Audit: Vegas Cabbies Overcharge.........
Net of the article, tourists were overcharged $14.8M in 2012 by Vegas cabbies to and from the airport. 22% of the 2,800 airport fares they audited were long hauls........... OUCH
I know this is an old topic to this forum, but it is a good topic to discuss as new people find this site.
I have been to Vegas at least 13 times, and have never received the long haul treatment. As soon as we get in the cab we always talk about how happy we are to be back in Vegas. Only one time did I have a cabbie ask me if he should take the city streets or the expressway. Of course, the trick here is the city streets are the fast way. The expressway is the long haul and costs you more. The way the cabbie phrased the question though caused me to almost answer him wrong. But thanks to this forum, I was able to provide the correct answer, "tale the city streets please".
Edit: Of course, this is for staying at Strip properties.
Quote: RaleighCrapshttp://www.nbcnews.com/travel/audit-vegas-cabbies-overcharged-tourists-15-million-2012-6C9551266
Net of the article, tourists were overcharged $14.8M in 2012 by Vegas cabbies to and from the airport. 22% of the 2,800 airport fares they audited were long hauls........... OUCH
I know this is an old topic to this forum, but it is a good topic to discuss as new people find this site.
I have been to Vegas at least 13 times, and have never received the long haul treatment. As soon as we get in the cab we always talk about how happy we are to be back in Vegas. Only one time did I have a cabbie ask me if he should take the city streets or the expressway. Of course, the trick here is the city streets are the fast way. The expressway is the long haul and costs you more. The way the cabbie phrased the question though caused me to almost answer him wrong. But thanks to this forum, I was able to provide the correct answer, "tale the city streets please".
I honestly never knew which way was "faster" until just now. Pretty sure I've been long-hauled on the interstate before. Looking on the map it's pretty obvious!
For the next trip I'll keep this in mind. Although I'm going to try for a cheaper transport option (hotel shuttle or bus maybe).
Paris Las Vegas to McCarran, expressway: 9.3 miles, 15 minutes.
At $2.60/mile, that's an extra $15.80 to the Cab driver.
everywhere. I would ask passengers that all the time
and the smart ones said to take the cheap way. So
they over charged in Vegas, good for them. Never
wise up the chumps.
OTOH, I've never met a Taxi driver that I envied.
Quote: EvenBobYes, the fast way is always the expensive way almost
everywhere. I would ask passengers that all the time
and the smart ones said to take the cheap way. So
they over charged in Vegas, good for them. Never
wise up the chumps.
In Vegas the expensive way isn't even the fastest way.
Quote: boymimboParis Las Vegas to McCarran, city streets: 3.2 miles, 9 minutes
Paris Las Vegas to McCarran, expressway: 9.3 miles, 15 minutes.
At $2.60/mile, that's an extra $15.80 to the Cab driver.
No, it means about an extra seven dollars to the driver, but if he does NOT bring in that extra money to the cab company they may put him at the bottom of the list the next day or even assign him to a car that is not airport licensed. It is punishment for NOT long hauling customers which is generally what the cab companies do. Remember, your driver probably works a twelve hour day and would be very happy to not long haul you, but if he doesn't "push it" he will be assigned a slow car the next day and won't make as much money.
When you arrive in town get your cabbies cell number and schedule, particularly if you are staying at some off strip property without a cab stand.
There is an oriental convenience store with the word convenience mis-used, all the taxi drivers show up there eventually and don't mind detours to get there.
I suppose if I questioned the driver, he would offer an excuse that the city streets were backed up and the expressway, in this instance, was "the quickest."
I wonder which way the cab driver would have gone if I said "the cheaper" way?
Anyway, a couple of years ago I was returned to the airport by limo provided by the casino and I asked the limo driver about this question. He laughed and said all visitors to the strip should say to take the city streets. He admitted this was a common thing to generate larger fares.
Thanks for posting this to further clear up this question.
Rentals are cheap and parking is cheap... but first time gawkers should probably not rent a car. Given the alcohol consumption that is considered the norm, driving is probably not a good idea for many gamblers.Quote: SOOPOOCar rentals are so ridiculously cheap in Vegas, unless alcohol prevents you from driving, rentals are the way to go.
Quote: AZDuffmanI said it before here and I will say it again, for trips to the strip just make a zone system. Say zone 1 ends at Flamingo and zone 2 at TI. Zone 3 at the Stratosphere and zone 4 is Freemont St. Flat rate to each zone. Post the fares at the airport.
