At 2 a.m. after a night at the bars, a taxi cab is the one of the most reliable ways to get home safe.
But taking a taxi can be confusing — especially if you’ve had a lot to drink or have never taken a cab before.
One thing is for sure – cab drivers can make an excellent profit on students who are too intoxicated to realize they might be getting ripped off.
Here’s a guide for what to keep in mind when looking for a cab so sober or not, you make it to your destination safely and without spending a lot of money.
Know how to get a cab without waiting.
When the bars let out, everyone is looking for a ride home. You will have to wait a considerable amount of time for your cab. Some cabs will take as long as a half hour to show up. Just because you call a cab doesn’t mean they’re going to be right outside after your call. A good way to avoid this, if you went to the bars, is to just go outside and flag down one of the several cabs sitting out there waiting for people to pick up. Safety is also an important factor here — never wait outside for a cab alone, especially because you will be waiting a long time.
Check the rates of the cab company.
The price range can depend on how many people are riding in the cab. Or, in Uber’s case, there might be a price surge during prime hours when people want a cab. (Think 2 a.m. when the bars let out). If you aren’t familiar with the cab company and how much they charge, you might end up paying a lot more than expected. Drivers could also tack on some extra “fees" if they think you won’t notice.
Be wary of extra fees.
Uber has charges they tack on for a variety of reasons, including a safe ride fee or a charge for when there are a limited amount of drivers in the area. You should also have a plan of where you are going and the route to avoid being charged other fees.
Use a reliable taxi cab service.
Just because a taxi has a significantly cheaper rate than others does not mean it is safe, clean or reliable. Check the reviews of different taxi services in the area before calling to make sure other people have not had previous issues. Taxi drivers and their vehicles are required to meet certain requirements, such as having regular maintenance checks on their vehicle and background checks on drivers. Uber is also known for having safe drivers because they perform background checks. However, this does not mean there is no such thing is as a sketchy driver.
Do your best to hold your liquor.
Nearly all of the local cab companies in East Lansing charge a hefty price if you get sick or leave other bodily fluids in their vehicle. Another option would be to arrange for a friend to be a designated driver if you think you’ll be drinking considerably more than usual. If you get sick in a friend’s car, they most likely won’t charge you a fine.
