Shared Minivans in Brooklyn

parksloperite

I was standing on flatbush and bergen this morning and noticed there was some kind of informal minivan taxi service going on. This black minivan pulled up, opened its door (which had an 'exit' sign on it) and some commuters, who appeared to be waiting for it, got in. It was obviously running as an informal taxi or some such. I'm wondering if there is a way to learn about their routes/fares?

Also, does anyone know of any sort of shared minivan/taxi service to JFK from Park Slope?

whynot_31

dollar vans?

they are loosely supervised by the TLC. I think they set their own routes.

parksloperite

so do these dollar vans mainly go up and down flatbush? Do any of them go to the airport?

whynot_31

they compete with MTA buses. ...they are faster and cheaper.

They are also more crowded and unregulated. I doubt any go to the airport.

If you can't afford a cab, and want something that it is unregulated there is always Craigslist.

LIRR + airtrain will only run you around $12.

outside child

ParkSloperite wrote: so do these dollar vans mainly go up and down flatbush? Do any of them go to the airport?

dollar vans do not go to the airport but they will get you ALL OVER BROOKLYN!

(bad bad outside child is thinking of the video she just posted in the lounge lol)

armchair_warrior

they are unregulated and over the years people have fight and died over the different unofficial routes.

outside child

parksloperite

Stupid question: what is the TLC? (I can only think of the learning channel, which would be an interesting possiblity).

outside child

ParkSloperite wrote: Stupid question: what is the TLC? (I can only think of the learning channel, which would be an interesting possiblity).

Taxi & Limousine Commison

homeowner

ParkSloperite wrote: so do these dollar vans mainly go up and down flatbush? Do any of them go to the airport?

If you are going to JFK, I second the LIRR to Airtrain route. LIRR is 15-18 minutes to Jamaica and Airtrain is another 10 to the terminals. Its quick and easy and very much hasle-free. I have to go to JFK for work on occasion and have found this is easily the quickest way.

There is no easy public transport route to LGA. It sucks getting there.

bluecat

I've always wondered about those dollar vans. Do they all cost just $1 no matter where you go? What's the protocol, do you pay when you get on? Do you ask what the route is (as in "does this follow the B41"?). Can you ask to be dropped somewhere off route?

jeffrey

I believe they're up to $2 now. Guessing you can get in and get out anywhere along their route.

No idea if they make slight detours, but that would seem to cost them business.

Also a great place to cut your next demo tape.