« previous next »
Pages: [1]

Author Topic: Taxi Directions from Manhattan?  (Read 2505 times)

Offline C11106

  • Council Member
  • ******
  • Posts: 296
    • View Profile
Taxi Directions from Manhattan?
« on: October 02, 2008, 11:11:09 AM »
I just moved to Woodside (67th St/41st Ave) last month, and I haven't made my way out to the Manhattan bars late at night during that month.  The one time I came back on a Saturday night at 11pm, I found walking down Roosevelt Ave  from the Roosevelt Ave station to 67th Street to be a little creepy.  And I thought I was imagining it when I would hear kissing noises when I walked around here, but a dirty guy actually leaned toward me (about 6 inches from my face) and made the kissing noise as I walked by!  I wish I had pepper spray...

Anyway, this Saturday night, I intend to be out until 2 or 3am and have no desire to take the subway home.  I know it can sometimes be difficult to get a cab to Queens on a Saturday night (even though it is illegal for drivers to refuse to take you).  My method is to get in FIRST and then tell them where I'm going. 

I'll be in Soho. What route should I tell the cab driver to take?  When I lived in Astoria, i always directed them towards the 59th Street bridge.  How about now?  Queens midtown tunnel?  Does that lead to the BQE?  I really have no idea.  I know my directions from the Triboro---would that be a feasible option?  And if I direct the driver through the tunnel or over the Triboro, do I have to pay the toll BOTH ways?  How much does a cab cost from Manhattan, anyway?
Logged

Offline Ratchet

  • Tourist
  • **
  • Posts: 19
    • View Profile
Re: Taxi Directions from Manhattan?
« Reply #1 on: October 02, 2008, 11:29:22 AM »
if im driving around the lower manhattan/soho area i will either take the williamsburg (more direct) or manhattan bridge that connects to the BQE (northern blvd exit for me).  i think thats the fastest way possible around 8-10 miles.   

you can direct them to the 59th street bridge but make sure they take the lower level or you will end up on the other side on queens blvd. 

avoid the tunnels due to tolls.
Logged

Offline Ed

  • Mayor
  • *******
  • Posts: 656
    • View Profile
Re: Taxi Directions from Manhattan?
« Reply #2 on: October 02, 2008, 12:05:32 PM »
Billyburg Bridge to the BQE to probably the Queens Blvd exit, right? For 67th?
Logged

Offline C11106

  • Council Member
  • ******
  • Posts: 296
    • View Profile
Re: Taxi Directions from Manhattan?
« Reply #3 on: October 02, 2008, 02:09:17 PM »
I like Exit 40, Roosevelt Avenue. 

Thanks for the advice--cabs tend to try to go to the Queens midtown tunnel, even when I lived in Astoria.

For the future--I'll be taking cabs home from work sometimes when it gets busy and I'm working late.  One client is right next to Penn Station and another is at 59th/Lex.  Where should I steer the cabs then?  I would guess 59th St. bridge for the client on 59th.  Then it's the lower level and it leads right to Queens Blvd?
Logged

Offline julesnyc

  • Activist
  • *****
  • Posts: 168
    • View Profile
Re: Taxi Directions from Manhattan?
« Reply #4 on: October 02, 2008, 02:19:19 PM »
I work on 10th avenue close to Penn Station - taxis from that area usually either go up 10th Avenue and then 59th across to the bridge lower level to Northern Boulevard for me (maybe taking Queens Blvd is a better bet for you?) or they take 36th across to the midtown tunnel to the BQE.

Not a taxi route, but remember that LIRR goes directly from Penn Station to Woodside!  My new favorite way to get to work is to ride a car service or a bus to the LIRR and then zoom into the city on the train (or vice versa at the end of the day).  A little more expensive, but so quick and clean and you can most often get a seat.
Logged

Offline LordB

  • Resident
  • ***
  • Posts: 33
    • View Profile
Re: Taxi Directions from Manhattan?
« Reply #5 on: October 02, 2008, 05:50:00 PM »
I prefer Exit 41 from the BQE and I think it works better for most JH residents.  It dumps you right on Nothern Blvd and you can easily turn North or South once you exit.  BTW, Cabbies love JH because they can shoot over to LGA after they drop you. 

