New service - get a cab by clicking your mouse

A new service has been started which allows people to book cab rides online. (It will also be used by travel agents, etc.)

"Travelers can schedule a cab ride with as little as 10 minutes advance notice, though the company guarantees only that a cab will be available within three hours of booking. Travel agents can also book cab rides online for their clients at the same time they book airline tickets and hotel rooms.

The company quotes a flat fee at the time a trip is booked. It includes fare, tip, taxes and tolls. The customer must pay with a credit card at the time of booking. That reduces the need for business travelers to carry cash and improves the accuracy of corporate expense reporting.
...
Local operators keep most of the fare and pay 1-800-cab-ride.com fees for sending them business. In competitive big-city cab markets, the fares represent money the cab companies wouldn't otherwise get."

Via USA Today

The service is available in numerous places across the country. For a list, click above or call 800-222-7433. According to the article, a cab is guaranteed within three hours of a contact, but in many cases it can be available within minutes.

I read this with great interest considering the difficulty I've had hailing cabs from my wheelchair. It can be more difficult for cab drivers to see people at a lower height. And for blind cab riders who cannot see to hail a cab, a service like this could be very helpful. {We still, however, face the issue of nonaccessible cabs in this country. }