Within the last several months, the feud going on between taxi and limo services in Chicago versus the new ride-sharing services have gotten really heated and both sides are pulling off the kid gloves.Yes, things are getting quite intense especially with campaigns from consumer advocates joining the fray and making sure that the public knows exactly what is going on in the ride-sharing industry and just how they are putting themselves at risk by agreeing to the terms and conditions put in place by companies like Uber.
In The Spirit of Fairness
It is good to know the guidelines that govern ride-sharing services like Uber but it is also a good idea to know the rules that are set in place for taxis in the Windy City. After all, just as there are dangers and risks in taking ride-share cars, taking cabs also has its fair share of risks. But that is just part of the game and as a consumer, you have to know what rules these cabbies live by so that you can protect your rights as a passenger.
If you want to make sure that your taxi riding experience in the city is as comfortable as possible, know some of the rules and guidelines that govern taxis and limos so you know your rights. It is not just the ride-sharing services that have rules, Taxis and limos have even stricter ones imposed by the city. For instance, taxi drivers and their cars need to undergo a background check as well as an inspection from designated city officials. They also need to apply for and get approved for their chauffeur licenses. If the cab belongs to a company, that company needs to pay an annual fee of $25,000 for the license fee. Also, these companies carry about $333,000 in commercial liability insurance coverage. Compare that to ride-share services where just about anyone who can drive and has a car can offer their services, and you can see that perhaps riding a cab is the better option.
When it comes to paying, taxis in Chicago accept either cash or credit card. However, do note that there are times when the machine doesn’t work and some drivers are not very happy with customers who pay using plastic. If you choose to use your card, you can do the math and include a tip so that the driver does not feel too aggravated. Also, demand for a receipt; these drivers are instructed by law to give receipts.
Another thing you will want to know about riding authorized taxis and limos in the city is that they are obliged to drop you off in any area of the city. They cannot argue about this and any cab driver who says “no” is breaking the law and should be reported to the authorities. Ride-share drivers can pick who they want and do not want to pick up and can say “no” to passengers because they are not covered by city rules.
Taxis Online
If you like the convenience of ride-sharing but want the expertise of a licensed chauffeur, then Universal Taxi might just have the thing. The Universal Taxi app here http://www.universaltaxidispatch.com/app allows you to look for taxis just like ride-share apps.