Hackney Carriages
Hackney Carriages.—Thanks to the stringency of the regulations laid down by the Municipality, and the strictness with which they are enforced, all hackney carriages belonging to the 6 th or Pera division are now clean, well-appointed, and, as often as not, even smart, well-horsed, open vehicles of the victoria type, which in winter are replaced by closed cabs. All are drawn by two horses, on account of the steep gradients and the bad paving. Fares, which are the same whether for one or four persons, are as follows :—
Between sunrise and sunset, for a drive not lasting over 10 minutes, 5 piastres: between sunset and midnight, 7i piastres; between midnight and sunrise, 10 piastres. Between sunrise and sunset, for a drive not lasting over 20 minutes, without crossing the bridge, 10 piastres; between sunset and midnight, 15 piastres; between midnight and sunrise, 20 piastres. By the hour—Between sunrise and sunset, 15 piastres; between sunset and midnight, 20 piastres; between midnight and sunrise, 25 piastres. The two first hours are charged at 15 piastres, and all subsequent hours at 10 piastres. Bridge tolls are extra, and are always charged to the fare. People engaging cabs should always tell their cabman before starting whether they are engaging him by the course, hour, or day.
The afore-mentioned scale of fares applies only to carriages engaged for drives within the city boundary. If the drive extends into the suburbs the fare must be arranged before starting, otherwise the driver can charge what he pleases. Prom Pera to Galata, or vice versa, 10 piastres. Prom Pera to the Railway Station, or vice versa, 25 piastres, including bridge toll. The following fares are considered sufficiently liberal:—Railway Station to Pera, 25 piastres, including bridge toll. Pera to the Seven Towers, thence along the Walls, and back along the Golden Horn, 45 piastres; but if the return be made by way of the Sweet Waters of Europe, 50 to 60 piastres. Pera to Yildiz Palace for the Selamlik on Pridays, 40 piastres, there 9,11(1 back ; during the season (April and May) 50 to 60 piastres guided istanbul tour. Pera to the Sweet Waters of Europe on Fridays and Sundays, in spring and summer, 40 piastres; there and back, 50 to 60 piastres. Pera to Therapia or Buyukdereh and back, 70 to 80 piastres. An ordinary hackney carriage may be had all day for 80 piastres; a smart landau from the livery stables costs 95 to 108 piastres , and 10 piastres for the driver, if taken for all day; and 60 piastres, and 5 piastres for the driver, if for half the day only.
Hackney Horses
Hackney Horses.—These are not so numerous as they were before the introduction of European hackney carriages and cabs. They still stand for hire, however, in all the principal streets, and are mostly used as a mode of conveyance along streets which are either too narrow, too badly paved, or too steep for carriages. The most frequented stands in Pera are near the Grande Rue, in close proximity to the British Embassy, and at Taxim Square, where the best horses are to be got; in Stambul, in the square adjoining the Stambul end of Galata Bridge, and at Ak-Seray. These horses are all amblers; few, if any, have carried a lady. The saddles and bridles are European.
There are no regular fixed fares, and the price of hire has therefore to be settled before starting.
Boats and Caiques.—When landing from or going on board a steamer one of the large clumsy harbour boats should be engaged, which will convey passengers and their luggage in safety. According to the tariff of the hotels the fare is 2 francs per head; luggage is not charged for.
Caiques should not be used, except for an excursion along the Golden Horn or Bosporus in very smooth water, and then the four-oared ones, carrying a party of four or five at most, are the best. These craft are very crank, and the greatest care should be taken in getting in and out of them. They are not provided with thwarts for passengers, but the latter have to sit down on the cushions in the well, where if they only sit still they are safe enough. Never step on to the gunwale of a caique, but step lightly into the well, and sit down at once on the cushions in such a manner as to trim her while your friend is taking his seat. The same precautions should be taken when getting out of one of these craft. As there is no fixed tariff for caiques, a bargain should be made before starting. Caique fares ought not to exceed the following scale :—
A two-pair oar caique from Galata to Skutari, Haidar Pasha, or Kadikeui, 8 piastres. Galata to Ayub and back, 15 piastres. On Sundays and Fridays in spring, fares range up to 25 piastres. Galata to the Sweet Waters of Europe and back, 20 to 25 piastres. From Rumell Hissar to the Sweet Waters of Asia, 6 piastres. From Rumell Hissar to Sweet Waters and back to Galata Bridge, 40 piastres. Across the Golden Horn, piastre. Galata to the Seven Towers, 20 to 30 piastres, according to the state of the weather. If engaged by the hour, fares range from 5 piastres to 10 piastres an hour, according to the size of the caique, the weather, and season. The best caiques ply at Mehmed Ali Pasha Han, and under Galata Bridge near the Scutari steamers’ berth, where two-pair caiques can always be got.
