Five Months In, the Hail-A-Taxi Program Looks For a Jump Start

Don Garza on December 08, 2008, at 10:10PM – #1

As long as we have the downtown babes working on it,,, it will happen

LAofAnaheim on December 09, 2008, at 08:07AM – #2

I was in Houston last week, and they advertise a flat fare of $6 within the downtown boundaries. Since LA downtown is a bit bigger (but, not by much), we should implement the same, probably $8 flat fare, for trips within the 110, 10, and LA river boundaries.

JM on December 09, 2008, at 09:14AM – #3

It's standard practice in most cities, but I think all the guide books still mention the difficulties in hailing a cab here, so it will take a while. I had no idea this was a pilot program. Shouldn't this just be the new norm? It will catch on, as new places open and more people become aware of the new policy. I've been insulted by cabbies Downtown so many times that I automatically start walking instead of thinking about taking a cab. A friend of mine from out of town actually had a cab driver tear up his money because it didn't include a big enough tip. Another was left to figure out how to take the Metro, when a driver refused her fare. I've had drivers lock their doors or drive away when I tell them I'm only going a mere 8 or 9 blocks. I think I and a lot of other people will warm to the idea in time, but cabs need an image rehabilitation and the city needs some patience.

LAofAnaheim on December 09, 2008, at 09:51AM – #4

Our cab fares need to be reduced as well. It sucks that the fare machine charges $8 to go one mile in downtown LA. Including tip, it could be $10 to go from Ralphs to the Edison!

Susana on December 09, 2008, at 09:53AM – #5

I don't know if I really want to pay cab fare. lol I'm so used to walking everywhere, I feel guilty when I don't walk. But I agree that this should be a permanent solution not just a pilot. Six months is not enough for a "psychological shift" to occur. WHat I do hope sticks around is the late night dash. It would be great if they extended their hours every day. Downtown has so many events during the week like Happy Hours! Or if you go see a show at the music center, go to the market at Little Tokyo from Southpark. They really need to expand their hours and routes. I'm sure people would be willing to pay a monthly pass if they could use the Dash at convenient hours everyday.

JM on December 09, 2008, at 12:17PM – #7

I agree, Susana, the Dash provides great service but needs to be extended as well. I wish it ran in the evenings (throughout the year) too. We have limited transport options, but they are not all well conceived. All these options should connect better. I don't think the Dash steals customers from taxis, and I won't stop walking because there are more taxis. I sometimes walk, sometimes take the Dash and other buses, and sometimes (try to) take a taxi. Generally, a lot of things Downtown seem to be geared more toward office workers and visitors than residents.

Joanna M. on December 09, 2008, at 02:21PM – #8

I live downtown, and not until the past week or so did I see any advertisement of the fact that I could hail a taxi. And then I saw signs which said starting 12/8 we could hail a taxi. And so I've been calling for a taxi for six months. I read the downtown newspaper and others. I'd say that's a poor job of advertising if folks living downtown don't even know that we can now hail taxis.

It's about time.

Nancy-Jean on December 09, 2008, at 04:53PM – #9

The last time I took a cab in October this year, it was to Silverlake. The cabbie was horrible and didn't even know where Silverlake was; and his car practically drove sideways down the street because it was so beat up. That little experience cost me $25.00 plus tip. On the return trip back to Downtown LA, I told the driver to stay off the freeway since it was at a standstill. Either the guy didn't understand English, or he just wanted to ignore me, but on the freeway he went! Another $25.00 ride. That was $50.00 (plus tip) just to come and go to Silverlake!!! That is CRAZY!! In New York, the cabbies know how to get somewhere and they know how to get there fast. You can go all the way cross town for much, much less! Los Angeles wants to promote the use of taxis but they are such a rip-off! I avoid them not only because they are expensive but unsafe. Some friends of mine were in a cab that rear ended a car because the cabbie was driving like a lunatic - when the cab finally pulled over for the accident they got out of the car without paying and walked off because the driver was nuts! I would love to see Downtown LA full of cabs that are safe, clean, and reasonably priced! I would use them all the time. But until then, you can have them!

David Kennedy on December 09, 2008, at 05:50PM – #10

Decades ago when I drove a cab, becoming one was actually quite an achievement. I remember having to buy this special cabbie map book with hand-drawn maps of the city. (Not L.A.) It was loaded with all kinds of 'secret' routes connecting various locations. However, to get behind the wheel you had to be licensed. This meant you had to take this incredible geography test. I remember cramming and studying for days to pass it (which I did).

Also, I recall the dispatcher using the 'book of secrets' to recommend routes to rookies like me before the fare was picked up. (Assuming it was called in.) This was to ensure a high level of service.

Reading NJ's comments and my own mixed experiences taking cabs in Los Angeles, I suspect such a test and comparable dispatcher support doesn't exist.

All of this underscores the key point which this effort is missing. If the local taxi service is lousy, marketing efforts to better publicise it, is actually counter-productive. Imagine if the effort is widely successful and tons of customers hail a cab only to find out the service is lousy. These customers won't come back. That's marketing 101.

Until the cabbie culture is reformed and taxi service improved, these efforts are all (well intentioned, mind you) P.R. smoke and mirrors. In a year or two the effort will peter out and people will scratch their heads. Some more analysis upfront before taking action might have come up with a more effective albeit complicated solution.

Bert Green on December 10, 2008, at 06:58PM – #11

It's a bit of a chicken/egg problem. Prices are high and demand is low. Demand is low and the supply of cabs is low to nonexistent. Drivers are inexperienced and don't make money, that does not attract many talented drivers.

It could change. I never have a problem getting a cab when I need one (but that's not too often). ALWAYS tell the driver what route to take, and if they don't do what you ask, or are rude or break the law, write down the can number, their license number, and REPORT them. We have to weed out the bad drivers.

Alika on December 12, 2008, at 09:57AM – #12

Bert is right. Be sure to report taxicab complaints to the Taxicab Commission at . I assume you could also dial 311.

Alika on December 12, 2008, at 10:23AM – #13

Plus, it would be nice if the cab companies would mention the new program on their websites. I can't even find a mention of the Hail-a-Taxi program on the TaxicabsLA.org website (or maybe I just didn't look in the right place). Either way, the publicity should be ramped up from its current state.

2 wheels good on December 16, 2008, at 07:36PM – #14

i'd rather see more bike racks and dedicated bike lanes downtown than inviting more incompetent, dangerous cab drivers to fuck up the streets.

And please stay off your phones when you're driving.

Brian on December 17, 2008, at 03:22PM – #15

I hope the taxi program takes off and attitudes of drivers in the area change. It could only benefit the downtown area.

2 wheels good: While not a bike rider I agree with the need for bike lanes downtown. Not only would it provide and perhaps encourage more two-wheeled transportation but it certainly would open up the sidewalks. I'm still rather amazed it's not against the law to bike on the sidewalks here, especially given the narrow pathways themselves.