does this cab fare seem excessive to you?

[Syrinx]

My car failed me yesterday. I called a cab. The cabdriver took me home. It was no more than ten miles. Probably no more than eight. He charged me $32.

Doesn't that seem excessive? I'm not in New York City or anything. I'm in Alabama.

Didn't I get ripped off? Hell, I could probably ride the Greyhound bus to New Orleans for that.

EDIT: Heck I know how to spell "excessive."

[dubeskin]

1. Yes, but cabs in general are expensive

[Syrinx]

8. yes that is true, dubeskin

I was kind of perplexed by the fact that this "cab" was a van! Seems kind of inefficient.

[KitchenWitch]

2. Excessive? Yes. Par for the course? Yes

[Syrinx]

4. hey friend!

I think I will call the cab company tomorrow and ask them how much would it cost to take me 8 miles. :hi:

[KitchenWitch]

5. Good idea

Don't be surprised at the answer!

:hi:

[Syrinx]

7. you are fast!

I can tell you have broadband! ;)

[KitchenWitch]

10. Yes

Broadband is a many splendored thing...or something like that.

:)

[Syrinx]

11. kind of like love

I wish I had me some love.

(I remember that soap opera when I was a little tyke.)

Never take rides in cars with strange men... especially if they are cab drivers. ;)

[Sannum]

3. Cabs in cities where you can easily hail one are actually cheaper

I live smack dag in the middle of Chicago, so I walk or take the subway most of the time...but since I am in the middle of the city, it is 6-8 anywhere I need to go.

[Syrinx]

6. I wish we had subways

But I guess that wouldn't be too feasible. ;)

[enigmatic]

9. When I loved in Athens, GA cabs were great

3 bucks one way, anywhere in the city. 5 bucks if you wanted to go to the mall. That's been the only exception I've ever seen, though..

[Syrinx]

12. hey enigmatic!

I've never been to Athens. But I really need to ride over that way one day! They have an awesome music scene. Did you ever meet any of the guys from REM or the B-52's or Love Tractor or anything?

[enigmatic]

13. Yeah

Everybody hung out with everybody else; it was pretty relaxed. I was there in the late 80's after the first wave of bands, but they all still lived there. Dreams So Real, The Squalls, Porn Orchard; there was still alot of great music going on...

[Syrinx]

14. that's really cool!

Tuscaloosa is really very similar to Athens in a lot of ways. You know, Southern college town on the river, etc. The only big act that I remember coming out of here is the Sanford-Townsend Band that had a number one hit in the seventies, "Smoke From A Distant Fire." That was a big hit, but they were a one-hit wonder. Athens is cool.

[Crabby Appleton]

15. cabs are expensive

I flew to Chicago from Ohio and back, while in Chicago took a cab into a Chicago suburb and back to airport. When I was done I had spent more on the cab rides than the flights.


Cab rates are usually regulated by the some level of local government, but they are an expensive way to travel.