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NYC couple hail cab for 2,400-mile ride

Sun Apr 8, 12:14 PM ET

NEW YORK - Betty and Bob Matas have retired and are moving to Arizona, but like many New Yorkers they don't drive, and they don't want their cats to travel all that way in an airliner cargo hold.

Their solution: "Hey, cabbie."

They met taxi driver Douglas Guldeniz when they hailed his cab after a shopping trip several weeks ago.

They got to talking about their upcoming move, and "we said 'Do you want to come?'" said Bob Matas, 72, a former audio and video engineer for advertising agencies. "And he said 'Sure.'"

It was initially a gag, Matas said, but as they talked over the ensuing weeks it became reality.

They plan to leave Tuesday on the 2,400-mile trip to Sedona, Ariz., with Guldeniz driving his yellow SUV cab 10 hours a day for a flat fee of $3,000, plus gas, meals and lodging.

They're getting a break. The standard, metered fare would be about $5,000 — each way, according to David Pollack, executive director of the Committee for Taxi Safety, a drivers' group. But city Taxi and Limousine Commission rules direct drivers and passengers to negotiate a flat fare for trips outside the city and a few suburban areas.

It's also a good deal for Guldeniz.

"This job is not easy, and I want to do something different," said Guldeniz, 45, who has been driving a taxi for two years. "I want to have some good memories."

The Matases will ride in relaxed comfort in Guldeniz's sport utility vehicle while their cats ride in the back in their travel cases. A mover will haul their belongings.

"It's a little unusual, but it will be fun," said Betty Matas, 71, a retired executive administrative assistant.

Bet they had a great trip, far better than train or bus, if they can afford it good luck to them. A trip like that is not just about getting from A to B.
Years ago a Taxis driver here took a couple to Spain for 2 weeks and the customer enjoyed the experience so much they also took the same Taxi driver to South Africa on a holiday trip. Taxis are a very personal service.

Although it is a five or six day drive from NY to Nevada, or a four hour flight, they have probably taken the right option. There is no train station in Las Vegas anymore, and the buses probably dont carry pets that distance. A long distance drive from NY to Arizona would be a great way to see the country, I just drove 1500 miles around California, Arizona and Colorado, a fantastic trip, beats flying.

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Former taxi driver