Tag Archives: taxi

Airport Transportation: Is Uber Cheaper than a Taxi?

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Airport Transportation: Is Uber Cheaper than a Taxi?

Many of our loyal clients have been asking us: is Uber putting a dent in your business? While the ever popular transportation alternative has certainly affected our business, we’re still not worried. Charity Cab is an awesome taxi in Dublin and beyond, and we don’t intend to halt our services any time soon..

So, the main question of this post:  is Uber cheaper than a taxi for airport transportation?

We’re here to tell you why a taxi is a better alternative than Uber for airport transportation in the East Bay Area and beyond.

  • Uber hikes its prices when demand is high.

Also known as surge pricing or dynamic pricing, Uber charges more per ride when demand is high. The logic is that people will be willing to pay more to secure a ride when demand is high. But it also means that, even though you might live in the East Bay suburbs, calling a taxi in Dublin is cheaper than Uber during high demand times, such as New Years.

 

Uber is more expensive during commute times.

On a similar note, Uber hikes its prices during Bay Area commute times. During 6am-10am and again from 4pm-8pm, Uber shows a 50% increase in the percentage of rides using surge pricing. This means that users are paying higher fares to use Uber to get to and from work.

 

Uber cannot take you to all major airports.

Did you know that taxi cabs actually have to negotiate certain airport privileges? If you’re caught using lanes that are marked for taxi or bus use only, you can face serious consequences – and fines – unless you’ve negotiated a contract with individual airport authorities. Licensed taxi companies, like Charity Cab, have to pay airport fees in order to gain access to curbside pickup and drop off locations. While Uber now has access to SFO, OAK, and SJC, nationwide, you’ll find plenty of airports where they’re not welcome. And in some major airports, Uber charges an additional airport fee for pickup and/or dropoff. Needless to say, the situation is less than clear-cut.

 

Price isn’t the only thing to consider.

While Uber drivers do go through a background check, they just don’t have to pass the same rigorous tests that cab drivers do in order to gain their license. Cab drivers also use company cars, so they need to keep them well-maintained and presentable. Uber drivers? They use their personal vehicles, which aren’t always kept in tip-top shape. Lastly, while cab drivers know their driving area like the palm of their hand, Uber drivers rely on technology to tell them where to go – which, let’s face it, isn’t always the most reliable.

So there you have it. While a popular option, the answer to the question, “is Uber cheaper than a taxi” is “not always” and “probably not for Bay Area airport transportation.”

The next time you’re looking for airport transportation or a taxi in Dublin and nearby areas, go with your favorite local taxi company instead.

Charity cab's taxi in san ramon drop off

A Brief History of the Taxi

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We might think of the modern taxi as a commonplace occurrence, however the taxicab hasn’t been around forever. We’re here to share with you some brief information about the history of the taxi, as well as some interesting factoids you can share with your friends – or your cab driver on your next cab

So Who Invented the Taxi?

The taxi gets its name from the taximeter, which was invented by Friedrich Wilhelm Gustav Bruhn in Germany in the year 1891. In 1897, the first taxi with a fully functioning meter was invented by Gottlieb Daimler – it was called the Daimler Victoria. Gas-powered taxis came first to Germany, Paris, and London, and then to New York in the year 1907.

What’s With the Yellow Color?

The stereotypical yellow taxi color that is often depicted in movies (and in real life) came about in 1967, when New York created a law stating that all taxis should be yellow in color in order to make them more readily identifiable, This also cut down on fraudulent taxi drivers, since they either had to already own a yellow car or else pay hundreds of dollars to get their own car painted taxicab yellow.

Are Taxis a Worldwide Phenomenon?

Taxis have proliferated in all areas of the modern world and in various forms. While taxis can be either human powered or gas powered, we’ll focus on the more modern gas powered variety. In Afghanistan, soviet taxi cabs are the norm, whereas Australians prefer the classic Ford Falcon for their go-to taxicab. Other common car models used for Taxis are the Toyota Prius, Toyota Corolla, the Hyundai Elantra, the Scion xB, and the Volkswagen Type 1 (VW Bug). One thing’s for sure – the taxi comes in all shapes and sizes, with one goal in mind – to get passengers where they are going quickly and with excellent miles per gallon!

What Cities Have the Most Taxis?

It is unclear which city wins the race for the most taxis, but the following cities around the world have the most taxis:

  • Lima, Peru
  • London, England
  • New York City, New York
  • Mexico City, Mexico
  • Tokyo, Japan

Have another city in mind that you think has the most taxicabs? Leave a comment on this blog post!

Our team at Charity Cab is proud to continue the tradition of the fast, affordable, and friendly taxi cab driver in the East Bay and beyond. We hope to hear from you the next time you’re in need of efficient transportation in the Tri-Valley. Safe travels!

taxi picking up a passenger at dublin bart station

Taxi in Dublin, CA to and from BART

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The Bay Area Rapid Transit, or BART, station is a hub for Dublin residents. Not only do people use the BART for everyday transportation throughout the city, but they also use it as a main point of departure for the airport.

Many Dublin, CA taxi and shuttle services frequent the BART station in Dublin to provide rides to area airports. However, these options can be unreliable and expensive. You have to wait around for a cab, and when you get one, you may have to share it with a stranger. The cab itself may be dirty and smelly, and you could have to pay a mint for the privilege of riding in it.

Shuttle services are no better. They can also take a long time to get you to your destination since they make multiple stops and service multiple customers at once.

Charity Cab is a reliable taxi in Dublin, CA along with airport transportation  that picks up and drops off at the BART station in Dublin, CA.

Charity Cab taxi service in Dublin offers private service in a clean car or van, depending on the size of your party. We only service one party at a time, so you don’t have to worry about being delayed because your car is making multiple stops. We’ll take you straight to your destination, getting you there on time and making your ride a pleasant one.

Charity Cab also gives back to the community. We donate $1 from every fare to Dublin charities or to other local or national charities. We have given thousands of dollars to charities since our business began, and we continue to provide support for worthwhile groups.

Call us today to schedule a taxi pickup or drop off from the BART station or another location in Dublin. Our service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. We also go to SFO, OAK, SJC and other locations for all your airport transportation in Pleasanton needs. Schedule your ride now and rest easy knowing that your next trip will be off to the right start.  Also try our taxi in Pleasanton service.