2013 Taxi Stories: The GOOD, BAD & UGLY

We're not far into the new year, so we are still reflecting on some of the more interesting taxi stories in the last year...

The GOOD:



You're in a taxi in Norway... driven by the Prime Minister?

One of the coolest stories to emerge last year was when Norway's Prime Minister,
Jens Stoltenberg, donned a taxi driver's uniform and got behind the wheel of a taxi
in Oslo, to find out what his constituents really think. Read the story here.

The BAD:



What's inside this ambulance in Moscow? A heart attack victim or leather couches and caviar?

It's so hard to get through the streets in Moscow that a new mode of
transport has emerged, as described in this story that emerged in 2013:
'Sick' in style: Meet the new Russian ambulance luxury taxi.
Read the full story here.

The UGLY:



Really, what's the worst that can happen if you accept a ride from a driver in a Chicago airport?

In 2013, Chicago hatched one of the worst taxi scam stories we've seen. Not only for how deep it gouged, but for how heartless it was. Here's how it went down: a Chinese student, speaking little English, lands at Chicago O'Hare Airport, and is approached by a taxi driver... Read the full story here.

A few other notable taxi stories from 2013:

• The Best and Worst Cities to Take a Taxi - featuring IHateTaxis
• English Speaking Taxi Scam At The Costa Rica Airport
• Taxi Driver Collusion at Rome's Ciampino Airport 
• New York: Four-Wheeled Future: Taking a Ride in New York City’s “Taxi of Tomorrow”
• New York: NYC Judge Nixes 'Taxi of Tomorrow' Deal
• Vancouver: Passengers the losers as more downtown weekend taxis put on hold

Read these posts in our Smart Travel Advice series:

• Airport Arrival Advice
• Taxi Rates and Fares: Airport Taxi Advice
• Dealing with Touts 
• Dealing with Taxi Drivers

In case you have missed it, please read our post: Do We Really Hate Taxis?

Chicago taxi driver scams student for $4K

A taxi in Chicago

If you missed it this past week, this taxi scam is one of the worst we've seen. Not only for how deep it gouged, but for how heartless it was.

Here's how it went down: a Chinese student, speaking little English, lands at Chicago O'Hare Airport. His destination: the University of Illinois (there is a bus service, but taking a taxi should cost, at most, about $300). The student was approached in the airport by a taxi driver, told there were no more buses running that night, and his only option was a taxi. For a cool $1000. The student agrees, and off they go.

But that's not the end of the story. We're not sure if somehow the driver caught wind of the fact that the student had a lot of cash on him, or perhaps he caught a glimpse of it, or maybe he was just a nasty dreamer, but whatever the reason, when they arrive at their destination, the driver demands $4,800 (and, no, that's not a typo!). Well, the student "only" had around $4,200, so he gave the driver all the money he had.

Our advice: NEVER trust an offer of a taxi or limo from someone who approaches you in the airport.

The practice of approaching customers to secure a fare is called touting.

Touts prey on newly-arrived passengers, at airports and train stations, taking advantage of them in many ways. Touts prey on new arrivals because:

• They may not be familiar with the local currency
• They may not be aware of the typical cost of goods and services
• They are likely tired and jet-lagged and just want to get to their destination
• They are  very likely carrying large amounts of cash 

To avoid being ripped off, avoid taxi touts completely.

Related reading: Dealing with Touts

Instead, go to the official taxi stand, or read up on your destination ahead of time to learn options for where you can catch a cab (IHateTaxis.com was created for this purpose - check us out!).

While we most often see stories about taxi touts ripping travellers off outside of North America, it can happen anywhere. So, get street smart, and know how to protect yourself.

We feel for the student who, in this case, really didn't know any better, and was willing to trust someone who he thought was helping him (the driver told him there were no more buses that evening). If you know a foreigner who is travelling to visit you, always advise them the best way to get a taxi, and what not to do, to avoid being scammed.

Related reading: Airport Arrival Advice

With regards to the recent Chicago scam, you can read the full story here.