Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
City's Oldest Cabbie At 92 May Also Be Its Slowest
By
Christopher Robbins
Published Apr 1, 2012
Modified Apr 1, 2012
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Christopher Robbins
Published Apr 1, 2012
Modified Apr 1, 2012
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Yes, the city's oldest cabbie—92-year-old Johnnie "Spider" Footman—must have an "encyclopedic" knowledge of the city given he's been picking up fares since 1945. But will he get us the hell off the BQE in time to make our flight? "He goes about 12 miles per hour," the co-owner of Footman's depot tells the Post. "I drive more slowly now," Footman says. "I don't pass anybody, hardly."
So hopefully we'll hop into Footman's cab late at night when speed is unnecessary, so we can pick his brain. About those funny noises coming from the back seat: “They had sex in the back in the ’50s, ’60s and ’70s. The cabs were a lot bigger then.” About how things have changed since 1945: "It cost two dimes to get in my cab." And about his "style": "My advice to young drivers? If you know, tell them you know. If you don’t know, tell them you’ll look it up on a map…My style is listen to me. I know quite a bit."
Anyone alarmed that Footman is still driving two days a week will have to stay on edge another two years: his license expires in 2014.
Tagged
cab drivers
cabbies
hacks
taxi
tlc
Christopher Robbins
Christopher Robbins is a New York City reporter covering transportation, affordable housing, local politics, and criminal justice. His work has also appeared in New York Magazine, The Village Voice and The New York Times. Chris is a graduate of Patrick Henry High School in Roanoke, Virginia, and enjoys biking to Fort Tilden in the summertime.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Mamdani says Trump will 'immediately' grant visa to Ghanaian mom of slain Bronx teen
Javits Frimpong, whose family is from Ghana, was walking to school Thursday morning when he was shot and killed.
By
Christian Santana
and
Giulia Heyward
Published Oct 31, 2026 at 3:08 p.m. ET
Modified Oct 31, 2026 at 7:03 p.m. ET
Overflowing school in downtown Jersey City is hitting a crisis point, parents say
There aren't great options for relieving overcrowding at P.S. 16 in Paulus Hook. It's a consequence of a economic boom — and huge influx of residents.
By
Michael Sol Warren
News
Overflowing school in downtown Jersey City is hitting a crisis point, parents say
There aren't great options for relieving overcrowding at P.S. 16 in Paulus Hook. It's a consequence of a economic boom — and huge influx of residents.
By
Michael Sol Warren
Bronx e-bike fire that killed a boy has claimed 3 more lives, NYPD says
By
Amanda Rozon
Donald Trump looms over New York attorney general’s race
By
Jon Campbell
and
Walter Wuthmann
How formerly homeless New Yorkers are helping others get off the streets
By
Karen Yi
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .