Every person who sits behind the wheel of a Universal Taxi knows that by doing so, they are making a commitment to get passengers from one point to another the safest way possible. This is how huge a Chicago cabbie’s responsibility is. That’s why being a cabbie is not something that is to be taken lightly. Every cab driver should not only aim to do what is required of them, but to go beyond that call of duty and go for excellence in their craft.

Here are a few tips for cab drivers who want to be even better at what they do:

• Learn how to relate with different kinds of people. Being a cabbie means that you will encounter different kinds of people throughout the day. From the wide-eyed tourist to the professional who’s in a rush, there are also different ways to relate to them and make their trip enjoyable and comfortable. Know which ones would love to hear your stories, and which ones would rather have complete silence during the trip.

• Be updated with places of interest. Sure, you know where all the popular landmarks are. But did you know about the popular new restaurant that opened up downtown? Or that swanky new club that everyone’s dying to get into? Be updated with these things because people would rely on you to take them to where they want to go, regardless of whether they have been there before or not.
• Be updated with changes in city ordinances.The City council also enforces new ordinances from time to time, so you have to be updated with things like these. Especially for new guidelines regarding the transport sector, it could affect not only you, but your passengers as well.

• Know more about safety. This is not just about safety for your passengers, but your own as well. Find out if there have been recent accidents or attacks that involve cab drivers, and be vigilant at all times. Be aware of suspicious characters that may get on your cab and make sure you have a means to call for help in case something untoward happens.

• Find other things to do aside from driving. Relax every so often. Find a hobby. Spend time with family and friends. All that driving around the city can take its toll after some time, which could make you crankier when you’re on the road. This is not exactly the healthiest state of mind that you could be in as a cabbie, so make sure you give your mind and your body some rest so that you can practice more patience the moment you start driving.

Just remember that when you become a cabbie for Universal Taxi, it shouldn’t end there. It has to be a continuous learning process, something that would allow you become better not only as a cab driver, but as a human being. The skills and traits that you develop through time would definitely be useful for you not only in the cab business, but in other areas as well.

There is no doubt at all that taking a cab in Chicago is one of the most convenient ways to get around. Especially if you’re still unfamiliar with the city, cab drivers can easily take you to where you want to go in no time. Especially with the new Universal Taxi app, you can ask your cabbie to pick you up at a specific location at any time.

Once you’re in a cab, the level of service that you receive is then shifted towards the driver. No matter how easy the booking process is, having a cab driver that does not know how to give quality service will make everything else useless. These are the traits that each cabbie should have for you to say that their service is truly exceptional:

• Knows how to communicate well. There is nothing more frustrating than not being able to understand your cabbie. There may also be times when the cabbie fails to understand what you’re trying to say. This is why a good Chicago cabbie should be exceptional when it comes to communication. This includes knowing what kind of tone and approach to use for different kinds of people, as well as being able to refrain from using crude language.

• Knows how to draw the line. No, it’s not just about his ability to speak, or how deep your conversations with them would go. Some cab drivers may have the most insightful thoughts to share, but when you need silence, they should be able to give this to you as well. Some cabbies talk incessantly even if it’s obvious that you are not in the mood to talk. This is an irritating habit, especially if the trip takes a little longer than expected.

• Honest and polite. No matter how bad your day is, a friendly good morning from your cabbie can change things somehow. Things get even better if they prove to be honest as well. Cabs are prone to the risk of having valuables left behind, and only an honest cabbie will have the conscience to give it back. Basically, honesty and politeness in a single cab driver make a winning combination, allowing you to gain trust in the cabs around the city.

• Knowledgeable about routes and landmarks. Nothing can be more frustrating than having to explain to your cabbie where you want to go, especially if you’re new to the city. Cabbies should be able to take the best routes possible to avoid heavy traffic, and should also be able to direct you to different places that you may want to see.

