Cabbies want $3 late night fee

[sureLoss]

http://www.calgarysun.com/news/alber.../16738416.html

Taking a taxi late at night could cost you more if Calgary cabbies get their way.


The Calgary Cab Drivers Association sent a letter to the city in early December calling for a $3 surcharge on fares between 10 p.m and 4 a.m. on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, said president Rajiv Kapil.


Along with serving as an incentive for drivers to work later hours, Kapil said the additional charge will also help pay for much-needed security upgrades and cover the ever-increasing cost of keeping cabs running.


“If the customer is waiting for one hour and this will make the waiting time reduced, they will have no hesitation to pay a few dollars extra,” he said.

[TurnedTheCorner]

Good on them, I say. Being a cabbie has to be one of the most thankless jobs out there. I'm fine with them getting paid extra for late calls, I'm sure it's still not enough for all of the **** and abuse they typically take on those fares.

[TylerSVT]

How would raising the price $3 make people wait less?

Thats just cabbies wanting more and more money.

[Orange]

Originally Posted by TylerSVT

How would raising the price $3 make people wait less?

The idea is that the $3 charge/ride would be enough incentive for more cabbies to be out later at night which isn't completely faulty logic. However, your second point isn't wrong.

[jtfrogger]

I rarely take a cab, but most times that I try, none of the taxi companies actually take a call they are so busy. It usually isn't even during these late night times. E.g. trying to call a cab to go out on a Saturday before supper.

I think they should have more cabbies in Calgary. Once they actually have enough cabs to service the city, I would be comfortable with such a surcharge. Until they actually have enough, this is just a cash grab.

[Phanuthier]

Originally Posted by TylerSVT

How would raising the price $3 make people wait less?

Thats just cabbies wanting more and more money.

Its $3, thats like half the price of a drink. I'm pretty sure you can afford it (or your dad can afford it).

[Superflyer]

I think it is a cash grab, they do not need an incentive. All cabbies know that these are the best times to work because of the number of people and because they are drunk so they can drive all over town to get them home. Anyone who works for commission, like a cabbie, knows the best routes and times to work if they want to make money.
The only way this will help waiting times is if people say I'm not taking a cab and paying $3 more, I'll just drive home and this is not what anyone wants.

[Nage Waza]

Maybe Nenshi should start digging into cabbie licensing in this city, if he really wants to open a can of worms.

[Gundo]

If I had to put up with myself as a customer when I'm drunk at 2am I would want $3 too. Push come to shove look at all te bulls**t that they put up with that late at night they deserve it if you ask me.

[albertGQ]

Wasn't there a thread that said cabbies made six figures?
If that's true, would an extra $3 really convince more to work the late night shifts?

[mykalberta]

Change it to midnight to 6am and I would support this.

10pm is just a cash grab.

[mikey_the_redneck]

It is my understanding that cabbies get their best tips from drunks at closing time, so I am not sure why they need to grab for another 3 bucks.

[RougeUnderoos]

Originally Posted by Nage Waza

Maybe Nenshi should start digging into cabbie licensing in this city, if he really wants to open a can of worms.

What would be in that can of worms? I have no idea, but I do know that this crappy cabbie business has been going on for 10 years. The whole thing stinks like crookery.

As for this "incentive", gimme a break.

[TylerSVT]

Originally Posted by Phanuthier

Its $3, thats like half the price of a drink. I'm pretty sure you can afford it (or your dad can afford it).

So, i should just go around and ask every person for $5 because everyone can afford it...

Why dont you give me $5??? you can afford it.

Regardless of how much it is, its a raise in fares that has NO basis.

[Flames_Gimp]

Originally Posted by jtfrogger

I rarely take a cab, but most times that I try, none of the taxi companies actually take a call they are so busy. It usually isn't even during these late night times. E.g. trying to call a cab to go out on a Saturday before supper.

I think they should have more cabbies in Calgary. Once they actually have enough cabs to service the city, I would be comfortable with such a surcharge. Until they actually have enough, this is just a cash grab.

oh they have enough, they are just all sitting at the airport lol

[Parallex]

Oh please, if this was about wait-times why not just increase the number of Cabs? I mean surely if their concern is demand exceeding supply the best solution is to increase supply. Sounds just like an excuse for a price jack to me.

Now, I don't got a problem with folk wanting more money but I'd rather airs not be put on about it.

[TurnedTheCorner]

Originally Posted by mikey_the_redneck

It is my understanding that cabbies get their best tips from drunks at closing time, so I am not sure why they need to grab for another 3 bucks.

And their best assaults. Probably the most curses and the most puke/bodily fluids deposited in the cab, too.

Originally Posted by TylerSVT

So, i should just go around and ask every person for $5 because everyone can afford it...

Why dont you give me $5??? you can afford it.

Regardless of how much it is, its a raise in fares that has NO basis.

I'm intrigued. What do I get for my $5?

Originally Posted by Parallex

Oh please, if this was about wait-times why not just increase the number of Cabs? I mean surely if their concern is demand exceeding supply the best solution is to increase supply. Sounds just like an excuse for a price jack to me.

Now, I don't got a problem with folk wanting more money but I'd rather airs not be put on about it.

Uh, supply/demand sets the price. So by adjusting the price, an attempt is being made to increase the supply/lower the demand to find a new equilibrium. You...do know how supply/demand works? Right?

[Parallex]

Originally Posted by TurnedTheCorner

Uh, supply/demand sets the price. So by adjusting the price, an attempt is being made to increase the supply/lower the demand to find a new equilibrium. You...do know how supply/demand works? Right?

Yes, I'd just rather expand the supply then choke off the demand with a price hike. I did muse on what I though the best solution would be not the only solution.

[ken0042]

Originally Posted by TurnedTheCorner

Uh, supply/demand sets the price. So by adjusting the price, an attempt is being made to increase the supply/lower the demand to find a new equilibrium. You...do know how supply/demand works? Right?

In this case; decreasing demand seems to me it will increase the number of drunk drivers on the road.

If there are not enough cabs on the road; then issue more licenses. In any other business model you would hire more staff to take care of the customers.

[TurnedTheCorner]

Offering a wage increase is an attempt to hire more staff.