KEN DAVIS
Home Improvement American Owned & Operated
FOR OVER 25 YEARS
PAINTING & ROTTEN WOOD REPAIR
Taxi Basics
Cell: 704.617.3989 | Home: 706 840.1661
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New Year’s Eve package
· 4 course Dinner for 2 · Music from “A Step Above” · Champagne Toast and Party favors · Complimentary Breakfast Buffet · Deluxe Guest Rooms Accommodations
$$199
plus tax
Washington Road at I-20 | 1069 Stevens Creek Road | Augusta | 706-396-1000
12 METRO SPIRIT 12.29.11
ERICJOHNSON
Through New Year’s Eve with your cash, your dignity and your future Unless you’re a serviceman stationed at Fort Gordon, chances are you don’t know all that much about riding in a taxi. This is Augusta, after all. We’ve all got cars — or friends with cars — and regardless of what certain city officials might say, there’s plenty of parking just about anywhere you need to go. But when you’re talking New Year’s Eve — and make no mistake, that’s exactly what we’re talking about — you’d better be thinking taxi. Why? Because not thinking taxi can be costly. A DUI — a firstoffense DUI — can end up costing you upwards of $10,000, what with the cost of a lawyer, court fees, DUI school and the changes in insurance. And that’s just the monetary cost. Throw in how it can affect your relationships, your dignity and your freedom and you really can’t put a price on it. And all that’s assuming you get pulled over before you do any physical damage to yourself or anyone else. So, given the necessity, let’s go through a little Taxi 101. First of all, ride smart — all cabs in Augusta are regulated by the Augusta Tax Commission, which means cabs operate at a set rate that is the same for all companies: $2.10 per mile with a $2.65 set up fee. Note: that number is per cab, not per person. Let’s do the math before you’ve popped the champagne. If the ride home is 13 miles and six people share the cab — and given the fact that many taxi companies operate vans, this will be entirely possible — the total fare will be roughly $30. Divide that by six and the whole thing is reduced to a very reasonable $5 per person. Of course, that’s not including the
tip, which though voluntary is highly recommended, given the fact that six drunk people in a vehicle of any kind can’t be any fun for the sober guy who’s driving you. (If you reach your destination and your finger math doesn’t quite add up, remember that each cab also charges seven percent sales tax in addition to the cost per mile). Now, the rules of the road: Unless you want to find yourself waiting with all the other drunks, call ahead. Like an hour ahead. Even better, call for your cab at 8 p.m. and order it for 1:30 a.m. If you order ahead, though, remember that the cab coming for you is being dispatched specifically for you, which means it’s passing up other paying fares. So don’t just wander outside and get in the first one you stumble upon. Get a leg up on the karma thing and find the one that came for you. If you forget to order ahead, at least step outside when you call. Not only are you slurring your words, but Pitbull is drowning you out. And before you leave home for the night, consider the fact that everyone and their uncle is going to be trying to do the same thing you are. So head out with more than a couple of numbers on you. Or better yet, tear off the taxi strip on the cover and take it with you — that way you’re covered if the first couple of companies are busy. And though it shouldn’t need to be said, don’t forget the last two very important rules — no smoking and get your puking done at the bar. Most cabs charge a pre-set fee for pukers, and since you’re puking, you’ve probably already spent that extra money on booze. V. 22 | NO. 70