4 ms·

Regulations for carrying a passenger in a Taxi is also exaggerated. Apart from being able to drive, not much should be regulated IMO. Perhaps price and extra se

by afsina 11y ago

Regulations for carrying a passenger in a Taxi is also exaggerated. Apart from being able to drive, not much should be regulated IMO. Perhaps price and extra services can be apparent before entering the vehicle (if car has insurance etc..). And let the customer decide the rest.

Mikeb85 11y ago
> Apart from being able to drive, not much should be regulated IMO. Travel to a number of developing countries where there aren't taxi regulations and say that... In the developed world, a marked taxi carries with it a guarantee of a consistent price, and a certain level of safety.
- bandrami 11y ago
  OK, but I split time among India, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka. Sri Lankan rickshaws are actually pretty reliable and safe. India's are less so. Bangladesh's are an absolute crapshoot. But my point is all three of these countries have (by US standards) insanely restrictive regulations; the problem is none of it is designed to improve the consumer experience; it's all designed to reward incumbent medallion holders.
  - Mikeb85 11y ago
    I agree about the medallions, but there's much to be said for regulations. In my wife's country, taxis are basically a no-go, especially if you're white. Minibuses were OK in the day, otherwise you have to get a private driver, preferably one whom you know personally (so that if you're murdered or robbed there's a way to enact revenge). And just when I thought they were being paranoid, we did witness a robbery and subsequent shootout when we were there, one of her friends did get car-jacked and robbed, and shortly after we left one of the people whom we visited was gunned down and murdered by bandits. Lawless countries are less fun than they appear...
CaptainZapp 11y ago
Actually I'm very, very much in favor of regulations, which support my safety. An excellent example are minimum rest requirements. You're strictly not allowed to moonlight as a cabby after a strenuous 10 hour shift. No such restrictions exist for "private" taxis. You may like to gamble with your safety, I sure as hell don't. There are exactly such regulations, which keep the public safe.
- philjohn 11y ago
  Having had a friend seriously injured in a licensed minicab accident many years ago, I concur.

by afsina 11y ago

Mikeb85 11y ago

> Apart from being able to drive, not much should be regulated IMO. Travel to a number of developing countries where there aren't taxi regulations and say that... In the developed world, a marked taxi carries with it a guarantee of a consistent price, and a certain level of safety.

bandrami 11y ago
OK, but I split time among India, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka. Sri Lankan rickshaws are actually pretty reliable and safe. India's are less so. Bangladesh's are an absolute crapshoot. But my point is all three of these countries have (by US standards) insanely restrictive regulations; the problem is none of it is designed to improve the consumer experience; it's all designed to reward incumbent medallion holders.
- Mikeb85 11y ago
  I agree about the medallions, but there's much to be said for regulations. In my wife's country, taxis are basically a no-go, especially if you're white. Minibuses were OK in the day, otherwise you have to get a private driver, preferably one whom you know personally (so that if you're murdered or robbed there's a way to enact revenge). And just when I thought they were being paranoid, we did witness a robbery and subsequent shootout when we were there, one of her friends did get car-jacked and robbed, and shortly after we left one of the people whom we visited was gunned down and murdered by bandits. Lawless countries are less fun than they appear...

CaptainZapp 11y ago

Actually I'm very, very much in favor of regulations, which support my safety. An excellent example are minimum rest requirements. You're strictly not allowed to moonlight as a cabby after a strenuous 10 hour shift. No such restrictions exist for "private" taxis. You may like to gamble with your safety, I sure as hell don't. There are exactly such regulations, which keep the public safe.

philjohn 11y ago
Having had a friend seriously injured in a licensed minicab accident many years ago, I concur.