Taxi tipping

And the 30% shows up when you have a JFK fare. Plus they include the extras and tolls before calculating it.

Why?

Good question columbiacounty. Was it a TLC requirement, or did Verifone just program it that way.

Why?

Do they have taxis in Columbia County?

Why?

In case I'm visiting Columbia County and want to go to the grocery store 40 miles away but I don't feel like driving myself.

Why?

You know, you are right, why would I want to visit Columbia County? Nevermind.

Why?

"How much do you tip an an average ($8-$15) ride?"

How lazy are you that your "average ride" is only $8?? What's that ... 12 blocks?

I take a cab home from work nearly every night. The tip is 30%, unless the driver totally sucks or pisses me off somehow. My generosity is funded by my employer, however, as the trips are expensed on the corporate card.

:)

Oh, and I use a credit card to pay 100% of the time, including for personal rides. Cabbies hate it. Even had some guy loudly "tsk tsk" me and I told him he just lost his tip.

Also, some of the readers display dollar amounts like $2, $3 and $4 instead of the 20%, etc. Unless I'm not remembering correctly. I'm usually on auto pilot when I leave the office.

A buck on a $15 ride is far from generous. On a $8 ride, it's getting in the ballpark. At $2 for an $8 ride, that's generous. At $2 for a $15, that's more normal.

On credit cards, the drivers get charged some high fee (like 6%?), so the higher suggested tip helps make up for the difference. So pay cash if you want to make them happy.

I *never* use credit cards for cabs. Cash only.

I tip cabs about 25% rounded up or down to a convenient total$ amount

The starting tip at 20% actually hurts the drivers as most people attempt to figure out 15% and probably round down.

It is ridiculous to expect riders to tip as much as the meters suggest.

>I *never* use credit cards for cabs. Cash only.

I think after about 7 years, all of the bad events on your credit report get expunged, so hopefully some time this decade, so long as you don't create new negative events, you can get some institution to issue you a credit card.

>A buck on a $15 ride is far from generous. On a $8 ride, it's getting in the ballpark. At $2 for an $8 ride, that's generous. At $2 for a $15, that's more normal.

Wow, Mr. Big Shot Perry Mason only gives a $1 tip on an $8 cab ride. Need change on that $10 bill? FLMAOZzz

Again, who does only a $8 ride??

If you think you're rewarding the driver, you should tip more on a credit card than if you're paying cash because the taxi drivers have to pay a fairly high vig to the credit card companies.

I agree with Huntersburg. If its an $8 fare, I leave the $10. Frankly, if it is a $7.50 fare, I'm not going to ask for $.50 back. The difference over the course of a year to me for tipping decently in cabs is non-existent. And who takes an $8 cab, Matt? Well, I do. Lots of them, frankly.

"And who takes an $8 cab, Matt? Well, I do. Lots of them, frankly."

Oh I'm sorry. I thought you were a young(ish) healthy male.

My bad.

Matt, I just don't know what planet you live on sometimes or what you actually do for a living. Many days I have to get from a meeting on 1st Ave and 26th St to an appointment on 8th and 14th to another meeting at 1st Ave and 29th St. On other days I have a box of materials to bring for a meeting and I'm not schlepping the box on a bus, nor am I taking my car just so I can fight for parking in areas of the city without easy parking near my destination.

You may have a lot more leisure time than normal working people, but the idea of taking multiple nice 30 minute strolls in the middle of a work day crammed with meetings at different locations isn't an option for many people. And the prospect of walking around in the rain while wearing a suit and leather shoes is pretty unappealing too. Where the subway serves that's always my preference, but the trains aren't good for some routes and quick cabs are the perfect solution. Why do you always have to take weird positions on mundane things?

Well, that should have said "39th Street," not 29th Street, above, which is ridiculous but someone on here will surely be googling the address and telling me 29th St is a vacant lot or something. Thus the correction.

Wow. More coffee. I mean 3rd Ave. and 39th, not 1st Ave. ... How boring is this... I'll stop.

If it's nice out I walk. I love multiple nice strolls. But I have the time.
If it's too cold or hot I take the bus.
If it's raining I take car service.

