Prepayment for Taxis
I had an interesting if rather annoying conversation with a customer last week. Interesting because of his point of view. Annoying because like a reasonable percentage of my customers he was drunk.
Basically he was saying that in his opinion all taxi fares should be pre paid at the commencement of the journey. When I pointed out that drivers had the right to ask for the fare in advance already he told me I was missing the point.
The point according to him is it creates a problem between the passenger and driver if the driver asks for the money in advance. All that could be avoided if DPI (dept of planning and infrastructure, taxi unit) and all the other relevent body’s implemented blanket pre payment of all taxi fares. Further to that he suggests an ad campaign utilising tv, radio and print media to ensure everyone knows about it, thereby eliminating any trouble in the cab and also eliminating the problem of non-payers or runners.
Honestly the idea is solid, I mean even carrying drunks would be less stressful if you knew the money side of things was already taken care of. Taxis are the only form of transport around that offers pay at destination. Sure there are some issues with credit/debit cards etc and how to ‘pre pay’ a fare then charge the correct amount once at the destination but I’m sure they could be sorted out.
I think it’s time we moved out of the dark ages and made the change.
October 24, 2007 at 05:27
I’ve read this blog for a time, on and off. Nice color scheme, and very informative.
and yes, if there was someway to make everyone pre-pay, wouldn’t things be so much easier. I’m gonna add you as a link.
October 24, 2007 at 06:00
Thanks I’ve returned the favor and added you to my roll
October 27, 2007 at 22:26
I have argued for this for years and run into all sorts of inexplicable opposition. The owner of the largest company in my city stated at a public meeting that there were a lot of unscrupulous drivers?! Apparently he was oblivious to how that statement reflected badly on him. It was actually after being ripped off every week for 9 weeks that I finally quit driving, after 20 -plus years, fed up. I’m happy to say I’ve finally found a job doing something I love, with people I respect, but I haven’t forgotten the need to protect drivers. The city I live in is pathetically conservative, and it is next to impossible to mobilize drivers to act in their own interest; I wish you luck. Let us know how it goes.
October 29, 2007 at 14:14
I drive for a large taxi company in the Phoenix, Arizona (USA) metro area. You know, I agree with you on this issue. But, I have the feeling that your customer meant “pre-payment of a flat rate fee”, rather than a “deposit against the ultimate fare” given his resistance to your explanation.
Here in Arizona, cab drivers have the right to ask for a deposit in advance of the fare. As a matter of fact, several police departments in the area recommend doing this.
I have a written list of conditions or circumstances under which I might ask for a deposit, which I will show to a potential customer if I am accused of prejudice or racism, or he doesn’t understand why it is appropriate to ask for a deposit. Most people comply immediately, because they’ve been asked before, or they see the logic. Most of the rest comply after I explain the situation.
A few rare individuals exclaim their indignation, saying that I should be ashamed of myself, and that I should just trust them. These people are then refused service. Generally they demand that I call them another cab. I always refuse to do this, and tell them why.
“Look, sir, I am allowed by state law to require a deposit, for any reason, or no reason at all. Your refusal to comply leads me to believe you won’t pay me at at all. There’s no way I’m going to put another driver through that. As a matter of fact, I’m going to notify my dispatcher that you won’t give me a deposit. He’ll make certain that any further calls from you will be cancelled.”
The way I look at it, if someone is offended by this practice, then they really don’t have any empathy for other people. Therefore, why should I trust them?
As to enacting something like a “Pre-Pay” system, I really don’t think there would be that many problems. Just estimate the trip mileage, calculate the fare from this estimate, add ten for fifteen percent for “wiggle room” (traffic delay, unexpected stops, etc.), give this total estimate to the customer, and clearly state that they will receive any change, if due, or owe a balance if the estimate proves insufficient.
I’ve used this procedure for years, and have never been accused of ripping someone off. I also do not worry about how the practise might affect my tip income, the way some cab drivers do. The way I look at it, I rather have 100% percent of what’s on the meter and no tip because of a deposit, rather than 0% of the meter plus tip because I failed to get a deposit. A a matter of fact, my actual tip income from these situations is fairly much on par with no-deposit situations.
In the old days, people could be trusted to pay someone what they owed, and that is why it was customary to collect the fare at the end of the trip. This custom has long since out-lived its useful life. It is an archaic practice that should have been eliminated a long time ago.
As a final note: this is what I say to people who refuse to give me a deposit because “the last guy didn’t ask for one”: “Well, if you’re so offended, then give him a call!”
Sincerely
Ronald M. Kelly
http://www.RoadRageTaxiTales.blogspot.com
February 21, 2008 at 01:17
Why? Cabs have operated by getting cash at the destination since time immemorial. If it aint broke, don’t fix it.
February 21, 2008 at 01:25
Klein obviously you are the one lucky cabbie in Perth that has never suffered the pain of having a runner. 1 Sunday night I can remember from about 3 years ago I was cheated out of the fare 3 times in 1 shift a total cost of $80. In reality the cost was much higher. I had to pay for the fuel I used doing those jobs and even more costly was the time I lost doing those jobs when I could have been finding other jobs that I would have been paid for.
My landlord doesn’t take excuses when the rent is due. He wants cash. Same for the phone company, gas, water, internet etc
I regularly ask for pre-payment and if they refuse I apologise and let them know that I can’t take them. 1 such example when the pax took offense was leaving the William st secure rank. My response was simple. I said “There are 200 people on that rank. I don’t want to be the mug who gets the only people not planing on paying”
February 21, 2008 at 04:59
Yeah, I get runners. Maybe 2 a year. Usually a couple of 17 year old guys.
If you’re getting more than that, you need to tune your antennae a bit, as they aren’t twitching when they should.
I never ask for up front cash. Make your assessment before you let them into your cab. Your instinct here is usually right if you’ve been driving a while.
Should you really want trouble with a fare, insulting them by asking for the fare up front is an excellent way to get it, or at least ratchet up the tension for the ride.
I’ll take the two runners and trade them for the added friendliness and I think I’m getting a good deal on that.