4 ms·

Taxi companies never did rewards programs, and they had cheaper cost structures.

by _jal 4y ago

hattmall 4y ago
I mean they sort of did / do. Once you use them a lot you get to know drivers and you call them directly and they would give you better prices and pickup times. Calling dispatch would often not even work on busy nights. Obviously this isn't for placed like NYC where you just get a cab off the street. But in a lot of places you could establish relationships with a few cab drivers if you used them regularly.
- solardev 4y ago
  In my entire life, I don't think I've ever seen a cab driver more than once. How small a place do you live in?
  - ryoshu 4y ago
    20-ish years ago in Orange County, CA we had a cab driver we would call instead of dispatch. Super chill guy and good conversations with prompt service.
  - deleted 4y ago
    [deleted]
  - kyleee 4y ago
    You may just be closed off to the idea due to personality (not chatty) or due to lack of need (never needed to call and schedule a ride), but pre Uber (and maybe even today, don’t know) it was definitely common
    - solardev 4y ago
      I'm not doubting that this CAN happen, just wondering where it DOES frequently happen. I do enjoy chatting with drivers, though these days it's 99% Lyft and almost never a taxi. Back in the day though, I'd ride a taxi maybe once a week or so. The opportunity never even came up, like how would you start that discussion...? "Cool chat bro, can I have your number so I can just call you direct next time and bypass dispatch?" I'm not saying this is unbelievable, I'm just genuinely curious as to how this comes to pass, organically. I've never heard of anyone doing this, so was surprised when you said it's common, that's all.
      - kyleee 4y ago
        in my experiences in a couple of places it was usually from recurring trips to downtown areas to bars, restaurants, etc. so after chatting a bit a business card was offered or just a hey here's my cell call anytime you want a ride and i think the direct relationship was good for both parties though of course sometimes the driver wouldn't be available and maybe my saying "common" is overstating it since my knowledge is ultimately quite limited compared to the universe of taxi/rider trips taken but I and a handful or friends/acquaintances over the years have had these (ultimately fleeting) taxi relationships which were generally pleasant while they lasted

Taxi companies never did rewards programs, and they had cheaper cost structures.

by _jal 4y ago

Taxi companies never did rewards programs, and they had cheaper cost structures.

I mean they sort of did / do. Once you use them a lot you get to know drivers and you call them directly and they would give you better prices and pickup times. Calling dispatch would often not even work on busy nights. Obviously this isn't for placed like NYC where you just get a cab off the street. But in a lot of places you could establish relationships with a few cab drivers if you used them regularly.

solardev 4y ago
In my entire life, I don't think I've ever seen a cab driver more than once. How small a place do you live in?
- ryoshu 4y ago
  20-ish years ago in Orange County, CA we had a cab driver we would call instead of dispatch. Super chill guy and good conversations with prompt service.
- deleted 4y ago
  [deleted]
- kyleee 4y ago
  You may just be closed off to the idea due to personality (not chatty) or due to lack of need (never needed to call and schedule a ride), but pre Uber (and maybe even today, don’t know) it was definitely common
  - solardev 4y ago
    I'm not doubting that this CAN happen, just wondering where it DOES frequently happen. I do enjoy chatting with drivers, though these days it's 99% Lyft and almost never a taxi. Back in the day though, I'd ride a taxi maybe once a week or so. The opportunity never even came up, like how would you start that discussion...? "Cool chat bro, can I have your number so I can just call you direct next time and bypass dispatch?" I'm not saying this is unbelievable, I'm just genuinely curious as to how this comes to pass, organically. I've never heard of anyone doing this, so was surprised when you said it's common, that's all.
    - kyleee 4y ago
      in my experiences in a couple of places it was usually from recurring trips to downtown areas to bars, restaurants, etc. so after chatting a bit a business card was offered or just a hey here's my cell call anytime you want a ride and i think the direct relationship was good for both parties though of course sometimes the driver wouldn't be available and maybe my saying "common" is overstating it since my knowledge is ultimately quite limited compared to the universe of taxi/rider trips taken but I and a handful or friends/acquaintances over the years have had these (ultimately fleeting) taxi relationships which were generally pleasant while they lasted