The problem with the zone system is it does not take into account traffic conditions. I don't think the cabbie should take a hit on his fare if you arrive at a busy time when the traffic is totally jammed. You might not agree.
Quote: kenarmanThe problem with the zone system is it does not take into account traffic conditions. I don't think the cabbie should take a hit on his fare if you arrive at a busy time when the traffic is totally jammed. You might not agree.
If they do it in NYC from the airports they can do it in Vegas. I think that some believe that by giving a cabbie a flat fare they might tend to exceed posted speed limits to get more fares in per unit time. Not that that happens already.....
Quote: kenarmanThe problem with the zone system is it does not take into account traffic conditions. I don't think the cabbie should take a hit on his fare if you arrive at a busy time when the traffic is totally jammed. You might not agree.
Easily solved with a simple peak surcharge system. I'd go along with that.
Quote: SOOPOOCar rentals are so ridiculously cheap in Vegas, unless alcohol prevents you from driving, rentals are the way to go.
The thing is, I really dislike driving in cities even when stone-cold sober. I actually like road trips and driving on highways, but moderate to heavy traffic makes me nervous and pissed off. So I'll gladly pay for a taxi or shuttle or take public transport in most circumstances, including Vegas. Now I know to ask for the city streets...
Parking in crowded places gives me a borderline panic-attack, although that probably wouldn't happen in Vegas with the big, free parking garages at the big strip casinos.
Quote: SOOPOOCar rentals are so ridiculously cheap in Vegas, unless alcohol prevents you from driving, rentals are the way to go.
I'm in Vegas... alcohol always prevents me from driving!
Quote: NareedI'm going to hazzard a guess that I'm the one person here who regularly takes an airport shuttle.
My first year, I walked from the airport to IP (Quad now). Took a shuttle to the airport. Last year I rode the bus there, and taxi to the airport. This year, I think I'll shuttle both ways.
Quote: mipletMy first year, I walked from the airport to IP (Quad now). Took a shuttle to the airport. Last year I rode the bus there, and taxi to the airport. This year, I think I'll shuttle both ways.
It is the best choice monetarily for a solo travaeler, or even for a couple. the downside is if you're staying Downtown or off-Strip you'll be the last to be dropped off. On my first trip that was almost like a mini-tour of the Strip. By the second it was annoying.
Quote: NareedI'm going to hazzard a guess that I'm the one person here who regularly takes an airport shuttle.
I'm definitely going to try to do this for WovCon ///. Either that or transit. I'm really tired of shelling out $20 or so to take a taxi.
I have tried a couple of times to split a taxi with other travelers who were going to the strip...doesn't matter much where, since I travel light and I like to walk anyway (although I've only done this for backpack trips, not roller-board trips). It's only worked for me once, and the generous dude covered the whole tab! I ended up at the Luxor (staying at Flamingo), but that was fine with me in that circumstance.
Quote: AcesAndEightsNareed, I'm going to ask you a favor here to please recount how you book your airport->hotel shuttle for Vegas trips? I know you described it in a post previously, but I can't seem to find it (searching your prodigious post history is tough!) and didn't boomark it...thanks in advance...
https://wizardofvegas.com/forum/off-topic/off-topic/4275-las-vegas-taxis/4/#post219533
Quote: miplethttps://wizardofvegas.com/forum/off-topic/off-topic/4275-las-vegas-taxis/4/#post219533
Wow...okay, so, I clearly didn't try hard enough. Thank mip!
Quote: miplethttps://wizardofvegas.com/forum/off-topic/off-topic/4275-las-vegas-taxis/4/#post219533
That was fast!
Th latest place I booked from (BestDay Mexico), offered transportation from the airport, butit was horribly expensive (about $80). I passed it as quickly as I would Linux ;P
Buying a ticket at the airport works well enough. If you preffer, you can book from some of the shuttle sites. I think both Showtime and Bell Trans (no relation) offer on site bookng. The price should be the same, which is about $12-14 for the Strip and $14-17 for Downtown. That's roundtrip. But I suppose prices may ahve gone up over the past year.
Quote: AcesAndEightsWow...okay, so, I clearly didn't try hard enough. Thank mip!
Anytime! I just used the search button in the nav bar. Typed nareed shuttle. It uses google site search. It was the first link. Now its the second.
