From Driver Rule 54-20 (in PDF): It is against the law to refuse a person based on race, disability, or a destination in New York City. A taxicab driver is required to drive a passenger to any destination in the five boroughs. You can make a refusal complaint by calling 3-1-1.
“But when in cabs or Uber cars alone, your gaze might remain focused elsewhere, like reading or looking at stationary objects while your inner ears pick up movement through receptors — in both cases, leading to nausea, dizziness and sweating.”
All other taxis are classed as Private Hire vehicles and must be pre-booed, either by phone or app. “Black” cabs (not all are actually painted black) can be flagged down as they have a Hackney Carriage licence. Mini cabs, taxis from outside London or Ubers cannot be flagged down on the street.
If you see that the light is on (you'll know if it is, it's a bright yellow light), then to hail the cab simply stand on the side of the pavement and extend your arm outward. There's no need to shout “taxi” and indeed, it's actually illegal to shout “taxi” whilst trying to hail a cab.
The rule derives its name from the tradition by which a hackney carriage driver at the head of a queue of taxicabs is obliged to take the first passenger requesting a ride.
Report the incident. Even if it's been a bad day for the cabbie driver, or he was just reacting to circumstances, rudeness should never be tolerated (credit miller). Contact the cab company right away and let them know what happened.
As a taxi and minicab driver working in the UK, you'll find it's much easier and more cost-effective to hire a vehicle from a reputable operator like Addison Lee, rather than use your own car as a private hire vehicle. Do taxi drivers and minicab drivers own their cabs? Not necessarily.
Black Cabs and Bowler HatsOne unique fact about the Hackney Cab is that dating back to their horse-drawn equivalents in the 17th century, they were required to be tall enough to fit a person wearing a bowler hat.