4 ms·

> Non-discrimination: Aparently, that's not true in the US - I've read about many times how white people hail cabs for their black friends, because cabs won't

by tomp 12y ago

> Non-discrimination: Aparently, that's not true in the US - I've read about many times how white people hail cabs for their black friends, because cabs won't stop for black people.

e98cuenc 12y ago
In SF a cab refused to take us (a white guy and girl and a 6 month toddler) to Lombard street because it was "2 blocks away". It was in fact 6 blocks away with awful ups and down. I had a really hard 15 - 20 minutes going up and down trying to don't fall with our baby cart. The 3 times our friend in SF ordered a Uber, it never failed, even though one of these rides was shorter than the one we requested to Lombard St. To me it's clear who is providing the non-discrimination service and who is not.
- mlrtime 12y ago
  That is strange to hear for me. I also always thought that taxi's disliked short rides. However since they receive a fixed amount for all rides, it is actually a good deal for them since they are making more per mile on that small trip.
  - flomo 12y ago
    The driver's issue could be that the meter isn't running while the customers enter/exit the cab. If the GP had a stroller, the driver may have assessed the overhead wasn't worth a minimal fare. Mean and probably illegal, but there may have been some gut-logic to it.
furyg3 12y ago
Yes, that is certainly a real phenomenon. I was speaking about 'discrimination' in it's wider sense, however, as in that there are clear rules about a cabbie's ability to reject a hail based on certain factors (like distance/time, but also race). In reality this does happen. I've frequently been refused during 'feeding frenzies' at my local train station based on the fact that I'm not a tourist (and thus know the rules), my trip is too short, etc. In theory by rejecting a legitimate fare a cabbie is risking more than a scab would be risking (historically). Under an Uber/Lyft/etc system this problem is mitigated, probably even better than the medallion system.

by tomp 12y ago

> Non-discrimination: Aparently, that's not true in the US - I've read about many times how white people hail cabs for their black friends, because cabs won't stop for black people.

e98cuenc 12y ago

In SF a cab refused to take us (a white guy and girl and a 6 month toddler) to Lombard street because it was "2 blocks away". It was in fact 6 blocks away with awful ups and down. I had a really hard 15 - 20 minutes going up and down trying to don't fall with our baby cart. The 3 times our friend in SF ordered a Uber, it never failed, even though one of these rides was shorter than the one we requested to Lombard St. To me it's clear who is providing the non-discrimination service and who is not.

mlrtime 12y ago
That is strange to hear for me. I also always thought that taxi's disliked short rides. However since they receive a fixed amount for all rides, it is actually a good deal for them since they are making more per mile on that small trip.
- flomo 12y ago
  The driver's issue could be that the meter isn't running while the customers enter/exit the cab. If the GP had a stroller, the driver may have assessed the overhead wasn't worth a minimal fare. Mean and probably illegal, but there may have been some gut-logic to it.

furyg3 12y ago

Yes, that is certainly a real phenomenon. I was speaking about 'discrimination' in it's wider sense, however, as in that there are clear rules about a cabbie's ability to reject a hail based on certain factors (like distance/time, but also race). In reality this does happen. I've frequently been refused during 'feeding frenzies' at my local train station based on the fact that I'm not a tourist (and thus know the rules), my trip is too short, etc. In theory by rejecting a legitimate fare a cabbie is risking more than a scab would be risking (historically). Under an Uber/Lyft/etc system this problem is mitigated, probably even better than the medallion system.