Monthly Archives: April 2015

Insight

3 Safety Tips to Take Note When Riding a Taxi

The more paranoid ones among us will never feel safe even at home, but fear of getting harmed shouldn’t keep us from going through the process called life – more so, going to places here and there for work, studies, or leisure. Wait, that’s a bit huge and heavy for this rather ordinary and calm day. I just got off this cab I got from booking a ride via Universal Taxi and I wondered how safe I felt and how safely I got off.

If you’re like me who hails a cab to move around the city, you may have also gone through one (or two, three) points in your life when you thought about how safe you really are when you put yourself, your life in the hands of a driver in his taxi.

Here are some safety tips when riding a taxi:

Be alert and aware.

It pays a lot to not ignore gut-feel when it presents itself. I am a huge fan of our instinctive nature and how it mostly gives us a hint whenever we need it.  So wherever I go, I open myself up to that natural thud in my chest, which prompts a natural switch in my brain to tell me I may be in danger of some sort. I go by my instinct every time and I am often right about it.

It wouldn’t hurt too, to observe your surroundings and check the goings-on. You never know when some event will significantly affect you. Read, observe. Open your senses. Speak out when necessary.

Know your rights.

Humans and their rights in the society have forever been fought for, for a reason. There are those who tend to take advantage and those on the losing side need to fight or they perish.  I’m not about to start a revolution here. I’m just saying that in every little aspect of our everyday life as a consumer, we have rights.

Have you ever tried reading and understanding that Passenger’s Rights displayed in cabs? Try reading through them and be informed about what service you could demand from your driver and what your rights are when you rent his car.

The basics include courtesy from the driver, safety, receipt, no usage of cellphone, etc.

Look for options.

With the emergence of the Internet and the rise of mobile technology, we have been given a plethora of options. Whether for communication, business, or finding a new apartment or shopping – there have been so many things online that help us do the usual things much differently now in more convenient ways than ever before.

For commuters, the ridesharing scheme which has gained a momentum in the city with the rise in smartphone users is now another option to get a ride when we need it, where we need it. Apps like that from Universal Taxi now help us book a cab ride with less hassle.

So you, see – paranoia could be a safe haven; but gut-feel, with loads of modern options could make our lives a bit easier.

 

Insight

Are Ridesharing Services Playing by the Rules?

Ridesharing services have been in business since the 40s. But it just gained worldwide success in the past couple of years. But with its success comes a tenfold of controversies and issues. The majority of the issues revolve around the “war” between traditional cabbies and ridesharing companies. As a passenger and spectator, many question the legality and safeness of ridesharing services. Do they follow the same rules as conventional cabbies? And are they even following the rules?

Here in Chicago, the fight between cabbies and rideshares is still evident. And with the newly proposed ridesharing services rules happening in other key cities, like in Seattle, the transportation status in the Windy City will continue to be a topic of debate. The silver lining with these seemingly never-ending issues is the modernization of the traditional cabbies in Chicago. For instance, the launch of the Universal Taxi app. This is the new software that the Universal Taxi Dispatch offers to its clients to make the commute easier and faster. With this app and other new devices used by Chicago cabbies, the drivers (and companies) can compete with ridesharing service giants like Uber and Lyft.

The Rules Ridesharing Services Play

It seems like every week new updates and news are being headlined by various car-sharing services, particularly Uber. Just a couple of weeks ago, it has been said that Uber’s new focus is to push key cities in the US to pass new regulations that will finally move its service out of the shade it still occupies. These regulations involve a law that will recognize ridesharing servicesas distinct from traditional cabbies. The new rule that Uber pushes have already succeeded in 17 cities and four states across the US. The pro-Uber ordinance became a new regulation in other countries as well, such as in India. This new rule makes car-sharing companies, taxis, limos, and other similar modes of transportation be known as transportation network companies. This rule is basically a service that doesn’t rely on employed drivers and owned vehicles, but more on the app or software used to connect car-sharing services to passengers.

Does Uber – as well as other car-sharing companies – play with the same rules followed by the majority of conventional taxis? In my opinion as an experienced cabbie operator, yes and no. They follow the rules, but they stretch them to their limits – to the extent that some rules are being changed to their advantage. What can conventional taxi companies do to make the playing field fair? A lot.

Even with the popularity of Uber and Lyft, we can still be the go-to mode of transportation of commuters. Taxis have been present for many decades now. And the industry, even with its ups and downs, still thrives. The intense rivalry from ridesharing services created positive results like the Universal Taxi app and other new softwares that conventional cabbies use these days. And what passengers can always count on traditional taxis is their respect to regulations. And everyone knows, following the rules mean following what is safe and regulated.

