As most of you know I used to run a taxi business here in the NY and got so tired of the traffic jams and all the hassle of people who tended to annoy me. So, then I decided to go back to my roots, which in my case is Holland or The Netherlands as you can call it. As my parents always talked Dutch to me I still remember most of the language from conversations with my parents. Writing in Dutch though is a bit more difficult, though reading is quite acceptable. So I read some stuff on car loans in The Netherlands at this site, geld lenen voor een auto, were I could learn to understand the differences a bit more between car loans in the USA and NL. As I don’t have much money, I can either choose to borrow money or find an investor to invest in my start-up taxi company. The latter, finding an investor will probably more difficult. Borrowing money or let’s say using a financial leasing construction is from my financial perspective probably the right option. So, next time you need a taxi in Amsterdam – you should give me a ring and I will take you to your destination!

Without a taxi i would not be able to get about, i do not drive and rely on them to get about places. My favourite thing to do of a morning is to go to my local garden centre for a coffee, by taxi of course.

The garden centre local to me has lots to offer including gifts, cards, ornaments and books.  It has a great café at very reasonable prices.  Outside there are fish, pots, sheds and greenhouses for sale.  I like to wander around and look at unusual items that catch my eye.  There are also lots of plants, shrubs and flowers as well as gardening tools.

My favourite thing is to walk around outside on a nice day and look at all the greenhouses for sale.  There are so many different shapes and sizes that you could probably find one to fit in any garden.  The coffee and cake then go down very nicely before  I go home…….until next time!

When I was at university, I wasn’t rich enough to be able to afford a car and go out partying with my friends so I decided to do without a car.  This wasn’t too painful apart from when I went to get my shopping but I used to just get a bus to the supermarket with my pal and we would stock up and get a taxi home.  This turned out to be a great arrangement, especially when we negotiated with one particular taxi driver who would end up being our first call every time we needed a taxi.  He gave us really cheap rates for some reason that I still haven’t worked out! You have to understand, getting a taxi did not happen often as I used to ride my bike into University each day and I also enjoyed a stroll whenever I wanted to go into town, whether to the pub or to go shopping. There was one particular time when it came in really handy though, the day I decided I needed to get fitter!

I had just had my student loan payment through and was feeling a bit reckless – I had decided earlier in the week that I wanted to increase my fitness and I thought buying a rowing machine was the perfect solution.  The one I wanted – the concept2 indoor rowing machine was very expensive but I found a shop in the city that would sell me there display version for 40 % off as long as I could pick it up. Now, not having a car was a problem and my only friend with wheels was out of town for the week so I had to come up with a solution.  My taxi driver friend!  I gave him a ring and he was straight round to my house to pick me up.  He waited outside the shop and even helped me load the rowing machine into his car because boy that thing was heavy.  He got me home and even helped me up the stairs with my new purchase so I gave him a really healthy tip. Rest assured that he is still my go to man every time I need a taxi!

If you live in – or are visiting – a larger urban area or city – chances are that a private car may not be the best way to get around and that you will end up in a taxi at least occasionally. Although most taxis are safe to ride in there are some things you yourself can do to make using taxis – especially using taxis in an unfamiliar place – safer:

Use Only Recognizable Taxis – If you are in New york city or London this is easy as the taxis there are so recognizable. In other places it may be harder to tell which cabs are licensed and which are not. Do take a few minutes to make sure you are hailing and riding in a licensed taxi cab or you could end up being significantly overcharged – or worse.

Put Your Large Belongings in the Trunk – Some people will take a taxi after they have been shopping rather than deal with trying to haul their purchases around or trains. If you are doing so ask the driver to put larger purchases in the trunk. We have seen people trying to cram everything from TVs to a firewood storage rack into the back of a taxi cab and that is simply not safe for anyone, especially if your stuff is blocking the rear window.

Use a Car Seat - If you are taking a taxi with a child in tow then in most places the law does not require that they be strapped into a car seat even if the same local laws make the practice mandatory in a private car. It is not worth risking your child’s safety for the sake of convenience though and even if it annoys the cab driver – which often happens unfortunately – insist on being allowed to take the time to install their car seat before your journey begins.

Ever thought of going to Pizza Hut for lunch instead of staying in the office? You might want to consider it. Especially since for just $9.99 (less if you can find the right Pizza Hut Coupons) you can take advantage of Pizza Hut’s All You Can Eat Buffet.

