Why I won't call them again: Unreliable, with a rude dispatcher Tony's Tip: Give them a pickup time that's 5-10 minutes before you need the cab because punctuality is not guaranteed I've used Canton Town Taxi three times recently. The first time was when I missed my commuter rail stop late on a Thursday night. Granted it was past midnight. But it took 20-30 minutes to get someone to Mansfield to pick me up. Still, my experience that night was decent, and the dispatcher who works late night is a nice guy. He took my call the other night as well, as I was coming home from Boston, again after midnight. I called 20 minutes prior to my arrival at Rte. 128 station, and a cab was waiting for me when I exited the building. If those had been my only experiences, I'd probably have given the service four stars, as the cabs are sort of dumpy. However, my experience Friday morning (2/26/10) was a far cry from acceptable. For starters, I had made a request the night before for a taxi to pick me up at my house at 5:00 a.m. My car was being worked on and I needed to get to Rte. 128 station to catch a 5:24 train to NYC, which was already going to get me to a meeting a bit late (I had no choice because the blizzard in NYC had frozen flights into the city). The trip to Rte. 128 usually takes 10-15 minutes from my house in Norwood. I had gotten home at 1:00 a.m., so I was only going to get about 3 hours of sleep. Thus, I was trying to steal as much shuteye as possible. Well, 5:00 rolls around and there's no taxi (you'd have thought he'd arrive a bit early). So, I call to make sure someone is coming. The early morning dispatcher picks up (NOT the same guy referenced above) and tells me the guy is on his way - perhaps 2-3 minutes. I say, "okay." The clock hits 5:05, 5:06, 5:07... I call back and ask what the deal is. The same dispatcher tells me he's on his way. I tell him - firmly - that I had specifically requested the taxi not be late because of the train's departure time (which I had also mentioned). I now have a train coming in less than 20 minutes and that I'll be very upset if I miss it because in that event, I might as well not even head to NYC. Guess what this guy says to me? "You know what, buddy? That's not my problem," and he hangs up on me! WTF?!! Needless to say, I'm fuming at this point. Two minutes later (call it 5:10), the cabbie shows up. I race down to the car and hop in, at which point he proceeds to start telling me why he's late. I cut him off, saying, "I don't really care right now. You have ten minutes to get me to the train or my day is shot!" So, this guy hightails it out of my neighborhood, onto the highway (doing 70+ mph), and runs a red light right at the final intersection, as I arrive at around 5:22. I throw $25 (for a $23 fare) on his seat and sprint into the station just as the train's arrival is being announced over the PA system. Disaster averted, with just a minor assist from the cab driver. I give these guys two stars because my late night experiences have been okay, and the driver did race to correct for his late arrival. But given my reservation, being late in the first place is unacceptable, and there is no excuse for the unbelievable rudeness of the dispatcher. Perhaps he was having a rough morning - that happens to all of us. But this is a service business, and I hope my review serves to reinforce that idea to the dispatcher and his superiors. read more

One star is too generous for Canton Town Taxi, but I will give them that for just showing up. They are rude, incompetent ripoff artists. Called these guys because my car broke down at the office and I needed a ride back into the city. I asked them if it was a metered rate or a flat rate, and was told it was a flat $66 from Canton to Cambridge. The driver showed up less than 15 minutes later, and it was all downhill from there. First off, even though the driver had a GPS he started out by driving down a dead end road and away from Boston. I asked him where he was headed and he replied "oh - so you know where you're going?" Once we got turned around and headed in the right direction I noticed that the meter was running. When I asked about it he replied that they "always run the meter", and suggested I call in and ask the dispatcher for clarification, so I did, and was told by the dispatcher that "they always run the meter", and that he "had no idea" why the first person I spoke with had told me it would be a flat fee. When I asked to speak to the person who quoted me a flat rate the reply was "she's out getting my dinner!" Apparently they took offense at my inquisitiveness, because the radio dispatcher called the driver and told him to stop and let me out. Bottom line - they do a bait-and-switch routine, figuring that once they have you in the cab they can charge whatever they want. Wouldn't recommend them to anyone aside from notifying the police or the attorney general's consumer affairs division. Do not call them under any circumstances! read more

