10 Facts About Taxis You Should Know Before Your Next Ride

It’s impossible to know how many taxis exist around the world, with the possible number being somewhere between 17 million and 32 million cars. As you can imagine, taxi drivers get to meet thousands of people every month. If you’re a regular passenger, you might think that you know everything about their business. However, there are certain facts that are not widely known to the public, and they definitely should be.

Bright Side has come across 10 facts regarding the professional driving industry that may take you by surprise.

1. They can overcharge you by taking a longer route.

If you enter a taxi and the driver asks if you’ve ever been to your destination, you don’t have to answer truthfully. The reason that the driver might be asking you this is so they know if they can take the longer route. If you answer with a “yes,” then it’s clear to them that you know your surroundings and they can’t trick you. That’s why it’s okay to lie even if you’ve never been to your destination before. After all, it’ll save you some money.

2. You should worry if they tell you that you’re going to be late.

You’re in a terrible rush, your taxi isn’t exactly on time, and when you get into the car, you tell the driver to step on it. The first thing you should know is that they won’t do that since they care about the safety of both you and the car. Secondly, they will know from the first moment if you will make it on time or not. So if they tell you that you’re going to be late, chances are they’re telling the truth.

3. They can refuse service if they get a bad vibe from you.

Drivers are allowed to refuse service if they fear that their car might be damaged by a passenger. They can also kick someone out if they’re rude or pose a threat to the driver’s safety.

4. Many taxis have panic buttons.

In Bangkok, panic buttons have been a thing since 2018 with over 2,000 taxi cars having such a feature. These buttons are made to protect mainly the passengers who often receive troubling behavior from the drivers. However, in New York City, the same button is still under deliberation.

If the city council finally decides to go through with it, it will aim to protect both the drivers and the passengers. By pressing it, lights are activated at all sides of the car so the nearest police officer can notice.

5. There’s a smart way to get their attention.

The first step would be to stand at the beginning of a block, right past the corner so the taxi driver notices you more easily. You need to be standing at the edge of the sidewalk and wave your hand the moment you see a taxi approaching. Refrain from waving your hands wildly and be sure to make eye contact with the driver. You have to make it clear to them that you’re not waving at someone else, letting them know you’re a passenger.

6. If you want a silent ride, you can ask for it.

People can’t agree on whether they like talking to their drivers or not. For those who want a silent ride, Uber created a feature back in 2019 that lets your driver know about your silence preference. If other car apps don’t have the same feature, you can either put it in a note or nicely ask your driver to stop talking. There’s no need to be rude to them or ignore them by looking down at your phone the whole time.

7. They wait outside airports and clubs even if they’re not supposed to.

Many taxi cabs wait outside heavily busy places, such as train stations and airports, in order to get more passengers. However, they’re not always supposed to be waiting there. It isn’t necessarily bad to get into an unauthorized taxi at an airport, but by doing so, you encourage that practice. Instead of approaching just any taxi, stand at a designated queue if possible, or call a car through your phone.

8. Their fare estimates aren’t always super accurate.

In some cases, drivers will give you a lower estimate when you ask them about it. Many people may get suspicious and assume that the drivers are trying to deceive them. However, drivers can make honest mistakes since they can’t know for sure how much your final fare will be. So next time you ask for an estimate, be prepared that the ride will cost you more than what your driver says.

9. If your car gets stolen, call a taxi company apart from the police.

Drivers are on the road all the time and they see thousands of cars every day. So, in addition to calling the police first, you can also call a few taxi companies and they will inform all their drivers about your stolen car. Make sure you offer a money reward to the driver that finds it since that will motivate them. They might even be able to find your car faster than the police.

10. If you pay in cash, they might give you a better price.

Many cab companies charge 2% to 4% per card swipe, which means that the driver loses money. Not only that, but if they need to manually make the charge, the fees will be even higher. So if you wish to get a small discount, let your driver know that you can pay in cash and will include a nice tip. Most of them will gladly agree to charge you a bit less and avoid the card fees.

Were you shocked by any of the revelations above? Will you use the “silent ride” option from now on?