What do you get to choose from? Well there are pizza slices of various different kinds of course, but there are also a number of different of salads, home made soups and tasty fresh bread sticks you can choose from as well.

Another great deal offered by Pizza Hut are their family sized meals. These are larger offerings  designed to feed more than just one person (although just how many people they do feed depends on how much they like pizza) An especially good deal is the Big Dinner box which sees you get two medium, rectangular, 1-topping pizzas, 8 wings and 5 bread sticks with marinara dipping sauce for less than $20!

I understand the concern of the taxi industry as well as groups representing Americans in wheelchairs.  In my opinion, both groups make a number of valid points, but shouldn’t we be able to provide a solid set of options for people in wheelchairs, is it really that hard to change out Taxi’s as they get too old to function well for those which are wheel chair accessible?  Given the number of miles the average Taxi drives per year, is it really asking that much?

A wine of the month club would basically stop existing if people in the city couldn’t take a Taxi to and from their event.  Has either side thought of the unintended consequences of a strike, or worse?

Over the years the look of the New York cab has changed little by little. This has never been more true than the recently announced version that is to be produced by Nissan. This couldn’t be further away from the iconic look that made the New York cab instantly recognizable around the world.

The Nissan NV200 cab is shaped more like a mini van and resembles something mums would use taking their kids to and from soccer practice! Its not all bad though, inside promises to offer passengers an altogether more comfortable ride.

Features Of The Nissan NV200

Starting with the view from inside the cab the NV200 will sport a panoramic roof which i’ve got to say is a great idea. Any new visitor to the city will spend their whole cab ride straining to look up out of the window of a regular cab, now they can sit back and enjoy the ride!

The interior will also benefit from technology upgrades allowing you to charge a number of portable devices by way of USB connection. Old rules will still apply when it comes to smoking inside vehicles, no breakthrough there unless you use an electronic cigarette device, check out the Sky Cig review for a good option there.

Luggage capacity will be better with enough space for the luggage of four passengers with each having the space to sit comfortably. Along with these added features Nissan are also introducing Microbial upholstery which should come as welcome news to the germaphobes amongst us.

Security guard jobs are mostly seen in businesses that need protection such as banks, airports, schools, hospitals, bars and malls. Security guards are hired in these facilities to protect the interests of the owners or stakeholders. They are expected to keep the business free from criminal elements. Hired guards should constantly be on the look-out as they patrol their area of responsibility and report what is observed to the designated company representative.

Unfortunately, security guard jobs may cause injury even death when unlawful individuals seek to do harm or forcefully acquire what they were hired to protect. In such cases, the regular salary given may not be enough to cover loss of limb or at worse, loss of life. Take for example working in a bank. An attack from bank robbers requires security guards on duty to defend those inside and the money within. Their lives automatically are put on the line when threatened.

Other drawbacks in working as a security guard include: night shift duty which disrupts normal bodily functions (as sleep and food intake) and lowers bodily resistance to illnesses or diseases; exposure to harmful machines or equipment as cancer-producing x-rays and harmful arms or weapons carried by attackers; as well as boredom from static or single area security.

It is advisable then to move on to a better job. Look for a different type of employment. It would be easiest to transition to what is familiar or simple enough to learn and do. Working as a taxi driver for example requires easy-to-attain qualifications as having a valid professional driver’s license. Other requirements by the taxi company hiring may include: medical or NBI clearance.

Compared to security guard work, driving a taxi is more interesting and even rewarding. Meeting new people every day enriches personal knowledge on different engaging topics. If cab customers enjoy the trip and conversation, beyond the fare a good tip at the end of their journey may be given. There are many other advantages to being a cab driver versus being a security guard. It is thus the more sensible choice.

Taxi services will boost its business as long as there is a demand for taxis. Cordyceps is known as mushroom fungi that happen to be very beneficial. One thing about it is that it is being used as a flavor and nutritive additive to food. Since it is a food flavor and it has nutritional value, its demand has also gone high. Therefore, when anyone needs to get it, then they will require taxi services to get them to where the Cordyceps food additives are being sold if they do not have cars. When it is ingested in food, it invigorates important body organs like kidneys, lymph’s, hearts and even lungs.

Something to note about the food industry is that any spice introduced that is healthy is going to sell well. Restaurants and hotels are going to invest in the spice because people are all about indulging in healthy food these days. Since Cordyceps spices are nutritious in a healthy manner, many people will flock the hotels and restaurants that use it. When this happens, taxi services will be needed to get people in to these hotels and restaurants. This is how Cordyceps helps the taxi services thrive well and the more its demand, thus the demand of taxis too.

