Quote Originally Posted by RockRobster View Post
Charters don't have set rates because, by their nature, they are private carriages and can set their rates at what the market will bear. If you don't like the rate, use a route taxi, or don't whine about the fare! At least they aren't metered. Wait, you say, meters are good, they keep the cabbie honest. Feh, they charge you 2.50 for the privilege of dropping the flag, then charge you in 1/10th mile increments, and has a timer that adds fare for long stops at lights, etc...Thus, if its is raining in STL and i want a cab to go one mile, it will set me back almost 5 bucks for 8 blocks, FFS! I'd rather negotiate, I am a free market economy type of guy....for five bucks, i can go r/t from the 7mile to HalfMoonBeach, including a generous tip! Metered cabs are only good for the metered cab, not the public. Why do you think there are almost as many gypsy cabs in NYC as licensed cabs? No meters!
I'm a little confused by this? The problem with the free market approach to taxi rides is that the uneducated consumer likely doesn't know what the fair market value of ride is creating an environment of confusion and suspicion that is ripe for the exploitation of some. This is not nessarrily good for business. You're suggestion is to use what is essentially a metered regulated service for better rates. If you're a free market guy then why are you suggesting someone uses the more regulated route taxi system? Also, the gypsy cabs in NYC have nothing to do with the meters and everything to do with the higher overhead costs associated with operating a legal licensed cab. Gypsy cabs in NYC are the equivalent to white plate "taxis" which exists in large numbers in Negril absent any metered cabs. I would'nt suggest a tourist use a gypsy cab in NYC anymore then a white plate in Negril.

It seems to me there is a market for all of the services being discussed. Route taxi's as the cheap public transportation option. Metered cabs for short private transport and chartered rides to meet all other needs. This way the metered service is setting the fair market value rather then the public transportation option as is the case today. All 3 services can still be offered by one driver. If you ask for local fare then you're going to get dropped off at the end of the route if you didn't get off sooner. If you ask for a metered ride you're going to pay the metered fare when you reach your destination. Maybe you want to make a few stops with signifigant idle time etc. In this case you negotiate a chartered ride which would likely be cheaper then paying for metered idle time and/or easier then catching a new cab after each stop to shop, bank, eat or whatever.