Where the Riders are in New York in January

With Christmas done and dusted, New York buckles down for winter. In the city that never sleeps, the demand for taxis rises as the mercury falls.

Good business is where you find it, but where you look is critical. At INSHUR we look for ways to help you make more money – revealing where the crowds are is one of them. Many Uber drivers will be cruising for riders in all the same old places. But that’s way too competitive. Instead, we’ve searched for different ways to cash in on the big events and make the most of other busy spots that may get overlooked. Scoop up the riders that the others never see.

New Year’s Day Coney Island Polar Bear Plunge

Event: Ocean swim fest for the brave.

Where: Boardwalk and Stillwell Avenue, Coney Island.

When: Weds, 1st Jan 2020.

Times: Swimmers meet at noon, the plunge is at 1.00pm. It’s a fast swim.

The oldest winter bathing organization in the US hosts it’s 116th New Year’s Day Polar Bear Plunge to kick off 2020. Brave and foolhardy swimmers meet to dive into the icy surf off Coney Island beach. Most are only in the water a very short time. Some go no further than ankle deep. Hundreds of swimmers participate and a few thousand come to watch and laugh. A warm taxi will be hugely welcome by many frozen bathers.

Insider’s scoop: The N train does not run to Coney Island in winter. The D, F and Q trains and local buses will run limited service New Year’s Day. Surf Avenue from West 15th to West 10th will be the busiest spot for riders. (See map).

NY Winter Jazzfest

Event: Multi-venue jazz festival.

Where: A dozen locations across Lower Manhattan.

When: Thursday 9th to Saturday 18th Jan 2020.

Times: Every evening until very late.

Just in time to fill the post-Christmas music lull comes the New York Winter Jazzfest – ten nights of hot music spread across lower Manhattan and into Brooklyn. Billed as the biggest multi-venue festival of its kind in the US, it’s a hit with jazz fans from across the nation. Expect Greenwich Village and Hell’s Kitchen to be very busy.

Insider’s scoop: The Jazzfest hosts its annual Jazz Marathon on the 10th, 11th and 17th. These all-night affairs are the highlight of the whole event and draw huge crowds. The shows on 10th and 11th are in Manhattan. On the 17th it is in Brooklyn. See here for venues and times.

Beer, Bourbon and BBQ Festival Brooklyn

Event: Monster suds and BBQ feast.

Where: Brooklyn Expo Center, Greenpoint, Brooklyn.

When: Sat 18th Jan 2020.

Times: Noon ‘til 6.00pm.

Let’s face it, if you eat meat, you like BBQ – and you probably also like beer and bourbon. It’s a great American combo. Fans of this intense mix of flavors will gather for the 10th Beer, Bourbon and BBQ Festival in mid- January. Offering exotic meats such as alligator and bison as well as all the pork you can eat and a wide range of beers and good ol’ whiskey, the fest hauls in hog lovers from across the metro area. By six o’clock with full stomachs and aching legs, a taxi ride home will be heaven for those who have enjoyed themselves too much.

Insider’s scoop: The Expo Center is just a few blocks from the ER ferry terminal at India Street. Expect BBQ Fest visitors to hop a boat back to Manhattan when the event closes. The East 34th Street terminal will be busier than usual. Time your arrival to the ferry schedule.

34th Brooklyn Annual Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King

Event: Recognition tribute to MLK.

Where: BAM, Peter Jay Sharp Building, 30 Lafayette Avenue, Brooklyn.

When: Mon 20th Jan 2020.

Times: 10.30am until early evening.

On MLK Day, New York’s biggest annual tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King takes place again at BAM. The all-day honoring includes talks, art exhibits, dance, music and choral singing. It is always a sell-out, filling the Gilman Opera House at the Peter Jay Sharp building to the doors. With events starting in the morning and running into the evening, there is always high demand for taxis when it’s finally time to go home. If you’re working Brooklyn on the 20th, be nearby to cash in on the rider bounty.

Insider’s scoop: Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM) is on the corner of Lafayette and Ashland. Turn into Ashland and tell your riders to meet you there to avoid the one-way Lafayette system. Map.

Great Bridal Expo 2020

Event: Mega marriage exhibition.

Where: New York Marriot Marquis, 1535 Broadway.

When: Wed 22nd Jan 2020.

Times: 5.30pm to 9.30pm.

It may be the dead of winter, but spring is not so far away – and that brings many wedding bells. A horde of brides-to-be will descend on the Great Bridal Expo to wade through gowns, veils, planners and florists as they search for all the ingredients of their dream wedding. Many will purchase large items and have samples galore. Be on tap to help them say yes to the dress with a swift ride home.

Insider’s scoop: Traffic at the hotel and along Broadway will be far worse than normal. To enable a fast getaway, meet your riders on West 45th or 46th Streets.

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