Hey, feel like getting lost leaving Logan? Taking a tour around Chelsea and Revere instead of heading home? Call these guys..they'll hook you up. Oh, and when you call, don't expect any niceties or to even receive a 'thank you' for paying $100 for a 35 minute cab ride. Spoke to the same person, TWICE, and did not receive a 'thanks for calling' or even a 'good-bye'...just a click. We have used this company 3 times, they tell you that they will pick you up in a town-car...yeah from the 80s...sort of like the station wagon in National Lampoon's Vacation after being jacked...banged up, smelly, stains on the seat. Last time, we had an early flight on our way to Hawaii and there was a god-awful smell...yah, they didn't have time to get all the vomit stench out from the previous occupants. Eau'de puke. Very nice. If you do choose to use these guys..bring your GPS, thankfully we had ours and were able to navigate our way BACK to Logan and then south home. This place blows goats. read more

Canton Taxi is completely reliable, prompt and always friendly and great service. I highly recommend

Have been using them for about 5 years, probably 40 trips to/from the airports. Airport trips are flat rates, everything else is metered, including trips to RTE 128 Station. They're reliable and courteous. They generally call to confirm any pickup before 5 or 6am the night before. I've had one issue where they proactively called me 20 mins before pickup time to say they were going to be late due to ice/snow, and I appreciated it. Personally, I don't cut it that close with my flights; I always leave sufficient time for the unexpected (or I don't freak out when timing gets close). When landing at the airport, if you don't see them, call immediately. They monitor flight arrivals, but they often have to stay off-airport (~5mins) until you're close to arrival. Not perfect, but reliable and easy to deal with. read more

I've been getting really good service since my last review but the dispatcher this morning should not be public facing. Very abrasive and completely lacked any customer skills. If he's the only one on duty, then don't take it out on the PAYING customer. read more

I have been very happy with the service I have been given by the consolidated with other Taxi companies Canton Town Taxi. Only downside is, when you call this company, you will have a couple of minutes wait until you talk to a polite, business-like dispatcher. Tell him where you are, and where you are going, and they WILL have a cab there, in the time frame that they give you. I currently work on Shawmut Ave. in Canton, a 2 mile walk from the Route 128 commuter rail station. Most days I walk to work from there, but here in New England, there is such a thing as weather, and I'm not averse to paying a cab driver to keep me out of the occasional misery that New England throws at us. I don't know if this is the same Canton Town Taxi that has been so scathingly rated here. The cabs I have taken say "Sharon 781-784-9195; Canton 781-821-4242; Mansfield 508-339-3771; Foxboro 508-543-5353." I don't know if this represents a consolidation of existing cab companies, or some new consortium, but whovere the hell is in charge, they know what the hell they are doing. Cases in point: Recently the wacky New England summer weather sent a deluge when I was planning a trip home at the end of the work day. I called Canton Cab at 4pm, looking for a ride to Rt. 128 Station. They told me "15 minutes." Waiting at the entrance to my office building in Canton, I discover that the cell phone, whose number I had given them, was dead. Oh, crap! what if they try to call me to confirm the pickup. Waited at the entrance to my building, and, to my astonishment, they arrived in 15 minutes, when they'd said they'd be there. Broiling hot summer day, with a "heat index" of 110. Normally, if the weather is decent, I walk from my office to Rt. I28 Station, but I ain't crazy. Called Canton Taxi early in the afternoon, asking for pickup at specified time to take me to commuter rail station. The cab driver was EARLY, and smoking outside his cab, which I appreciated. Rainy morning, and, according to the weather satellite, going to stay that way for awhile. Call Canton Taxi from the commuter rail station, asking for cab to my office in Canton at such-and-such a time. Arrive at Rt. 128 station, and there is my cab waiting for me. So far, they have been reliable and responsible. Rates are straightforward ($4 for first mile, or any portion thereof), and consistently metered. You will notice that sometimes, the maroon cab that you use will say "Stoughton Cab" but the service has been excellent and consistent. According to one of the the drivers I have used, apparently this new consortium has the franchise of driving NStr employees to and from that companies office about a mile from Rt. 128 Station. When you exit the station in the early morning, you will see several of the consortium's cabs waiting there for this steady gig. To date, they have been reliable, consistent, and clean. I'd recommend them if you're travelling from Rt. 128 Station to any adjacent communities. read more

I just called to find out the rate from the Amtrak 128 station to Canton. "No idea" was the response. read more

I ordered a cab a day ahead of time to go to an important event. I called the day that the pickup was scheduled to make sure that they were locked down and that we would be picked up on time. After waiting for about 20 minutes after they were supposed to be at my home, I called them to see if the guy was stuck in traffic or what the problem was... Their excuse? "their computer went down". Do not use this company if you want to get where you want to go on time. read more

