Detroit Taxi Ripoff thread

**j to the jeremy** · February-09-13, 05:52 PM

OK, its a well known fact that pretty much any cab driver downtown on a big suburban event day [[sports games, festivals, etc) won't run the meter and tries to overcharge a flat fee for any distance traveled. This is both illegal and .........ey [[ i guess the french word for shower gets one censored ). Today i had a really bad one who tried to increase it from $10 [[actually reasonable) to $20 for a ride to the WSU area, mid ride.

I'd like to keep a running list on here of any cab or driver known to do this, especially ones who try to change the cost mid-ride. I'll start here: [[Unfortunately I did not get a chance to catch his name or plate number as we got in a bit of a fight.)

Crown Cab [[red and white) # 963

**DetroitPlanner** · February-09-13, 10:41 PM

Make them run the meter or get out. You have a choice. If you are not exercising it, you cannot complain.

**swan** · February-10-13, 11:38 AM

See, it's your own fault J

**j to the jeremy** · February-10-13, 05:18 PM

Originally Posted by DetroitPlanner

Make them run the meter or get out. You have a choice. If you are not exercising it, you cannot complain.

I know this, but yesterday we were in a hurry and already dealt with three other cabs who refused to run it. Choice is sometimes limited by time and money constraints.

Silly me for thinking that this would even be worth posting on here

**Detroitnerd** · February-10-13, 05:26 PM

Originally Posted by j to the jeremy

I know this, but yesterday we were in a hurry and already dealt with three other cabs who refused to run it. Choice is sometimes limited by time and money constraints.

Silly me for thinking that this would even be worth posting on here

I applaud you, J. May their medallion hang on the wall of shame.

**JBMcB** · February-10-13, 08:39 PM

I've heard that they were having huge problems with this in Las Vegas, so they instituted an on the spot ombudsman you can call on your cell phone [[the number is posted in the cab.) If the cabbie gets more than two or three complaints, their license is pulled pending review. It cleared up most problems pretty quickly.

**313WX** · February-10-13, 10:10 PM

Originally Posted by JBMcB

I've heard that they were having huge problems with this in Las Vegas, so they instituted an on the spot ombudsman you can call on your cell phone [[the number is posted in the cab.) If the cabbie gets more than two or three complaints, their license is pulled pending review. It cleared up most problems pretty quickly.

That's something the next mayor should look into instituting here.

**ddaydetroit** · February-10-13, 08:38 PM

When using a taxi I always open the maps on my smart phone and route it first I have had Taxi's try to take me a much longer route to get a few extra bucks

**wolverine** · February-10-13, 11:52 PM

I've avoided taking any taxi on visits to Michigan [[in all towns). I found all of them to be ripoffs. I called out several taxi drivers for intentionally taking long ways. Though I paid fare, I refused to tip.

**KJ5** · February-11-13, 01:03 AM

This thread is a good idea. The other day I had a driver do this, trying to charge me $10 for what I knew was a $5 ride. I was running late to work and ended up giving him $7. Maybe somebody could post a chart of what some common trips should roughly run.

**ddaydetroit** · February-11-13, 08:18 AM

I am Curious with the high gas prices Detroit Cab Companies haven't started to switch over to more fuel efficient cars like the rest of the world and many other US cities. That would probably put an extra 50 dollars a day in there pockets

**CLAUDE G** · February-11-13, 07:03 PM

I had one charge me $20 from Greek town to Comerica Park to get my car at 3AM.

I was clearly ripped off, but way better to pay $20 then get robbed.

**5speedz34** · February-11-13, 07:44 PM

Originally Posted by CLAUDE G

I had one charge me $20 from Greek town to Comerica Park to get my car at 3AM.

I was clearly ripped off, but way better to pay $20 then get robbed.

You really took a cab from Greektown to Comerica Park for fear of being robbed??

I personally have never taken a cab in Detroit but I know that they try to overcharge people. You need to be vigilant and let them know you won't be ripped off. At least this is what I've been told by friends who have taken cabs from downtown before.

**CLAUDE G** · February-11-13, 08:02 PM

Originally Posted by 5speedz34

You really took a cab from Greektown to Comerica Park for fear of being robbed??

I personally have never taken a cab in Detroit but I know that they try to overcharge people. You need to be vigilant and let them know you won't be ripped off. At least this is what I've been told by friends who have taken cabs from downtown before.

