Can I reserve a taxi in D.C. ahead of tim?
January 11, 2009 9:15 AM Subscribe
I'm going to an inaugural ball in Washington on the 19th. Should I (can I) reserve a taxi early to make sure we get one? Will taxi prices be jacked up during the inauguration?
One of the women in my party is elderly and doesn't walk well- we're only a mile from our apartment to the ball in downtown Washington D.C. but it would be easier on her if we didn't walk. Metro is kind of an option, but it ends up being nearly a mile walk anyway if we took the metro.
Can we reserve a taxi ahead of time? Should we? Are there any magical ways to make sure we'll be able to get a taxi on the 19th, when a bunch of other events will be happening?
Finally, will taxi fares be higher during the inauguration? Supply & demand dictate they should be, but we're just not sure what the situation on the ground will be like! Thanks.
One of the women in my party is elderly and doesn't walk well- we're only a mile from our apartment to the ball in downtown Washington D.C. but it would be easier on her if we didn't walk. Metro is kind of an option, but it ends up being nearly a mile walk anyway if we took the metro.
Can we reserve a taxi ahead of time? Should we? Are there any magical ways to make sure we'll be able to get a taxi on the 19th, when a bunch of other events will be happening?
Finally, will taxi fares be higher during the inauguration? Supply & demand dictate they should be, but we're just not sure what the situation on the ground will be like! Thanks.
I don't imagine taxi fares will be higher than normal during the inauguration, as Mitheral says, but I'm going to guess that there isn't a snowball's chance that you'll be able to reserve one and actually have it show up when and where you want. DC is going to be a madhouse that night and the next day. You might be able to get one to take you to the ball at the beginning of the night, but I wouldn't count on being able to hail one or have one waiting for you at the end. A car service, sure, but just a regular cab? I don't know, and I wouldn't bet on it.
posted by Inkoate at 10:17 AM on January 11, 2009
posted by Inkoate at 10:17 AM on January 11, 2009
One thing to be aware of is that many streets will be closed off, so even if you do get a car (and I would definitely recommend that over a cab), you may still have to walk quite a a ways.
posted by lunasol at 10:40 AM on January 11, 2009
posted by lunasol at 10:40 AM on January 11, 2009
If ever there was a time to hire a limo... this is it.
posted by Augenblick at 10:58 AM on January 11, 2009
posted by Augenblick at 10:58 AM on January 11, 2009
Taxis can be reserved ahead from certain companies, but I've not been too impressed with DC cab companies, generally speaking. If you were based in Virginia I could recommend a reliable company but I don't know about DC. I would think a car service is the safer bet, as others have recommended.
posted by gudrun at 11:41 AM on January 11, 2009
posted by gudrun at 11:41 AM on January 11, 2009
In my recent experience many DC cab companies won't make non-airport bookings in advance, even in normal times. This is merely one of countless ways in which the DC taxi system is infinitely more annoying than anywhere else I've ever lived.
Wheelchair rental sounds like an ingenious solution.
posted by game warden to the events rhino at 1:05 PM on January 11, 2009
Wheelchair rental sounds like an ingenious solution.
posted by game warden to the events rhino at 1:05 PM on January 11, 2009
Do NOT rely on a previously booked taxi. You can never count on them showing up, and I was stranded twice (once in D.C., once in northern Virginia) before I learned this.
The best option would likely be a limo/car service. You don't have to get a stretch limo or anything, just a regular sedan to take you to the event. It will be slightly more expensive than a taxi, but not exorbitant by any means.
posted by gemmy at 3:18 PM on January 11, 2009
The best option would likely be a limo/car service. You don't have to get a stretch limo or anything, just a regular sedan to take you to the event. It will be slightly more expensive than a taxi, but not exorbitant by any means.
posted by gemmy at 3:18 PM on January 11, 2009
Forget it. Hire a car and driver, if there are any left.
posted by nax at 4:15 PM on January 11, 2009
posted by nax at 4:15 PM on January 11, 2009
I have zero experience with the DC cab system, but as a former Boston cabbie, I'd can confirm that no driver is going to be pleased about a reservation for a really short fare even on a slow day. On a day that has peak money-making potential, forget about it. Seeing as how several people have already expressed skepticism about the professionalism of DC cab companies, I would think you have maybe a 2-3% chance of reserving a taxi and having it show up anywhere close to the appointed time.
posted by Banky_Edwards at 4:45 PM on January 11, 2009
posted by Banky_Edwards at 4:45 PM on January 11, 2009
In my recent experience many DC cab companies won't make non-airport bookings in advance, even in normal times.
This isn't true; most cab companies will allow reservations, at least in my experience.
Of course, like gemmy says, you can't count on those reserved cabs showing up..
posted by inigo2 at 5:31 PM on January 11, 2009
This isn't true; most cab companies will allow reservations, at least in my experience.
