Job Discussion Forums

[lozwich]

Hiyas,

I've found one thing that I prefer in Bogota compared to Mexico City, and that's the taxi system. I'm dealing with the fact that all the streets here have pesky names, rather than the infinitely easier number system in Bog, but what is the difference between taxis with meters and ones where they just quote you a price?

I've been doing the sitio thing, and most of the time the taxis have meters, which is what I'm used to. But today I got one from a sitio and noticed that his meter wasn't on. I asked, and he said that he was "taxi metro" and quoted me a price, which I'm sure was much higher than it would have cost me in a metered taxi.

What's the deal with this? How do they figure out how much it costs? Is it by zones or something? Or are they just seeing a foreigner and choosing to charge me more?

Thanks for any insights,
Lozwich.

[TheLongWayHome]

Agree on the price before you get in. I think it makes sense in cities where you can end up stuck in traffic for a while. Some cities like Queretaro outside of DF also have this system. In SLP they do have meters but they're already set at $9.70 before you even go anywhere. $14.70 if you call one out or if it's after 9pm. Who wins? Probably the taxistas.

[MO39]

Hi Lozwich,

Welcome to Mexico City! Hope to meet you soon, maybe at our next get-together.

As far as taxis are concerned, I wouldn't get into one that doesn't have a meter. I have no idea what "taxi metro" means, but then I don't take taxis very much.

[Prof.Gringo]

[MO39]

[Phil_K]

Even sitio taxis (and radio taxis) should have meters, so take the advice offered previously and get out if there isn't one, or it's "broken" etc.

Check the drivers credential, it should be hanging at the front or stuck to a window.

Regarding pirate taxis, check the plates. D.F. now has a new system where the plates start with "A" or "B" followed by 5 numbers. Those that haven't caught up yet are L12345 (or whatever numbers) for regular taxis and S12345 for sitio.

Any with the regular reg. 123 ABC are pirate. Avoid.

[Prof.Gringo]

Even if a cab has a meter and it's turned on the meter might be "fixed". I was in two cabs in one day in DF. The first one seemed OK, but in the second one the meter was shooting through the roof. I got out after a few blocks and a few choice words.

When I used to live in Tijuana the cabs were a big hassle. If you were a Gringo then the meters always seemed to be "broke". I would just keep asking till I got one with a "working" meter. And then they would always expect a tip, which I never gave. Another reason why tourism has plummeted in TJ. Not to mention the narco wars, shake downs by corrupt cops, and three hour waits to cross back into the US

There is an on-going issue with the Sitio 300 taxis at the airport. They have jacked up their rates 20-30% in the last month or so without authorization. There is now a warning from PROFECO posted at their booths.

DF is trying to phase out the mainstay of the DF taxi fleet, the vocho, by 2012:
http://www.thenews.com.mx/home/tnArticulo.asp?cve_cont=169319

[lozwich]

Thanks for your insights, guys.

Today's latest was the driver charged me the $9.40 or whatever just to get in the thing, then an extra 2 pesos while he left the meter running while he "helped" (read stood and watched) me lift my groceries out of the boot and then charged me an extra $5 because I got it direct from the sitio.

And I thought I was doing the right thing by lugging my groceries 50 metres down the street to the sitio instead of calling them to come to me.

Must have my idiot face on today..

[Guy Courchesne]

You should just avoid sitios altogether. Flag a vocho or a red and white taxi off the street and you'll be fine. 99% of the time, the driver puts the taximetro on, starting at 5.40 or 6.40 (or thereabouts) and all's a go. I get the odd taxi driver who starts the meter on setting 4 or 5 (which is nighttime), so make sure it's at 1 or 3.

Like the prof, I sometimes get taxis where the meter seems to be fixed. Since I run the same routes frequently, I know what the charge should be and don't hesitate to tell the driver when I get to where I'm going that I'm paying X amount and not what the busted meter says. Happens about once out of every 25 trips I'd say.

[dsherter]

For what its worth, since getting into the d.f. about 2 months ago, I have been snapping up non-sitio taxis like they were green m n ms (and spearmint balls) - mostly in the dark (Roma Norte to the Paseo) - early corporate appts and in a rush to zip off so no plate-checks (good tip, though) and the rates are always about the same - vochos almost always cheaper.

Having lived in NY and Chicago where a cab ride is a Birthday Treat I am in LOVE with the system here, EXCEPT for the having to know EXACTLY where you're going part (these guys seem to know the main arteries and about 1 km in circumference). ALSO its my big chance to practice my Spanish and talk a little politics - world wide the tribe of taxistas are the fount of all common knowledge and wisdom.

[lozwich]

Guy,

I thought taxis hailed off the street were the best source of express kidnappings? Or should I just ignore the bad press like I did in Bog, use my common sense and go for it? Although, I think I'd prefer to call one when I'm leaving work late at night..

Lozwich.

[Guy Courchesne]

If ignoring bad press in the Bog worked, I'd say it should work here. If you're interested, Al Gore has a lot to say about the phenomenon of mass fear in The Assault on Reason, which is the only thing that's ever explained to me why I've never been so much as looked at sideways in this city whilst the rest of the world panics.

It's probably still a good idea as a single woman to call a taxi if you're leaving work after midnight though.

[sweeney66]

Advice from a former student who was once kidnapped by taxi: "A safe taxi is one that you see some one get out of and pay the driver."
I don't know how she ever managed to get in a taxi again, but she does.
I avoided taxis for a while after a string of taxi drivers hit on me. I wasn't flattered!
Lately though I've had better luck and even some pleasant and enlightening conversations due to another piece of advice.
Ladies, the trick is that you have to say "usted" to the driver persistantly, no matter how many times he may address you as "tu." Logicly enough, this lets him know that you will not allow him to become to familiar, and is not considered unfriendly, just polite.

[jfurgers]

[jfurgers]