I avoid cabs unless it's an emergency.
Then I tip as kyle does.

Kyle, you can't be bothered to walk a few blocks now and again.

No need to justify.

>How boring is this... I'll stop. <

Kyle, I love it, keep going, lol!

"If its an $8 fare, I leave the $10."

As long as we're talking about boring stuff, I typically tip around 20%. I round up vs. down based on quality of ride. Driver loses points for brake-and-gas behavior, honking, smelly car, and inability to pick good lanes (e.g., they are in the left-hand lane when trying to cross an avenue that goes one-way to the left). Driver gains points for smooth & fast driving, nicely-kept car, and politeness.

If a cab driver has a smelly cab I don't get in.

kyle was last spotted on 3rd and 93rd
NO! 29th and 1st. ...

"If a cab driver has a smelly cab I don't get in"

Uniformly, or based upon whether the next cab will be there shortly?

Can we figure out here just how far an $8 cab ride is, exactly? By my calculations, it's about 2 miles. Figure $2.50 ( .50) for the initial fare, plus $2 per mile -- making an $8 trip about 2.5 miles. Add in some light traffic, red lights, etc., and that probably puts you at about 2 miles.

And, yeah, I can see taking a cab for a 2 mile trip -- that's about 40 blocks. Or, at an average of 1 minute per block, a 40 minute walk. Can I do a 40 minute walk physically? Of course. And on the weekends, if I don't have anywhere to be, that's exactly what I do. But do I have 40 minutes just in the middle of my weekday to stretch my legs and have a leisurely 40-block stroll? Not really, no. I wish I did, but...I don't.

So, sure, if the subway isn't an option, and the bus isn't an option, I'll take a cab for that distance -- particularly if it's raining, snowing, or if I'm lugging some massive bag of files that weighs more than your mother. Nothing about that seems strange to me.

As long as we're talking about boring stuff, I typically tip around 20%. I round up vs. down based on quality of ride. Driver loses points for brake-and-gas behavior, honking, smelly car, and inability to pick good lanes (e.g., they are in the left-hand lane when trying to cross an avenue that goes one-way to the left). Driver gains points for smooth & fast driving, nicely-kept car, and politeness.

so what your sayihg is, you don't tip.. ;)

"Again, who does only a $8 ride??"

Let me break it down for you. Say you value your time and are not going to enjoy a stroll at a particular moment. An $8 ride covers 1.2 miles and takes 6 minutes (http://www.taxifarefinder.com). Walking 1.2 miles @ 3mph takes 24 minutes. So you pay $8 to save 18 minutes. Works out to $45 per hour on a pre-tax basis. If you make a lot more than this, it makes sense.

FYI, I generally would walk that distance because I enjoy it. However, if I'm in a hurry or am with people wearing heels, then taxi. I know this will drive you insane, but I bet I've taken an $8 ride before so that I could squeeze in a run.

lol, brooks!

Yesterday: smelly cab, but nice driver: conundrum. But, nice outweighs stink, so, good tip.

How bout a $6 ride: buy too much at Fairway & can't schlep it back: Taxi!

And the Fairway guys hail the cab & gently place the bags on the back seat, so tip them too

"An $8 ride covers 1.2 miles and takes 6 minutes (http://www.taxifarefinder.com)."

Maybe north-south. Certainly not east-west.

***
"Walking 1.2 miles @ 3mph takes 24 minutes. So you pay $8 to save 18 minutes. Works out to $45 per hour on a pre-tax basis. If you make a lot more than this, it makes sense."

How did you take the leap from $8 to save 18 minutes to $45/hour?

"How did you take the leap from $8 to save 18 minutes to $45/hour?"

I employed math:

($8 post-tax / 18 minutes) * (60 minutes / 1 hour) * ($1 pre-tax / $0.6 post-tax) = $44.44 pre-tax / hour

nada,
I'd like someone to look at my finances. Do you do that?

How lazy are you that your "average ride" is only $8?? What's that ... 12 blocks?

