[Tango-L] Taxis

[Carol Shepherd]

The airport taxi "special tax" is the rule in many US cities and in the
international capitals.  Most international airports charge
non-airport-licensed taxis a "pick-up" ticket per fare (the upcharge at
Detroit Metro is $10 -- ie, adds $10 to the mileage fare).  The
airport's own taxis are typically a magnificent revenue source for the
airport so they give their own fleet this competitive price advantage.

Add to this, the fact that taxi fares are set by their own licensing
authority/municipality -- if the airport is not within the same city as
the taxi, the rate will be different: a taxi licensed in Ann Arbor going
to Detroit Metro is charging an Ann Arbor rate, while a Detroit Metro
taxi going to Ann Arbor (the exact same distance) is charging a Detroit
rate which is .25/mi less.  Also, when the axle is not turning (traffic,
backups, standing and waiting while you go into a store), most taxi
meters charge "wait time" which varies widely.  These are not dictated
by the licensing authority in most cities, they vary from taxi company
to company.  Typically wait time is a lot less expensive than mileage
but in some large cities with bad traffic at rush hour wait time equal
mileage or are more.  Sometimes it is up to the driver and they will
turn time off and just charge mileage, for a good fare.

I'm sure Janis et al. (tango trip host/promoters) know whether there are
different taxi meter rates and what they are.

When I was in BsAs I took the airport shuttle bus to/from one of the
hotels that left on the hour six times a day (in Belgrano I think).  It
was a fraction of the cab cost.

Everything you ever wanted to know about taxis.

Barbara Garvey wrote:
> A comment on airport taxis:
> It is my understanding that in some cities taxis pay a special tax to 
> pick up passengers at airports. This is true here in Puerto Vallarta, 
> thus it is always much more expensive from the airport into town than 
> vice versa. In fact here only specific taxis can pick up at the airport. 
> This does not mean the taxis are ripping you off. Perhaps someone who 
> lives in BsAs could explain the current situation there.
> Barbara
> 
> 
> Crrtango at aol.com wrote:
> 
>> A travel tip for those heading off to Buenos Aires.   If you have been 
>> before, you may be aware of this.   It is often recommended that you go into the 
>> city with the "official" service at the Taxiezeiza counter at the airport, for 
>> several reasons, one being security, another that you won't be overcharged for 
>> the trip.   They are called remis taxis (ray-mees) and are yellow and black 
>> (they are ubiquitous, like yellow cabs). We noticed on our recent trip that the 
>> fare from Ezeiza airport was $88. pesos. However, the same fare on the meter 
>> coming back to the airport with a taxi hailed on the street was closer to $65. 
>> pesos (at rush hour) which it would also be going in, no doubt.   It is 
>> admittedly not a huge amount of money (about US $8.) but depending on your budget, it 
>> might be worth it.   So if you are familiar with the airport and want to save 
>> a little money, you could take one from the curb at the passenger pickup.   
>> Just always make sure the cab is a yellow and black remis taxi and not a plain 
>> solid-colored car...that goes for getting around town also.
>>

-- 
Carol Ruth Shepherd
Arborlaw PLC
Ann Arbor MI USA
734 668 4646 v  734 786 1241 f
Arborlaw - a legal blog for entrepreneurs and small business
http://arborlaw.biz