Until recently taxis in Egypt have been the province of the entrepreneur. A guy buys a car, paints it in the locally approved colours (black and white in Cairo), gets a license and has a cab. A year or so ago a couple of companies started up with airconditioned taxis that can be called to meet you on appointment. AND the meters actually work!
Monday, May 25, 2009
Call Me A Yellow Cab
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14 comments:
well that sounds like a good thing. a small amount of competition may help get better vehicles and service.
Have you read "Taxi"?
That sounds very good, have you tried them? Do you have any contact numbers for these Taxis? I'll be in Egypt for holidays and this could be a good way to go around.
Cairo Cab is 19730 a short number
Cairo International Taxi is 19155
There are other new taxis in town too, but that doesn't guarantee improved driving.
I wish they had these taxis the last time I was in Egypt. My daughter and I took a taxi In Luxor from our hotel to the airport and it was terrifying. He had Algerian Raï music blaring and driving at top speed, we did not think we would make it alive!
Ah, how true. THAT is a whole other issue. But now you can be much more comfortable while you are terrified. LOL
Thanks for the phone numbers, really appreciate it.
What a great blog. Your photos and commentary are excellent. I'm glad to discover you.
Those old taxis were the source of many aggrevations when I lived in Cairo. Even if the driver wasn't badgering me for a higher fare, it was always something else. The windows: no handle to open or close them so they remain open year round (unless you ask for the crank). Everything I ever work in a taxi would have to be washed immediately. And, oh, how you sweat in those cars in the summer. I recall getting out of a taxi after riding from Maadi to Heliopolis. I had sweat against the vinyl seats so much that it looked as though I had peed my pants!
The old ones are/were very cheap, so I guess you get what you pay for and chalk the rest up to cultural experience. Of all the irritations, though, it was the fighting and chasing after for extra money. Seemed to happen at least once/week.
they have these in alex. they're more pricier than the usual zebras but it does feel good to have someone speak english and understand where you need to go without being ripped off
Be in Cairo in 1 week. What is the start fee for yellow cab and additional fare per km? Charlie
I'm afraid that I don't know. I live out in the boonies and don't take cabs.
What a great blog. Your photos and commentary are excellent.
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