Alameda Cab

Definitely the best cab experience I have had. Exceptionally courteous, professional, and safe.
I made my reservation «this» morning and he was totally accommodating even on short notice.
BJ was 10 minutes early and comfortable waiting: «Whenever you’re ready.»
He carried my luggage from the front door to his car and left the door open for me. He had even called before pickup to ensure I had allowed enough time to get to the airport so there was no rushing.
He took care of payment in a matter of moments and by the time I had stepped out at the terminal, had my luggage waiting for me.
He was very friendly and polite. Despite all of the traffic around us I felt perfectly safe and relaxed.
There is no question, I will be making my next reservation with BJ & Alameda Cab!

BJ is the best. We’ve been using him for many years and he is always on time if not early. Very dependable, courteous, and checks the traffic patterns to make sure we get where we’re going in the fastest way. The cars are always spotless. We also use him to pick up family and friends from the airport if we can’t get there. We use primarily for Oakland or SFO but have used for in town rides as well.

Very professional, Always on time and very friendly ! Give him a call if you want VIP service ! Thanks BJ.

I have been using Alameda Cab for years (maybe 10 years?). I cannot recommend them highly enough. Excellent service. So timely. So courteous. So professional. This is a a wonderful small business that I am proud to support. Tip: Arrange for their town car to pick you up from the airport so you don’t have to deal with the rude cabs at the airport in Oakland who don’t want to bring you to Alameda. BJ and his family and staff are top-​notch. Thanks for years of great service!

UPDATE ³⁄₃₀
I have been contacted by BJ and informed that Kinder is not actually a part of Alameda Cab. Kinder was my original contact person when I first used BJ so I assumed they were part of the same company. I will be moving the following review as soon as I can figure out what company Kinder is affiliated with.
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I am so appalled by the lack of professionalism and courtesy exhibited by Kinder of Alameda Cab to someone who has relied on their services at least a dozen times in the past 1.5 years. I have always tipped 20% on every (expensive) ride, too.
Anyone who knows me knows that I am overly forgiving (sometimes to a fault) and am constantly trying to empathize with small business owners. but this recent incident with Alameda Cab, how they subsequently handled it, and the cost I incurred due to their carelessness is absolutely inexcusable.
Being a Mom to a toddler, it’s always hard hopping into a cab at the last minute to go out because it means lugging around a car seat that weighs more than my daughter, a 25+lb toddler, a diaper bag, and (sometimes) a cooler. It’s neither convenient nor practical.
I initially discovered Alameda Cab when I came back from a trip with my daughter and needed a ride home from the airport and while their primary appeal was the availability of a car seat at no extra cost, it was BJ’s courtesy and professionalism that prevented me from browsing for alternatives in the past. Kinder was the one who picked up the call and arranged for BJ (his brother-​in-​law?) to pick me up at the airport, but when I called them for another ride shortly after, Kinder informed me that BJ was busy and from then onwards, all but 2 of my rides with Alameda Cab were with Kinder. I never saw BJ again.
That was when the lack of professionalism started appearing in noticeable ways. ways that I initially ignored simply due to Alameda Cab’s leading role in the niche transportation market for parents of young children in the East Bay. Sometimes, the car seat would be filthy and covered in food/​stains. A few times, the car seat would not be installed properly with loose straps that Kinder would ask me to fix myself. (Not all car seats are alike so that wasn’t always possible.) Once, my daughter’s car seat fell over on top of me (WITH HER IN IT!!) during a turn. That’s both careless AND dangerous.
Kinder would also be very inconsistent with his prices. Once, he quoted me $ 30 each way to go to our pediatrician in Berkeley. Another time, he quoted me $ 55 each way. Rides to the airport were around $ 75 before gratuity.
The worst experience, however, was last week on March 19^th. I had a 9AM flight to Southern California which would’ve arrived at 10:15AM, leaving me plenty of time to make an 11:40AM DMV appointment for my original drivers license (finally!), which as of January 2015, you HAVE to have an appointment for. Back in February, I checked all over the Bay Area and within 20 miles of Ontario, CA. The earliest appointment I could get was at the Upland DMV on March 19^th, a month sooner than anything in the Bay Area. After a month of waiting for this appointment, I missed my flight, arrived an hour late to the DMV, which the unfriendly lady working there was not at all forgiving about as she ended our exchange with, «See you in May.» That was one of the worst days for me and Kinder’s carelessness cost me a 7 day trip and two flights.
Basically, HE DIDN’T SHOW UP NOR GIVE ME A HEADS UP THAT HE WASN’T COMING early enough so I could find an alternative solution. A friend of his called me at 7:55am to tell me Kinder wasn’t coming and he would be instead but would not have a car seat. He said I could use his booster seat (no I can’t, not for a 23 month old) and that he would drive carefully. At that point I asked him how long he would take and he said 5 minutes. He actually arrived over 20 minutes later. He also said it wasn’t his fault for not having a car seat (true, it was Kinder’s) then asked me if I could find any car seat whatsoever. When I told him that I purposely called their service to avoid bringing a car seat on my trip, he that he would drop it off at my house right after taking me to the airport. Fortunately (?) I had a (damaged) car seat that I could use. it would’ve been better than having nothing.
Guess what? I STILL DON’T HAVE MY CAR SEAT. (Even though the driver promised THREE times that he would be dropping it off back at my house that same day without my bringing it up.)
The right thing for Kinder to have done would have been to warn me at the point that he was going to be late. The last message I got from him that morning was at 7:33AM suggesting he was on the way. If I were going to bring my own car seat anyway, I could’ve called an Über — which as we all know is far more reliable and transparent. Plus, cheaper.

