Green Cab Accolades

[http://users.livejournal.com/_mattt/]

Pursuant to a thread from several months ago, I chose Green Cab to bring me to Logan at the obscene hour of 4:45am this morning. The reservation was made yesterday. They arrived right on time and were very professional. What I feel is more important to this community, they are implementing Hybrid cars. The car was a 2008 Saturn Aura, and was purchased just two weeks ago. I'm not saying that other cab companies aren't as good or doing the same thing. I just wanted to pass along the positive experience. Sorry in advance if this information is a repost.

Comments

[srakkt.livejournal.com]

Did the honk or use the doorbell? (Or was it not an issue because you were already waiting by the door?)

[http://users.livejournal.com/_mattt/]

They were just waiting there. I had the door open and the porch light on and my wheelie suitcase on the curb so they wouldn't take off while I waited inside where it was warm.

I was told by the dispatcher the night before that they can not use their horn. I don't know what trth there is to such claim.

[thedoubleduches.livejournal.com]

How are their rates? Comparable to regular cab companies? Last time I took a cab home from Logan it was ridiculously expensive. Then again, I hate taking cabs so it is always a shock on the rare occasions when I do.

[reverend-jim.livejournal.com]

Green Cab represent! I don't actually drive a cab anymore, and should I go back to driving, I'll probably head to Boston, but I still have love for the Green. They are *by far* the best option for cabs in the Boston area. Which of course does not mean that they don't have their fare share of useless drivers, but the count is fewer (or at least it was a few years ago).

Airport reservations are put in the computer and then sent out 20-15 minutes before the scheduled pickup time, which allows the cab to be there well in advance (unless it's a crazy busy day, like day-before-Thanksgiving or something).

Also, anyone returning to Somerville from Logan should consider calling Green for the ride. They'll pick you up on the Departures level (to avoid brawling with Boston cabbies and/or getting busted by MassPort tools - we're technically supposed to go to the MassPort office & get a permit to pick up our passengers!). You'll only pay the tunnel toll (unless you go the back way), you'll save on the Logan taxi fee, and almost certainly get someone who knows how to get to Somerville, and doesn't take you to Porter Square via Alewife.

[reverend-jim.livejournal.com]

I believe that's a city regulation - no horns between 11p and 7a or something.

[reverend-jim.livejournal.com]

Green is cheaper on the drop (the initial meter fee when the ride starts), but something like a nickel more per 1/8th mile over Boston rates. I think there's a similar difference with Cambridge cab, but it's been a while since I've checked. But rides to/from Logan are still a good $20-40, depending on where you're coming from/going to and which way you choose (back way/highway). It's really the tolls & airport fees that jack the airport fares, which sucks, because cabbies see none of that loot, but passengers aren't usually aware of that, so it comes out of the tip. Except for business travelers, who are usually generous tippers for a blank receipt.

[closetalker11.livejournal.com]

The ridiculousness of fares to the airport have more to do with tunnel fees than rates. I usually budget $40 for a cab ride from where I am in Somerville to Logan.

[elements.livejournal.com]

Green is always my first choice company to use. In one of my previous work positions, I had to call cabs very often, and Green was hands down over the years the most reliable.

[srakkt.livejournal.com]

There's somebody in my neighborhood (Orchard St) whose ride honks rather than using the doorbell at about six each morning. I figure it's probably a private citizen doing the carpool thing. I just figured that if it were taxicabs I could call and complain. I'm not going to get my boxers in a twist over it, really.

[reverend-jim.livejournal.com]

Yep, people do call and complain if they catch a cab laying on the horn, even if it's not during the Forbidden Hours. And dispatch will definitely chew you out for doing it.

Of course, I have a neighbor who evidently shares custody of her daughter with her ex-husband. And I can see why, just by his apparent belief that said daughter can teleport from the third floor to his passenger seat. Because he starts laying on the damned horn the instant he pulls in the drive, and waits all of 10 seconds between extended blasts. Man, I hate that guy.

[reverend-jim.livejournal.com]

By the way, in regards to calling & complaining...if anyone out there runs into one of Green's loser drivers (and they are legion, sad to say), don't bother complaining to the company. As long as a driver is paying the lease, they really don't care what happens. The thing to do is get the cab number and call Sgt. Rooney at SPD. He is Somerville's one-man hackney division, and has the power to bring the hammer down when it's warranted. My years behind the wheel would have been much, much more pleasant if everyone who bitched to me about drivers they'd had in the past had complained to the authorities instead - several drivers who shouldn't be out there would be long gone...

[http://users.livejournal.com/_mattt/]

the fare was $31 plus $5 for tip, so $36 total. Of course, I'm not paying for it :)

I'm not sure if there is another way to get to Logan at that time.

[modlin.livejournal.com]

If you're looking for an environmentally friendly ride to the airport, I definitely recommend PlanetTran (http://www.planettran.com/). I use them whenever I have to travel for work, which is a lot. They only use hybrids (mostly Priuses), and they have never once failed to pick me up on time and get me where I needed to be. They give a discount if you're in academia which makes it about the same price as a cab. You can also make the reservations online, which I like.

[thedoubleduches.livejournal.com]

That's cheaper than what I paid to get from Logan to my place, but that might have more to do with the fact that I don't know the roads well enough to direct them the fastest/cheapest way. I wasn't paying that time, either (coming back from a family trip, Dad felt bad that the fam was getting picked up in a van and I was taking the T, and gave me some cash), but I haven't taken a cab from the airport since. The silver line from south station makes it less annoying to get there and back (though that's not helpful if you have to get there before the T is running).

[rufinia.livejournal.com]

Obviously, the daughter should PSYCICALLY know when he'll be pulling into the drive. Or be waiting, like a good girl, for him outside the door.

::rolls eyes::

[ifotismeni]

adding my voice to this -- i've also had great experiences with them. they also have cabs that use credit cards, which is awesome when you're, oh i dunno, charging it to the company card ;)

[wallacestreet.livejournal.com]

Any hints as to how long before pickup we should call? It can take 45 minutes or more from the time you can use your cell on the plane to the time when you're ready to go out to the curb, especially with checked bags. How long should we give the green to, as you say, represent at the airport?

[reverend-jim.livejournal.com]

My thoughts exactly. It's *obvious* she's just a rude little pig who takes after her mother. (Big up Alec Baldwin, Father of the Year, for putting ungrateful daughters of divorce everywhere in their place!)

[reverend-jim.livejournal.com]

To be honest, it's hard to judge an airport pickup. It mostly depends on what time you're there. If it's a time where there are likely to be cabs dropping off, you can probably call when you're picking up your bags and have someone there. But more often, you ring when you get off the plane...give the dispatcher your name & flight info, and they'll get someone there ASAP. There's almost always a cab downtown who can get there quickly; if not the call goes off the Charlestown stand which is just as quick. Nothing beats dropping off in town or at the airport and getting one coming back!

[http://users.livejournal.com/_mattt/]

The Silverline does help, but with the unreliability of the T, if I'm traveling on business and/or my departure is critical, I simply cannot and will not take my chances on the T, which I think is sad :(

I sometimes take the T back home, depensing on how lazy I am.

This cab driver was good, because he took the shortest route without me even having to tell him. I also live near Ball Sq., so I'm probably closer to the highway than someone on the Cambridge Side.