The Tufts Community Union (TCU) Senate and Green Cab Association have finalized an agreement to give Tufts students a reduced flat rate for rides to Logan Airport in the days leading up to winter break.
The agreement is valid from Dec. 17 to Dec. 22, according to Senator Bruni Hirsh, who negotiated the contract.
A student traveling alone will pay a flat rate of $30 ,not including tip. Two or three students leaving Tufts together and heading to the same terminal for a destination will also pay a total of $30. If two students riding together have different destination terminals, the rate is $40, and if three students are each traveling to different terminals, the rate is $50.
"It's basically a 50 percent price reduction. Most people using our cabs call the morning of and ride in the cab alone. My advice is the more the merrier," Manager of the Green Cab Company Bill Horn said.
Currently, the Green Cab Company uses a meter system to determine the cab fare, charging $1.50 for the first eighth of a mile, and 35 cents for each additional eighth of a mile.
"Students can begin calling up to four days in advance to make these reservations," Horn said. Students only need to show a Tufts ID to be eligible for these reduced rates, he said.
Cabs will leave from in the front of Richardson House.
Though the Senate's pre-Thanksgiving Turkey Shuttle to Logan has proved popular among students, Hirsh said the Senate cannot afford a similar service for the five days before winter break. "We had to find an alternative way to get Tufts students to the airport with a reduced rate," he said.
Hirsh said he hopes to coordinate other rides on the "Ride Board" at www.tuftslife.com. Sign-up sheets will also be posted in the campus center by early next week for students to leave their name, phone number, e-mail address, departure time and desired terminal to coordinate rides, he said.
Students seem to be receptive to the new program. "I'm always looking for someone to share a cab with because I already spent enough money on my plane ticket," freshman Anna Golub said.
Horn said this year's program would be a trial run for the discounted cab fares and that he would be "more than willing" to continue the program if it works.
The agreement has the potential to streamline the normally busy week before winter break by cutting the wait time for students and drivers, Horn said, adding that drivers are not responsible for waiting more than 10 minutes for student passengers.
"To be honest, I don't think that this will generate more business for the Green Cab Company, but it is a sign of good will with Tufts," Horn said "We do a lot of work at Tufts University."
"Nearly everyone goes home for winter vacation," Hirsh said. "These people are bringing home heavy luggage, and they do not want to have to deal with the hassle of taking the T," Hirsh said.
