your cab is nice and clean I always add a extra dollar to the tip.)
Losers:
Other Metro riders who will have to deal with my morning crankiness and occasional rankness.
My house to Georgetown Park Mall:
Zone: $8.80
Fare: $ 6.75
Winners:
Oh who are we kidding? Have you seen my pictures on this blog? Like I ever shop at Georgetown Park. Maybe if they opened a Sears there or a rad Brew Thru outlet or something.
Losers:
Sears
My liver
How will fares for your favorite trips change?
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Meters Made!
DC joins the rest of the zoneless world as Mayor McSpeedy scores another victory and announces the new fares for metered DC cabs today. The much reviled and abused zone system is as dead as my social life as of April 6, 2008.
The changes include a $3 base charge for passengers and an additional 25-cent charge for every one-sixth mile after the first one-sixth mile. The maximum fare for any trip starting and ending in the District will be $18.90. Sounds fair to me!
As part of the mayor's plan, additional fees for rush hour travel and that ridiculous fee for additional passengers will be eliminated. The meter system reduces the additional fare during a snow emergency to 25 percent compared to the outrageous 200 percent under the outgoing zone system.
Predictably there are already threats of a strike from cabbies. Bring it on buds! Maybe your replacements are already in the backlog of nearly 1,600 driver applications and will be DC residents with cabs that are kept in good shape, have working heating and cooling systems and interiors that don't smell like a week old chili half-smoke.
Thursday, September 13, 2007
Taken for a Ride
The DC Taxicab Commission has polled taxi drivers and discovered that only 25% of the 686 polled favored time-distance meters over the current zone system. In other DC polls the DC Banking Commission polled local banks in order to determine that 92 % of bankers believe that ATM fees are reasonable. The Department of Motor Vehicles recently reported the shocking results that only 89% of DMV managers agree that the DMV delivers high quality and efficient service.
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