• Knows what proper hygiene is. You have probably ridden a taxi that stinks at one point in your life, and it’s not exactly a pleasant experience. If a cabbie has no idea that his taxi stinks, or doesn’t really mind that it does, then we have a huge problem. A great cab driver should know that when he smells great, his cab should smell great as well, and vice versa. And smelling nice never really hurt anybody.

The next time you get on a Universal Taxi, be aware about how your cabbie behaves. Is he awesome at what he does? Or is there anything about him that put you off?

One of the most unpleasant encounters a traveler can go through in a new city is a rude taxi driver or a life-threatening cab ride. It’s quite difficult to pinpoint when it can occur. There are a few hints here and there, like when the cabbie cuts another to reach you first. However, not all telltale signs are always available. The cabbie could just inherently be a bad driver, a newbie, or a person simply having a bad day. That’s basically the luck of the draw. But, there are some instances when the experience is unpleasant because the commuter himself is rude or out of line.

As a member of the Chicago taxi drivers, I gathered some basic but effective tips on how you, the commuter, can be a better cab passenger. Follow these guidelines and you’ll have a smooth, enjoyable ride around Chicago 99 percent of the time.

1.    Book one taxi dispatch company at a time.

Chicago is a big city, so it’s not a surprise for the Windy City to have a number of cab companies that are on call 24/7. When you need a cab ride and you can’t hail one on the street, you can simply book a taxi from any these cab companies. Despite this convenience and the number of options available, resist the urge to stay on the safe side and book multiple taxis at once. Choose one and make a single booking. For instance, if you choose Universal Taxi Dispatch, stick with us from start to finish. If for some reason you decided to pick a different company, make a cancelation first, before doing another deal with another dispatch. Remember, even if we drive you around and are pretty much at your beck-and-call, we’re also making a living. Calling two cabs when you only need one makes one driver short of a passenger.

2.    Choose a cab that has logos and licenses displayed.

As a passenger, your safety is paramount. As drivers, we take your – and our – safety seriously. Universal Taxiunits are properly marked with our insignia in and out ofour vehicles. Our drivers’ licenses with their photos are also on display for you to examine. It’s important that you choose a cab that is legally and properly marked to avoid any unpleasant incidents, like petty misconducts orheinous crimes.

3.    Know your destination.

If you’re traveling to Chicago for the first time, or to any other new place for that matter, knowing your exact destination can be a bit tricky. Obviously, you haven’t been there, but that shouldn’t limit your knowledge about the place. Thanks to Google Maps and other navigational mobile apps, it’ll be easy enough to pinpoint the route from the pick-up point to the actual destination.  The majority of the time, Chicago cabbies know the ins and outs of the city, so you won’t have a problem reaching your destination. But, it’s for your own safety and peace of mind to know the route of where you’re going. If you’re relaxed, then your driver won’t have any reason to get tense or suspicious, too.

4.    Have some respect.

This sounds pretty basic, but respect is a trait that many passengers take for granted. As drivers, we require that you respect our work, our cab, and our space. This means refraining from soiling the vehicle with garbage or asking rude questions.

These tips are elementary, but they go a long way in ensuring a harmonious cabbie-passenger relationship, even for just a 20-minute ride.

Commuting around Chicago can be very confusing, especially for first-time travelers. However, this should not hinder you from getting around the city. You can easily jump from one landmark to another through commuting if you follow these simple tips:

• Use public transport. There are so many public transport options for commuters within ad around Chicago. Not only is this the more practical options because it’s cheaper, it also gives you a feel of the city that allows you to enjoy it like a local. Just familiarize yourself with the bus and train routes, as well as with the bus stops and train stations. This would allow you to choose which option is best for specific locations. Might as well look at your different ticket options as well. There are certain passes that allow you to take both the train and the bus multiple times, which could turn out to be cheaper if you plan on taking the same transport option throughout your entire stay.

