Rides sought and offered

We'll have 2 free seats to Midtown (Empire State Building) if my wife can't telecommute. I will post a message if we are setting sail for Manhattan. Just put some bucks toward gas.

Also, a friend of mine will probably run a gypsy cab type deal -- flat rate to wherever for the whole car.

I really hope the strike is averted, but if not: I work in East Midtown (49th and 3rd) and I would be interested in carpooling. I can kick in for gas. If it comes to it, anyone looking to take on more bodies in their car can send me a pm.

teddyballgame wrote: I have a car, no money, and nothing to do tomorrow. Is there any sort of going rate for driving people into the city? I know I'd have to take three, and I know this is probably illegal and totally unethical and whatnot, but Christmas is coming and I figure I gotta make hay while the sun shines.

I can't believe I'm actually saying this, but I guess PM me if you want to work something out.

I feel like kinda dirty. Maybe I'll go post an erotic services offer on craigslist while I'm at it.

er. you're gross.

whatever. everyone is doing the 'car service' thing who can get away with it -- you should go for it, too. I'm waiting to hear today what my firm is willing to reimburse and can let you know what I find out. go to festivus!

yeah I have to reneg on my offer... everything sounded so crazy that i just decided to head out to long island and do some christmas shopping away from the crazyness.

apollonia666 wrote:
So my boss, the one who was here for the last strike? He says all the car services just closed during the strike. It took so long to get people in and out of Manhattan that they were losing money.
UGH.

The last time a strike was threatened I called a car service the night before and schedule a pickup with three other officemates. They took the reservation, but we never had to use it. So I'm not sure if it would have been honored.

zipcar is offering free rides (sorry, not to/from bklyn) if you're a member... i got an email today:

The possibility of a transit strike is on everyone's minds here in New
York. Of course, we are all hoping that a strike is averted, but your
friends at Zipcar are going to help make sure that if it does happen,
you can still get where you need to go.

On Friday, December 16th, from 7:30am to 7pm, we will be offering free
rides to and from downtown. Designated pickup spots are located on the
East and West sides of Manhattan. Just look for the Zipcar employees and
banners.

The shuttles will be picking up and dropping off at the following
locations:

-Upper West Side: H&H Bagels (80th & Broadway) to WTC
-Upper East Side: H&H Bagels (80th & 2nd Ave) to City Hall
-Grand Central Station: 42nd & Lexington to City Hall
-Penn Station: 31st and 7th Avenue to WTC

(We would have loved to offer the shuttle service to the folks in
Brooklyn and Queens, but due to traffic restrictions on the bridges we
are unable to do so. Sorry!)

Of course, you can also be dropped off between the pickup and drop off
locations if your destination is on the way.

And, hey, if there is no strike, we'll still be offering free rides
during the morning commute from these locations so come by and take
advantage!

roux42 wrote: I am told that 'Dollar Vans' will be operating at bustops all along Flatbush, Atlantic and other major thorough-fares (sp).

Are those vans still charging a dollar?

Thanks for the info about the dollar vans. Do the vans cross into manhattan at all?

Goldie wrote: Thanks for the info about the dollar vans. Do the vans cross into manhattan at all?

No. They only go as far as Downtown Brooklyn. I don't know where the exact end of the line is. Maybe around Fulton Mall?

Dollar vans are 1.50 now if im not mistaken, and they do usually stop around the fulton mall area. If you want to go the other way, most will go all the way down to Kings Plaza. It was at least 6 or 7 years ago that they actually cost a dollar.
They are fairly easy to spot... just look for a blingin' big van driving erraticly with a large CB antennae whipping around on top. There are also dollar cabs (five passengers) but I havent seen them on Flatbush, at least not this far north. They're still all over Utica Avenue, though.

So, erm, rides or something...anyone?

Candicissima wrote: Oh, they're on Flatbush all right. It's impossible to wait for the B41 and not have them beeping at you all crazy like. Not so into the vans...breakneck speeds + too many people + no seatbelts = enter at your own risk. And last time I rode one (in Queens, though), they were $1.50

Speeding and shit driving are responsible for so many accidents/casualties. What would it cost (after the strike, maybe) for the cops to lay the total smackdown on this, so that word spread? While I'm being a Nervous Nelly, be careful with 'entrepreneurial' would-be cabbies. 'tis the season for crime.

Candicissima wrote: Not to mention, the bus lines in Queens were the first to go yesterday and they were making a killing taking the stranded people. The TLC gave them permission to charge up to $5 and the bastards jumped the fares from $1.50 to $5 instantly to just take advantage more. Fuck a "dollar" van.

You mean the nice van driver in Queens I saw on the news last night who said "Naw, we can't do that. We're charging $2" was a lonely saint?

If the strike is still on tomorrow, I will be driving into the city. I will be leaving at 5:50am on Prospect Place between Vanderbilt and Underhill. I will be parking in NYC on 38th and 3rd. PM me if you are interested in a ride. I have room for two. No charge since my company will be paying gas/tolls/parking.

I will be leaving NYC around 2pm to come back to PH.

Anyone want to give me a ride home from mid-town (53rd/B'way)? I'm good for gas money and/or beers at Soda after.

6pm, Tuesday