On Friday I took a taxi home from Bay Fair BART Station (this was around 5:35 p.m.). It said Yellow Cab on the sides, and so I believe I'm posting this review under the correct listing.
Annoying:
There were 3 taxis together. I didn't realize that they were all Yellow Cab taxis at first.
I was tired, and so I was grumpy after I talked to the first driver.
He told me that I had to enter the taxi "in front" (I asked him to be more specific- when he first told me, he made it sound like he was referring to the taxi right in front of his, not the one at the very front).
I have ridden in taxis a number of times over the years, and so I understand why the driver didn't want to take a customer away from his colleague (I'm sure that it's an unwritten rule between them). Still, I couldn't help but shake my head (I basically slammed the door in disgust- I was directed to another taxi in the past too).
I was more pleased after I entered the "right" taxi.
It was very bland inside (there was really nothing to look at), but that was fine.
I was comfortable, and my ride home was pleasant enough.
Less than 10 years ago, the taximeter read $2 or $2.25 at the start.
I shouldn't have been surprised, but my eyes lit up when my ride started off at $3.
I also noticed that the taximeter amount went up by $.26 each time (in the past, it would go up by $.20 or $.25- not all taxis are the same, and so this may still be the case for some).
I especially paid attention when the taxi was stopped at a red light. In the past, I have been charged even when the taxi wasn't moving. Anyway, I was happy to see that this wasn't the case (it's hard not to hit a bunch of red lights while driving along Hesperian Blvd.).
At one point, the driver received a phone call.
I was impressed at how professional he was about it (he asked me if he could take it).
I got the impression that some goofball friend of his was on the line (I'm being silly here- "Pick me up and let's go to the strip club. Ask the guy if he wants to join us.").
In any case, the call only lasted a minute, and the driver was firm (he said no about something and didn't allow himself to get in a long conversation).
The driver listened well (I have dealt with some borderline morons in the past), and my fare was only $8.20 (I was in a hurry, and so I gave the driver $10- I usually tip, but not always).
I was rather pleased with my experience overall.
I would use Yellow Cab again. read more