Local Taxi Service and a Changing St. Augustine

St. Augustine transportation has changed a great deal over the years.

When Abraxi Taxi began serving the area, traditional taxi companies operated under local requirements involving business licensing, commercial insurance, vehicle inspections and other regulations. As new forms of transportation arrived, the industry—and the rules surrounding it—continued to evolve.

Those changes were not always easy for small local transportation companies.

Competition itself is a good thing. Residents and visitors benefit from having choices. But small businesses also depend on clear rules and reasonable standards so they can compete while providing safe and dependable transportation.

Abraxi Taxi has experienced those changes from the driver's seat.

St. Augustine presents transportation challenges unlike those in many Florida cities. Historic streets, limited parking, pedestrians, special events and growing tourism can make a short trip surprisingly complicated. During Nights of Lights, concerts, festivals and busy holiday weekends, local knowledge becomes particularly valuable.

Much has changed since this post was originally written. Transportation technology has changed, regulations have changed, and St. Augustine itself has grown.

Our approach today is simple: concentrate on providing dependable local service, treat competition as part of doing business, and continue adapting as St. Augustine changes around us.

After all these years, we're still here—and still driving.

Abraxi Taxiom: The road changes. A good driver changes with it.

Nights of Lights in St. Augustine

It is that time of year again, and when the temperatures finally begin to drop, the elves seem to come out at night and string millions of tiny white lights throughout historic St. Augustine.

Nights of Lights has become one of the city's great holiday traditions. Visitors come from near and far to walk the old streets, enjoy the decorations, visit the restaurants and shops, and see the Ancient City transformed for the holidays.

Of course, all those visitors bring something else with them: traffic.

Downtown becomes especially busy during Nights of Lights. Pedestrians are everywhere, parking becomes harder to find, and streets that were laid out centuries ago suddenly have to accommodate modern holiday crowds. Drivers should slow down, watch carefully for people crossing the street and bring a little extra patience.

The best way to enjoy the evening is to plan ahead. Check current City of St. Augustine information for parking, transportation and special-event arrangements before heading downtown.

Once you arrive, park the car—or leave it behind altogether—and enjoy the city on foot. The Plaza, bayfront, historic streets, restaurants and shops are all part of the experience.

For those of us driving taxis, Nights of Lights means long hours, heavy traffic and plenty of new faces climbing into the cab. It is also one of those times when St. Augustine reminds us why so many people travel here in the first place.

Happy holidays to the friends we already know and the new ones we will meet along the way.

Enjoy the lights, enjoy St. Augustine, and please travel safely.

Abraxi Taxiom: The brighter the lights, the slower you drive.