Hold that Cab! Tips for Riding in a Taxi

Public transportation options in your city or town may range from cars, bus systems, trains, a subway, and taxi cab options. Getting from point A to point B can be adventurous, stress-free, or full of surprises! Depending on your choice of transportation, you do need to know what to expect. Taxi cabs are used by millions of Americans each day, for both long trips and quick stops within a city. Whether you choose the famous Checker Cabs, Yellow Cabs, or prefer the Mercedes cab to take you to your next destination, there are some taxi etiquette rules to keep in mind.

Riding a cab is a skill, and experienced taxi-riders know all too well the in's and out's of cab riding in their area. The key tips to riding a taxi include having patience, flexibility, people skills, knowing your territory, and as always, being nice to the cab driver! You'll prevent a lot of headache, hassles, and unnecessary stress for that long ride with this preventative plan:

1. Always tip the cab driver! You'll not only open up the door to a possible return ride, but do encourage good service with your tip. 10% is the industry average/expectation.

2. Practice your wave; in the middle of a crowd, you must learn the art of waving down the cab with enough confidence to find one when you need it!

3. If you hail a cab and it smells, is dirty, or the driver looks questionable, simply say "Sorry, I'll take the next one," and move on! You're not required to take a cab even if you hailed it yourself.

4. Look for the condition of the car; usually a well-kept car and driver will mean a comfortable ride.

5. Make use of flat-rate services to avoid overcharging or questionable fare issues

6. During rush hour, the easiest places to find a cab are at a hotel

7. Always fasten your seatbelt!

8. Observe all no-smoking and food/drink rules and signs

9. Make sure you speak loudly and clearly when communicating directions and information to the cab driver; the plexi glass isn't soundproof, but it's still enough to drown out some noise

10. If you're planning a longer cab trip, get driving directions of your destination from your computer. This will give you an estimate for distance, as well as exact roads and locations

11. Do report any obvious problems to the cab company if needed

12. When leaving the cab, do a quick check to make sure you have all personal belongings and articles. It's also wise to ask for a receipt at this stage.