Earlier this week, alert “06880” reader Terry Brannigan sang the praises of Westport Wash & Wax.
Today, a different — but equally alert — reader relates a very different story.
Yesterday, he took the 2:34 train home from New York. It did not stop at Green’s Farms — where he’d left his car that morning — so he got off at Westport.
He tried to hail 2 separate Saugatuck Taxi cabs. Neither offered him a ride. He wore a business suit, he says, but he might have been invisible.
One driver did ask where he was going. He replied, “what does it matter?” — and walked over to Westport Taxi.
That driver took him to Green’s Farms — for $17.85.
The princely sum did not buy him a royal ride.
“The cab was old and filthy,” our reader reported.
And because the drive refused to fasten his seat belt, alarm bells rang every few seconds.
When the rider called the driver’s attention to it, the response was swift.
“I never wear it!” he said.
And on he sped.
From the January 4, 2012 report on Railroad Parking from the town’s Internal Auditor
http://www.westportct.gov/modules/showdocument.aspx?documentid=2549
“There are 5 tenants that occupy space at Westport’s rail stations. Each of these lease agreements appear to have expired, with the most recent expiring in 2007. There has been no change in rental
fees to these tenants for 5 or more years. Total annual income for these 5 leases is approximately $53K.”
Parking rates went up – why not leases? Also, why does the police department manage the railroad parking list/budget? Seems like an odd job for law enforcement.
Taxis locally are not good, which is a real shame and makes drinking and driving more of an issue. The DOT went as far as to close down a taxi firm in Fairfield because of some serious violations.
http://dreadfuldrivers.wordpress.com/2012/02/20/dreadful-taxi-drivers-part-ii/
Keep on drivin’
This is related to preivous post about the shuttle and commuter quality of life in westport. Before I got my parking sticker at the train station, I used to take the taxi to and from the train (I commute at off-peak hours) It was the most disheartening experience (not only costly) but cabs were dirty, drivers rude, I could go on. I was overjoyed to get my parking sticker. Now, I can’t find a parking space at the train station. Unless I want to park at the far lot by i-95 which adds time to my commute, but also make me feel unsafe as I come home late at night and have to walk by myself to my car. This is a big down side to the sell of Westport being a great place to live if you need to work in NYC.
Why didn’t he wait for the next train?
True Story:
About a month ago, I was waiting for a train on the NY bound side. It was a late morning train, and the platform had a couple dozen passengers waiting to board. There were a couple of cabs waiting on the other side of the tracks. One of the drivers, and older, heavyset guy walked behind the elevator kiosk and bellied up to the back of the train platform – facing the NY bound side At this point, I was really hoping he wasn’t about to do what I thought he was about to do… but he did. Not only what is it obvious that he was relieving himself 40 ft away facing a group of passengers, but he was spreading his arms out to relax like he just downed a gallon of beer at a Giants game and he didn’t have a care in the world. It was absolutely surreal. Oh, and I’m pretty sure he didn’t wash his hands.
I don’t doubt IPDailey’s story as I’m sure it’s true, I just wish I wasn’t having a snack at the time I read it. GROSS!!! Westport Taxi is a total embarrassment to our town. The cars are disgusting, filthy and smelly with creepy lookin’ drivers and calling and speaking to the dispatcher isn’t any better. Yuk! Whenever a taxi is requested at my place of work, I call Saugatuck Taxi or we drive the people/person ourselves. Saugatuck Taxi is 1000% better and friendlier, but unfortunately they only have 2 cars/vans to their fleet. If they had more, they would certainly put the disgusting, filthy, smelly cars with creepy lookin’ drivers of Westport Taxi out of business!
This is related to previous post about the shuttle and commuter quality of life in westport. Before I got my parking sticker at the train station, I used to take the taxi to and from the train (I commute at off-peak hours) It was the most disheartening experience– (not only costly) but cabs were dirty, drivers rude, I could go on. I was overjoyed to get my parking sticker. Now, I can’t find a parking space at the train station. Unless I want to park at the far lot by i-95—which adds time to my commute, but also make me feel unsafe as I come home late at night and have to walk by myself to my car. This is a big down side to the “sell” of Westport being a great place to live– if you need to work in NYC.
Sounds like some really good reasons to save the commuter buses, and while we are at it, let’s go a step further and BRING BACK THE MINNYBUS!!!
I took taxis at the train station for many years regularly–and still take them on occasion–and my experiences overall have been fine and uneventful.
It’s because you’re a VIP
I got in a Westport taxi once and it set off when I was only half in the vehicle and the door was still wide open. I always wanted to be on the Dukes of Hazzard but still….
My train ride from Grand Central cost $11 (weekend single fare) and my taxi, just to the other side of the Merrit $17.50.