NEW GROUP RIDE TAXI STAND

By [Alice Robb] The New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission launched a new group ride taxicab stand at York Avenue between East 70th and 71st streets June 28. Monday through Friday, from 7 to 10 a.m., commuters in groups of two to four can get dropped off in the Financial District, anywhere from Pearl Street to the World Financial Center, for a flat fare of $6 each. The group ride will give commuters who relied on the recently-â?¨defunct X90 express bus an alternative way to get downtown. There is also an established group ride stand at York Avenue and East 79th Street. These group taxi rides to lower Manhattan started with some hitches. The group rides were underused at first and taxi riders complained that cabbies were giving priority to people going to the Financial District. â??We are doing extensive outreach to both the community and the drivers, said Taxi and Limousine Commission spokesperson Allan Fromberg. He said the commission anticipates a successful program, but acknowledges that it â??won"t happen overnight.