Re: Road and Transit Projects, 1930s - 1970s

10/01/11 - posted by W.M.

So many great references to the east - west routes; I've utilized all of them at one time or another. Thanks Frank for your ever impressive Streetwise articles.

The route that "popped out" immediately to was the reference of Fell St., because this particular route to the west is significant in my memories of my father. Every Sunday when my Dad went to work at his cigar store (Market St. near Jones...right next door to the Paramount theater, he would take the 66 Quintara, which only ran to 9th & Judah on Sundays, and transfer onto a 6 Masonic for the remainder of the trip downtown. After working all day and closing the store about 5:00pm, he always treated himself to ride a taxicab to return home to avoid having to change buses again. His cab company of choice was either DeSoto or Veterans and he would walk down to the Greyhound Bus station on 7th St between Market & Mission where taxis were parked while waiting for a passenger. After getting into the cab and giving the driver our address, my Dad ALWAYS instructed the driver to go by the "old Fell St. run", which they did (following Franks excellent description). Once exiting GG Park at 19th Ave, my father would ask the driver to turn right onto Lincoln Way and left onto 28th Ave to Quintara. Because of my Dad's routine, he always knew exactly what the fare would be within maybe a dime (about $3.50 at that time) so he always had the money ready to pay the driver along with his tip.

One time, the only taxi available was a Yellow Cab so my father decided to go ahead and take it. He followed his routine including his request to use Fell St, but this driver must have figured my Dad to be a tourist for some reason and varied the route to increase the fare. As I remember the story, the driver accessed Geary along the way to the end around and by the Cliff House, then proceeded along the Great Highway to Sloat finally "zig-zagging" his way through a variety of Avenues and Streets throughout the Sunset. All along the way my father was asking things like "where are you going" and "this the wrong way". When finally arriving at our house he informed my father of the fare which was at least double the usual fare, so Dad having the money ready as he always did handed it to the driver while telling him, "this is what I pay every Sunday so this is what I am paying you". He further explained, "I told you the route to take and it was your decision not to take it, so have a nice evening buddy" and he walked into the house. Needless to say that he never chose a Yellow Cab again.