A Tour Around Chicago

May 21st, 2013

Chicago is almost a complete package for a tourist.  You will find museums, gardens, zoos, and modern facilities which can really make your Chicago vacation one of your most memorable.  You don’t have to spend a lot of money in order to explore the place; there are plenty of interesting areas in the city which can be accessed for free.

You can explore a lot of Chicago tourist attractions through a reliable Chicago Taxi Service.  Here is an idea of some of the most popular attractions that you can visit for free or with a minimal amount of money. They will provide you with a fun experience of what Chicago has to offer.

You can visit the famous Millennium Park where you can find state-of-the-art exhibitions on modern architecture, technology, and landscapes.  The digital water fountain is definitely a must-see, so don’t miss the opportunity to experience it, as well. This attraction is one of the best things to see for free in Chicago.

If you are a fan of lush greenery, then the Chicago Botanical Garden should be included in your itinerary.  It has separate gardens such as the Japanese, Aquatic and Rose Gardens that cover a total of 385 acres.  You may need to allocate at least half a day in order to visit this garden. You can hire a Chicago taxi service for faster travel.

Chicago also offers its visitors a chance to experience art at its finest.  The Art Institute of Chicago is one large museum which allows people of any age to appreciate art in its varied forms.  The Institute houses a large number of art collections from different eras, making it one of the major tourist attractions in the city.

These are just some of the best tourist attractions that you can visit by hiring a Chicago Taxi Service.  They can provide you with the most comfortable transport from one tourist attraction to another which removes some of the hassle of holidays and vacations.  You can plan in advance and book your Chicago taxi service when you book your other accommodations.

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Top 9 Reasons to Call a Taxi Cab in Oakbrook

May 14th, 2013
  1. Airport drop-offs and pick-ups.Blue Cab Logo Taxi services are perfect to avoid the hassle of leaving your car in an airport parking lot. Just call dispatch to schedule your drop-off and pick-up.
  2. Late night rides home from the bar. This one should be a no brainer. Whether you plan ahead with taxi transportation or have had a few to many and need a ride home. An Oak Brook Taxi Service is the perfect alternative to drinking and driving.
  3. Medical trips to a hospital. It can be a good idea to call a cab if you are unable to drive because of a health condition. Don’t risk your safety because of a non-life threatening medical condition.
  4. Ride to a car impound lot. Cars are impounded for many different reasons on a daily basis. Parking in an unfamiliar lot can be an easy solution at night but an enormous headache the next morning. Let us assist you in recovering your vehicle.
  5. Transportation to work in the morning and home in the evening. If for some reason you do not have access to a vehicle, finding a ride to work can get very stressful. A taxi service can provide an affordable and reliable solution.
  6. School drop-off services for children. Did you child miss the bus the school? A trusted and safe child transportation service can be found in most cities and are mostly offered by established taxi cab companies.
  7. Transportation for the elderly. A very real problem for seniors becomes finding affordable transportation for daily tasks. This includes grocery shopping, doctor appointments, and visits to family or friends.
  8. Corporate account services. Many businesses will have corporate accounts with local taxi companies. Clients and prospects are taken care of with a free transportation service that is both convenient and professional. Monthly billing also makes accounting easier.
  9. No car or valid driver’s license. In this situation, the sky is the limit for the number a reasons a person could need a professional taxi service. Listed above are only a few of the most common reasons.

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The History of Taxi Cabs

May 7th, 2013

The History of Taxi Cabs1) Horse-drawn for-hire hackney carriage services began operating in both Paris and London in the early 17th century. The first documented service was started by Nicolas Sauvage in Paris in 1640.

2) Gasoline-powered taxi cabs began operating in Paris in 1899, in London in 1903, and in New York in 1907.

3) Major innovations for the taxicab industry included the taximeter, two-way radios, and computer assisted dispatching

4) In the US, in the 1930s, the cabs were often DeSotos or Packards.

