I recently landed in Chicago Airport. I had to go to Schaumburg which is a suburb. I had to pay $87 dollars because I was a new guy and I was not aware of the taxi fare structure here. Later my friend in this neighbourhood told me that normally the taxis charge around 30 to 40 dollars. I do not know why that taxi driver charged me more. I was thinking taxi in US are honest. Moreover, I am not very clear about the fare structure. Sometime they charge double. i.e. they have 2 displayed in their fare reading, which means I will pay twice. Drivers do not explain on what basis they charge like this. Can anyone explain these taxi fares.
If is different from state to state. In NY it charge by distant, plus tolls. However, if you travel outside of the city, they will charge double because they will have to drive back to the city
These taxis in Chicago never negotiate before starting. They always ask me to pay the fare that shows in their meter reading. What I dont understand is sometimes they charge double. In their meter reading device there is a number at button right corner, if it say 1 then I will pay single fare. If its 2 then meter will run faster and I will end up paying double the money.
Taxis are allowed to charge more by means of that "little number" depending on the time of day. Also every taxi should charge an initial fee and then a per 1/4 or 1/8 mile rate. @gemrocker:you got to be careful when using a taxi because alot of them will take the longer scenic route so you end up paying more. Its a good idea to print a google map of the taxi trip before hand so you dont get ripped off in a new city.
Oh ya Kingjacob. Of course I lost some money in few days. But not anymore. Nowadays I check mapquest or google maps before I go out.
When I went on Holiday to Skiathos, I don't know whether it was out of generosity, or whether they were just lunatics, but they drove so fast you almost wet your pants! Was good fun though, and kept the bills down.
In general taxi drivers all over the want to earn as much as possible so they will go by the rules that gives them the most, not telling you the best way. And I understand them.
You are right. May be they think new guys do not know much about the town and they can charge as much as they want.