Do taxis prefer cash or card?

Do taxi drivers prefer cash or card?

Ugh, London taxis. Okay, so, last month – August 2024, sweltering heat – I hopped in a black cab near King's Cross.

Needed to get to my friend Sarah's place in Shoreditch.

The driver was, well, let's say he had a face like a smacked you know what.

I automatically went for my card.

Big mistake. Big, huge mistake.

He huffed and puffed. "Card machine's playing up," he grumbled. Of course it was. It always is, right?

So, I scrambled for cash, luckily had a twenty.

He took it, didn’t even look at me. No tip, absolutely not. He didn't deserve one.

Honestly, felt like he wanted me to pay in gold bullion, the way he was acting.

Thinking about it now, cash is defo his preference. Less hassle, I guess. Avoids those pesky card fees.

• Cash: Preferred (apparently)
• Cards: Accepted, but begrudgingly.
• Tip: Good luck with that. Only if you pay cash, and he feels generous?

Later, I learned something interesting.

Turns out a lot of drivers use the cash for stuff like petrol, as someone said. Or maybe just to avoid declaring it? Who knows?

Can taxi drivers refuse a card?

It's late, huh? And yeah... taxi drivers. Legally?

Black cabs have to take cards. It's just the way it is in 2024.

Like it or not.

• Law's the law, right? I think I read that somewhere official. Something about all taxis must accept card payments.
• No surcharge. Never a surcharge. That's the point. Shouldn’t be extra.
• My dad... he used to hate it. The cards, I mean. Cash was king for him, said it was easier. Before he passed.

They can’t refuse.

It’s a hassle maybe?

Do taxis take cards in the USA?

Ugh, taxis. Okay, credit cards in US taxis. Most should take them, right? Yeah, pretty sure.

But here's the thing! Some drivers pull that "broken machine" crap. Happens all the time, especially in NYC. Is that still a thing in 2024? I bet it is!

• Broken machine excuse – classic!
• Cash only… so annoying.

Then they push you to use their phone app for payment. Like, Venmo or something. It’s usually fine. Actually, it's kinda convenient. But fishy.

It's because of fees, right? The taxi company probably gouges them. Poor drivers.

• Taxi cab system fees: are they still as bad as I think?
• Should I tip more if they make me pay with cash?
• Maybe Uber is easier. Less drama.

My Uber rating is probably low, tho, since that incident at LaGuardia in January. Oops!

Wait, back to taxis! Cards are accepted. Usually. Just watch out for the tricks!

Can you use a debit card in a cab?

Ugh, can you use a debit card in a cab?

• Yes, most cabs take debit cards.
• Or credit cards, duh.

Cash is always good too, though. Why am I even thinking about cabs? I’m walking everywhere now to save money. Remember that crazy expensive Uber last month? Never again!

Like, seriously, why did I spend so much?

• Visa and Mastercard are usually cool.
• Discover might be okay.

Wait, do they even have cabs anymore? Feels like it's all ride-sharing apps these days. Whatever, doesn't matter. I'm committed to walking. Unless it rains. Then, all bets are off, haha.

Why do taxi drivers not like card payments?

Dude, so like, taxi drivers and cards, yeah? It's kinda simple, really.

Okay, first off: taxes. Obvi, cash is king 'cause, ahem, its harder to trace, know what I mean? The government, like, doesn't get a cut all the time!

And also, and this is the big one for some drivers, tips! People rarely tip on credit cards. I mean, who wants to add like 15% on the machine, seriously?

Let me break it down, just so its clear, okay? It's a two-parter, always:

• Taxes: Shady, but whatever. Some taxi drivers don't like declaring cash income. Card payments are tracked, so no hiding! Sneaky sneaky!

• Tips (or lack of): No one ever tips on a card, practically. Fewer tips mean less money, duh! No more bonus cash. I gave a huge cash tip when I was in Vegas and my driver was so happy.

Plus, some of them probably just hate the fees, tbh. Like, the cab company takes a little slice for processing the card. It's not fair on these people.

More Things to Consider (Since You Asked)

• Sometimes, older cabs, they don't even have card readers. Straight up. Its an older model.

• The fees. Oh yeah! The taxi company often take a cut for processing card payments! They just do! Its a real PITA!

• Some people are just cheapskates, period. Tips are becoming a thing of the past, no matter what! It sux for taxi people!

Why do people prefer Uber over taxi?

Ugh, this Uber vs. taxi thing again. It's not always about safety, you know? Convenience is king. Seriously, I hate haggling over fares. Taxi drivers… sometimes they're… off.

My last taxi ride? The guy smelled like stale cigarettes and kept talking about his goldfish. Goldfish!

Uber's app is slick. So easy. No cash? No problem. That's a HUGE plus. Plus the GPS tracking thing makes my mom less anxious when I'm out late. She’s a worrywart.

Taxis are regulated? Sure, in theory. But have you seen some of those cabs? My friend got ripped off last month - the meter was completely messed up. Uber's pricing is at least transparent, even if it spikes sometimes.

It’s all about the experience, right? Faster pickup times? More options for ride types? I'll take that over strict regulations any day.

• App convenience: Booking, payment, tracking.
• Driver ratings: Peace of mind.
• Ride options: UberX, Black, XL...choices.
• Cashless payment: No fumbling for cash.
• Transparent pricing (mostly): Less chance of getting ripped off (mostly!)

But taxis DO have something Uber lacks… reliable fares sometimes. It’s frustrating when surge pricing hits. Ugh, I need a nap.

I prefer Uber for its ease and choice. I'd rather pay a slightly higher fare for convenience. My opinion. Maybe I'm spoiled. 2024, that’s the year of Uber. Or maybe it’s just me? It’s my opinion though. And who cares about goldfish anyway?

How have Uber and Lyft affected taxis?

Uber and Lyft? They nuked the taxi industry, man. Total annihilation. Like a meteor hitting a dinosaur, only the dinosaur was already kinda slow and smelled funny.

Taxi drivers are now mostly driving for Uber and Lyft. Seriously, it's like a corporate takeover, but with fewer spreadsheets and more awkward small talk.

They're basically extinct, right? Well, maybe a few stragglers in remote areas clinging to life like a stubborn dandelion in a cracked sidewalk.

Here's the lowdown:

• Pricing: Uber and Lyft are cheaper, often. Unless there's surge pricing, which is just a fancy word for highway robbery. Taxis? Pricey as a lobster dinner, less delicious.
• Convenience: Apps! You know, those things that make ordering pizza easier than finding a decent taxi? Exactly. My phone's seen more taxis than my actual eyes have recently, and that's saying something. I'm practically living on my phone.
• Availability: Forget waiting 20 minutes in the rain for a yellow cab. I’ve heard it takes even longer these days. Uber and Lyft are generally faster – unless it's New Year’s Eve, then all bets are off.
• Regulation: Taxi regulations are a bureaucratic nightmare, like navigating a swamp in high heels. Uber and Lyft? Less regulation, more chaos! It's the wild west of transportation.

My cousin, Brenda, used to drive a cab. Now she drives for Uber, complaining endlessly about low pay, but hey, at least she gets to listen to her awful polka music all day. She swears those surge pricing algorithms are possessed, by little gremlins probably.

In short, Uber and Lyft ate the taxi industry's lunch, then stole its car, and then sold the car parts on eBay. The end.