A reliable, safe taxi service in Lima? That’s what Taxi Excel is all about. Owner Guillermo Quintana is attempting to fill the void and provide customers with a top notch transportation service. Currently taxis in Lima are known for being late, unprofessional and sometimes even dangerous, although very cheap.

Taxi Excel puts professionalism above price, although they are still a far cry from what a New Yorker would be used to paying. The company manages a group of drivers who all own their own cars, complete with GPS tracking. They are an organized and technologically advanced company, and the next big thing among those who find reliable, quality service to be of higher value than a cheap taxi ride.

Drivers are required to put down a down payment of $3000 upon which they are given their vehicle. Then, every time they fill up their tank they pay a surcharge towards the balance on the car. If the tank is filled twice a day the car will be paid off in about 60 months. The government has set a fixed price for fuel during this promotion, which will last until 2012, and will pay the difference.

The nice thing is that drivers really feel a sense of pride as they are working for themselves, and working to completely own their own car. All the cars are the same, and drivers are required to dress in uniform, adding to the professional feel of the whole thing.

Currently there are about 40 cars on the fleet, but Guilllermo Quintana has higher goals, hoping to have as many as 150 drivers. He says, “Our motto is security, confidence, punctuality and comfort. Our drivers even open the doors for you.”

You can even reserve your service online through www.taxiexcel.com!

Prices are of course a bit more than standard street taxis, but well worth it for the extra security and the professionalism.

Taxi Excel offices are located at Av. Paseo del Bosque 527, San Borja. The phone number is 302–7770 or via Nextel at 105*4907.