Wonderful experience! Had called a different Alameda cab company for a planned ride and they were a no show. In a panic I called here and received a call back the next minute. Explained my situation and the taxi showed up very quickly! Super nice driver, it was a quick ride, and when he handed me his business card I realized I used to use them back in the day! Great service!

I use BJ every time I travel from Alameda to SFO — he’s great! He is always extremely prompt, professional and is super friendly — he now even drives my out of town family whenever they come to town as well. Super easy to book — can’t recommend this service enough.

I’ve been using BJ for the last 2 years for work and personal travel, after using several other cab services first. Hands down, BJ and his team are the best. Always on time for pickups to and from the airport. He checks out the traffic, knows the best routes, and tracks your flight delays. Extremely honest, excellent communication, reliable, friendly — everything you want in a cab service.

Very trust worthy and always on time. Def recommend BJ.

First time user: called today at 1pm for a cab at 2pm. Cab arrived a few minutes early, the car was older and had a number of bumps and bruises, but got me from Alameda to the Oakland airport.
Seemed petty expensive at $ 18+ one-​way.
Next time I will check more services for price on my 5-​mile sojourn. If similar, I will use this company again.

I have been using BJ’s service for more than 7 years and he is always my first choice. I would strongly recommend him to anyone who needs a reliable, high quality towncar service.
BJ has been giving me a ride to/​from SFO weekly for the past several years and he is always on time for our appointments. He does his best to accomodate my schedule, even if this includes ealy morning, late night rides or bad weather. If he cannot make it, he always tries to arrange for alternate drivers so that I have never had to look for a cab myself.
His car is always clean and he is extremely professional overall. His service is way more reliable than Über or Lyft and with much more consistent pricing.
He is a really nice person and makes each ride much more enjoyable. He is my first choice when it comes to towncar service.

I can’t say enough about BJ and his service, except that I selfishly worry that if I add another strong review, I’ll never get the same amazing service as he gets busier and busier. But of course that hasn’t happened — I have been using his car service to get to and from SFO and Oakland airport since the birth of my daughter 6 years ago — I’ve needed TLC and timeliness and flexibility and utter reliability in my travels with a small child. BJ (and occasionally other drivers) has been all of that. An absolute professional and a real gentleman. And I never write reviews, but this one had to happen — BJ is wonderful!

BJ and his team are amazing! I have used his service several times for work travel over the last six months. He always calls ahead, confirms times, asks about checked luggage and is always on time.
On another note, he is just generally a very nice man who loves his work. He is a pleasure to see when traveling.

Several years ago, I came across Alameda Cab, owned and operated by BJ, and ever since, I’ve relied on him for all my trips to either OAK or SFO. I travel a lot and he is the model for great, personalized, reliable service and I can’t recommend BJ enough — he’s awesome!!!

Very dependable and professional car service. I’ve been calling and counting on BJ for trips to and from Oakland and SFO airports for almost 5 years, early mornings and late at night, sometimes business trips, sometimes travel with wifey. BJ is a reliable and punctual gentleman. Takes credit card and emails receipt to you on the spot. Comfortable sedan. Full marks all around.

Very dependable and professional. Can always count on him to be there for airport runs. Nice sedan. Takes credit card and emails receipt to you. And a nice guy to talk to. Can’t ask for anything more.

Alameda Cab is the only transportation service that I use for my executive boss. BJ is phenomenal and provides excellent service. He is always on time and great with last minute changes. You will never be disappointed or late for for any flight or event.

I have been using BJ’s taxi service for over 5 years. He is wonderful, always on time, or early, even if it’s 4:30 AM! He always checks my flight arrival and if I’m early or late he is there — ready to zip me home. He is an excellent driver and if traffic is heavy crossing the Bay Bridge he knows how to pop over to surface streets and get me on my way.

This is the only transportation I use when I routinely fly into Oakland. This is a service that develops a relationship with its customers. I text them the day before I arrive with my flight info and then when the plane’s wheels touch the runway. A clean and classy Lincoln picks me up as soon as I walk out of the terminal. No waiting or dealing with a taxi stand. Same deal on the return to the airport.
Reasonable rates and personable drivers. They are very reliable.

If I could put a zero I would. Dispatcher was sooooo rude. Made a reservation for a 4:30am pick up. At 4:30 on the dot the cab pulls up… and picks up someone else! When I called to advise the dispatcher started yelling at ME. Apparently my neighbor across the directly across street also had a 4:30 am pick up… but instead of noticing this, they only sent one can to the location. I can understand the error… but not the fact that the dispatcher was yelling at me… and I mean yelling. If I didn’t have to make my flight I would have told him… you fill in the blank… absolutely unacceptable. No apology, no nothing… but the guy who finally came to pick me up opted to drive through alameda at about 65 miles per hour to get me to my flight on time… though he also refused to accept my CC payment… I won that one.
On a side note, my mom had also tried to use this company the previous day, requesting to be picked up at a certain time. The dispatcher told her a later time that she requested citing «People from HERE like to get to the airport an hour ahead of time, not an hour and a half…»…my mom responded, «Well maybe people from HERE aren’t traveling with a one year old, a three year old and a pregnant daughter…» totally unprofessional. Call Alameda Taxi instead!!!