AFTER almost 60 years of driving a cab and collecting fares in New York City, Ray Kottner decided to do something different.
Now he drives a cab and collects no fares.
“People get in and they say ‘Where’s your meter?’ and I say that I don’t have a meter, I give free rides,” Mr. Kottner said. He was driving his 1982 Checker cab down Ninth Avenue at a modest 10 miles an hour.
Free, of course, is a state of mind. Riders are free to tip, and tip they do.
There was a time when hundreds of Checkers like Mr. Kottner’s prowled the streets. Back then, pedestrians waiting to hail a taxi would ignore “newer” cabs in the hope that a roomier Checker would come trundling along.
Because the manufacture of Checkers was discontinued and it became illegal to pick up fares in old cabs, they went the way of smoke-filled bars and affordable housing. Still, as Mr. Kottner knows, the allure remains. And tipping for a trip is quite different than paying a fare.
Those who have experienced the oceanic interior speak wistfully of a paradise on wheels. Eyes light up at the words “jump seat,” and descriptions of nearly unlimited legroom are savored like a porterhouse at Peter Luger’s.
It’s that appeal Mr. Kottner is counting on as he cruises the city. Because he’s been doing this long enough to know what you’re thinking, he will shoot you a puckish look in the rearview mirror and answer the question you haven’t quite formulated: “It’s a free ride, and if you want you can give me free money.”
Most of the time, people do — often more than the fare would have been. (And it’s legal.)
“Young people give me $20 when it’s an $8 ride,” he says, smiling.
Something about the feel of the seats, the sound of the engine and all that legroom transports the passenger back in time. Trump Tower and Columbus Circle morph into the auto dealership areas they once were. Elevated trains clatter overhead in some parts of Manhattan. Dwight D. Eisenhower roams the halls of Columbia University. Lincoln Center reverts to the dangerous slums of Lincoln Square. And a young soldier fresh from the horrors of the Battle of the Bulge stumbles across a piece of history in the making:
“I watched a sailor and a nurse, they were kissing down there on 43rd and Broadway,” Mr. Kottner said. “They were having a lot of fun kissing and then along comes this nosy parker with a camera.”
“I was born in Manhattan 80 years ago,” he added, “and I’ve been driving a cab for 59 years. There’s a lot that I can point out.” Outside, the traffic flew by.
Sad ones never do anything extra for others! 
{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
Markku Koro 12.12.08 at 4:43 pm
We were in Big Apple in last April. We had heard all the horror stories about N.Y. cabs. As Finns who aren’t afraid of even russians, we took a chance and had a ride in one of your cabs. THE DRIVER WAS A HUMAN BEING. And a very friendly one. There goes another myth in a drain… We lost a camera in his cab (sober all the time). Luckily he made a deal with us to take us to JFK the next day. Next morning: There he was as with our camera (with all the photos) punctually, like a German.
He also told us that your next president would be Obama (he’s explanation was that republicans lose intentionally to put the blame on democrats for a recession to come). You employ people with very broad insight. We have visited London and Paris both twice and N.Y. once. We (sorry) think that London is No 1, But New York tails very close behind. People in N.Y. are wonderful. Everything works, I mean everything. We love N.Y. very much. Why London is Nr 1, is basicly the history, and the old buildings. The hotels we can afford in London are older than U.S.
The population in our country is 5 mil, while N.Y. populates 8 mil or so. It’s overwhelming to see a place like N.Y.
God bless ya all, you’re wonderful people there over the pond.
Markku Koro
Anthony Tanner 01.23.09 at 4:30 pm
Great site, like reading and browsing. I am looking for a specific movie that had a scene with “Tanner Cab” pulling up in front of a building. I am restoring a ‘51 Chevy 4 door now and would like to find the movie and signage. If you can help me please let me know. Thank you, ADTanner
Faruque Ahmed 06.21.09 at 8:01 pm
Another kinds of stilling our fare.
Realworld 12.24.09 at 1:47 pm
Anthony, your movie is, “It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World”. There are 2 “Tanner Yellow Cab” vehicles featured on the film.
Joe Fay 01.24.10 at 12:01 pm
Poor Mr. Kottner died recently sitting behind the wheel of his Checker. At least he passed doing what he loved. RIP.
Shelly Martin 02.17.10 at 1:31 pm
I am said to hear about Mr. Kottner. I was actually trying to see how he could be reached. I was interested in using his cab for a video.
I condolences go out to his family.
ViDrive.com 02.24.10 at 11:58 pm
What an IDEA.
something to give and enjoy it at the end