Taxi Driver - Portland
The Taxi Driver missions in Portland offer a fantastic way to earn money and familiarize yourself with the island's streets. As Claude, you can commandeer a taxi and pick up fares, transporting them to their destinations for a fee. This side activity is available early in the game and provides a steady income stream, essential for purchasing weapons, vehicles, and safehouses. Mastering the art of taxi driving will not only fill your pockets but also hone your driving skills, crucial for more demanding missions later on.
To initiate a Taxi Driver mission, simply find a taxi and enter it. The game will prompt you to press a button to start accepting fares. Your radar will then display the location of potential customers. Drive to their location and pick them up. Once a passenger is inside, their destination will be marked on your radar. Your goal is to reach the destination as quickly and safely as possible. Speed is rewarded with a higher fare, but crashing into other vehicles or pedestrians will reduce your earnings and can even damage the taxi.
The Portland Taxi Driver missions are particularly useful for learning the layout of Portland's districts, including Callahan Point, Portland View, and the Chinatown area. As you complete more fares, you'll earn more money per trip. There's no strict time limit for completing individual fares, but the faster you are, the better your payout. Be mindful of the traffic and the LCPD; getting into a police chase will likely cause you to lose your passenger and any potential earnings. Some players find it beneficial to upgrade their taxi or acquire a faster vehicle to complete fares more efficiently. Completing a certain number of fares can also unlock special rewards or bonuses, making this a worthwhile endeavor for any aspiring criminal.