The interior of a taxi is the rider’s cabin during his or her ride while awaiting door to door service from point A to point B. It is the office and place of work of its driver. Its purpose is to provide a safe and comfortable resting place for rider(s) and personal belongings throughout the duration of the ride. There is ample space for each; permitting up to four passengers with plenty of additional storage space in the trunk for luggage, the yield from a day of shopping, or job related materials.
In major cities, many users of taxi cabs are wealthy. Since the price of a ride from point A to B can easily approach $20 in Manhattan alone, a cab ride can be considered a luxury to some. Outside of New York City, a cab can be a useful vessel to those who do not own cars but still need a way to get to work or other points which other modes of public transportation (i.e. trains, buses) do not reach.
There are a number of services offered to the rider of a taxi. The rider is provided with a bill of rights, identification of the driver, access to windows for temperature control, clear sight of the meter, and a privacy window between rider and driver. A receipt is available to customers upon request. Recently users began noticing video screens where information such as news, weather, and GPS coordinates are available for viewing. Finally and ideally, the rider is provided with a knowledgeable driver who is sensitive to the wishes of the rider.
The taxi cab features a body color that universally identifies it as such. A light on the roof of the cab indicates whether it is available or occupied. There is absolutely no mistaking of this car’s service for that of another. The color and state of the light give the user instant information about what this car has to offer. All the user must do in order to hail a cab for service is to raise an arm. This is a completely intuitive action. Luckily this action can be confused with perhaps only a couple like it; waving to a friend or maybe blocking the sun from one’s eyes.
One interesting factor in the design is the window between the driver and passenger. It is usually open to allow communication. However, the window opening is relatively small. It is small enough to be perceived as closed if the driver and passenger do not necessarily want to converse during the ride. However it is large enough to allow sound to carry with the illusion of no window at all. This is useful when the rider and driver talk frequently during the ride as they often do. It is the best of both worlds.
Adding cup holders to the back seat of taxis might help users to prevent spills and provide an added sense of comfort. A type of car seat for babies could be placed in the trunk when not in use and quickly attached in the back seat to ensure the safety of the little ones. AM/FM radio tuners in the back seat might add a sense of luxury to the ride and may be a welcomed alternative to the LCD screens currently installed in many New York City cabs.