Catching a Ride...

Throughout Downtown Los Angeles over the last couple weeks, there have been quaint little signs affixed to lightpoles announcing that as of December 8th, the ability to "hail" a taxi will be instated.

For those not familiar with Los Angeles, "hailing" has never been an option. The only way to catch a cab was to call a service and order a car to your address, or to sneak up on one posted at a hotel waiting for an airport trip. According to an article in the Downtown LA News, this new pilot program is supposed to encourage taxi drivers to "change their culture by getting out and cruising."

The Professional thinks that while this program is good in theory, she highly doubts that it will significantly affect the way Downtown dwellers/workers/visitors get around. You may think she's being a big fat hater, but what she's actually being is a realist. Cab fare is still outstandingly high, which is going to be the main deterrent to those who might actually hail these "now available" taxi's.

Case in Point: In late October, The Professional needed to get a few blocks very quickly. She had a large delivery waiting on her for an event at the J Lounge on 11th & Olive, but was in super high-heeled boots at 7th & Hope. She (literally) ran up on a taxi that was cold-chillen in the zone outside of the Sheraton. Clearly in a rush, she told the driver where she needed to go. "You can walk there," he told her. Hold up--did this em-effer just advise The Professional to walk to her desitination? Now irritated, her response was "I didn't ask you all that. I need you to drive me there. NOW." Begrudingly, he drove her the 4 or so blocks and made $6 in fare (including tip, which she should have kept for his unsolicited advice). The point is, in New York City, $6 in cab fare will get you at least 20 blocks...! So until the rates match the type of short-hopping that the councilmen in Downtown LA want its residents to partake in, The Professional will likely abstain from participation in "hailing" cabs in her neighborhood. She just doesn't see the value.

And on the subject of catching a ride...

The Downtown DASH, operated by LADOT, has extended its service on Friday & Saturday nights through December 27th and on New Year's Eve. The Late Night Dash runs for FREE (yay!) every 10 minutes from 6:30pm to 3:00am.

Also of note, the Metro Red Line has had its hours extended for the holiday season as well. Trains running between Union Station and North Hollywood are now doing so through 3:00am on Fridays & Saturdays for those doing a little late night creep'age. We see you :-)