I have used Canton Town Taxi for years. From short distances to just the train station to longer trips to Logan, I have never had much of a problem. They have always been prompt, whether it's a reservation for 4am or a request for an immediate pick up. The dispatcher is always friendly enough. The drivers are as well. Once, we even had the dispatcher pick me and my family up to catch an early flight because she didn't have any available drivers, and she was cheery and friendly. There are a couple of downsides: Their fleet is old and shows it. On one occasion, my driver was smoking. He rolled down the window, but I found it unprofessional. read more

NEVER on time! I've had it with these people. (The drivers are nice and I understand it is NOT their fault, though). The cabs are NEVER on time (even if you call WAY ahead of time) and it is the company's/dispatcher's fault! I was waiting in the freezing cold for over 40 minutes when I had called way in advance of my train getting there. Uggh!I can only recall a single instance when they were somewhat on time. I will be calling Norwood Town Taxi or any of the other cab companies, from now on. This company is BEYOND TERRIBLE! (Don't count on them if you need to get somewhere on time. I'd give them a -5, if I could). read more

I called early way in advance for a pickup because I had to be somewhere at a certain time and Canton Taxi did not bother to call me to inform me that they were running an hour behind to provide me the opportunity to fin other mean of transportation. Terrible service and poor management over their scheduling and drivers. read more

Called for a ride and cab arrived in less than 15 minutes..courteous, friendly and priced right! Highly recommend.

Called for a taxi an hour in advance for them to arrive 25 minutes late. When I asked the dispatcher, she claimed the cab would only be a few minutes as another 10 minutes passed. Cab arrived he was very pleasant but no sense of urgency even though I explained to him the situation. Ended up missing my train to work and now I sit here waiting for the next train that doesn't arrive for another 2 hours. Very Angry, I called back the dispatcher for her to tell me it would be another hour. Once the cab arrives I'm told that I am responsible for this fair although I had a discussion with the women dispatcher that I shouldn't be responsible. ....called again and I'm put on hold for over 3 minutes....so angry right now.... No communication skills..No customer service skills....no sense for other people's achedule. Be honest with your time delays. Company claimed they were on a 15 minute wait hence why I gave them a full hour...and here I still wait for an hour and 45 minutes to go for the next train....I do not recommended...at all read more

Not recommended: they are very unreliable even if you make 4 hours reservation before.they are late.dispatcher mike is rude.trully a bad experience read more

TERRIBLE!!!!! I dropped my car off up the street for detailing and needed a ride back home because is it raining really hard. I waited for 30 minutes and was told they couldn't find 925 Turnpike St., which happens to be a HUGE car service shop. How could they not find a main location right on RT 138??? After another ten minutes I decided to just walk in the rain. I finally get home after walking the mile in the rain, soak and wet and got a call from the cab company. I explained how upset I was and all he said was a few rude words then hung up in my face! I couldn't believe it. I called back to make a formal complaint and was told by the manager that the guys had a hectic day and they were just aggravated! Can you believe that??? NEVER AGAIN read more

Really impressed with the service received. I'm new to the area and have been dealing with taxi services in NY for the past 11 years. Canton Town Taxi blows them all away. First off, I received a pleasant gentleman who answered the phone in a very professional manner. My reservation for airport service was taken and he repeated all the information back to ensure everything was correct. He took his time and responded to any inquiry with a "yes sir" or "no sir". He ended the call by telling me that someone would followup the evening before my travel to confirm my early morning pickup. As promised, the same gentleman (John) called the evening before my travel and confirmed all the trip info and pickup time. He was extremely polite and was impressed with his confidence that my driver would be on time for my 4am pickup. He asked if I required a return p/u for flight home and decided at that point to book the return service also. Not only was my driver on time, he was actually in my driveway 10 minutes prior to the requested time and waited patiently until I came out. He met me outside and insisited on helping with the luggage and opened my door. The car was clean and the driver was pleasant. Great experience....not a negative thing to say. My flight home is when Canton Town Taxi earned me as a customer for good. My return flight was delayed for two hours in Atlanta and my cell phone was in my checked baggage. I finally landed in Boston thinking I was going to have to find another way home. After getting my luggage from baggage claim, I got my cell phone and called Canton Town Taxi. I spoke to a young lady who put me on hold and said I would need to speak to the dispatcher. The dispatcher answered after a short wait and to my surprise it was John again. On this day he was dispatching and remembered me from before. He said he had been tracking my flight and was aware of my delay and that my driver was outside the terminal waiting for me as soon as I was ready. Met the driver outside and was soon at my home after a really long day. Would use Canton Town Taxi again and would recommend their service to anyone. They have a real asset in John and the other polite people I dealt with there. I'm sold...... read more