Even though the service is free on New Year's Eve, they said some cab drivers insisted on charging in the past. While other readers said the cabs are consistently late, and that the 1-877-963-TAXI number used for the service is always busy.
Well, AAA Mid-Atlantic, one of the sponsors of the service, reached out both to Midnight Sun and Sun blog Consuming Interests to respond.
My colleague Liz Kay has an update on those complaints here. Essentially, AAA spokeswoman Ragina Averella urges patience.
But here's a couple of other things she told me.
The service is never going to be as quick as hailing a cab, Averella said. That's because even though there will be 500 cabs working for Yellow/Checker Cab New Year's Eve, the company will also be conducting their regular business.
As a result, "the expected wait time is 30-45 minutes" for Tipsy Taxi, she said. In other words, plan accordingly.
Patrons should also expect wait times to reach the service's operators, Averella said. Yellow Cab only has two employees at their call center to answer Tipsy Taxi calls. However, she pointed out, the 1-877-963-TAXI number is used only for this service.
"At times, it can ring busy, especially at peak times, when bars are closing," Averella says. "If a caller receives a busy signal, we encourage them to call back and not hang up if they are placed on hold."
As for the complaints that some cab drivers insist on charging, Averella points out that those wishing to take advantage of Tipsy Taxi must call in advance for a pick-up, not just hail any random Yellow or Checker cab.
Scheduled pick-ups will always be free, and if a cab driver still insists on charging, Averella urged patrons to call Yellow Cab at 443-573-3416 to file a complaint.
Again, these are some of the service's other caveats: it's only open to those over 21; patrons must be picked up at a city bar and taken only to their homes; and patrons will pay the balance of rides exceeding $50. (Averella said it's only open to adults because the sponsors "don't want to encourage underage drinking.")
Calling ahead for a cab and having to wait 45 minutes for it to arrive might have discouraged people from using the service before; Averella said between only nearly 100 people used it New Year's Eve 2009.
But, she pointed out the service is a only supplement to existing public transportation options available to impaired drivers.
Readers are right to be upset by this, considering that those free rides from the MTA and the Charm City Circulator only last until 2 a.m. and 1 a.m., respectively, even though bars are likely staying open until dawn. Still, it's also important to remember that it is a free service.
Averella said that if riders have other problems with the service, they can call her directly at 410-616-1900, ext 61152, or Yellow Cab general manager Dwight Kines at 443-573-3416.