I have MS and walking 12 blocks takes me about two hours. No not lazy. Thanks for asking.

Matt for those of us who live in normal parts of Manhattan, $8 cab rides are a regular part of daily life. Let's say from a WV dinner to EV cocktails, from a Theater District show to some Flatiron gelato, from Union Square bbq to Brooks Brothers for a new shirt with no sauce on it. See, people who actually live in the city do it all the time. And no need to pack a lunch and a toothbrush for your loong $35 rides "upstate".

sorry to hear that, Al-Assad. Hope you feel better :)

inonada: One never knows if the next cab will be there shortly. Even if you see it driving your way the upstreamers pop up. I've seen upstreamers upstreaming other upstreamers.

Uniformly.

the tips thing is very un-civilized

all price should include tips and tax

Truth, there's a nice app (sponsored by NYC I think) called CabSense. Based on tracking GPS locations at the time of cab pickups, it tells you for each time of day & day of week which nearby intersection gets the most pickups.

Dwell, I don't look at people's finances professionally and am in no way licensed or trained to do anything of the sort. If you'd like my lay opinion about something offline, I am happy to share.

""Walking 1.2 miles @ 3mph takes 24 minutes. So you pay $8 to save 18 minutes. Works out to $45 per hour on a pre-tax basis. If you make a lot more than this, it makes sense."

Only if you're not managing your time properly.

"On credit cards, the drivers get charged some high fee (like 6%?), so the higher suggested tip helps make up for the difference. So pay cash if you want to make them happy."

While drivers do get charged a fee, they got something like a 30% fare increase at the same time that mandatory credit card acceptance was rolled out, so I view this as part of the deal. They get to charge more, but in exchange we get to use our cards when we want. I'm with Tomnevers in that if a cabbie complains about me using a credit card, they're going to be even less happy with the tip they end up receiving as a result.

nycmatt, I ride a cab full two miles for 8.50 plus tips in the am with minimal traffic. You must be counting 12 big blocks with traffic jams.

Usually when I take a cab home when it's a late night at work and it's on the corporate card. But I tip the same regardless. The ride usually comes to $28-30 (I live in Queens) and I add on an extra $10. I know - big tip. But with the difficulty there is sometimes to even get a cab to go to Queens, I like to reward those nice drivers who do it without a complaint. I also realize that at 2am, they are not likely to get a fare back to Manhattan. If it is early enough, I suggest JFK, but unfortunately, it's usually not early enough.

Thanks, nada I'd want someone who's licensed or trained. But, maybe a 2nd career for you because you seem quite good at it.

My wife and I sometimes split a cab to work on days we're running late. I don't feel ashamed of our occasional $8 cab ride from the West 60s to midtown. But I have an interesting follow on question. What do you tip a cabbie who was pulled over by a cop after travelling about 50 feet? It happened twice to my wife yesterday around 815am trying to go thru the park on W67th Street. Once she was pulled over by an undercover taxi cop car. In either case there was no apparent wrongdoing.

inonada: I heard about that app. I think the upstreamers are using it for optimal upstreaming.

FARE: $16.50
EXTRAS: $0.50
ST.SUR: $0.50
TIPS: ?????

10pm 5.6 mile ride. Paying with CC. What is a normal tip?

I ask because the audacious cabby said it my tip was not enough..

So why is it we even tip? (Serious question). The cabbie is, in essence, a sole businessman. He either owns or rents the cab at some rate, pays for the gas, and then nets the rest him/herself. The rates are posted and have been deemed to be "enough". And they certainly seem so since there are plenty of want-to-be cab drivers running around without medallions who would like to pick up the fares.

These cabbies are in no way the professionals of London who need to know 100,000 streets and 40,000 locations. They are not, for the most part, good drivers, their vehicles, thanks to the cities hybrid requirements, are not large or comfortable. (In fairness to drivers, the vehicles are not their fault, and that they are hybrids is a benefit to the driver since hybrids save a lot of gas in NYC type driving, saving the drivers on their cost.)

But again, why do we feel the tip is required? Why is it not there as a reward for a speedy and comfortable trip, or some extra level of service?

i aggree, so I was taken back when he said I should tip more. I feel they should appreciate any tip and either STFU or say thank you.

