Tag Archives: gas

Belated driving summary

Here’s a summary of my cab shifts from last weekend. I picked up an older guy from the Kaiser. I’d guess he was 60+. I have a hard time judging ages, especially those +/-5 years from mine. He was heading … Continue reading

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Cab driving: earnings update

Time for an earnings update. My earnings floor — the lowest take-home pay I can expect — is increasing from the record lows of the winter. In other words, it’s rare this time of year to see a shift that … Continue reading

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Cab earnings update: seasonal rise in demand for taxis offsets increased fuel and gate costs.

San Francisco cab drivers face two recent cost pressures: a recent gate fee increase combined with the recent climb in gas prices. Fortunately, these cost pressures come at a time when aggregate demand for taxis in the City is increasing. … Continue reading

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Driving a slow weekend in the City

It was another slow weekend in San Francisco. During my shifts I witnessed a non-trivial collision. A Toyota pickup truck was traveling behind me south on South Van Ness. As we approached the 16th Street intersection he passed me on … Continue reading

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“Energy independence” is silly. We must use less energy regardless of its source.

My unwavering allegiance to the American Public Media radio program Marketplace was made ever tighter by a clear and compelling opinion piece by Jerry Taylor of the Cato Institute. The piece is written so concisely I can do no better … Continue reading

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Are taxis a “green” form of transit?

I love the premise of the Green Cab taxi company that started operating in the City this year. Sexy! Green! Buzzwords! Their cabs DO look good on the street. They stand out and offer clear differentiation from other cabs both … Continue reading

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UCSF makes its own power. Why?

This past weekend I took a guy home early in the morning at the end of his night shift at the University of California, San Francisco‘s power plant. At first I thought he meant he works to maintain the big … Continue reading

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