 

 

News

City Asking for Comments on Proposed Changes to Rules on Taxi Medallions

A draft of the proposed amendments to the Taxicab Medallion License Holder Rules and Regulations has been released, and the city is asking for comments from the public about it, particularly the ones who will be the most affected. Chicago cab drivers have since been going through the amendments line per line, in hopes of finding something to contribute in a set of guidelines that could not only affect them, but the future of the industry as well.

Comments are to be emailed to the City of Chicago through [email protected] with the subject line “Comments on Proposed Amendments to the TX Rules”. The deadline for submissions has been set to April 10.

The taxi industry has been experiencing a number of changes in the past couple of years, especially with the birth of its biggest rival, the rideshare industry. Cab drivers have been feeling the amount of competition that services like Uber and Lyft are bringing, considering the kind of convenience that these services offer.

The initial pull of Uber is their app, which allows smartphone users to quickly book a ride. Although different cab companies such as Universal Taxi also offer the same service, it still isn’t enough to completely take their majority share away from the newcomers.

Some of the proposed changes involve the following:

  • Training for taxicab medallion licensees can now be taken online.
  • An authorized attorney may now transact with the Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection on behalf of a cab company.
  • Financial reporting requirements have been taken out of the guidelines.
  • Several guidelines in the retirement and replacement of vehicles due to age were taken out.
  • The documents required for processing a Change of Equipment is now easier, requiring only the completed form and payment of fees.
  • New safety stickers will be affixed inside the taxi’s passenger doors.
  • New improvements in the available information for visually-impaired passengers.

For a complete copy of the proposed changes, the draft can be accessed through http://chicagodispatcher.com/clients/chicagodispatcher/ProposedMedallionRules.pdf.

For a copy of the current guidelines, here is the link: http://www.cityofchicago.org/dam/city/depts/bacp/publicvehicleinfo/medallionowners/medallionlicenseholderrulesregsf20120626.pdf.

Knowing that there are only a few days left before submission, cab drivers and associations have been going through the proposed changes with a fine-tooth comb to see if there are unreasonable guidelines. Chicago cabbies have become even more vigilant about the industry, especially because of what they believe as a lack of action from the City Council when it comes to their battle against rideshare services.

The City Council has recently approved the rideshare ordinance, making the competition a little better and easier for cab companies like Universal Taxi. However, cabbies still believe that what they have done are not enough. Rideshare services are still self-regulated, something that bothers Chicago cabbies as completely unsafe.

Cabbies may be sending their message across though, considering that there has been an increase in the complaints of sexual assault against Uber drivers. This has increased awareness about the advantages of using a taxi over rideshare services, although further regulation still needs to be put in place to ensure the public’s safety even further.

Insight

Uber Track Record Continues to Prove that Taxis are Safer

We came across a news headline a couple of days ago that said, “Yet another Uber driver arrested.” As a part of the taxi industry, a headline like that one really makes me mad. Ridesharing services like Uber penetrated the transportation industry seemingly out of nowhere. And since then, the war between this service and cabbies became a worldwide issue.

Safety is one of the major issues in this transportation battle. While we won’t lie and say that there’s no security issues with taxis around the globe, we’re confident to claim that conventional cabbies are a lot safer than ridesharing services like Uber. The controversies with Uber drivers alone can make passengers feel unsafe, even before contacting the ridesharing company. Most of the complaints Uber get involved sexual assault perpetrated by the drivers. This is a sensitive point with the company since Uber is known for having a questionable process of vetting their drivers.

In the past year alone, a staggering number of high-profile incidents involving Uber drivers attacking their passengers made the news. These unfavorable incidents even happen here in Chicago. This is the reason why traditional taxi dispatches make it a point to drill safety and security information to their drivers.

The New App

Traditional cabbies fight back the lure of ridesharing services by providing a safer environment. The security of passengers is of the utmost importance to cabbie drivers, that’s not a secret. To add to this security, Chicago cab companies like Universal Taxi Dispatch are now using an exclusive transportation app. The Universal Taxi app allows potential passengers to:

  • Estimate his fare from Point A to Point B.
  • Acquire various transportation services like corporate accounts, airport pickups, and delivery packages.
  • Choose the right kind of vehicle the passenger wants to use.
  • Provide feedback about the driver and the service.

The last service of the Universal Taxi app is very important because it’s the way the company assesses and regulates its drivers. Routine evaluations help in determining which drivers need to be looked into, and what other areas of security can be strengthened.

The Dangers of Uber

Because ridesharing service has become such a hype these days, a lot of passengers want to try Uber. This is even with all the safety controversies revolving around the service. But exactly how dangerous is Uber as opposed to traditional cabs and limos? The thing is that there’s no specific way to gauge this. It’s always a case-to-case basis. But one thing is for certain, with the quantity of bad feedback and complaints Uber get involving its drivers, there is undoubtedly a security problem. The news about its loose vetting system for drivers and personnel doesn’t help at all too. It seems like in every city where Uber is popular, headlines about Uber drivers doing wrong is becoming a normal occurrence. The company dismisses this vetting issue though. The company’s spokesperson said that their background checking process is consistent everywhere and more rigorous than before.

