My Town's Absurd Taxi Fleet UPDATED

"Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available" (whoistheleader2) 06/09/2020 at 22:10 • Filed to: Taxi, Taxi Of Tomorrow, bad decisions

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My town has a surprisingly large taxi industry with three main players. However, all three seem to use just whatever is available so their fleets consist of some very strange choices.

I’ve talked about this before, because the largest one - and the only one that paints their cars yellow - has operated a double cab first generation Nissan Frontier truck for as long as I can remember. I have come to suspect they have at least two of them. Once, I saw two people tailgating off the back of it. Its presence continues to mystify me.

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Nissan Frontier taxi

Let’s start with the Universal Taxi fleet.

Their second strangest choice, after the Frontier of course, is a third generation Toyota 4Runner. I don’t think this is quite as strange as the Frontier, but surely someone realizes that miles per gallon matter more than smiles per gallon when running a business.

UPDATED with 4Runner picture

Toyota 4runner taxi

Mostly, it consists of older minivans. Most notably, at least one Toyota Previa. A 20 year old van that is difficult to service and obtain parts for simply doesn’t seem like the best choice for a taxi.

I did manage to take this photo of a different taxi company’s Previa, who mostly caters to Spanish speaking communities. That company does not paint their cars, most of which are gray or silver, so you can’t read their grayscale logo without a contrasting background.

Toyota Previa taxi

At least it is economical and easy to maneuver, though I’m not sure that is very important given it mostly navigates the divided four lane roads around Wal-Mart.

Next up, we have a few of all generations of Toyota Siennas and second generation Honda Odysseys. Most of their minivans look surprisingly good for 15 years of taxi duty.

UDATED with picture of Kia Sedona

Kia Sedona taxi

And of course, quite a few Panther platform sedans, mostly Mercury Grand Marquis.

They also have a 1.5 generation Fusion, which looks surprisingly good in a black and white taxi livery. The newest taxi operated in my town appeared fairly recently in the form of a new Ford Taurus.

There are also a few surprising sedans pressed into taxi duty, including a sixth generation (2007) Nissan Sentra and other older Japanese compacts.

That rounds out the Universal Taxi fleet, so on to the other taxi companies. Since their logos are so similar, I can’t really separate the other two or three taxi companies that operate around here. I think one is called World Taxi, but I don’t really know.

Honda Odyssey taxi

Once again, they mostly operate old minivans. Surprisingly, they have at least two first generation Honda Odysseys. I don’t see that era of minivan on the road very often, but this company still uses them. You’ll have to settle for a second generation one for the photo.

They also operate a few early 2000s sedans, mostly Japanese, but their mainstay is minivans. I think I am forgetting something so I may update if I see another unlikely choice for a taxi.

Though I’ve never seen it move, there has been a Nissan NV200 New York Taxi in proper NYC livery sitting in a paved lot on the south side of town for a year. I have no idea what it is doing so far from home, but the livery wasn’t removed so I don’t suppose such a new (and non wrecked) vehicle could have escaped thus through the proper channels.

Well, that’s the absurd taxi fleet of my town. Which do you suppose makes the least sense?

I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 06/09/2020 at 12:02

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In my hometown there was a taxi service that was just a guy with a mid-2000s Impala with “TAXI” rattle canned on the side.

I don’t think he was a licensed taxi.

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 06/09/2020 at 12:03

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weird.  Here 99% of taxis are Priuses or Kia sedonas.

Taylor Martin > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 06/09/2020 at 12:03

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That Previa reminds me of a certain different “ taxi cab” from Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul. 

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 06/09/2020 at 12:07

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There is a first generation Sedona that for some reason has painted B pillars and looks weird and chunky. Otherwise it appears that every car was chosen based on drawing names from a hat. The thing about the Frontier is that it was pressed into taxi service when they were still pretty new. Same with the 4Runner. I just don’t understand. Not a single Prius in sight.

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker 06/09/2020 at 12:07

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No, I don’t suppose. That sounds sketchy  on many levels.

For Sweden > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 06/09/2020 at 12:07

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style goals

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > Taylor Martin 06/09/2020 at 12:08

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Never seen either. Elaborate.

