If you are wanting to explore a city , get to a meeting in a hurry , visit a friend , or just get home after a night of cocktails , there is nothing better than a good taxi service to make it happen . Ever since motorised travel first came into use in the 19th century people with knowledge of the roads and attractions have charged willing passengers for their services . Despite all the different types of transportation , be it a cab , tup tup , jeepney or jitney , we are all bound and aided by a common service : the humble taxi . As of March 14 , 2014 , in New York City , there are 51,398 men and women licensed to drive yellow taxicabs . With the first taxi carriage services starting to emerge in 1897 , transportation was often rickety , slow and motorless , with both driver and passenger unsure of the correct fare price . The boom of industry in the 19th century resulted in motorised methods replacing animal taxis , although this is still common in areas of the world where vehicles would be impractical . These include husky-propelled sledges , camels in the Sahara or elephant rides in Asia . Even the prices vary dramatically , with haggling being common place in Peru , and taxi-sharing being popular in Nigeria . Fares can be calculated per mile , with some of the most expensive being London 's hackney carriage cabs at £2.56 , compared to £0.30 per mile in India 's equivalent . The following infographic by The Taxi Centre unpacks all you need to know about all the different taxis around the globe , so getting a cab is the least stressful part of your holiday .
Whether it is a black cab in London , a gondola in Haiti or a seaplane in the Maldives taxis are always on hand to get us from A to B . From 7p a journey in Venice to £3.50 bicycle rides in China taxis prices and style are as varied as the countries they run in . The Taxi Centre has created an infographic different taxis worldwide .