Although Uber’s embarrassing safety incidents can boost the status of traditional cabbies, we hope that this security issue ends. The passenger’s safety and well-being must always be the driver’s number one priority.

 

 

 

News

The War between Taxis and Ridesharing Services Continues

Ridesharing services invaded the transport industry with hardly an introduction. This is apart from its tempting promises about changing the way people commute and travel. Commuters started using the Uber app in 2009 to get in touch with personal drivers wanting to use their own vehicles to offer strangers a lift. Since then, the hype about this transportation breakthrough grew. When word spread around about good deal rates, similar businesses like Lyft soon followed.

As expected, the cab industry responded with its own rightful buzz. For one, taxi companies stressed that ridesharing services offered unfair competition. This is due to the fact that they weren’t required to stick to the same regulations as cabbies. Without the need for background checks for their drivers, car inspections, certification fees, and further insurance coverage, the expense of operating is lower for ridesharing companies.

Cabbies Fight Back

Just a few months ago, here in Chicago, we launched a fresh start against ridesharing services. This plan is to sponsor a software for passengers to hail local cabbies. The strategy was an important part of a deal which includes monetary support for cabs, like fee breaks, approved by the city council. A union majorly consisted of cab drivers and taxi operators organized this plan in Chicago last year to push hard for the package. This approved plan is the way of the taxi industry to level the playing field. The use of app for conventional taxis is starting to gain popularity now, thanks to the software from trusted companies using it already, like the Universal Taxi app.

The Universal Taxi Dispatch is a great example of this company-based transportation mobile app. It’s a safe way to acquire various services like airport pick-ups, corporate accounts, package delivery, and even school riding programs. By using the app, the passenger can also estimate his fare from point A to point B.

Chicago Cabbie Mobile App

The Chicago regulation commits the city to develop a mobile app that will function as a main dispatch for all of the city’s taxi companies. It is not yet established how the mobile app is going to be implemented. No word yet on who covers the cost for it, and whether rideshare services can bid for the agreement to acquire or run it as well. For the meantime, I suggest that local and foreign passengers can use company-based apps such as Universal Taxi to get the services that they need.

Labor groups state that the taxi industry is suffering from similar problems with low-wage workers in the fast-food and other service industries. This is particularly true with their dormant wages and restricted dealing privileges. The taxi industry projects that this Chicago measure, that includes lowering the fees drivers pay to rent their car, reducing fine amounts , and providing cab drivers a share of in-car marketing earnings, will collectively boost revenue for drivers up to $8,000 each year. As an experienced cabbie, I can honestly say that this is an incredibly great, positive news.

As for the services from the other side of the court, Uber declined to give a comment about the issue. Although, the controversial ridesharing company says that its functionality and safety were better than those of the cab industry.

 

News

Chicago Cabbies Push City Council to Take More Action

The City of Chicago has passed an ordinance that hopes to empower cab companies to have a better chance in competing against ridesharing services like Uber and Lyft. However, Chicago companies are not impressed. They have gone straight to the aldermen in the hopes of freely expressing their belief that what the city council is doing is not enough.

Proving that they are serious about their cause, the cab drivers presented a few statistics to strengthen their case. Over 13,000 amateur drivers have become their competition since ridesharing services were introduced in the city, which they claim threaten not only their livelihood as professional drivers, but the safety of the public as well.

Comparing the road to become a cab driver to that of being an Uber or Lyft driver, there definitely are a few major differences. Before cab drivers can get their professional driving license, they would have to go through a series of drug tests and physical exams. They also have to hold commercial liability insurance, and should finish a course that would take two weeks to complete.

As far as Uber and Lyft drivers are concerned, all they have to do is apply, and the management does a background check, although there is no assurance how thorough these background checks truly are. Recent cases of sexual assault charges against a number of Uber drivers also strengthen their side, showing that these rideshare services may not be doing their share in keeping their customers safe, after all.

The rideshare ordinance includes having a universal app that people can use to hail a cab, similar to what Uber is doing. Some cab companies have gone ahead however, and have started offering their own apps as well, such as Universal Taxi. Universal Taxi allows users to book a cab through their smartphones, adding convenience to the passenger experience.

The city has also agreed to drop the lease rates of cabbies by up to 25% if they use electric, hybrid, and CNG vehicles. Fines for traffic violations are decreased, and advertising revenue sharing will also be greatly improved to give cab drivers more opportunities to earn.

