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.

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.

If there is one hot topic in the city of Chicago, it has to be the issue between the local taxi industry and the ridesharing companies like Uber and Lyft that are slowly, but surely,  taking over the streets of the city. We here think that a little competition is healthy but it seems that some ridesharing services are not just bent on competing but also have the potential to annihilate the local taxi business. This, of course, has everyone up in arms and this includes the local government in the city. This begs the question, if Uber is so good, why do officials seem to be against it?

The Uber Laws

The thing to remember here is that Uber just came to Chicago last 2011 and quickly became rising rock star of the roads. This, of course, caused some panic among cab drivers. And with the taxi industry being an important part of the Chicago economy and landscape, the government had to step in. We here at Universal taxi suppose the government could just kick out the service or ban them from the city but they cannot do that unless the ridesharing services break the law.

Well are they breaking the law?

The thing with Uber is that their business model doesn’t exactly make them illegal but it doesn’t totally make them legit either. They do have some practices that fall in the shady, gray areas between what is legal and what is not. After all, there really is nothing against the law about hitching a ride from someone and paying them money.

The gray area though is proving to be troublesome for the ridesharing service and they have had some rough times in Chicago especially with their new UberX. This service is basically for amateur drivers who can go around the city and pick up passengers for money. Just recently, they were sued by a woman passenger who claimed to have been assaulted by an UberX driver. We say that it isn’t really the fault of the ridesharing service—at least not directly—but you can see where they would be in trouble. Granted, violence has long been a part of the taxi industry but what makes this troublesome is that UberX makes it much easier for amateur drivers to perv out their passengers. Uber falls outside of the regulations that govern local registered taxis and they have taken steps to ensure that such regulations are not enforced on them.

Another thing to add to the list of troubles for Uber is that the city has put a limit of 450 drivers for their services and the thing there is that number is to be shared with Lyft and another rideshare service that operates within the city. Also, the city has banned UberX drivers from going to the airports to pick up passengers so that is another constraint they have to deal with.

The Real Deal

At the moment, Uber hasn’t really broken any laws just yet but they are still on that shady gray area. However, for those that want the convenience of a rideshare but want to ride regulated vehicles, Universal Taxi has an app here that can help.

Transportation is something many people need. Considering that not everyone has a private vehicle, there are still a lot of times when going out requires making use of public transportation services. There are crowded trains, buses, and taxis that offer more exclusive interiors and convenience. Each day, especially in big cities, a lot of people commute and taxis can be the best form of transportation for more than just one reason.

Safety and Privacy

One of the top reasons why taxis are still safer compared to other forms of transportation is the mere fact that you don’t have to share your ride with anyone else. I have had my own experience in dealing with trains that are too crowded or buses that seemingly have more people than it should. It gets quite tiring. I also have the tendency to feel too guarded when other commuters are around. You can never be too sure when someone might be a pickpocket who’s waiting for the right chance at your valuables.

Inside a taxi, you get more safety and privacy. You can sit away from the driver and enjoy the drive to and from work or anywhere you need to go without having to deal with a chatty person next to you or the awkwardness of overhearing less pleasing conversations. These may be quite petty concerns, but let’s face it—after a day of hard work, having a bit of peace and quiet on your way home would be nice, right? You also reduce your chances of getting pickpocketed in public rides.

Convenience

Compared to public modes of transportation, you can now easily hail a taxi by using apps like the Universal Taxi Dispatch app. You will no longer need to stand at the sidewalks and wait for a taxi to come. Just use the app and you can order a taxi and find it waiting for you in front of your house. Within minutes of ordering a cab, you can be on your way to your destination with no hassle. Furthermore, convenience also means not having to share the ride with over a dozen people. No need to stop anywhere you aren’t getting off at, and you can get to the place you need to get to just like you would in your own vehicle.

Professionalism

The drivers you will employ using the Universal Taxi Dispatch app are very professional. This is one of the things that contribute to the safety of each ride. The taxi drivers have been carefully screened and you can expect nothing but professional service from them.

You need them at this exact hour? They’ll be there. Do you have to go somewhere you don’t know? They know the Chicagoland area like the back of their hand and they can get you there on time. Are you from the airport and need help with your luggage? They can also assist you with that.

The convenience, privacy, and safety you can get from the professional services of cab drivers using this mobile app is amazing. I would recommend it to anyone who has a preference for safe and convenient modes of transportation.

The streets of Chicago can get pretty busy and sometimes hailing a cab sometimes turns out to be an impossible feat for some. This does not mean that you’ll be left out on the streets without a ride to get to your destination, nor does it entail having to resort to getting rideshare services which could be a lot riskier. Sometimes you just have to know a thing or two about the best ways to hail a cab around the Chicago area.

Stick out your thumb.

Some people prefer screaming “Taxi!” at the top of their lungs while some prefer whistling. Unfortunately, these would only leave you breathless and hoarse, especially if you do it continuously. Some could say that they only wait for cabs whose lights are on, but most of the time, this does not work either as some cabs still leave their lights on despite having a passenger. The best option really is for you to just stick out your thumb at every taxi that passes as a hitchhiker would do when looking for a ride on the highway. It’s less tiring, and it gets you noticed every time.

Call the cab company.

