Cab #4494

Date: February 1, 2009
From: Wicker Park
To: Humboldt Park

The Cab: A cute little hybrid? It's like a stout modern van-thing. It only has 19,334 miles on it. It's cozy, with close proximity to the driver and a clear view of the dashboard. Hey, what's that blinking light? It's me! I don't have my seat belt on! A clean, black interior spoiled only by the use of newspapers as floor mats.

The Driver: After taking our destination, he returns to the low grumble of whatever conversation he is in over his wireless, thus depriving me of the chance to ask him about his cab. To make matters worse, he's driving a silent cab - no radio or music of any kind. Very selfish. The cab is also slightly overheated and I think I'm going to be sick. Cab sickness strikes again.

The Driving: Classic herky-jerky. Speed up to the stop sign, then correct for overplaying it by cringe-inducing braking. Stop and go. Go and stop. I think I'm sweating. And what's with the shocks? A rough ride. Someone please let me out. We're not going far.

Overall Rating: Two extended arms.

- Steve Rhodes

*

There are more than 6,000 cabs in the city of Chicago. We intend to review every one of them.