• Leave early. This actually applies to commuting no matter where you are. Leaving early is always a smart move because it allows you to leave some allowance in case something unexpected turns up. Some traffic might build up in case of an accident, or you could get lost, knowing that you’re still a little bit new to all this.

• Follow the grid. Did you know that Chicago has one of the simplest layout in the entire country? It follows a grid system that allows people to navigate more effectively. And once you’ve become familiar with the grid system, then there’s a huge chance that you won’t get lost around this city ever again.

• Be polite. Commuting is one way of interacting with people around you, so you have to mind your manners as you go about it. It’s normal to be bumped around especially during rush hour, and no matter what happens, resist the urge to start lashing at people you don’t know. Be polite. Apologize to people you bump into, smile back at people who are smiling at you, and try to acknowledge people who greet you with a nod. You don’t really lose anything when you stay polite even if other people are rude to you, but you lose a lot of energy by being rude to other people.

• Make it your ‘me’ time.Enjoy your commute and stop thinking about how much time it would take for you to get there or how much people there are around you. This could actually become a really enjoyable time for you, depending on how you’re going to spend it. You can bring a book and read it, or you can put those earphones on and enjoy some music.

• Make the most out of technology. This is especially helpful should you choose to take a cab to where you’re going. Universal Taxi has an app that allows you to conveniently book a taxi, making the taxi hailing process a lot easier. This means that you’ll have a Universal Taxi waiting for you outside, saving you the hassle of having to wave your arms around just to get the attention of a passing empty cab.

Commuting around Chicago could be easy and enjoyable. As long as you keep these tips in mind, then doing so as a first-timer should not be a problem at all.

When traveling from one destination to another around Chicago, the best transportation to take is a cab. This is because every Chicago cabbie has been certified by the city to have the ability to chauffeur passengers through the best, fastest and safest route possible.

Since Chicago is one of the busiest and most preferred travel destinations in the US, many cab companies stepped up their game in terms of technological changes. Cab service apps are more than just a trend these days. It’s now a necessity. We, at Universal Taxi, understand this necessity. Thus, the birth of the new Universal Taxi app. This mobile software is developed to provide for every transportation demand of passengers in Chicago.

Here are five reasons why choosing the Universal Taxi app is the best option when exploring the neighborhoods of Chicago.

1. User-Friendly

Even first-time mobile app users won’t get lost or confused with this cab service software. The download instructions are easy to follow, same goes with booking a ride. You only need to click three options, and you can inform our cabbie where your pick-up and drop-off locations are. This is the best transport solution for commuters and travelers that are always on the go. You can also communicate with the driver before the actual pick-up to get all the identification details you need. Monitoring the vehicle remotely and in real-time is likewise a few clicks away.

2. Fair Fare

For those who think that choosing a cab is out of their budget, think again. With the Universal Taxi app, you can find out if the cab driver from your pick-up spot to your drop-off place is within your budget. Thanks to the fare estimation feature of the app, passengers can input the necessary locations needed to get a fair and close estimate of the fare.

3. Customization

A pet peeve of many cab drivers is a group of passengers that try to fit everyone in the small cab because they all want to arrive at their destination at the same time, or they want to skimp payment for another taxi. Either way, an incorrect type of vehicle is a dangerous one. With the app from UTD, you can specify the number of passengers that need a ride and what kind of vehicle is preferred by the group. The customization also applies to the payment method you want to use to make the transaction later on faster and easier.

4. Preference and History

For future use, the app features a service where you can mark the spots you regularly come from or go to. These destination marks can be used as a reference to make the successive uses of the app hassle-free. Your 30-day history using the app is also available if you need to track your expenses and the like.

5. Safety First

All Universal Taxi Dispatch drivers are certified and qualified cabbies. They are licensed to operate the road with their passengers. The safety of our commuters is our number one priority. And so, feedback and customer suggestions to enhance the quality of our service are encouraged.

Get all these five cab service benefits and more with the Universal Taxi app. The mobile software downloadable via the App Store or Google Play.