However, these only aim to increase the profit bracket for cab drivers, but does not really address the problem that they are having against the competition. Not only is Uber and Lyft taking away a huge percentage of the business from cab drivers, they also make it seem like cab drivers are the only ones going through all the necessary security precautions while rideshare drivers can go around doing the same thing at a much lesser cost.

As far as Chicago cab drivers are concerned, this proves to be their tipping point. “They should be regulated,” a Cab Drivers United member says, “Let them get insurance. Allow them to take the exam. Let them know what they should be doing. If they pass the exam, then we can compete in the free market.”

The Chicago City Council is still reviewing the entire scenario, and is taking it one step at a time. They have promised Chicago City cabbies that their aim is to make the experience better for each commuter.Cabbies everywhere are waiting for the council’s next move.

Insight

Tipping Protocol: Is Tipping Cabbie Drivers Mandatory?

In Chicago, I believe tipping is a common practice and even mandatory in some industries. The question here, though, is if this also applies to taxis? Another question is how much to tip cab drivers? Obviously, taxi drivers aren’t really rolling in the dough so a tip is always greatly appreciated. A large portion of a cabbie’s income comes from tips. So for those who want to become better acquainted with the tipping protocol when it comes to taxis, below are some points that you might be interested in.

Tipping Taxis

If you happen to be one of those people who do not tip taxi drivers since you think that paying them the fare that is indicated in the meter is enough, then you are wrong. It is actually a common practice to tip cabbies. Also, if you are in the habit of tipping, but you do not really think too much about the amount and just give them whatever change you have in your pocket, then you may be violating tipping protocol. According to experts, if you tip your taxi driver less than 12.5% of the total amount of your fare then you are not tipping properly.

The thing here is that even though riders today tend to be more generous with their tips as compared to people back in the day, the amount of the tips they give isn’t really up to par with fare rates today. In New York, the Taxi and Limousine Commission found out that the average passenger that paid with a credit card would only tip about 15.5% since the fares went up. That is down a couple of points from the 17% that they gave back in 2010 and 2011. In 2009, they tipped more at 22%.

Some riders may be opting to tip less so they can lower the overall cost of taking a cab especially since fares have increased. This is according to Michael Lynn, a professor of consumer behavior and marketing at Cornell University.

The Right Amount to Give

According to Peter Post, managing director of The Emily Post Institute and author of Essential Manners for Men, he suggests that it is good to start at 15% of the total fare and just round it up from there. He also stated that drivers who exhibit extra courteousness and service may be deserving of a dollar or two extra. So for instance, if the driver helps with your luggage and knows what shortcuts to take so you reach your flight on time, then he definitely deserves more than just 15%.

For those who are travelling in Chicago, you may want to keep these rates in mind. This is the standard tipping practice and you may want to increase or decrease the tip according to your overall taxi experience.

Another thing you may want to know is that you can easily call for a cab in Chicago using the Universal Taxi app. This app by Universal Taxi allows you to call for a cab using your mobile phone.

 

Insight

Dealing with Irate Passengers

No matter how good your day has been going, there is always a chance that you’ll encounter other people whose day has not been going as well as yours. No matter how nice you are, there will always be people who do not have the same disposition. And being in the kind of business that deals with different kinds of passengers day in and day out, we know just how stressful it can be when you encounter an irate one.

Here’s how we deal with irate passengers at Universal Taxi:

  • Master the art of listening. This is really hard, especially if you take offense quite easily. However, people who feel anger often need a way to vent. Although it is quite unlucky that they had to vent it out on you, the storm will pass once they have let it all out. Just listen and wait it out.
  • Respond in a different manner. It is human nature to respond the same way you are being treated. However, this does not work when dealing with an irate customer. Responding in anger will only add fuel to the flame, and would make matters worse. Respond in a calm manner and your passenger will eventually realize that they’ve been wasting energy on what could be a trivial matter.
  • Don’t take it personally. It’s your passenger’s bad day, not yours. Your passenger may be mad at the company you work for, the way you drive, or someone else. At the end of the day, their anger should not change the way your day is going. Let them choose anger and continue having a bad day. Just drown it all out. After all, you’ll only meet this person once. And that’s a really short time to know someone to let them affect you in a huge way.
  • Apologize and sympathize. Sometimes, a passenger only wants to hear some sort of affirmation from someone else. The best way to do this is to apologize and sympathize with the customer, even if it’s not your fault. This may be all that your passenger needs to calm down.
  • Breathe in, breathe out. Once the passenger gets off, take a breather of your own. All those minutes of trying to be nice to a person who’s being difficult will definitely take its toll, and you might end up passing the hostility off to your next passenger. Breathe in and out and start driving once you believe you’ve let it go.

Dealing with an irate passenger is not that easy, but it’s not impossible. This is part of the strong commitment that Universal Taxi has, knowing that every passenger’s happiness is ultimately our success.