Rochester taxis eye a 'fare' night on New Year's Eve

Frank's Taxi owner Ed Donnell is gearing up for a busy New Year's Eve. (Courtesy photo)

ROCHESTER - Area New Year’s Eve revelers who need a ride – but not in a police car – would be well advised to get a cab, and Frank’s Taxi owner Edward Donnell said he’s taking reservations today, but they’re booking up fast.

“I already got 13 rides scheduled for New Year’s Eve,” he said today.

Frank’s Taxi, which features rides anywhere within the Rochester city limits for $5, has a fleet of five vehicles, including three sedans and two vans.

Owner Edward Donnell of Rochester said this will be his company’s first foray into the New Year’s Eve market, and he said they’re gearing up for a big night.

He said it’s impossible to predict how much traffic there will end up being, but it looks to be a busy evening. He said his drivers will be working 12-hour shifts beginning at 6 p.m. tomorrow, but that it will be well into New Year’s Day before it starts winding down.

He said he has several reservations already for rides from Rochester to places like Wakefield or Wolfeboro, but that greater distances than that can’t be reserved. Longer-distance fares will be on an as-possible basis.

“With all the business around here we have to take care of the Rochester people first,” he said.

Donnell said the busiest time on New Year’s is around 1:30 a.m. on New Year’s Day, when revelers are leaving clubs and house parties for a ride home.

He said the $5 fare in Rochester covers the entire cab, so if five people pile in, it’s just $5 for the entire group. A fare from downtown Rochester to downtown Milton is $12, to Mobil on the Run in Lebanon $10, to Trains in Lebanon, $20.

Donnell said if you spend all your cash at the nightclub, not to worry. They take credit cards, too.