Another important thing about Cordyceps in taxi services is its medicinal value. It is known to reduce cancer tumors and this makes many doctors and chemists buy and recommend them to patients. When pharmacies are buying them, and they do not have means of transport, then they are going to have to use a taxi. Cordyceps has also been known to help the immune system survive tough conditions of cancer and if it is needed urgently; then it will have to be ordered and delivered and taxis are pretty neat at providing such services.

Taxis are an important means for travelling around Manhattan.  While taking the subway is cheaper, it is not always convenient for those who have limited mobility.  The nearest Subway station may be several blocks away – and your destination may not be right by the destination Subway stop either.

When you flag a Taxi, you can go straight from where you are to where you need to be.  This, while costing more in dollars, can save you time and effort.  For short trips especially this makes a lot of sense, for longer trips you do need to consider the risk of getting caught in the dreaded Manhattan traffic – a risk you don’t face taking the subway.

Another concern with the Subway is that for people with disabilities they can be very difficult to navigate.  They usually involve going up and down many flights of stairs, which is not an easy task if you have a wheelchair or other walking aid.  Some taxis are equipped to handle disable passengers, for a person in a chair these are a great option for Manhattan travel.

Another option for the disabled – if their budget allows – is to hire a limo for transportation in the city.  While this is an expensive option you do get the opportunity to travel in style!  Some limousines come with all sorts of fancy bonuses – for example a TV, a mini bar, a refrigerator.

Reviews for this type of travel are usually quite positive. If you are going to have a driver you may as well be able to enjoy a cold drink from the refrigerator – reviews love this – while you are chauffeured to your destination!

If you find that a disability it impacting your efforts to get around New York, it is good to find a reliable service that is wheel chair friendly.  Get reviews from friends in similar situations to help identify a good provider, and make a habit of using them.  If you are a frequent customer you may be able to negotiate some sort of ongoing discount due to the amount of business you are offering the specific Taxi or Limo service.

If you want to be a good driver on the road, it is highly recommended that you take a formal education for safe driving. Not only the entire driving course would give you an edge in any driving related matters, it will also enhance your practical skills for safe driving habits and give you greater confidence to pass the driving test with flying colors. Remember, in any skills especially if technicality is concerned just like a web designer learning the basics of Adobe Photoshop free download short courses, it requires a good deal of time, constant practice and willingness to master the skill itself similar to a driving course program.

To give you a brief idea of what should you consider when driving, here are 5 safety tips to apply for good driving habits:

1. Make the appropriate seat adjustments suitable for your height so that you have a full view of at least 10 feet of the road in front of you. Doing this will also prevent you from being disturbed and blinded by any headlights approaching you.
2. If you are for a long distance drive, see to it that your car is in good condition, windshields and side window are clean for better vision on other vehicles, signs or lines and pedestrians. Your headlights should be properly aligned by a professional.
3. Although a 20/20 vision is a must in driving, if you need a prescriptive glasses be sure to have your annual eye check-up for better peripheral vision and your lenses are up to date.
4. Don’t drive under the influence of medication or liquor since all these elements will affect your mode of driving and may even result to drowsiness or car crash.
5. While on the road, observe safety measures always to prevent accidents and distractions like: leave a safety distance of at least 3 seconds between you and the care ahead of you, don’t do unnecessary actions while driving like answering a call, doing text messages or applying make-up.

Top advice:

Availing an extensive driving course program will not only help you attain your target to pass the driving test and get a driver’s license, but  this program’s main role  is to give you adequate knowledge on how to become a safe driver on the road. Be on the safe side and keep on guard always for any bad drivers while you drive.

Indeed, the internet has really come a long way. Now, it has become one of the most important tools in everyone’s life. And the fact is that, as I browse through the internet and see the numerous advertisements online, it has hit me that booking a cab online has come a long way and sparkles with technological sophistication.

The fact is, more and more taxi companies are getting online as the demand gets higher. Thus, as a consumer, you actually have a lot of choices when it comes to picking the closest and most cost effective taxi company.

What is interesting to note, is the fact that the vast majority of successful taxi companies hire an seo agency so that people like you and me can find them easier.  More so, you must also know that these marketing companies do more than just marketing. They actually program the whole booking system to make sure that it is user friendly and streamlines the business’s operations. I once visited a site that once you have made a booking, you would receive an SMS confirming the booking and lo and behold, the taxi showed up on driveway in 5 minutes!