I also take Northern from the 59th street when I drive myself and every cab that I have taken has done the same.  It's
a straight shot.  From QB you would have to turn off in Sunnyside or risk getting stuck in icky local traffic.
Logged

Offline buddy

  • Mayor
  • *******
  • Posts: 1477
    • View Profile
    • work
Re: Taxi Directions from Manhattan?
« Reply #6 on: October 04, 2008, 08:06:18 PM »
I always come home thru the Mid-town tunnel since it seems faster than going thru Manhattan to go over the 59th St. Bridge.  I always get off on the Northern Blvd. exit also because I think Northern is faster than Roosevelt Ave. 

But if I'm uptown, I'll do the 59th St. bridge.
Logged
First, do no harm.

Offline Ed

  • Mayor
  • *******
  • Posts: 656
    • View Profile
Re: Taxi Directions from Manhattan?
« Reply #7 on: October 06, 2008, 01:17:56 PM »
I'm not sure I understand all of this love for getting off at Northern Blvd. when the OP is trying to get to 67th St and 41st Ave?
Logged

Offline michaelb

  • Activist
  • *****
  • Posts: 174
    • View Profile
Re: Taxi Directions from Manhattan?
« Reply #8 on: October 06, 2008, 10:01:28 PM »
Quote from: C11106 on October 02, 2008, 11:11:09 AM
Anyway, this Saturday night, I intend to be out until 2 or 3am and have no desire to take the subway home.  I know it can sometimes be difficult to get a cab to Queens on a Saturday night (even though it is illegal for drivers to refuse to take you).  My method is to get in FIRST and then tell them where I'm going. 

I used to get kicked out of cabs 1 time out of 4 every when I gave a cabbie in Manhattan a Queens address.

Then I tried a new tactic.  Flag the cab down, and while standing outside the cab and leaning in through the window, ask the driver "Are you OK with Queens?"  99 times out of 100 now they've said "Yes"

I don't know why it works, but it does.  For me, at least.
Logged

Offline Aronan

  • Mayor
  • *******
  • Posts: 530
    • View Profile
Re: Taxi Directions from Manhattan?
« Reply #9 on: October 07, 2008, 01:25:03 AM »
My tactic when refused by a cabbie after I get in is to give him/her an option of taking me to Queens or the closest police precinct so the nice officers there can explain the law to him/her. That usually works. Failing that, and I have done this a couple of times, I call 311 or the TLC while I'm sitting the back of the cab and report the cabbie on the spot. 

One thing I did notice is since JH became a Desi hot spot I've had less and less problem getting a cab here. Since a good portion of cab drivers are South Asian of some variety it works out pretty well. Often the driver lives in the hood, or has a favorite restaurant here. Since they are familiar with the area they know it's not an unreasonable trip and are aware of the proximity to LGA.

Logged
"It is widely recognized that the courageous spirit of a
single man can inspire to victory an army of
thousands. If one concerned with ordinary gain can
create such an effect, how much more will be produced by one who cares for greater things ?" -Chunag Tse

Offline julesnyc

  • Activist
  • *****
  • Posts: 168
    • View Profile
Re: Taxi Directions from Manhattan?
« Reply #10 on: October 07, 2008, 09:45:47 AM »
When we get guff about going to Queens, my husband says in a very loud voice, "ok, let's get out.  did you get the name and driver number?" Most often, as I get out my pen to write the info down, the driver has a change of heart...
But we usually get the info and get out anyway.  I don't like to give business to drivers who aren't doing the right thing.  And I like that they are shaking in their boots a little bit wondering if we are going to report them.
Logged

Offline buddy

  • Mayor
  • *******
  • Posts: 1477
    • View Profile
    • work
Re: Taxi Directions from Manhattan?
« Reply #11 on: October 07, 2008, 12:52:53 PM »
Quote from: Ed on October 06, 2008, 01:17:56 PM
I'm not sure I understand all of this love for getting off at Northern Blvd. when the OP is trying to get to 67th St and 41st Ave?

I think Northern is easier to navigate then getting off at Broadway/Roosevelt but you might have a point!!  Maybe I'm like one of those old horse drawn carriages:  I just know how to get home the same way every time!   :o

Anyone out there looking for directions to Williamsburg???  GET OFF AT NORTHERN BLVD. AND GO LEFT!
Logged
First, do no harm.
Pages: [1]
« previous next »