This is great news for the city, especially for businesses downtown.
In New York or Washington, D.C., people complain that it's hard to get a cab when it rains. In Pittsburgh, people complain that it's hard to get a cab in any weather, unless the rider is at a hotel or the airport.
Pittsburgh just isn't a cab town. Several theories abound but, whatever the reason, the lack of taxis is a legitimate complaint of visitors who are used to better service elsewhere. The city has great hotels, fine restaurants and lively communities to visit -- if you have your own way to get there and back.
In a city where it is not the custom for cabs to be hailed from the street, it's not just visitors who suffer. The dreams of Pittsburgh being a true destination point are parked at the curb. Fortunately, that may change.
On Tuesday, Pittsburgh Transportation Group --which includes Yellow Cabs, shuttle vans and coaches and limousines -- announced a service by the new Pittsburgh City Cab, which will offer short runs between Downtown and nearby neighborhoods, such as the North Shore, the South Side, Mount Washington and Oakland.
The six black-and-white cars are not cabs to catch for a trip to Pittsburgh International Airport -- and that's not the only big difference from usual practice. Jerry Campolongo, director of Yellow Cab Co. and Pittsburgh City Cab, said riders can hail these taxis from the curb if they are not occupied. (Next year, regular cabs might be allowed to stop for hailing customers.)
The new idea is to promote service in the city's core, connecting restaurants and other businesses with desirable destinations nearby. Cars will be added as needed, so there is a Field of Dreams element to the plan -- provide it and they will come.
We hope the riders do come, filling more cabs and patronizing a service that other great cities have and Pittsburgh deserves.
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