In the end, there are really a lot of benefits when you do a little research to book a taxi for today’s hectic world.

In December of 2011, the city of Portland had to rescind a ban on allowing tax drivers to renew their taxi permits using power of attorney.  The city was sued by 11 taxi drivers and owners who felt the policy was unfair and was a thinly veiled attempt to “squeeze out” airport taxi drivers.

The taxi drivers and owners involved in the litigation stated that they sometimes have to return to their home country of Somalia for long periods of time, during which their taxi license may come up for renewal.  They use a power of attorney to allow someone else to renew their license on their behalf.  The ban had made this impossible to do because it required them to renew their license in person.  One of the drivers in the case returned to the U.S. during the ban and found that his permit had expired and he was unable to continue employment as a driver in the city.  State law requires that power of attorneys be accepted, so the now defunct Portland law violated that.

It was way back in 1987 when New Yorks cab drivers won the right to insist their customers refrained from smoking cigarettes while making use of the iconic yellow vehicle as they were escorted to their chosen destination.

This change in the law was a huge win for health conscious drivers fed up inhaling the deadly fumes given off by the burning of tobacco, but it meant nicotine addicts had one less place where they could get their fix. These days of course things are even worse for smokers with just about every public place in the Big Apple being out of bounds when using tobacco products.

Over the last few years a product has come onto the market which is once again allowing smokers and cab drivers to live in harmony. The new electronic cigarette is a device which allows users to get nicotine without giving off any smoke, and it gaining in popularity with people fed up standing on the sidewalk to get their drug of choice. Even Katherine Heigl who is a keen advocate of this device has been photographed puffing on a custom e cig in the back seat of a Miami taxi cab.

One of the downsides of the e cigarette is that it looks a lot like the real thing so many cab drivers are going to be a bit apprehensive about letting their customers use it. There really is no need for this however as the only thing being emitted when the user exhales is a harmless water vapor.

If you get a fare who would like to use their electronic smoking device while you drive them around the city, our advice to encourage them. Not only will your customer be less likely to have a fit of nicotine deprived grumpiness, but it’s also far more likely you will get a sizable tip for your kindness.

As a resident in the UK and someone who lived in London for many years, I can confirm that London taxis can all carry a wheelchair, and that the drivers are happy to help anyone who has to use a wheelchair. This is, as the website points out, in direct contrast to New York where cabs that can transport a wheelchair are rarer than hens’ teeth.

My elder sister and her husband visited New York last year. The trip was a golden wedding anniversary gift from their kids to celebrate 50 years of marriage and the holiday should have been an enjoyable experience, but my brother in law has to use a wheelchair to get about and the couple spent a frustrating week mostly confined to their hotel.

The hotel staff were sympathetic and not a little embarrassed at the shortcomings of their city’s taxi services, and eventually a taxi was found that could cope with the wheelchair, but by then most of the holiday was over and what should have been an inspired gift for a golden wedding turned out to be more like a spell in prison, albeit in a very comfortable cell.

Being stick in Manhattantraffic is one of the most irritating experiences. It is even more irritating when you are stuck with an annoying customer that complains about it; like I enjoy being stuck in traffic. Then the annoying questions & manners hinting that they don’t want to pay for the meter that charges for time, I mean, cmon, cabbies have bills than need to be paid. If you don’t like it drive yourself or alternatively you can walk or take the subway to wherever the hell you’re going. Sometimes you get nutjobs that totally are out of control with emotional breakdowns & stuff like that, totally psychotic, psychologically unstable, that you’re thinking like, “Lady, you need to take a borderline personality disorder test or something!”. There are times I’m not even sure if they are for real or it’s just acting to get out of paying their fare. Probably the only thing more irritating than this are the drunk morons. They think cabbies make a lot of money, I wonder if any of them would like to spend one day doing this God forsaken job. People should pass a psychological preparedness test before sitting behind the wheel, you have to be rock solid mentally to deal with psycho customers.

Taxi drivers are really entrepreneurs.  In most parts of the world they are self employed and even own their own cabs. You can easily see which ones take pride in their craft and which ones don’t just by looking at how well kept their taxi’s are.

Even though they are their own bosses and technically work for themselves, they do usually have to pass state or country regulations. It is an industry that is regulated and all taxi drivers must stay within the rules. Additionally, most of them are hooked up to some dispatch service that helps them get business and they have to pay for that.

