New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-12-27
THE SATISFACTORY CAB SERVICE IN PARIS
FAR SUPERIOR TO THAT OF THIS CITY-REGTT 4
TTONS THAT Make 1T CHEAP And ADEOUATE

So much has been written and said concerning
the inferior cab service OF this city, such con-
centrated Of criticism the part of the metro
politan press and public spirited civic organizations
has been focused the outrages perpetrated oy
cabmen on the citizens Of New York. and. worse
still for the city's reputation upon the thousands
of town visitors here that reference TO the
cab service in Paris may not be inopportune
The thousands OF American tourists to the French
centre are well aware Of the excellent cab system
there. but the following facts may impress upon
them as we'll as others the striking differences In
this respect between the two great cities
Paris has three principal public cab and carriage
Theatre Francois; the City company. in the Rue
Taitbout and LAbeille. or the Bee company, In the
Rue Marcadet Besides these leading concerns.
which furnish the greater portion OF the open and
voltures de places-there several other eonpa-
MES not SO important but quite well regulated
from the point of view OF the citizen OF foreigner
who pstronizes them.
These companies own and operate IN Paris $1,000
ordinary cabs there are practically no hansoms
there) for persons Creay for three persona for
they are provided with an adjustable seat facing
the passenger and about 400 cabs accommodating
four persons. with room on top for trunks and hand
luggage. Thus. 5000 public carriages are daily at
the disposition OF frequenters Of Paris The num-
Der, many times in excess of New Yorks supply. Is
amply sufficient to provide for any person who has
need for such transportation.
Now. as TO the cost to ths individual for such
service.
Carriages at railroad stations hailed at any
point in the streets boulevards are absurdly
cheap as compared with prices IN New York, and
yet the tariff. once is accustomed to it. seems
a pretty close adjustment TO value received-seens
perfectly fair and reasonable for both parties to
the contract.
If is alone in the street he simply needs TO
raise his hand give his destina ton. no matter TO
whatsoever quarter within the fOrtthcattons which
belt the city proper get In and ride. and he will
have pay only 1 franc so centtnes. or 80 cents.
at the end of the route. II one has his wife or
a friend with him the same charge Is demanded
Thus two persons sharing expense. may ride
across Paris from wall to wall at cost Of Is cents
each The usual pourboire tip. which, however.
is optional 10 cents. according TO the length
of the trip
After 1880 a. m the tariff is As cents instead OF
80
If one wishes to ride about to parks. the ia
cades and the street and boulevard life. OF to shop
he and friend may hire pleasant open carriage
for 40 cents an hour. 20 cents apiece One would
not have the heart TO offer such a sum to New
York "Jehus.' but in Paris these estimaole gentry
are content; they thank you in the bargain, an
amenity sometimes noticed here.
1t is only when wishes voiture de cercls or
two-seated Iandau-an ordinary traveller rarely
uses them-that he must satisfy himself as TO the
delicacy Of his coachman's conscience And yet
these voitures de luxe Cables charge approx
rnately only one-third to one-half the ordinary
prices asked here for their equivalent
II one finds himself in the Immediate suburbs Of
Paris lust outside the Notifications, and wants TO
get within them, he is subjected to slight increase
of tariff. which generally amounts to 10 cents.
So rninutey do the authorities hold these cabbies'
to their task that they regulate when the day rate
goes into force. both in summer and winter Thus,
from October I to March 81 the cabby'S day be-
gins az a. m; In summer, from April to Sep
TENDER 30. It begins at $50 o'clock in both cases
lasting until 1870 in the morning when. as was
noted the night rates-5o per cent higher-go into
effect In the suburbs the summer day tariff Is
from 8 4. N. to Il p. and the winter schedule
is from a. to 10 p. m
II q passenger has piecs Of luggage with him
he need pay only cents for Its transportation IN
addition to his fare; two pieces 10 cents and
three more Is cents.
Most OF the public cabs and carriages which one
encounters in the street and about the railroad
TONS at street stands designated for their use
by the Prefecture OF Police are under the imme-
dists supervision OF the gendarmes. One has only
10 go Of the police kiosks with a complaint
that ha has been overcharged and the money due
him will be instantly refunded. There the matter
Is settled in minutes for once and for all The
policemen in charge OF these kiosks must also
make a memorandum Of the arrival and Departure
OF the coachman from his stand
The cabs one sees ordinarily in the Paris streets
are all numbered with the exception of the two
hundred and fifty comfortable and rather hand
somely equipped voitures de cercle. which may
have at any time by calling up by telephone the
pIqueur at the Grand Hotel If passenger has no
number on his cab ne is looked upon owning IT,
These carriages subject TO the police reg
ulations other cabs.
In Paris nearly thousand citizens hire their
carriages and cabs by the month paying therefor
including stable charges etc. from 500 to $500 ac-
cording to the sort OF horses and vehicles.
An interesting feature about Paris cabs which
occupy regular stands is that they have different
colored lanterns. which signify the quarter of the
city where they belong. Thus the General Com
pany's cabs colors Yellow. the Chapelle dis
trict; blue, the Bastile: green. the Grenelle and
red the Batignone. The authorities request that
when one leaves a theatre cafe at night he take
a cab which bears lantern of the color of his
house quarter.
Another interesting note is that at important
crossings, where the system OF alternate passing
has for many years been practised. the police carry
a white stick about eighteen inches long which
they elevate and lower whistle signal from
the officer in charge of the crossing. The submis-
sion OF the ''cabbies' TO the little white stick Is
one OF the sights OF Paris.
And now as to the "cabbies'' themselves. There
are all in all. registered the police books over
hundred thousand men in this service. many
OF whom. of course. drive private conveyances
This army of drivers is banded into three separate
organizations. the Union Fraterneile. the Union
Syndicat and the Chamhre Syndicat.
The authorities take neophytes and examine them
They must show how we'll they drive harness
make quick repairs. and then must pass muster as
10 their knowledge Of the citys topography The
technical examination Is held the Prefecture of
the Police. and the practical one. that of driving
etc, at the Horse Market.
Thirteen years ago there was founded cab
school. w n No