Arrange for a pickup by calling the cab company. You can always get their numbers from directory assistance or by looking it up online. You can even schedule the pickup ahead of time, leaving you with less worries when it’s time for you to leave. This is especially helpful if you want to be picked up at a place where you’d have to rely on luck before a cab passes by.

Book online through the cab company’s website.

Most Chicago cab companies have their own websites, and most of them give you the option to book a cab online. So if you’re connected all the time, this is definitely one of the best ways for you to hail a cab. You just need to let the cab company know your location and your destination. You also have the option to book a cab in advance or request for a cab at that precise moment, and you will be notified if there is a cab available in your area.

Book through a taxi app.

Yes, cab companies are keeping up with the times. A lot of cab companies now have their own app where you can request for a cab no matter where you are. Universal Taxi for example, has their very own Universal Taxi App which you can download on your iPhone or Android phone and use anytime you’re having trouble hailing a cab. It’s fast, convenient, and pushing a few buttons on your screen will not be as tiring as having to wave and scream at every cab that passes by.

Cab companies understand the plight of Chicago commuters, which is why they find ways to make it as easy as possible to hail a cab. As long as you have the know-how and the right tools, hailing a cab in the middle of Chicago will be a trick you could master in no time.

When looking for a taxi service to patronize, I always think that it is a good idea to look for one that provides more than just the basic services. After all, I want to be assured that the taxi service I call will be able to serve my needs and make life easier for me. One service in particular has caught my attention: Universal Taxi Dispatch, a taxi application that operates in Chicago.

Universal Taxi Dispatch

Now, the first thing I want to say about this is that I love how easy they are to call. The company came up with an app that allows people to call them and get a taxi to where they need it. I think that’s pretty nifty and this app saves me a lot of time from having to wait by the curb. In fact, it reminds me of one of those rideshare services, only I like this one better than the others since I know they’re professional cabbies regulated by the city.

Think about what you know about cabs – you hail them, let them take you from point A, and pay them after they drop you off at point B. However, this company does so much more than that and I want to share these additional features with you.

• Airport services – The company services both Midway and O’Hare airports. It is very easy to get in touch with them. All you need to do is pick up your luggage and give them a call so they know where to pick you up. You will also get a taxi number. Now, airports are very busy places so you need to make sure that you keep an eye out for the taxi number that was given to you to make sure you get in the right cab.
• Package delivery – I was so surprised when I found out that this taxi service actually delivered packages. They have a great team of drivers and different types of vehicles to accommodate packages of all sizes. The best part is that they deliver the packages within the day so it really cuts down on the delivery time.
• School ride program – For those people who have kids, Universal Taxi Dispatch offers a safe and efficient way for your kids to get to school. They have a dedicated manager for this and you can rest easy knowing that your kids are in the secure hands of experienced drivers that will get them to school on time.
• Corporate accounts – Corporate workers are busy folks and this is where the company picks up the slack. Their corporate accounts ensure that employees and clients alike are transported into meeting venues and events in a fast and safe manner.

As you can see, these services make this company so much better than the rest. They really know what their clients want and they do their very best to deliver. I must say that this has to be one of the best cab providers in Chicago.

Rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft tool Chicago by surprise, creating an avalanche of issues within the city’s transportation system. As these rideshare services continue to take a huge percentage of the city’s commuters away from the cab companies, it was not surprising at all when cabbies decided to take action by filing suits against the city itself.

In response, the city decided to show how important the taxi industry is by coming up with ordinances not only to give cab companies a fair share of the market but to somehow regulate how rideshare services operate. Although you can hear the rideshare companies complain about the ordinance, they are considerably better off with it as compared to their probable state in case the original ordinance, which was drawn by Mayor Rahm Emanuel, was approved. Chicago’s rideshare ordinance is also relatively more lenient as compared to the state bill.

Under the Chicago ordinance, drivers cannot go beyond an average of 20 hours per week which is definitely better that the 18-hour limit that the state has placed. Drivers who want to go beyond the 20-hour cap may also do so, provided that they can find another rideshare driver who can help offset the hours by logging in less hours for the same week.

In terms of issues on passenger safety and security, rideshare services are also required to go through strict driver background checks and vehicle inspections. They are also required to have insurance coverage. This is one aspect that cab companies have always seen as their edge against rideshare services, as there was a time when virtually anybody can become a rideshare driver. This puts the passenger at risk considering that there is no assurance at all about the driver’s capacity to drive other people around.

Of course, given the fact that rideshare services would find this city ordinance to be better than the state bill, the mayor is still receiving a lot of pressure from these services. This is mainly due to the fact that the ordinance is not at all about safety and security. Instead, rideshare services sees it as a way for the city to limit the amount of competition that cab drivers are getting. After all, the 20-hour limit does not prove anything. There is no assurance that the driver would do a better job if they only drove for 20 hours or less.

Because of this, Uber has been dangling the offer of more jobs in front of the city. Interestingly, the rideshare service is not looking for any tax credits for this. They simply want the city council to cease from standing in their way as they promise to bring over 400 new jobs in the city.

With this ordinance combined with the Taxi Driver Fairness Reforms package that was passed in December last year, it is not surprising that rideshare services are calling foul. However, it should also be understood that cab companies have always been part of the city’s transportation system, and it is also unfair for them to be suffering from competition that offers the same kind of service as they do, but without the pressures and restrictions that they have to follow.

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.