In many parts of the world, taxi drivers are not viewed with the highest esteem. It is a job that is often taken by immigrants and people who don’t have a higher education. Your ability to drive (and some cab drivers have this ability in questionable amounts) is all that is really needed and so it attracts people who might not be able to get other kinds of traditional jobs. However, even if it is not the most desirable job, it is surely much better than having to file for unemployment.

Being a friendly cab driver and taking pride in your customer service would help anyone who wants to get into this industry. While repeat customers are rare, they do exist as some people need a cab on a regular basis. The better you are at making your customers feel at ease (and the better your driving), the more apt you will be to develop clients that request your services regularly.

Having a taxi that is equipped with wheelchair capabilities would give you even a greater chance of getting business. While more expensive and harder to do, catering to all types of clients including the disabled might be a good business decision.

My story is very personal and to be honest, I have trouble talking about it.  That is why I have chosen to share my experience here in the safety of this blog.

For arguments sake we shall say that my name is Dave ( maybe it is, maybe its not).  I have been working as a black taxi driver on the mean streets of Glasgow, Scotland.  As a city Glasgow gets a lot of bad press for drinking violence and sectarianism crime.  To be honest it is soft as a new born puppy these days.  Well in comparison to what it was like 20 years ago anyway.  The fake dimond earing sporting, chino wearing, overly hair gelled guys today simply do not measure up to the Grade A hard men that roamed the streets back in the day.

I digress slightly.  The reason I am writting this is that I have a very big nose and it has been effecting my confidence bady for the last twenty years and is gettign worse as time goes on.  It has even got tot he point where I am considering cosmetic surgery.  I am pretty thick skinned, as you can imagine being a Glasgow taxi drive I hear a lot of abuse.  But the comments about my big nose always hurt the most.  I have been called everything from “beaky” to ” ya big snibbed freak”.  I cant lie anymore it hurts.

I feel so very self conscious as I turn round to talk to passengers and take their money.  Essentiall they are stairing straight at my massive nose in profile, perfectly framed by the talking window of my taxi.

I have almost made my mind up to do something positive about this nose situation.  In Glasgow it is not common place for men to have cosmetic surgery but I feel like I have no option.  I wouldn’t do anything daft like get surgery in Scotland.  Although it would be possible to pass of the bruising and bandages as the after effects of a pub fight or blame it on an unruly passenger. No I am considering cosmetic surgery Bristol, this is far enough away from eveyone I know and should give me time to heal.

Wow, I feel so much better already for sharing this.  It has literally blighted every day of my existence.  SO here is to 2012 the year when I will get a nice new nose.

I was trying to remember the last time I ended up in a Taxi without having planned on it happening.  I mean, on New Year’s Eve my wife and I plan to spend the night at a hotel with a taxi ride back from the restaurant to be safe….but the last time I suddently had to take a Taxi made me think for a minute.

It seems that it started with the win of a couple of wine gift baskets at my company Christmas party. My wife and I couldn’t help ourselves.  We must have went through 3 pounds of chocolate at the table, as well as the 3 bottles of wine….in addition to what was being served.

The end result was a sickish feeling and the call for a Taxi to get us home safely.

One of the most pressing problems of this day and age is carbon emissions. Carbon dioxide and other green house gases that are expelled by taxis around the world are contributing to Global Warming. Since Manhattan and other parts of New York are on the coast, the people of New York have a lot to lose by ignoring the cause of cutting carbon emissions. If the present situation continues sea levels will rise and flood coastal regions along both sides of the United States.

One of the solutions moted to cut carbon emissions by the big cities in America is to improve public transport. This is important but not enough in itself. People will always want to use taxis. You can get a taxi 24/7 whereas buses and trains don’t run all night. Moreover, people in a hurry and people with lots of luggage often need a taxi.

In 2003 the City Council of New York passed a bill requiring the New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission to find ways to reduce carbon emissions from taxis around the city. The solution was to allocate so many licenses to hybrid taxis. This had already worked successfully in San Fransisco. By March 2010 about 30% of all taxis in New York were hybrid cars that used a combination of electricity and gas. Unlike conventional taxis, hybrid taxicabs have cleaner emissions and save fuel at low speeds and when idling.

It is this type of innovation that is needed to make the city cleaner and to keep America’s competitive edge.

It is not just in the field of automobiles and transport that we need to continue to innovate and change. We need to work harder at EDM technology, aerospace technology, IT, renewables and manufacturing. The challenge for the 21st Century is to combine engineering innovation with environmentally friendly practices.

