Crossword Genius

On the roads does it cut in, half the time? (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

taxi

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'time?' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I don't see how they can define each other.

'on the roads does it cut in half' is the wordplay.
'on' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'the roads does' becomes 'tax' (I can't justify this - if you can you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'cut in half' indicates taking half.
'it' with half the letters taken is 'i'.
'tax' put next to 'i' is 'TAXI'.

'the' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for taxi that I've seen before include "Transport for hire" , "I hail you!" , "Vehicle that plies for hire" , "Hackney carriage" , "Rank occupant" .)

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