Interesting Taxi Question

[Maritime Q-Scout]

So I just got a cab from a downtown restaurant back to my apartment. There were three main ways to go, the first way was the first one to come up, straight up turn around first instance and follow the water. The second way would have been the quickest, proceed in to downtown a bit further but then be able to hit all the lights after turning around. The third way was the long way around. (of note I don't live in Calgary, so the directions probably won't make sense).


What do *YOU* do when a cab takes you home the long way? It generally doesn't happen to me, I just didn't tip him (which I almost always do in every situation that calls for a gratuity).

Where do you normally call bull####, and how do you do it? What tone of voice? What do you say exactly?

The way he took me home wasn't incorrect but there was better ways to do it.

[Jbo]

Did you let him know the route you prefer? Most times I give them the benefit of the doubt...the cab driver may not always know the most effective way home the same way you do.

However, if its a small town, or the cabbie argues the other way is quicker, then I would not tip.

[SebC]

The one I've seen recently is guy leaving the meter running while I'm filling out the taxi chit. So I wrote in what was actually on the meter when I arrived.

[TurnedTheCorner]

I generally have to take a cab so far that the route doesn't add a significant amount of time or distance to the trip. I generally coach the cabbie with directions.

[Pizza]

to give them the benefit of the doubt, not all cabbies are experienced and some of them are new immigrants to Canada.
if they took a path that's not the quickest, but not illogical (going loops around a neighbourhood) they were probably taking a path they knew would take you there instead of taking a path they've never gone before and risk upsetting the passenger

[Nufy]

I caught a guy a few years back taking me from Riverbend to Deer Ridge....Through downtown...

Yes I was drunk but woke up at the right time I guess...

Went from a 90 dollar tab to 20 bux and a select few words that I cannot repeat on here.

[RW99]

Most of the time the cabbie will ask me to confirm their route is OK, never really had much of a problem before.

[sa226]

I find it funny when they leave the meter running, because at this point I have already decided what total I am paying, so all that is happening is that he chipping away at his own tip.

[Malkin Cookies]

On a sidenote, I've lived in Fredericton, Toronto and Calgary. The cost of cabs in Fredericton is significantly cheaper than anywhere else. Fredericton>>>Calgary>Toronto.

I assume the discrepancy is related to the lack of mass transit in Freddy Beach and cabs are either subsidized or pay less in fees to the city. Calgary is probably cheaper than Toronto because of fuel costs.

[Blaster86]

Only really had it happen once. I had told him the way to go and he said "No, this way is quicker." Not sure who he thought he was fooling. I paid him the fare that the normal way would have cost and gave him a few drunken choice words.

[Hack&Lube]

Unless you have specifically given the cabbie directions, give him the benefit of the doubt. They are not computers who can calculate the best route possible or have knowledge of all the possible routes to one location.

Of course there are less scrupulous cabbies out there who will knowingly take the long way around but you can easily mitigate any situation like this by giving your cabbie directions and not making any assumptions.

[SebC]

Originally Posted by sa226

I find it funny when they leave the meter running, because at this point I have already decided what total I am paying, so all that is happening is that he chipping away at his own tip.

So if you're using a chit, it is "better" to put the final total and no tip than to put the old total and tip to the new amount (which is still less than I would've tipped if he had shut the meter off when he's supposed to)?

[SebC]

Originally Posted by Malkin Cookies

On a sidenote, I've lived in Fredericton, Toronto and Calgary. The cost of cabs in Fredericton is significantly cheaper than anywhere else. Fredericton>>>Calgary>Toronto.

I assume the discrepancy is related to the lack of mass transit in Freddy Beach and cabs are either subsidized or pay less in fees to the city. Calgary is probably cheaper than Toronto because of fuel costs.

Don't know about the other cities, but in Calgary the market is entirely artificial thanks to the restricted number of licenses. The cab drivers are essentially receiving a subsidy from the public.

[Wormius]

Originally Posted by SebC

So if you're using a chit, it is "better" to put the final total and no tip than to put the old total and tip to the new amount (which is still less than I would've tipped if he had shut the meter off when he's supposed to)?

I thought the tip came out of the chit. If I received a $20 chit, and the fare came out to $15, I just put $20 on the chit and call it a day.

Also, if I have to take a cab, I just give directions, unless I am totally lost. I like to give them the benefit of the doubt for taking an unconventional route, like less lights or traffic slowdowns.

[SebC]

Originally Posted by Wormius

I thought the tip came out of the chit. If I received a $20 chit, and the fare came out to $15, I just put $20 on the chit and call it a day.

Sorry, I'm still talking about when the guy leaves the meter running and I want to make a point that I don't like it when that happens.

The chits I get let you write in the fare, the tip, and have no (printed) upper limit.

[FireInTheHole]

I once got into a taxi at the Calgary airport at 2am and we pulled away. He asked me where to go and I told him downtown. He turned around and handed me a map.

Needless to say he didnt get a tip.

[afc wimbledon]

Originally Posted by SebC

Don't know about the other cities, but in Calgary the market is entirely artificial thanks to the restricted number of licenses. The cab drivers are essentially receiving a subsidy from the public.

Same system in Vancouver but it isn't the cab driver getting a subsidy its the cab company, they resell licenses off for 100,000 plus, the cab driver is working for minimum wage, the money is all going to the finance guy (who are all well conected with the local politicians).

[Ducay]

Sure the # of licensees are restricted; but the actual rates are also set by the City, not by the cabbie.

[Travis Munroe]

I always tell them the way I want to go as there are a million different ways to go anywhere.
I think you did the right thing in your case though.