I don't mind using the shuttle service's going to the hotel, but from the hotel to airport is something else. The shuttle companies will set you're pickup time way to early. I would rather spend more time in the casino than waiting at airport.
Quote: AcesAndEightsNareed, I'm going to ask you a favor here to please recount how you book your airport->hotel shuttle for Vegas trips? I know you described it in a post previously, but I can't seem to find it (searching your prodigious post history is tough!) and didn't boomark it...thanks in advance...
Unfortunately not ONE shuttle goes out to the Boulder Strip...
Quote: conoI don't mind using the shuttle service's going to the hotel, but from the hotel to airport is something else. The shuttle companies will set you're pickup time way to early. I would rather spend more time in the casino than waiting at airport.
When I call for pickup, they ask at what time my flight leaves. I always tell them about an hour and a half later, so they'll pick me up later. it's that simple. Of course if you then miss your flight, you only have yourself to blame.
Quote: conoI have to admit to being long hauled, and not realizing it until later.
I don't mind using the shuttle service's going to the hotel, but from the hotel to airport is something else. The shuttle companies will set you're pickup time way to early. I would rather spend more time in the casino than waiting at airport.
I got done once up to the Golden Nugget.
Wasn't sure about it enough to complain until i got out the cab and spoke to my buddy who's a verteran on the trip and has done it many more times to stay downtown than I have. Looking at a map, he didn't just long haul, he came off the express way far too early as well. Sigh.
Let's face it: all that really has to happen is for the darned casinos to let arriving guests know they've just been long hauled. Would make for a few irate casino visitors but it would sure put a dent in the practice.
For Vegas however, it's a bit ridiculous because the freeway is so far out of the way from a time and distance perspective that the freeway can only be a ripoff.
Quote: AlanMendelsondon't forget to ask your hotel about a limo. most of the casinos charge $30 or $35 for a limo which can be very convenient if there are two or more of you and you have luggage. the limo driver will meet you when you exit the flight, help with the bags, and take you via the freeway so you can get there quicker.
Alan, I agree. I have only used a Limo once, but I would do it again in a heartbeat. The extra cost is less than 2 hands of BJ at minimum bets.
A couple of years ago there were 8 of us staying at Paris/Ballys and I was a Diamond card. Since I had a nice win and we all could not fit in one taxi, I asked the Paris desk to arrange a Limo for us to go to the airport, and told them to charge it against my comps. Limo was ready for us that at 10:00 that morning, driver loaded the luggage, nice ride to airport, $40 tip to driver. It was the best experience ever.
Oh yeah. My comp balance never got charged for the Limo !
The Biggest Scam In Vegas May Be Your Taxi Ride
In case long hauling is not enough:
Quote:Another surprise for passengers: a $3 surcharge if you pay your taxi fare with a credit card. Although it’s perfectly legal, Romaine calls this “the highest swipe fee IHateTaxis.com has come across anywhere.”
Quote:“We are very surprised that the Las Vegas airport authorities have not taken more leadership in resolving an issue that can negatively impact tourism experiences,” says Romaine. He cites a honeymoon couple from Edmonton, Alberta who were scammed by a taxi. “It heightened their sensitivity for the rest of their trip. This was their first experience of Las Vegas, and they indicated to me that they will likely not return.”
That is nice. If they do charge your comps for a limo, its known as a soft comp because they have a flat rate account with the Limo company and will not be billed at the rate you would have to pay if you called up a Limo Company yourself and booked your own Limo ride.Quote: RaleighCrapsOh yeah. My comp balance never got charged for the Limo !
Quote:Police say Richardson had a neighbour call for a cab just after 1.00am Saturday morning.
The young man soon became agitated as Darbenzio refused to go the way he wanted, cops said.
‘Richardson said he got upset because the cab driver was taking the long way and ripping him off
‘What did you say to him when you guys were in the cab together?’ A reporter can be heard asking Richardson.
‘I didn’t say s**t to him, I just told him take this way, he didn’t want to listen, he got his a** shot,’ he said.
Police say Richardson shot Darbenzio twice in the head while he was still in the driver’s seat, took $500 cash and fled the scene.
Richardson then uttered an even more chilling response when asked why he did it.
‘I feel my homies die, everybody got to die.’
Never fear, wasn't actually Vegas. OTOH, maybe that doesn't matter so much. Just that it was somewhere.
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