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > For Sweden 06/09/2020 at 12:16

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There are at least two Previas, nonetheless. The space egg lives on!

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 06/09/2020 at 12:17

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It seems to me that if you were going to have any kind of a fleet of cars you’d at least want them to be similar. Like at least the same make. 

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles 06/09/2020 at 12:20

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Yes, but not here. Most are Toyotas or Ford s at least, but there is the odd  Nissan, Kia, etc. And they never had all that many panther platforms. I am mystified.

Chariotoflove > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 06/09/2020 at 12:32

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Sounds like someone started a business and then grabbed whatever used stuff was available at the time as the business grew. I wonder how many of the cars were from small used lots and auctions.

barnie > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 06/09/2020 at 12:36

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My little county has a naval base and 2 taxi companies. Both have 2 Crown Vics each. I see one of them every time I’m out and about so they seem to be doing well. And there are a few Uber/Lyfts about, too. Mostly the sailors drive their own brotrucks around.

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > Chariotoflove 06/09/2020 at 12:37

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But multiple companies have been using these weird vehicles since they were only a few years old, especially that Frontier. It couldn't have been the cheapest thing available at all. These weren't just $4000 beaters but good condition cars with a warranty when they were bought by the taxi companies.

Chariotoflove > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 06/09/2020 at 12:38

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Oh, well then I have no idea. 

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > barnie 06/09/2020 at 12:40

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I suspect the taxi bubble has to do with no guarantee of a Spanish speaking Uber driver. They mostly service poorer communities, which at least allow the drivers to make more money by being unionized. All the vehicles are actually very well maintained, so I suspect they aren't as gross as most taxis. Uber does a brisk business in richer areas though.

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > Chariotoflove 06/09/2020 at 12:41

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Exactly! You don't buy a newish 4Runner to be a taxi!

imadick > barnie 06/09/2020 at 12:43

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Can’t blame them, they need to justify that 8 year 20% car loan somehow...

functionoverfashion > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 06/09/2020 at 12:47

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We basically don’t have them here. I go weeks without seeing anything identifiable as a taxi, and no uber or lyft either. Justification for having 3 cars, lemme tell ya, when there’s literally no alternative. 

fintail > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 06/09/2020 at 12:49

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Seeing that metro Atlanta is a goldmine for auctions, maybe they were picked up there as late model vehicles with significant yet repairable damage, bought for a bargain price, repaired, and there you go.

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > functionoverfashion 06/09/2020 at 12:59

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Ya. I think this is an abnormally large taxi industry because of a large Latino population and the tendency of Uber drivers to be middle class white people who don't speak Spanish.

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > fintail 06/09/2020 at 13:01

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Maybe. They were pretty new when pressed into service but most of the weird ones are the orange Global Taxis. A paint job would be necessary anyways so why not paint them taxi color? If I were to maintain one over the long run though, I would want a non damaged car to start with.

fintail > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 06/09/2020 at 13:08

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The Global Taxis - maybe surplus from an unfulfilled order, maybe the original owner’s business failed before they were used up etc. I suspect your local taxi operator is a good bargain hunter.

From what I have seen at IAA and Copart auctions, a lot of cars have cosmetic damage - fender, bumper, lights - not a huge risk of harming long term reliability.  If it is going to be used up as a taxi anyway, I can see some appeal.  I think a lot of modern cars could be totaled with a popsicle stick.

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > fintail 06/09/2020 at 13:13

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One popsicle stick to the right sensor might do it haha.

No way was that Frontier or the 4Runner bought without a significant bargain, but I question the long term value. I think your copart story might be right, since they are the only ones that are painted and they are also the best maintained. 

fintail > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 06/09/2020 at 13:33

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For cars with adaptive cruise or high end parking packages, a 20 mph front end shunt could likely do them in. My modern MB has distronic, and I shudder at the thought of replacing that system.

Maybe the owner traded higher purchase price for long term reliability - he’s still in business and the cars are still there, so he did something right.  Around here, most of the small town taxi companies faded away, as “rideshare” exists even in outlying areas now.

