the Price of Taxis

At my previous employer's, we were preparing to move our offices to a new location so the manager ordered dinner for all of us in order to have us work late. Taxi rides home were provided. I lived about 30 miles away, crossing the bridge. I had a bunch of boxes to carry home and was about 8 months pregnant.

I figured it would be expensive, but when the final total came out, I was very surprised and glad that my employer paid for it.

The cab driver came in a van so it was easy for me to get in and out. He hesitantly helped me load the boxes into the van. And then he started driving in silence. No conversation at all. When I got home, the bill came out to $285.00. I wrote $300 onto the cab voucher. It was a really expensive ride but I got home safe and my husband didn't have to drive to pick me up. That was good.

Cab services are tricky because we just don't know what type of personality will be picking up and delivering us to our destinations. I think cabs are expensive in general because they are not cleaned thoroughly and who knows how often the seats get cleaned, if at all. I think if I have to pay more than $2.50 per mile, it will be too much money.

To shop for a cab, it might be best to have an account with a cab company that you know has historically offered great service and cleanliness and no crazy driving (like changing lanes without signaling, cutting people off, or swerving in the lane). Really, as a consumer, we are at the mercy of these drivers who are oftentimes starving for attention and money so to them time is money, even if it means that they drive poorly and offer very little customer interaction.