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Win a Year of Free Taxi Rides in New York City

The New York Taxi and Livery Commission along with The Design Trust for Public Space are sponsoring a contest where you can win a year of free taxi rides in New York City. It's actually an easy contest to enter. All you have to do is take a survey, answer a few questions, and you're going to be cruising the five boroughs for free for 2011. Say goodbye to the Metro and hello to a bouncy ride in a beatup Crown Victoria.

How To Win Free Taxi Rides

For once, the devil is not in the details, but there are a few things you should know. You actually will win up to $5000 in free cab rides for sharing your opinions at the online survey . You'll receive a special credit card that can only be used in New York City taxis.

Kind of makes sense there is a limit. Otherwise – and I'm not saying I would do this – you could have a taxi at your beck and call 24 hours a day with the meter running.
Lest you think Mike Bloomberg is throwing away New York City's money, the contest is being sponsored by the Design Trust for Public Space. Your cab fares aren't going to rise just because somebody else is getting free rides. They're probably going to rise but not because of this contest.

Why Your Input Is Needed

In 2007, New York City officials convened a group of stakeholders, including representatives of taxi drivers, owner and passengers, to create a set of goals for the next New York City taxi cab, a project called the Taxi of Tomorrow. In December 2009, the TLC issued a "request for proposals," inviting auto manufacturers and designers to submit their best ideas for a purpose-built vehicle to serve as a New York City taxicab.

Whichever of these designs that the city selects, if any, will be the next New York City taxicab (subject to constant improvements and enhancements) for the next 10 years. The Taxi of Tomorrow website has three taxis featured: the Ford Transit Connect Taxi, the Karsan Taxi (which is the most futuristic looking of the lot) and the Nissan taxi that could be a popular choice because it resembles a minivan.

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