Taxis, taxicabs, cabs and taxi service are all interchangeable terms used for public vehicles for hire that transport individual or small groups of passengers between locations that the pasenger chooses - most other forms of public transportation determine the location of pick-up and drop-off. Taxis, taxicabs, cabs and taxi service is normally provided by automobiles. However, in some countries human powered vehicles such as a rickshaw or animal powered vehicles such as hansom cabs are more common. And, of course, boats - water taxis or gondolas are used. To hire a taxi, taxicab or cab, passengers commonly call into a cental dispatch office and a car is sent to the passengers location. Taxis can also be hailed on the street as the vehicle is passing by. Taxicab stands are usually located at major airport, hotel, rail stations, and other places where large numbers of people needing transportation can be found - such as the theater district, some sporting events, etc.