Toll-Free Taxi

Hailing a cab may never be the same. With the formation of a new taxi network, business travelers are now able to hail a cab in more than 3,000 cities across the United States by dialing 800-USA-TAXI.

Through a call routing system, callers are immediately connected to the local cab company that serves the traveler's location. More than 200 taxicab companies have joined the Phoenix-based consortium, and 50 more are expected to become participating members as a result of the taxi convention held last month in Anaheim, Calif., said a company spokesman.

In coming months, the network intends to develop a corporate program offering negotiated rates and vouchers to large-volume customers. The network also is developing means to order a taxi via its Website. Soon, the Internet site will allow travelers to access the homepages of individual network members, said director of computer systems Troy Busot.

The company was formed by Neal Andres and Robert Stone, two business travelers who tired of searching for phone books and change every time they needed to call a cab. The two saw a need to aid the more than 5 million passengers who use taxis each day and sought out independent taxi firms dedicated to improving responsiveness to consumer needs.