GTA V: How to Unlock and Ace Every Downtown Cab Co. Special Fare

Buying the Downtown Cab Co. property in Grand Theft Auto V isn't just a weekly income stream—it's your ticket to some of the most bizarre and lucrative side missions available to Franklin Clinton. Once you own the business, your manager Raul will periodically call with special 'private fares' for clients who requested the 'best driver'. These aren't your typical point-A-to-point-B jobs. They're multi-stage missions involving everything from high-speed chases to full-blown shootouts.

To get started, you first need to purchase Downtown Cab Co. in East Vinewood for $200,000. After the purchase, you'll need to wait for Raul's calls. These fares don't appear on a set schedule, so keep Franklin's phone on and be ready to drop what you're doing when the opportunity arises. Completing a regular taxi fare can sometimes help trigger the next private call. There are four unique private fares in total, each with its own story and a substantial cash reward.

What are the private fares?tag

These four missions are exclusive to Franklin after he purchases the company. They are longer and more involved than the standard taxi work available to any character. Each fare presents a unique scenario that tests your driving skills and, occasionally, your combat abilities. They serve as small, self-contained stories that add more flavor to the world of Los Santos and provide a healthy boost to Franklin's bank account.

01

Fare 1: The Aspiring Actresstag

This is often the first special fare you'll receive. It’s a straightforward driving mission that introduces you to the eccentric characters you'll be chauffeuring around Los Santos.

Step 1: Pick up at the Observatory

Raul calls to let you know a young lady is waiting at the Galileo Observatory in Vinewood Hills. She specifically asked for a driver who knows the city. When you arrive, you'll meet an aspiring screenwriter who just moved to Los Santos to pitch her magnum opus: a film that will redefine the 'science fiction/erotica' genre.

Step 2: Find a suitable clothes store

Your passenger needs an outfit for her big meeting with a producer. She needs a look that screams 'powerful independent woman' but also 'vulnerable' and 'a hint of their mother'. Your job is to take her to a high-end clothing store that fits the bill. The best option is the Ponsonbys in Rockford Hills. The game doesn't penalize you for choosing another store, but this is the most logical destination.

During the drive, she’ll tell you all about her screenplay and the 'legit' producer she met at a bar who invited her to his apartment for the meeting. Franklin, ever the pragmatist, correctly senses that something is off, but your job is simply to get her to the store. Once you drop her off, the mission is complete, and you'll receive your payment.

02

Fare 2: The Concerned Uncle vs. The Lost MCtag

This fare starts with a simple pickup and quickly escalates into a violent confrontation. Get ready for a fight.

Step 1: Pick up the client in Pillbox Hill

Raul will call about a man who needs a ride to the Port of Los Santos. You'll find him waiting outside the Ammu-Nation in Pillbox Hill. He seems agitated and explains that he's looking for his niece, Kelly, who has fallen in with The Lost Motorcycle Club. He believes they're holding her at the port.

Step 2: Drive to the shipyard

Head towards the docks off Signal Street in the Port of South Los Santos. During the ride, the uncle will rant about The Lost, dismissing them as 'scared kids' living out a fantasy. He insists he just wants to talk to them. But just before you arrive, he hands Franklin a pistol, revealing his true intentions. He wants backup for the 'worst case scenario'.

Step 3: Survive the shootout

Once you arrive, the uncle gets out to confront the bikers. The conversation immediately goes south. After a tense exchange, a full-blown firefight erupts. You have no choice but to get out and help your client. Use the shipping containers for cover and eliminate the members of The Lost MC. They aren't heavily armed, but they can quickly overwhelm you if you're not careful.

Step 4: Escape the scene

After you've dealt with the bikers, the uncle will thank you for the help and give you a cash reward. Get back in the cab and leave the area quickly to complete the mission. There's no police response, so you just need to drive a short distance away.

03

Fare 3: The Getaway Drivertag

This is the most complex and profitable of the private fares. What begins as a standard airport pickup turns into a full-fledged jewelry store heist.

Step 1: Pick up the professional at LSIA

Your next special request comes from a client who just landed at Los Santos International Airport. He's waiting outside the main terminal. Once you pick him up, he'll ask you to take him to the Little Gems jewelry store in Rockford Hills. He's cagey and philosophical, asking if you believe 'fate is just an opportunity you haven't seized yet'.

Step 2: Become the getaway driver

On the way to the store, your passenger reveals his true purpose: he's a professional thief from Liberty City, and he wants you to be his getaway driver for this 'one last job'. He promises it will be 'clean and quiet'—in and out in under 60 seconds. Franklin reluctantly agrees. Your instructions are to park in front of the alleyway next to the jewelry store and keep the engine running.

Step 3: Escape the police

Predictably, things do not go as planned. The moment the thief enters the store, the silent alarm is triggered, and you're hit with a three-star wanted level. A moment later, he sprints out of the store—having forgotten his mask and accidentally dropped a grenade—and jumps into the cab. Now the real mission begins: you have to lose the cops.

The LSPD will be extremely aggressive. Your cab isn't exactly a high-performance escape vehicle, so you'll need to use every trick you know. Weave through alleys, use the city's canal system, and break line-of-sight in parking garages. The thief will get nervous, but Franklin's cool head (and your driving) will see you through.

Step 4: Return to the airport

Once you've successfully evaded the police, your final task is to drive the thief back to LSIA. He'll praise you as a 'talented wheelman' and hand over a very generous cut of the score. Drop him off at the departures terminal to complete the most intense taxi fare of your career.

04

Fare 4: The Adrenaline Junkietag

Your final private fare is a pure test of speed and reckless driving. A rich kid wants the thrill ride of his life, and he's willing to pay for it.

Step 1: Pick up the thrill-seeker

Raul's last special call sends you to the Mount Zonah Medical Center. Your client is Felipe, a wealthy young man who is practically vibrating with energy. He needs to get to the Vinewood Sign immediately for a stunt and wants you to drive in the most 'seriously rad fashion' possible. He promises a 'fat tip' if you deliver.

Step 2: Drive like a maniac to the Vinewood Sign

This mission is all about causing chaos. Felipe will cheer you on as you speed through traffic, cause near misses, and drive on the wrong side of the road. Don't hold back—the more insane your driving, the better. He'll even urge you to 'go off-road' as you get closer to the hills.

Follow the GPS route, but feel free to take shortcuts through parks and over curbs. The goal is to get there fast and with as much style as possible. When you reach the Vinewood Hills, take Felipe's advice and cut a path directly up the dirt trails toward the sign. Once you arrive at the designated spot, Felipe will be ecstatic, declaring that you 'delivered' the next-level experience he was looking for. He'll pay you handsomely for the thrilling ride before running off to meet his friends.

Is it worth it?tag

Absolutely. The Downtown Cab Co. private fares are more than just a way to earn money; they're some of the most memorable and entertaining side missions in GTA V. They break up the main story with short, focused bursts of action, stealth, and high-speed driving, all while reinforcing Franklin's character as the guy who gets pulled into the city's most absurd criminal escapades. After completing all four, you'll have a healthier wallet and some great stories to tell.