Ithaca Dispatch Inc

Ithaca Dispatch is generally overpriced: a single 4-mile trip cost me $24.50 (not including tip)! That's far more than even big-city prices. (The same amount of money in Washinton, D.C., would have paid for, at minimum, a 10-12 mile trip...) However, they DO seem pretty reliable, safe, and prompt, the large majority of the time.\r \r Special Note: Contrary to what the other reviewer mentioned, regarding the Green Hornet taxi company -- although the Green Hornet is cheap, it also seems HIGHLY unreliable. I waited over 1 1/4 hours in 20 degree weather at 11:00 p.m. for a taxi that never showed up (even after calling them 3 separate times to follow up). Moreover, the driver I spoke to seemed slow and/or confused, not to mention infuriatingly unapologetic. Pros: Largely Quick & Reliable Cons: Overpriced more

I was quoted $18 for a ride from Ithaca Airport to East Hill Plaza (which should be about 15 minutes). When I was surprised to hear this high number, and asked again if that was the correct rate for one person with no baggage, the dispatcher became irate and said, ""I""ll tell you the same thing again. It's $18."" and then hung up on me. When I called a different phone number to shop around, I got connected to the same dispatcher, because it seems this company uses different company names and numbers to increase business. She said ""you again, its the same thing, 18$"" and hung up on me. Now I hesitate to call around for taxi's-- nervous I may get the same company and dispatcher to get hung up on. They even charge an additional $2 for each piece of luggage! I have used them before when I was a Cornell student and they used to be a little cheaper. It was standard to wait 30-45 minutes to get ride within Ithaca. They once made me wait 45 minutes for a ride to the hospital when I had an emergency. Since they pick up multiple customers on one trip (you don't even get the whole cab to yourself for that price!!!) they end up going out of their way and wasting more of your time. Sometimes its faster to take the bus, not to mention about 80% cheaper. The only advantage to this company is that it takes credit card over the phone (if you want to give that kind of information freely). If you have the cash, I would go to a more modestly locally run taxi like Green Hornet, which is much cheaper and tons more courteous!!! Pros: take credit card Cons: overpriced, dispatcher rude, don't come promptly, and they do their own ride sharing more