The Tao of the Thieving Taxi Driver

     This should really come as no surprise since I am sure that all readers have had their own negative experiences with these people who drive other people around for money. But for the sake of passing on what I feel is some excellent advise concerning such drivers, I decided to write this article.



    First, let it be noted that one should never get into a taxi cab that doesn't have a meter. Nor should one continue to be a passenger in one that has a meter but is turned off. If the taxi has a meter, the driver is supposed to be using it. If it doesn't have one, then it is a pirate taxi driver who isn't licensed to be working as a taxi driver. So that is one thing to immediately check as soon as the taxi arrives, and not after getting in as a passenger and letting several blocks go by.

     No! Because then if you try to get off, the bastard will say you owe him money for wasting his time and will charge you a large fee for the few blocks that you travelled. So the first thing is to check out the meter and make sure it is on. If it is off, you request it be turned on, and if he starts getting angry and mentions trouble with the police, as one driver did with me, then get off. Otherwise he will demand a large fee that is maybe double what you would normally pay.

Going around in circles Tao

     This is a common practice among certain cabbies. They will try to extend the distance in order to have the meter tick longer. They will feign that they are not familiar with the destination and are carefully checking out the shortest route. In reality, they are seeking the longest one . If your destination is nearby, then tell him at the outset that you know your destination is nearby and that it should not take more than maybe five or ten minutes. Otherwise he will assume you don't know, and take you out to the highway until they can demand triple the fare after driving around for half an hour. Refusing to pay the fair can get such shady characters infuriated and maybe you will come out being physically assaulted. He might claim that you attacked him first. It will be his word against yours.

     False Front Tao

     Some of these pirate taxi drivers are backed by these very impressive internet advertisements giving the impression that you are calling a big company even it's only one individual who is paying to have his phone number posted under the add. One way to tell is if he shows up and the vehicle shows no outer sign of being a cab affiliated with any company and it has no meter. Best thing to do is walk away. Better to wait for another cab than to be cheated and maybe even insulted and threatened for asking simple questions such as why the vehicle has no meter. You see since they are breaking the law, these guys are extremely nervous because they feel as if they are eluding the police and your questions are understood within that framework. So if you are careless enough to get into the cab after noticing no outward markings on the vehicle, and no meter, at least have the sense to keep your mouth shut. Also, if the driver becomes verbally belligerent-try to cut the trip short and get out. It will not get better. It will get worse since the anger will increase the longer you are in his so-called cab.




COMMENTS (1)

Kazi utsob anwar neil04/24/2021 Good story.


Radrook04/24/2021  Thanks for the feedback. Those cab drivers can sure be troublesome sometimes.