Taylor Martin > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 06/09/2020 at 13:47

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It was essentially a service for criminals who need a quick change of identity. It was a one way ticket and it was basically a last resort, if the law was on your heels. I reccomend both shows, Breaking Bad first, then Better Call Saul, both of which are on netflix.

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > fintail 06/09/2020 at 13:53

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I think the taxi industry still thrives here because few Uber drivers can speak Spanish and there is a large Latino population here. They serve the minority communities, mainly, and their drivers are from those areas. I don't think rideshare would catch on unless they could be assured of getting a Spanish speaking driver.

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > Taylor Martin 06/09/2020 at 13:54

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No Aztec taxi here.

fintail > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 06/09/2020 at 14:07

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T hat makes sense.   Find a market and cater to it.

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > fintail 06/09/2020 at 14:12

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Plus more secure unionized employment for members of their community. I understand and support this taxi bubble.

facw > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 06/09/2020 at 16:11

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I’d like to think my Previa is still out there hauling people somewhere (unfortunately I don’t have the vin). It would be 30 years old now, and it had 192k miles when it got traded in 15 years ago  (but was running well) , so I’d imagine the odds aren’t great.

facw > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 06/09/2020 at 16:13

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I saw a taxi here a few weeks ago. Felt like the first time in years, though I’m sure I must have seen some at the airport in February. They don’t come out here much, seems they’ve lost the business to Uber/Lyft.  

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > facw 06/09/2020 at 16:22

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Yeah, that might be a little optimistic. I’m sure it donated plenty of parts so that others could live. 

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > facw 06/09/2020 at 16:24

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It is mostly the Latino community that supports them, I suspect so that they can have a Spanish speaking driver. Their little bubble has been pretty secure thus far.

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 06/09/2020 at 22:59

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We also have a very competitive taxi industry here. They’re mostly E-Series used to pick groups up at public transit terminals but there are some odd choices I see around town , like a GMT400 Suburban or a Trailblazer. One of the companies even has a couple last-gen Dodge Ram vans and those haven’t been made since 2003.

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 06/09/2020 at 23:04

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Huh, very different market I guess. Can’t fit a large group in a Frontier, that’s for sure.

I’ve been seeing an inordinate , possibly suspicious , amount of those final Dodge Ram vans; surprisingly I’ve seen lots of the passenger configuration with the curvy rear glass. Some were even the notorious shorties! Not something I would expect to still be in fleet use, but hey that first gen Odyssey taxi might be older.

The GMT400 Suburban is what really surprises me. Wow, that’s really old for a fleet vehicle. And it can only transport the same amount of people as a minivan.

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 06/09/2020 at 23:08

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Ube r didn’t arrive here until three years ago so the cab industry stayed strong. Even now there’s fierce competition for the limited medallions.

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 06/09/2020 at 23:10

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Whereabouts is “here?” I’m Atlanta area BTW. The medallion system really worked well until rideshare found a loophole. I don’t think there is a limit to the number of taxi drivers here.

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 06/09/2020 at 23:13

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Martha’s Vineyard. It’s not really traditional “ medallions” , but the county will only allow so many cab companies to operate. When one goes under there’s bidding wars on the operating licenses.

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 06/09/2020 at 23:17

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Well dang. I’m even more surprised now about that GMT400 because I understand rust claimed most of those.

No idea about how it works here but there are at least four companies operating near me. Can’t imagine the market could support much more. Probably another around the airport at least.

Under_Score > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 06/16/2020 at 22:48

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I just saw this post. The Spanish speaking taxis of Marietta are one thing.

But the Milledgeville taxis, wow, that’s kind of hard to beat. There was a rusty Grand Caravan with a front end held on by bungee cords.

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > Under_Score 06/16/2020 at 23:11

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I don’t think I’ve ever noticed taxis in Milledgeville or even spent much time there. The Spanish speaking communities s eem to have maintained their own taxi niche. In Marietta, the vehicles are usually very well maintained. Not sure why they’d go straight past duct tape to bungee cords but ok.

Ever noticed the Previas, 4Runner, and Frontier? Really strange choices.