10/12/09

Inflated rates and questionable driver

by hensonkid

My wife and I caught a Harris cab driven by Jerome Washington when we returned to St. Louis at the new Amtrak station. The driver didn't know the address or the street we were headed to, so I gave him a landmark about a block away (a major grocery store in a well-known neighborhood), which he said he knew. His driving was erratic (he drifted across lines and then snapped back), and as we neared the cross street, he announced that we would have to tell him when we were getting close because HE COULDN'T READ THE STREET SIGNS.

When we finally stopped, the meter read $13.90, but he told us to pay a flat $17 because of "passenger rate," which was not indicated on his meter anywhere (though I know it's common). I'm not sure how he calculated a $3.10 extra passenger fee, but we paid it with no tip, glad to be safe at home.

The same trip (reverse route) to the Amtrak station a few days earlier had cost us $11.50 (INCLUDING the passenger fee) from Laclede Cab, and our driver had not only been much more competent, she was actually cordial and friendly.

Laclede Cab's advertised rates are significantly lower. As a bartender, I regularly called Laclede Cab to pickup customers, and the drivers were consistently friendly to both me and (sometimes rowdy) customers. I highly recommend Laclede Cab, and I discourage you from taking Harris Cab, if you have any alternative.

• Pros: Availability
• Cons: Higher rates

08/25/09

Thank you terri and harris cab!

by CSMobileUser

Great job helping our military and the USO !