Curious though.. what is a normal tip? or what tip do you think will provoke a response that, the TIP is not enough?

I always pay cash for a taxi, but I thought when you use a credit card the "suggested" tip shows on the machine. I believe the "suggested" tip amount starts at 15%, and goes up.

Obviously, it's your choice and right to tip, or not, but just curious if you did less than the 15%.

I seem to have gotten more generous with taxi tipping in the last several years (no matter what we think of taxi drivers driving a taxi is not an easy life - so it usually seems to be 15-20%, sometimes a little more, as I tend to round up to even dollar numbers.

I've always noticed the lowest "suggested" tip to be more than 15% so I stopped paying attention to it.. I don't usually carry much cash with me so I always pay with a CC.

I am in agreement with Al_Assad, a waiter or a waitress that serves me a meal deserves a 15% tip as a minimum, but I normally tip 20%..

Driving a cab is a lot easier that waiting tables. And you have to put up with a lot more BS for a longer period of time when you are waiting tables

Brooks - $2.50 at least.
AvUWS - this is NYC. You tip. Period. It's a normalized part of their revenue. It's even clearly stated right on the cab "Tipping is customary for good service" to discourage cheapskates or people from countries who don't tip.

GREAT topic people. I guess I%u2019m old school/can%u2019t be bothered/bitter about how many cabs I find myself taking to save time and what it costs, but I generally tip $1 - $1.50 under $10 and $2 - $3 under $20, $3 under $30 etc and they NEVER complain or get upset so I guess that's fairly standard. With cab drivers or anyone who interacts the public, it%u2019s also really important to be human, polite, friendly, I always sincerely thank them for driving me and wish them a great day (unless I am seething from awful driving %u2013 I still say thanks, just not so nicely). If a driver is GREAT (meaning, they actually drive really well and get me to my destination fast, take yellow lights, generally drive as if I was driving myself), I generously overtip. But even if they are horrible, I never undertip, I just feel like it%u2019s so gauche and choose not to punish people financially, but that is a strictly personal preference, it is entirely normal to tip less for poor cab rides, I just choose not to. What I cannot stand is when a driver takes a backwards route or otherwise drives poorly to make the trip more expensive %u2013 I go absolutely buck nutty. Not unnecessarily rude but I absolutely do not hesitate to say things like %u201Cis there some reason why you are not taking first avenue?%u201D or %u201Chey buddy, think you can try to make this light please? Thanks.%u201D I mean not to be corny but it is listed right there that the passenger has the right to direct the route, I think it%u2019s for this exact purpose.
I don%u2019t tip more when I use a credit card, but I do apologize and say %u201Cso sorry to have to use the credit card, I don%u2019t have cash on me right now%u201D and they seem to appreciate that. I do generally try to pay cash for EVERYTHING, not just cabs. I feel the ability to use cash in general is threatened and under assault %u2013 but that%u2019s another topic.I ALWAYS prefer to walk unless it%u2019s super incliamte but unfortunately, I often lack the luxury of time.
Honest question %u2013 how do you know if the cab is smelly until you are already inside of it?
This thread rocks. I%u2019m gonna start one about giving to homeless people!

>Driving a cab is a lot easier that waiting tables. And you have to put up with a lot more BS for a longer period of time when you are waiting tables

What does the taxi have to do with meal service?
And since it's percentage based on dollars, what does the amount of time have to do with it?

oof, wtf is up with my font?

Glamma, I was in your range. But, I must add IMO he drove a little recklessly. So after your diatribe, how much do you think I tipped, and do you think the cab driver should have said something?

FARE: $16.50
EXTRAS: $0.50
ST.SUR: $0.50
TIPS: ?????

10pm 5.6 mile ride. Paying with CC. What is a normal tip?

what tip do you think will provoke a response that, the TIP is not enough?

The standard shift for a NY taxi driver is 12 hours.

I pay cash for cabs.
I would give him a 20 dollar bill and say keep the change.