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New Time-Saving Mobile Data Terminals

April 30th, 2013

Blue Cab, a Taxi Service in Forest Park, is happy to announce new time-saving devices are being installed in all their vehicles. The driver will now be connected to the dispatcher at all times for faster dispatching on customer calls and to ensure the closest available cab is the one being dispatched. By knowing the exact location of all vehicles, the dispatcher will be able to provide more accurate wait times to the customer when the cab is dispatched. The Vector 5000 Mobile Data Terminals with a 4.3” color LCD precision touch screen are specifically designed for 24X7 in-vehicle environments making them easy to use and ensuring they do not get in the way of clear vision. The terminals will provide turn-by-turn navigation for added driver efficiency which will save the customer time and money. The device will also allow the driver to accept credit cards as a form of payment, so there will be no need to carry around large amounts of cash in order to acquire a taxi ride.

Taxi Service in Forest Park

The Mobile Data Terminals are equipped with GPS for added asset security. The GPS will eliminate the need for manual trip sheets which will keep the drivers on the road instead of parked to fill out paperwork. The tracking of driving patterns through GPS will help to reduce redundant trips and ensure the best route is used to get from point A to point B, therefore reducing carbon emissions and wasted fuel. The real-time GPS will notify the driver if there are traffic jams, offering alternative routes to get where you are going faster. The added convenience of tracking which cab might have the forgotten laptop or suitcase in the back seat is a plus for the driver and customer. In an emergency situation, the direct connection to the dispatcher will allow either the driver or the passenger to call for help faster which saves precious time.

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The 94th Annual Convention and Trade Show for TLPA

January 8th, 2013

The last weekend in October 2012 found over one thousand transportation leaders gathering in Las Vegas for the Taxicabs, Limousine & Paratransit Associations (TLPA) third largest Convention and Trade Show.  Twenty-seven educational sessions with important industry-related topics were offered.  With ninety-one vendors showcasing their products participants were able to enjoy the industry’s best from start to finish.

Roundtable discussions, always a convention highlight, began the educational portion of the weekend.  Eighteen topics ranged from using Social Media to reach new and current customers to Hybrid vehicles and alternative fuels. Taxicabs, Limousine & Paratransit Associations Logo

The Operator of the Year awards were conferred at the opening of the general session and the Outstanding Contributor to Women in Transportation Award and Industry Service Awards also were awarded. Blue Cab’s very own, Jerilyn Ugaste, was one of the recipients of this prestigious award!

During the business meeting portion of the convention plans were outlined for how William Rouse will proceed in his term as President.  One of his goals is to continue to fight against rogue apps used to hail cabs that ignore or disregard regulations that are put in place for public safety.  Working on distracted driving legislation and promoting the new Driver Education Program were also highlighted as goals for the coming year along with the education of members around technologies that help to keep a competitive edge. The year should be a productive one for sure.

On the second day the well-attended breakout sessions explored topics like the How the New Federal Transportation Law Affects You and Strategies for Delivering Peak Demand Taxi Service. Many important topics were explored during these smaller discussions.

The Trade Show also set a record as the second largest with twenty-two vehicles and a whopping ninety-three display booths.  Survey respondents rated the exhibits at 99%

Sponsorship for various convention items such as badge holders and hotel room key cards as well as the breakfast and dinners were shared by various sponsors.  The amazing support made the convention possible.  With the excitement barely dying down, plans are already underway for the 95th Annual Convention &Trade Show to be held in Boston on October 27-31, 2013.

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BLUE CAB SALUTES JERILYN UGASTE – OUR PRESIDENTIAL WINNER!

October 9th, 2012

Why is she Presidential?  

She’s been running Blue Cab since 1979; that’s longer than any Presidential term anywhere!

Why is she a winner? 

She’s just won the prestigious 2012 Outstanding Contributor to Women in Transportation award from the Taxicab, Limousine and Paratransit Association’s Women in Transportation Committee.

Why is that worth a salute? 

The TLP award tells the corporate world that she’s a woman who knows the taxi and limo business better than just about anybody, and she’s a leader in a job field that’s almost always been dominated by the men.

That doesn’t bother her at all, by the way.  Never did.  When she broke into the business at 16, she was working part-time in the office.  She had to wear her dad Charles Ugaste practically into the ground to get a position at Blue Cab.  She did.

But she wanted to do a lot more than that.

She wanted to take Blue Cab up the corporate ladder, and have the business grow, achieve and succeed more than ever before.

She did.

Blue Cab now has four cab companies, a package delivery service, an auto repair shop, a construction company and several of the richest slices of real estate pie out there.   More holdings equal more success.

She wanted to bring Blue Cab into the 21st century.