It was due to the fact it was so late at night and I would be walking alone.

If there are people on the street I don't mind walking, but its just not safe walking alone late at night downtown.

**Gistok** · December-28-13, 01:30 AM

Originally Posted by CLAUDE G

I had one charge me $20 from Greek town to Comerica Park to get my car at 3AM.

I was clearly ripped off, but way better to pay $20 then get robbed.

Due to the time situation, you sort of did the right thing... but had I been in your shoes, my friends and I make sure that no one travels the downtown streets alone at night in our group... you should have had a friend shuttle you back to your car. Leaving friends unattended like that is a red flag... you shouldn't have been left like that!

**RaumVogel** · December-28-13, 09:39 AM

Originally Posted by Gistok

Due to the time situation, you sort of did the right thing... but had I been in your shoes, my friends and I make sure that no one travels the downtown streets alone at night in our group... you should have had a friend shuttle you back to your car. Leaving friends unattended like that is a red flag... you shouldn't have been left like that!

The thieves are trying to isolate you,run away!!!!!!!

**Detroitrobert** · December-29-13, 02:44 PM

Originally Posted by jeffvezina

He told us it would be $15 to take us to Hard Rock. As we were driving, I asked him why it was so much.

He told you the outrageously inflated price up front and you still kept going? I'm with the cabbie on this one.

Originally Posted by CLAUDE G

I had one charge me $20 from Greek town to Comerica Park to get my car at 3AM.

I was clearly ripped off, but way better to pay $20 then get robbed.

I hate to be the one to break it to you, but you did get robbed. The ride should be $6 with tip.

**Zacha341** · December-29-13, 03:33 PM

Yep. That is for certain the 'captive audience rate'. I can get a cab to metro airport for under $35 [[from Midtown Area all the way to Romulus, MI)... $15 to drive around downtown? RIP OFF DELUXE!

**hudkina** · February-12-13, 01:06 PM

There is a city ordinance that regulates taxi fares specifically for this reason.

Any trip has a base price of $2.50 and a per mile price of $1.60. A trip from Downtown Detroit to even the furthest point in the city should only cost about $30.

The first thing you should do before getting into a cab with a "broken meter" is plan your route [[everyone has a phone capable of doing this) and figuring out the charge. Let the cab driver know that you know how far the destination is and how much it should cost to get there.

For example, a trip from the Book-Cadillac to the DIA is 2.1 miles. $2.50 + [[$1.60 x 2.1) = $5.86.

**DetroitPlanner** · February-12-13, 04:20 PM

Originally Posted by hudkina

There is a city ordinance that regulates taxi fares specifically for this reason.

Any trip has a base price of $2.50 and a per mile price of $1.60. A trip from Downtown Detroit to even the furthest point in the city should only cost about $30.

The first thing you should do before getting into a cab with a "broken meter" is plan your route [[everyone has a phone capable of doing this) and figuring out the charge. Let the cab driver know that you know how far the destination is and how much it should cost to get there.

For example, a trip from the Book-Cadillac to the DIA is 2.1 miles. $2.50 + [[$1.60 x 2.1) = $5.86.

I have not checked but to 5 Points and Grand River by freeway has to be a lot more!

**hudkina** · February-12-13, 08:36 PM

Originally Posted by DetroitPlanner

I have not checked but to 5 Points and Grand River by freeway has to be a lot more!

Downtown Detroit to Five Points is about 17 miles.

**KJ5** · February-12-13, 11:24 PM

[[everyone has a phone capable of doing this)
Not everyone has a smart phone. Fortunately I know this city like the back of my hand.

**JAYCR** · February-12-13, 04:07 PM

I collect mobile numbers of cabbies that give me good service, program them into my phone and have a fleet of 3 or so that can take me when I need one. Then it's a 2 way street. I tip a little more even on short hauls and they come get me wherever and whenever and provide great service.

**JAYCR** · February-12-13, 04:09 PM

and further...the reason I started this was due to the utter shit service given me by dispatchers in the city.

**Wheels** · February-12-13, 04:43 PM

There is also a fuel surcharge and time fees if sitting in traffic. Here is a way to calculate it and hand it to the driver on your phone!

http://www.taxifarefinder.com/main.php?city=Detroit