Being a taxi driver can be very unhealthy. You are stuck in a car all day in a sedantry position. You place strains on your hands and feet. It also strains your eye sight. Then there is the mental strain of being stuck in a traffic jam or getting a fare that complains or wants to talk all the time. People often imagine being a taxi driver gives you a licence to print money. Far from it. Fares are fixed and on slow days I sometimes barely break even.

I recently came back from a brief holiday to Venezuela or República Bolivariana de Venezuela as Hugo Chavez has chosen to call the country. I went to see the Angel Falls. The tallest waterfall in the world. It was a great adventure going down the river on a small boat and then hiking through the jungle to get to the bottom of the falls. Seeing the falls was an unforgettable experience.

The rest of Venezuela I didn’t care much for. The beaches were nice but the towns were lawless. All the police had become soldiers it seemed. For an oil rich country nobody looked very wealthy.

I did meet one nice venezuelan. He was also a taxi driver. When I told him I was a cabbie in New York and that I felt really drained from doing the job he recommended drinking coconut juice every day. So I gave it a try. At the time I thought the coconut juice from the coconut had an odd tangy taste. However, I have perservered with my coconut juice regime.

After several months back on the job in NY I notice the difference in my health. The coconut juice must be working. It contains lots of electroyltes as well as vitamins and other useful stuff. It rehydrates my body and has stopped me getting cramps while driving. I also don’t catch colds as often. And the great thing is that I can find coconuts easily in Asian markets in NY.

You can find anything in New York it seems except an easy job!

Wherever you reside, you need to have any taxi service inside your list of connections. This will likely ensure that you will have a vehicle that will get you for your vacation spot speedily, properly, quickly and cheaply. The guide will need you to have the step-by-step procedure that you should do when selecting the top taxi company. Nevertheless, there are usually a large number of taxi firms in the area, searching for the best web design templates that will not be tough when you are planning to use the world wide web. All you need to do is to apply many of the significant search engines and the kind of taxi service locally.

While you want to get the top bargain, there are times when you pay a little more in substitution for a better service is a good idea. There are few taxi services that will provide you with a low value, but the service that they are offering is incredibly bad. You usually must ensure that you will get a balance between the high quality and the tariff of the particular service. Understand that your safety factors nevertheless more essential as opposed to the income you will be investing. Before you buy something, you will need to ensure that you are purchasing the right insurance plan knowing that it is effective at enduring for countless years into the future.

The web has provided all of us several amazing opportunities, specifically in the way of discovering the right insurance package. The most effective functions on the internet would be the fact it is possible to compare rates right away and next to each other. There are a few sites that enable you to make this happen automatically and from the website’s question and offer evaluations that have got truly become the cornerstone with the insurance policy market place. Perhaps, without ability; however, you can continue to compare rates without difficulty employing tabbed searching. 

My father gave me his taxi medallion when he was 61. It sat idle for some years just as an investment. My father bought his license for $20,000 in 1969. Today that license is worth $625,000. But it would be worth even more if I were using it.

I had a few different jobs before I decided on becoming a hack. I trained to be an actor for about 15 years since I was a teenager. But that’s life is quite tough to survive all along. My knowledge of the city was much more detailed than most people. Perhaps genetics me my father in and I are predisposed to be taxi cab drivers. His final day of driving a had him totaled out at 41 years and 39 days. He really want to finish on his favorite number,the answer to the ultimate question of the life, the universe, and everything. That number, 42 would have been reached without too much trouble, but  he got into an accident on his 61st birthday. And that’s how I ended up being a taxicab driver in the greatest city in the world, New York City.

I never thought I’d following my father’s footsteps becoming a hack to make ends meet but, needs must. It’s turning out to be quite the exciting job. But I’m not liking living out of town at the moment, so for the time being, I’m searching for flats to rent. I’m hoping that I will be renting a flat that will be more spacious than my room now. Renting a flat will be my first priority I hope that finding a place in Midtown will make me feel more like a single man in the city, than now where I live at home in Queens. It’s nice to be there for my dad at a time when he doesn’t get out as much anymore. Plus he’s had years of driving in the city, and I can always count on him for directions.

Technology is advancing at great rates that it was slightly dissapointing for many when New York announced their new look taxi was to be a version of a Nissan van. The futuristic look wasn’t quite there and considering there are plans for 13,000 of these to be produced and introduced to New York streets many would have hoped for something a bit more exiting.

