Do taxi drivers take long routes to get the fare higher?
By reinydawn
@reinydawn (11642)
United States
August 27, 2008 10:12pm CST
While traveling these past couple weeks, we had to take a few cabs now and then to get back and forth to the rental car companies. Most of the time we had already been to the hotel to the rental drop-off so we knew about how far it was. The first cab ride went exactly the way we came which was through our GPS so I figured it was pretty legit. The other times it seemed like the drivers always went a bit longer way. Once in Vegas they told us we were going to go on the interstate instead of the strip because of all the traffic. That was ok because it took 1/3 the time, but cost so much more.
Do you think they intentionally take you the long way when you're from out of town or are they pretty legit on getting you where you need to go?
1 person likes this
5 responses
@maximax8 (31042)
• United Kingdom
29 Aug 08
I think taxi drivers vary in different countries. Some like to drive the long way around town to get more money and others like to charge overseas travelers very high fares. I got in a taxi in Paris and spoke French. If I had spoken English I think he would have charged me more and taken a longer route. It is great when a taxi is metered but in Lithuania I was asked to pay 60 then I said no so the fare went down to 25. I knew a taxi driver once and he was the sort of person to take a longer route if his evening wasn't all that busy. It is a way for taxi drivers to make more money if times are quiet without much business. If there is lots of work they are more likely to do the shortest route and charge a decent fare.
1 person likes this
@reinydawn (11642)
• United States
30 Aug 08
I was wondering that too, about them being busy. I figure if they're really busy they'll want to get another fare and make more money instead of milking me for a couple extra miles. In Vegas, they have regulations about where they're allowed to pick people up, so if they take me from the hotel to the airport, they can't pick someone up at the airport, but they have to go back to the hotel empty. That's a drag for them.
@terri0824 (5203)
• United States
28 Aug 08
Probably in any town you travel you will find those honest cab drivers that will get you to where you need to go without taking the scenic route to get you there, just as many probably will take you on the scenic route just add up the cost of the ride. I've always wondered the same, but have been fortunate enough not to have to use them.
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@reinydawn (11642)
• United States
30 Aug 08
I don't have to take cabs locally - actually there aren't any around here! We did have to take a cab home from the airport though because our flight was 3 hours late (4am was when we got home). There was no scenic route to get us home, but it was still $60.
@johndur (3052)
• Pasig, Philippines
28 Aug 08
i guess most of not if not all in my country do that especially if they know that their passengers dont know where they are going they would do take long routes even if they know they can use a shorter route.i guess its part of the trade.anyway almost every job there are loop holes lie this and its up to the person if they will do it or not.
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@reinydawn (11642)
• United States
30 Aug 08
Yeah, I think I've learned my lesson to not tell them this is my first visit!
In Utah, our cab driver took us a bit more direct route, but he had to make a u-turn to get to the hotel, so it was really longer than the other route.
@chirantani (1379)
• India
28 Aug 08
Most of the cab drivers are so dishonest and I personally becomes the victim many times.I think,they intentionally take the long way to get high fare.
1 person likes this
@reinydawn (11642)
• United States
30 Aug 08
Yeah, I think we're definitely done with cabs if we can help it. I'm going to make sure we have shuttle service whenever possible!
@tonytt2009 (1706)
• China
28 Aug 08
In most of time yours absolutely right,however in some countries like Australia,the taxi drivers will do exactly what you order at the legit way,say just like your situation mentioned.I think whether they take a long routes in order to make more money will likely depend on which countries you're in.That's my comment on~~
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@reinydawn (11642)
• United States
30 Aug 08
I'm sure there are honest ones out there, but it seems like some of them will take advantage of you if they realize you don't know where you're going. I just hated watching the meter climb up there.
