Harlem Observation: Taxis On The Streets
When I moved to Harlem in 2001 (a few blocks from where I live now), yellow cabs were slightly more rare than unicorns. I also found back then that getting cabs to come up to Harlem could pose complications.
Here is the conversation, best as I can remember it, I had late one night with a cabbie when I was overly intoxicated and just wanted to be in my bed:
Cabbie: Is this really where you want to be?
Me: Yes.
Cabbie: I cannot drop you off here. It is too dangerous.
Me: But I live here.
Cabbie: It is too dangerous. I will take you to Columbia (University) and drop you off on 118th Street there.
Me: But then I will have to walk, drunk, through Morningside Park at this hour, and three additional blocks to my apartment. I'm sure that would be more dangerous than walking from the curb to my door.
Cabbie: I cannot drop you off here.
Me: (Using quick thinking) I think I am going to get sick. Please stop the cab.
I then paid the fare.
That was about five years ago. Today, when looking out the window and deciding if I wanted to run errands in the rain, I saw a good number of cabs in just a few minutes.
The first two cabs.
A cab going crosstown.
UPDATE! I was given one of the greatest honors a New York blogger can receive, a Curbed mention complete with the famous RED ARROWS!
Comments
yeah it was IMPOSSIBLE to get a yellow cab above 110th when I first moved to NY. Now there are yellow cabs as far up as 145th picking up fares.
Posted by: Berry | April 8, 2006 08:11 PM
the other day i actually CAUGHT a cab going downtown on 116th and 5th. a minor miracle. but have you had any decent experiences with cab co.s? i've had a few really bad ones, where i call and they show up 2 hours later. anyone have any good reccomends?
Posted by: jo | April 10, 2006 11:15 AM
I've had good experiences with the ominous-sounding New Family Radio Dispatcher.
695 Amsterdam Ave
Phone: (212) 749-7777
Posted by: Chris | April 10, 2006 12:02 PM
as the recent attack -- and subsequent death -- at 125th and park shows, it is still very dangerous at night. two months ago i too was attacked and had to run out into traffic. luckily the car i ran in front of stopped in time. it was eerily similar to the event that occurred on april 1. more cabs? yeah, i see them too. but at this point it just doesn't really mean that much.
Posted by: anonymous | April 10, 2006 06:54 PM
funny. a kid is chased in harlem. dies. the neighborhod is unsafe. a woman leaves a bowery, murdered. the neighborhood still safe. actress shot on lower east side. no problem party on. guy shot same location year earlier, no sweat. go figure.
Posted by: marcus | April 11, 2006 12:20 AM
I'm writing alot more about Harlem, since I'm publicizing the "I Love Harlem" apparel line. Here is my latest link about the Cotton Club.
http://www.harlemface.com/2007/12/harlems-world-famous-cotton-club.html. There are claims that Columbia U. wants to shut it down as part of the Land grab.
Posted by: Howie Copywriter![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.harlemfur.com/nav-commenters.gif)
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December 27, 2007 06:22 PM
i did
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December 27, 2007 06:23 PM