Of course, like gemmy says, you can't count on those reserved cabs showing up..
posted by inigo2 at 5:31 PM on January 11, 2009
In my recent experience many DC cab companies won't make non-airport bookings in advance, even in normal times.
This is also my experience. It was not the case in years past.
Hire a sedan from Admiral Limousine Service or Carey.
It's more affordable than one might think. I've used Carey twice in the last couple of years and they are great.
posted by jgirl at 5:58 PM on January 11, 2009 [1 favorite]
I'm a cabbie in New Orleans, and I second everyone else telling you to find another way to get there.
The way taxi reservations work in New Orleans--I have no idea about DC--is that ten minutes before the order is due, the dispatcher begins trying to find a cab to fill the order. This sounds odd, but it's really the most efficient way to handle it; if we gave out orders 12 hours in advance, the drivers would forget the orders, or get tied up with another load and not get there in time. But putting the order out ten minutes in advance usually guarantees that the order will be picked up, because most reservations are either going to the airport for a quick thirty bucks, or they're loyal everyday customers that we know on a first name basis.
The only time this system breaks down is during especially busy times, like Mardi Gras, because the drivers have so much business--we have to do rolling stops because people LITERALLY try to jump into our cars if we stop moving--that we usually don't even turn our radios on. It makes no sense to spend ten minutes in front of a house for a fare that may or not may not still be in there, that's only going a mile, and the whole time I have to piss people off by telling them that, no, sorry, I'm not for hire, I'm waiting on a reservation, no, it's not you, nice try, etc.
Also, getting a cab on Inauguration night will be even harder, because the inauguration sounds like such a massive headache that a lot of cabbies are just gonna stay home.
The only thing I'd add to the above advice would be to say that there's no way getting a limo is going to be an option either. Though "drive people around" is the job description of both cabbies and limo drivers, our jobs are actually pretty different. On a good night I run 25-30 orders, and I make my money from turn-over. Limo drivers, though, make their money from two or three orders a night AT MOST, and they make their money from staying with one order as long as possible.
That's is a really simplistic explanation of limo-driving, but the point is: I would be really really surprised if there's a limo driver within a hundred miles of DC that doesn't already have his night booked solid.
I really think that the only real option that you have at this point is to start cashing in favors from your car-owning friends. I'm not trying to be harsh, but as a nine-year cabbie I can say in full candor that I don't think the taxi industry is going to be able to help you.
posted by Ian A.T. at 10:50 PM on January 11, 2009
The way taxi reservations work in New Orleans--I have no idea about DC--is that ten minutes before the order is due, the dispatcher begins trying to find a cab to fill the order. This sounds odd, but it's really the most efficient way to handle it; if we gave out orders 12 hours in advance, the drivers would forget the orders, or get tied up with another load and not get there in time. But putting the order out ten minutes in advance usually guarantees that the order will be picked up, because most reservations are either going to the airport for a quick thirty bucks, or they're loyal everyday customers that we know on a first name basis.
The only time this system breaks down is during especially busy times, like Mardi Gras, because the drivers have so much business--we have to do rolling stops because people LITERALLY try to jump into our cars if we stop moving--that we usually don't even turn our radios on. It makes no sense to spend ten minutes in front of a house for a fare that may or not may not still be in there, that's only going a mile, and the whole time I have to piss people off by telling them that, no, sorry, I'm not for hire, I'm waiting on a reservation, no, it's not you, nice try, etc.
Also, getting a cab on Inauguration night will be even harder, because the inauguration sounds like such a massive headache that a lot of cabbies are just gonna stay home.
The only thing I'd add to the above advice would be to say that there's no way getting a limo is going to be an option either. Though "drive people around" is the job description of both cabbies and limo drivers, our jobs are actually pretty different. On a good night I run 25-30 orders, and I make my money from turn-over. Limo drivers, though, make their money from two or three orders a night AT MOST, and they make their money from staying with one order as long as possible.
That's is a really simplistic explanation of limo-driving, but the point is: I would be really really surprised if there's a limo driver within a hundred miles of DC that doesn't already have his night booked solid.
I really think that the only real option that you have at this point is to start cashing in favors from your car-owning friends. I'm not trying to be harsh, but as a nine-year cabbie I can say in full candor that I don't think the taxi industry is going to be able to help you.
posted by Ian A.T. at 10:50 PM on January 11, 2009
I really think that the only real option that you have at this point is to start cashing in favors from your car-owning friends.
Car-owning, parking spot-having friends to be more specific...
posted by inigo2 at 6:49 AM on January 12, 2009
Car-owning, parking spot-having friends to be more specific...
posted by inigo2 at 6:49 AM on January 12, 2009
This thread is closed to new comments.
It might be easier all around to rent a wheelchair for the person with issues walking if your route is fairly flat. It is what I'd do when my grandmother came for a visit so we could take her shopping. They push pretty easy and as a bonus you generally get priority access.
posted by Mitheral at 9:34 AM on January 11, 2009 [2 favorites]