She did. 

Blue Cab was one of the first companies to invest in computer dispatching systems and cameras for driver safety, providing better quality service, quicker driving times and more efficient workers (because the safer you feel, the better and harder you work).   Faster cabs and better drivers equal more success.

She wanted to make a difference for women—and about women—in the breakneck business world.

She did. 

She increased the participation, visibility and especially the influence of women in corporate America through her astounding leadership and management, her innovations in the taxicab and limo business and her ongoing community service.

In other words, she leads up the ladder, she empowers those she meets, and she gives back.  That’s success times three right there.

Leadership, innovation and service.  That’s Jerilyn’s formula for being a Presidential winner.

We think that’s worth a big salute. 

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Private Label Cards From Blue Cab

August 24th, 2012

Blue Cab offers customers several options for meeting transportation needs in the Chicago area. They offer the convenience of Private Label Cards to cover the cost of transportation as well. These are gift cards that a customer can buy to use for themselves or give away as gifts. The customer can place any amount of money on the card they want on it. The cards allow the customer to set their travel budget and stick to it without having to carry cash. Most everyone can recall a time when they misplaced cash during a trip. Carrying these cards makes traveling a little safer. The cards are prepaid which means there is no need to worry if there are any extra charges added such as interest and other fees.

Blue Cab Private Label CardsPrivate Label Cards can be used by anyone from a child to an elderly person. They can pay for the variety of services that are offered by Blue Cab. The taxi services, airport transportation and even hospital transportation can be paid for by using private label cards. There are several transportation services available from the company to suit multiple needs. Children can be given the cards to pay for their transportation needs; thus, making is easier for them to keep up with their money.  Parents do not have to worry as much about the kids losing money or mismanage it.

The elderly are often on a fixed income. Giving them a Private Label Card from Blue Cab can help to relieve some of the stress they have when trying to set up appointments. The amount that is put on the card is up to the customer. The card can be used more than once so the amount put on it can be as high or as low as the customer would like.

The cards that function as gift cards are simple to obtain. The customer simply has to call the Dispatch at Blue Cab at 708-583-6900 and ask for Bookkeeping.  Any questions or concerns can be addressed at that time as well. The cards are legal tender used to pay for services and should be kept in a secure place much the same way that your driver’s license or credit cards would be.

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Announcing VeriFone For Payment Convenience

July 24th, 2012

Blue Cab Company of Chicago now offers the newest product in convenience and customer safety in regards to credit card payments.  Blue Cab Company’s fleet of taxis are all equipped with VeriFone, a credit card payment device that is mounted in the back seat of the cab, enabling the customer to swipe their credit card to pay for the taxi fee and tip, without the cab driver ever touching their credit card.  The VeriFone payment pad has a touch screen for ease of use.  When the customer swipes his/her credit card the VeriFone calls the credit card company digitally for verification.  The customer is given the option of adding a tip to the fare.  At the end of the transaction, a receipt is printed from the VeriFone and the customer has paid, all without divulging any personal information or credit card numbers to the driver.

Blue Cab Company has the cleanest and best maintained vehicles in Chicago.  They offer flat rate delivery to Midway and O’Hare airports and will have a taxicab waiting for you by appointment, assuring that the customer is always delivered in a timely manner.  Blue Cab has a GPS tracked and computer controlled dispatch which means optimal times for the customer without having to linger and give directions to the driver.

Blue Cab Company offers dispatch and transportation twenty four hours a day, seven days a week.  Unlike other taxi companies that close on holidays or late at night, Blue Cab is open for all fares, no matter when or where in the Chicago area.  Blue Cab offers package delivery within the contiguous United States that is time-sensitive for the customer needs.  Corporate rates are available, as well as discounted rates to the major attractions and airports.

Blue Cab VeriFoneWith the new VeriFone payment system, a customer no longer has to be concerned with credit card safety or carrying large amounts of cash while being transported.  The safety of the VeriFone credit card system is that it protects both the driver and the customer, ensuring a quick payment with a receipt and no exchange of private credit information.  The customer only has to swipe the credit or debit card on the mounted terminal in the back seat of the car and the VeriFone will digitally do the inquiries.  The customer knows the entire charge and the taxi driver never sees the customer information, just an acknowledgement that payment was enacted.

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