Evening star., 1924-10-30
TAXI FIRMS STRIVE
. TO BETTER SERVICE
Increase Revenues Through
Schools Teaching Safety
to Their Drivers.
by J. G. ROYI.E,
Special Disnatch IN The Htar

Special Dispatch to The Star
NEW YORK, October 30-The con-
Hern with one of the heaviest labor
turnovers In the country never has
TO say to an employe, you're dis
charged" They make the undesir-
able employe fire himself. That is
the system followed by the Yellow
Taxi Corporation of New York and
by scores of other taxi companies
In cities from the Canadian line to
Buenos Aires.
The policy of the company mem
toned provides that no driver, ir.
respective OF previous experience.
may be employed without going
through the traffic school operated
by the concern. For example, a re-
cent applicant who had driven a
Fifth avenue bus for 10 months was
recommended to go back and get ex-
perience. Nothing Is taken for grant
ed so far as ability to handle a taxi
In traffic under all conditions Is con-
cerned
Denerits Given Drivers.
When prospective driver has
passed through the schools he is pro-
vided with cab and a certain
amount OF credit" Every mistake
he makes from that time on is a
L,
whether 1t results in damage or loss
or not, must be reported and investi-
gated. II the driver is at fault he
Is charged with certain number of
demerits When these demerits equal
or exceed the amount of his credit
he is out. Nobody has to tell him
He knows himself his margin of
%afety- Once out he never comes
back
This system has been worked out
as result of an effort by the com
pany to sell service" as well as
transportation. 1t Is put into effect
not only in New York but in prac-
ticaily every city which establishes
new Yellow service. When a fleet
OF cabs Is sold to q prospective opera
tor. the cab manufacturing company
IN most instances aids the customer
by sending him corps of trained
men who put into effect the latest
developments in garage practice and
IN catering to the TRANSPORTATION
needs of the community These men
remain until local force Is trained.
Best Driver Ex-London Cabby.
The champion taxi driver of New
YORK is an ex-London cabby, whose
cab has never replaced his horse in
1alled in over a year to turn in at
least $40 day to the company for
which he works from the operation
OF his taxi for s hours. His com,
missions amount to more than Sc a
oay without tips. while his share of
the distribution of the profits of the
concern and gratuities brings his
earnings well above $50 a week on
the average. But he sells a grin on
an accent and a personality as wen
as transportation.
Ihere are now 10000 taxicabs in
the city of New York So numerous
nave they become that even in the
residence districts it is unusual for
patrons to telephone for a cab. They
go TO the curb and wait for one. This
IS distinct departure from the pro-
cedure in other cities. Telephone
calls for taxis in Philadelphia. for
example. are over 100 per cent more
numerous than in New York although
the number of cabs is far less. This
is true also of Brooklyn. Boston,
Washington and other cities.
Three Tranic Peaks.
The taxi day in practically every
city is divided into three traffic peaks.
The first of these occurs between S
and $3.50 am. when the rush to the
business districts Is at its height. The
heaviest traffic of the day comes be-
tween 5 and pm. This is succeeded
by lull until pm, when the thea
ter crowds gather. The after-theater
rush begins about 1890 pm. and runs
until midnight.