If a cab driver said it's not enough -- get out of the cab. You've reached your destination.

I just knodded said ok. Then tipped my doorman a fin for opening the door for me.

ok I made up the doorman tip thing, but it was my doorman that opened my cab door, not the cabdriver mind you

"oof, wtf is up with my font?"

I think you tried to type curly apostrophes and SE didn't like them, and so substituted the Unicode code numbers for them.

I hope you guys don't reward cabbies for reckless driving, even if it gets you to your destination faster. As a pedestrian and bicyclist, I'm always livid with rage at taxis who will stop right on top of pedestrian crossings, box bicyclists right into the curb because they see a potential fare 50 feet ahead, and interpret red lights to mean not "stop" but rather something more akin to "you have five more seconds to get through".

And if they indulge in all this behavior not because they have a customer who's in a hurry, but when they're *empty*, all those complaints go double.

Then again, every time I've been in a taxi, the driver has always been very friendly and affable, and appreciative if you know anything about his native culture. They must be trolling for tips in that case.

20%, so in your case, $21.

I didn't know there were many doorman buildings in your section of the Bronx. LOL!

It's ridiculous that the recommended tip on the screen is now 20%, 25% & 30%. I guess the last 2 are for the tourists.

20% of 16.5 is 19.8, not 21.

My abacus says 3.3

So like that extra dollar up or down is going to make a big difference in the grand scheme of things.

It always amazes me how people will spend $10,000 on a vacation and than nickel and dime everyone along the way with the tips, like the extra hundred or two makes a difference.

right. 3.3 +16.5 = 19.8.

not to split hari.. 20.8, 21.. what tip should provoke a -- thats all not enough?.. what is a normal tip?

hairs..

"like the extra hundred or two makes a difference" ... oh, but it really really does -- to the recipients.

At least in the taxi/travel industries.

No not reckless, just skilled. I've abandoned out of cabs mid-ride for reckless driving (but not without paying - and tipping - first).
Also, I tip based on the full amount, not the amount before surcharges.
So Brooks the cab totaled $17.50 and you gave him a twenty and said keep the change, and got balled out for that? If so, f&ck him, that's certainly not grievously undertipping.

did not get balled out, he did politely try to say that is not enough. I actually think he's lucky to get it.. I was too tired to deal, and did politely say ok and walk away..

I don't think they derserve a 20% tip unless I have bags or something and he gets out of the cab, puts then in the trunk, opens the door, . etc.. simply driving form ponit A to B.. 10% is more than enough.
imo..

said ok.. walked away..

"I've abandoned out of cabs mid-ride for reckless driving (but not without paying - and tipping - first"

If it was a busy time in Manhattan, you were probably that driver's best fare all day. The initial "flag drop" charge is the most profitable part for the driver.

Hey Brooks2, why are you such a cheapskate? These are hard working people carrying your ass. Another 5% would kill you?
So much for Trickle Down.

Bored?

Talking to yourself again.

columbiacounty, why are you so angry?
Did you walk through a nice park today, on a bright sunny day?

Cant you stop saying the same thing?

what was it that set you off? did a dog wag its tail at you?

Huntersburg. If a dog wagged its tail at you.....you would get a hard on. Enjoy the weekend......you and your dog

oh well thank you riverbuyer!

Huntersburg, what do you tip a cab for a $16.5 fare?

16.50 plus the two surcharges or including the two surcharges?

You can already see above what I'd pay on a $8 ride.

So the same tip as the one I left.

Stop being so cheap.

I will if you will.

Brilliant

Matt: I walk almost everywhere. I take a cab based on heel size.
Under 2" - walk.
2-4" - cab anything over 8 blocks
4 + " -- nothin but cab
4+" after midnight after an evening that began with cocktail party at 6 -- any means of transport including horse cab for even a block.

Hilarious, apt23.

Highlarious

Huntersburg, How hi do your heels have to be to take a cab?

high

The NYT had a story that said thanks to the pre-set CC amounts average tips were now SIGNIFICANTLY higher and so many drivers who had been worried are now happy. Plus their CC fee is going down and the fares are going up soon.