There are of course many plus points for the Nissan and while it may not be the driverless electric pods that so many sci fi movies have freatured the features are certainly an improvement. First there is a panaramic see through roof that will allow us to peer up at the sky scrapers without having to stand in the street looking like tourists. Then there is the space, serious shoppers may have problems filling the luggage space with their new designer shoes as there is ample storage.

One of the most important features of the Nissan however is that it can be converted to an electric engine easily further down the line.

As great as taxis are, they are a very expensive means of getting around! For people looking for another choice, full time RV living provides you wheels and a house in one unit!

However, whether you’re dealing with a small RV unit or a large one like a Class A motorhome, the last thing that you may want to deal with is an RV-related problem.  When it comes to RVing, the road is unpredictable. Although it open to you overwhelming sceneries and landscapes, don’t forget that the road is fraught with unexpected troubles like nasty weather conditions, unknown roadside dangers and even RV breakdowns.

Therefore it’s always recommended to check your RV over before taking it on a trip – just like a cabdriver will check out his taxi! Spontaneity can be fun but it can also increase the risk of roadside troubles. If you are renting a recreational vehicle, then make sure the rental companies offer you service warranty and roadside trouble insurance.

As for roadside hassles that are not within your control like a nasty weather condition or a bad weather, the general advice has always been to drive slowly. Make sure that the road ahead is still visible enough for you and safe driving has always been the key. It’s also essential that you know when to stop and park your RV until the bad weather passes.

It would be so much better if in a team of RVers, there are at least two drivers who can take turns doing the driving one after the other.  If not, then it’s also recommended that the driver has enough rest so that driving concentration is ensured. Alert and well rested RV drivers are less likely to get into roadside accidents.

People who are driving an RV can learn a lot from the practice of Taxi drivers – drive safe now!

If you and your friends enjoy wine and wine gifts then finding a good, reliable taxi company is really essential isn’t it?

I think we all know by now that while people love the idea of public transportation, it is hard to bring a date on the Subway isn’t it?

Of course driving yourself tends to mean that you can’t enjoy a few glasses of wine, which isn’t ideal either if you’re going out to celebrate an anniversary or similar event (birthday etc).

For that reason it is important, especially those of us who live in New York to find a good reliable Taxi company.  If you know someone please feel free to suggest them here for our other readers!

Taxi rates in New York are fixed. The rates are decided by the city government. Even if there is a rise in the price of gasoline, New York cabbies cannot raise their rates to cover their added costs. They must apply to City Hall. In some cases New York taxis run at a virtual loss when gas prices, road conditions and weather conditions conspire against them.

New Yorkers might get a little crazy the night of the full moon but the drivers do not receive any compensation for this. The situation is completely the opposite on the small Thai island of Koh Phangan in the Gulf of Thailand. Usually rates for shared taxis are fixed during the day. The rates for private taxi hire vary, but they are within a certain range.

Every full moon Koh Phangan is inundated with party minded folk keen to experience the magic of the Full Moon beach party in Haad Rin. Those who stay in Haad Rin can just stumble home when they have had enough booze and loud noise. For those staying on another beach, the case is more difficult. Taxis line up at the back of the town. Their rates are triple normal rates or higher. Many won’t go where you want to go. Many will also not leave until they are full. Negotiation in these circumstances is fruitless since the drivers know you have no choice but to accept their offer or you will be waiting a long time.

When they do head off the road is dark with several potholes. Many of the taxi drivers are apt to drive too fast. They want to get back to the Haad Rin beach as soon as possible to make another lucrative run.

For all the hassle and danger, the Full Moon Party is quite an event: 20,000 people going mad on a beach. And taking a taxi is still safer than attempting to ride a motorbike at night. If only you could catch a New York yellow cab after the party – that would be perfect!

There are thousands of taxis in New York, hundreds of thousands of taxis in the USA and probably millions of taxis in the world. The taxi is inherently environmentally unfriendly because fuel is used to carry just 1 to 4 people. In contrast public transport such as buses and trains can carry lots more people. The ratio  of gasoline expenditure to people transported is much better on public transport.

And yet, although New York and other municipalities around the States give lip service to the idea of reducing carbon emissions they do nothing to curb the use of taxis. Free market economics that provide jobs for the masses trumps concern for the environment every time it seems.

The same is true with house design. Local governments (except for California) are very reluctant to legislate green interior design policies for public buildings. They believe it is too expensive and the burden will fall on an unwilling tax payer. Thus, city legislatures refuse to mandate the installation of  Lux Products 7-day thermostats into homes that will reduce heating and cooling bills by 30%. They refuse to make the replacement of all incandescent light bulbs with CFLs that are 75% more efficient compulsory.

