New york taxi

The iconic New York City taxi! Here are some interesting facts and tidbits about the yellow cabs that roam the streets of the Big Apple:

History: The first taxi cab in New York City was introduced in 1912 by John Hertz, who founded the Yellow Cab Company. The iconic yellow color was chosen to make the cabs easily visible in the city's crowded streets.

Medallions: Until 2013, the city issued a limited number of medallions, which granted the holder the right to operate a taxi in NYC. The medallion system was introduced in 1937 to regulate the number of taxis on the streets. The medallions were sold to investors, who would then lease them to taxi drivers. The medallion system was abolished in 2013, and today, anyone can apply for a new taxi license.

Yellow Cabs: The iconic yellow cabs are a symbol of New York City. The cabs are required to be yellow, and the city has strict regulations regarding their design, including the shape of the roof, the color of the paint, and the type of lights used.

Fares: The base fare for a yellow cab in NYC is $3.00, plus $0.50 per 1/5 mile or $0.50 per 30 seconds in slow traffic. There is also a $0.50 surcharge for trips that start or end at one of the city's airports.

Tipping: Tipping is customary in NYC taxis, with the standard tip being 15% to 20% of the fare.

Types of Taxis: While the yellow cabs are the most iconic, there are other types of taxis in NYC, including:

• Green Cabs: These are wheelchair-accessible taxis that operate in all five boroughs.
• Greenlight Cabs: These are hybrid taxis that operate in Manhattan and the Bronx.
• Boro Taxis: These are yellow cabs that operate in the outer boroughs (Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island).
• Flat-Fare Cabs: These are taxis that charge a flat rate for a specific distance or time period, rather than using a meter.

Ride-Hailing: In 2011, ride-hailing services like Uber and Lyft began operating in NYC, which has led to a decline in the number of yellow cab medallions sold and a shift in the way people get around the city.

Fun Facts:

• The average yellow cab in NYC travels over 300 miles per day.
• The city has over 13,000 yellow cabs on the road.
• The first hybrid taxi in NYC was introduced in 2007.
• The yellow cab is a symbol of New York City, and the city has trademarked the design.

I hope you found these facts interesting! Do you have any other questions about New York City taxis?