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My experience is the exact opposite in most cities in the UK - Google Maps regularly gets me going insanely stupid routes, while the cabbies always seem to know
by vertex-four 12y ago
My experience is the exact opposite in most cities in the UK - Google Maps regularly gets me going insanely stupid routes, while the cabbies always seem to know every street and the best way to get to it.
Perhaps the US has a different culture for its cab drivers? I can't imagine why, though. We have all the taxi licensing schemes and whatnot that the US does, so it can't be a case of "there's more competition so they're better". Perhaps it literally does just come down to culture?
- kd0amg 12y agoI've never heard of US cabbie licensing including any sort of "are you actually good at this?" check.
- Kalium 12y agoIn the US, cabbies are often relatively recent immigrants. They may know parts of the city OK, but they can't be relied upon to have the city memorized. There's licensing, but it's a far cry from the Knowledge of London.
- jeffwass 12y agoNot sure how it works elsewhere in the UK, but in London the cab drivers have to take an in-depth course called 'The Knowledge' which covers street routes, alternate routes during street closures, commercial destinations, etc. See some sample questions : http://www.taxiknowledge.co.uk/mock.html http://www.taxiknowledge.co.uk/mock.html This is majorly helpful beyond usual satnav use case. Eg, to get dropped off during high-traffic area, the cabbies will know well the surrounding streets and at your request can drop you off in a reasonable place 1-2 blocks away, for much less time and expense.