I went on a whirlwind trip to Ottawa. I left Monday morning and came back Tuesday evening. The trip was positive as I spent time with whom I perceive to be the best person I know, my friend KPF, and I also spent time with ASid’s best friend.
This post is nothing to do with what transpired in Ottawa. It is about 2 rides I took in Toronto. The first ride was on Monday morning to Union Station. The UBER trip cost me under $30 including tip. On the way back, I emerged exhausted from the very station and literally got swarmed by taxi drivers. I was too tired and decided to take one up on the offer. As I made myself comfortable, the taxi driver calmly informed me that the cost is $70 if I pay cash and $74 if I pay with a credit card. I believe I should have taken that moment to exit that cab. However, I must have been super tired. I stayed put and told the guy I am good to go!
As the trip commenced, I casually checked on UBER and realized that it would have cost me around $30 like the day before. So, I asked the taxi driver why they would be charging more than double of what the other service charges?! Why would anyone even want to hail a taxicab?! The taxi driver talked about how the City sets the rates and he likes the security it offers. Apparently 2 bad reviews on UBER and you can’t work for them anymore. Through this exchange, he must have felt a tiny bit of remorse as he offered me a senior's discount which he claimed was the most he could do since he realized we are all going through tough times. So, the final offer was $65. I was like “Hey, I don’t want to take money away from you. I am okay with whatever!”.
We eventually got to my building. I get handed the machine. I see the discounted amount and I see 4 tipping options … the first of which was 25%. I was like “seriously?” and the taxi driver was like “there is a custom option” and I told him that I will use that to give him back the discount. And that was my best offer.
I got home to my apartment with no air-conditioning, but the warmth I felt was welcoming as that taxi ride left me cold.
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