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.

When traveling to any place new to you, part of the adventure is finding your way around and learning how you could get to your destination with ease. Chicago is a walking city and it is easy navigate; if you’re not up for walking, you’ll find that you have many options for a ride. One of the most visible modes of transportation would be the Chicago cab. If hesitant about riding the usual cabs for so many reasons, you could go for your other option aside from the bus and train. However, if you favor cabs more but don’t want the hassle of hailing one, you can go for the new mobile technology for cabs.  Universal Taxi has launched a mobile app that gives you immediate access to a city cab.

Here are some pointers to remember when commuting around Chicago:

• The city’s grid is simple. Madison Street divides the north and south parts while State Street divides the east and west. The intersection of the two streets is the point of origin in the whole grid system of Chicago. All addresses are marked and measured from that origin with eight blocks counted for every mile.

• There are other means of public transportation. The Chicago Transit Authority serves the city and 40 neighboring areas through the rail and bus. You can pay cash for one single trip or pay through the Ventra Transit card and purchase beforehand. You may choose an unlimited pass if you’re staying for a few days and you have a strict budget for transportation.There’s also the train that connects the downtown to the suburbs. This is an easy way for you to get to the heart of Chicago fast. The high-speed the El would be a good part of your adventure, especially if you would like to explore the suburbs.Aside from the taxis on the ground, there are boats that you can use as water taxis between the top tourist spots in Chicago. This ride gives you the opportunity for sightseeing as you are conveniently transported to your destination. For the more athletic or more adventurous, you could go around the city using bikes as there are bike lanes and bike rack parking areas. You could check with your hotel on how you could rent or have access to the bike sharing program available in the city.

• You can always hail a cab. Yes, you have several options if you need to go from one place to another while you are in Chicago for pleasure or business, but riding a cab is one must-do you need to check off your travel list. If you don’t have much time to spare and you are in a hurry and you don’t want to risk getting lost on your own, hail a cab or request for one. The mobile app launched by Universal Taxi should be able to give you access to the city cabs that could bring you to the best spots in the city or back to your hotel after a long day.

To make the most out of your Chicago adventure, I urge you to try all of these forms of transformation at least once during your stay.

When you cannot bring your car to a certain destination, you are left with the option to travel using the available public transportation of that place. It could be overwhelming and could be stressful if you do not know what you’re doing or exactly where you’re going.

There are a few things you have to keep in mind when you are traveling to a foreign city or country. I’ve sorted the most important ones for you.

• Plan ahead. If it’s a vacation that you have set for some time already, it should be part of your preparations that you plan your itinerary. Knowing what activities you are set to do and where you’re doing these activities will give you an overview of what you need to research about that place. If you plan to take the taxi, you should check how much the minimum rate is and how much you will be charged per mile. This way, the drivers will not have a chance to scam you.
• Prepare loose change. Your credit card could be handy, but it is best that you prepare cash or some loose change to pay for your taxi ride. Some drivers are hesitant about accepting credit card payments, although in cities like Chicago, the taxis are required and are equipped to accept CC payment. If you pay via credit card, it is considered fair to give a tip of about 7.5%.
• Make a list of the reputable cab companies patrolling the city. You can ask the hotel staff for recommendations too. Keep this number handy so you could call a reliable cab company any time you need a ride. You can also use your mobile phone to book a taxi ride via an option like that of Universal Taxi’s mobile booking app.
• Take note of the plate number.You might as well take note of the make and color of the taxi you are riding.Ask for the driver’s name.
• Always sit in the back seat of the car. This is the best seat for a passenger.

There are taxi cabs that are not at all regulated and you should be cautious of them. The legal ones provide insurance in the event of an accident and you can be more certain that you could trust them. Open your senses and be alert every time.If you opted to call for a cab or book one via your smartphone, you should not approach the car you suspect to be the one you are renting. The cab should approach you. If it has been booked via Universal Taxi, you will be phoned by the driver or the car itself will approach you.

You can also always consider riding other means of transportations like buses, rails, or trains if you have the time and the knack for adventure. If you are in a hurry or you simply want exclusive rides, you can download a mobile taxi booking app like that of Universal Taxi and get a cab ride in no time at all.

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.