It is a case of reality denial and interest group pressure. The oil and the automobile industries want to maintain our reliance on oil. They care not one iota for global warming.

Already electric vehicles that don’t use gasoline driven engines have been produced using the revolutionary NiMH battery. These cars can go 100,000 miles without a change of batteries. The best EVs were made in the 1990s. GM and Chevron quickly bought up the patents for this technology and made sure no more electric vehicles were made. This is a shame because the EV and the NiMH battery is the answer to the conundrum on how to make taxis eco-friendly.

Thailand is famous for its people as well as its beautiful beaches, great forest trekking, delicious food and year round good weather. Of course all generalizations are subject to contradiction by the specific. The good weather is not in evidence during the monsoon months, some Thai food is so spicy as to be inedible by all who have not grown up with very chilly laden food, and not all the beaches are that beautiful.

Many people have a dim view of all taxi drivers. The world over they seem to prey on people who are not aware that they are taking the ‘long route’; that their meter is running on double time. In Thailand taxi drivers are a mixed bunch. The yellow taxi drivers in Bangkok are a fascinating breed. Most of them are honest, especially those that speak hardly any English. They will go on the meter and they will go straight to their destination. Sometimes they will refuse a fare not because they are rude but because the problems posed by one way systems and rush hour traffic. I have often notede that yellow taxis in Bangkok are actually cheaper than tuk tuks and over head trains, especially if you travel in groups of 2 or 3 people. Bangkok taxi drivers are often very talkative. If they discover you understand Thai they are sometimes hard to shut up. Despite their tough working conditions they seem to be brimming over with enthusiasm.

It is thus a shock for those people who head down south from Bangkok the tropical island of Koh Samui. Don’t be deceived by the laid back feeling of the island or by the fact that the taxis have a sign saying ‘meter taxi’. It is not an exaggeration to say that down to a taxi none of them will go on the meter. Whether you want to go to a hotel in Chaweng, the airport or just around the corner Koh Samui taxi drivers will demand a fixed fare. The prices start at 250 Thai Baht and go up alarmingly quickly. For the same money in Bangkok you could travel for an hour in a taxi.

It is impossible to successfully haggle with a Koh Samui taxi driver. You might get the ‘standard price’ instead of a hugely inflated ‘tourist price’; but you will never get a bargain.

The reason for this is often said to be organized crime. the mafia have enforced a strict monopoly to keep taxi fares in Koh Samui high and thus profits high. It is beyond the remit of this website to comment on the veracity of such rumors.

Koh Tao is the smallest tourist holiday island in the Samui Archipelago that consists of Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, Koh Tao and Ang Thong National Marine Park. It is also the least developed of the main islands in the region. During the 1980s and 1990s it was primarily considered as a place for divers. Now in the second decade of the Twenty-first Century Koh Tao has become more main stream. People are going to Koh Tao not just to learn to dive but also to experience some of the most unspoiled natural scenery in Thailand. One of the best places to experience this scenery is on the northern beach of Mango Bay.

Mango Bay is one of the most recent beaches to open for tourism in Koh Tao. It is in a very untouched area in the north of the island. The road to Mango Bay is very bumpy on the approach to the bay. The alternative is to catch a longtail boat from either Sairee Beach or Thong Tanote.

The scenery is spectacular at Mango Bay. On both sides forested mountains come down to the water’s edge. There are many huge granite boulders behind the white sand beach and to the side. The accommodation is built on these rocks and joined by picturesque wooden walkways. This creates a distinctive look to Mango Bay that is not found anywhere else on the island.

The main accommodation in Mango Bay is Ao Muong Resort and Diving. It has fan and air-con bungalows available. The restaurant for the resort is perched on a very big rock with a great view of the ocean.

The water at Mango Bay is very clear and teaming with marine life. It is an ideal spot to go snorkeling or learn to scuba dive because the bay is only 10 meters deep. There are coral reefs on both sides of the bay. It is possible to see barracuda, damselfish, several types of wrasse, titan trigger fish, sea moths and turtles.

Alternatively, it is great to soak up the sun on the beach. It is a very peaceful beach. There are no late night bars and no noise of traffic. Mango Bay is perfect for those who want to get away from it all and relax. It is undoubtedly one of the most pristine environments to take a holiday in Thailand. I recommend going now before more development moves into the area.