As anyone who has been stuck in a cab with a suspiciously non-functioning credit card machine has probably figured out by now: those fancy video-streaming card swipe machines aren't actually breaking down with surprising frequency.
The "cash only" move is a cabbie's way of saying they don't want to get stuck with the fee from your credit card transaction. (We heard you the first time, guys.) Either way, since cab drivers have been getting increasingly ornery about the credit card issue, San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency board chairman Tom Nolan has suggested we riders start taking matters in to our own hands by reporting those drivers who refuse to accept your Visa card. Speaking to the Chronicle about this ever-growing problem, Nolan said, "...it is important for passengers to report those drivers. Get the driver's ID number or badge number and call it in to 311."
For the record, SFist has no beef with the city's cab drivers, who generally do a fine job of schlepping folks around town (when they are anywhere to be found, that is). But this whole arguing over payment thing runs counter to the sole purpose of a taxi cab, which is to drive someone some place and then take their money with a minimal amount of hassle. That said every cab driver should be equipped with Square by now, because that little nugget of San Francisco ingenuity is just a godsend in these situations. Also: they email you a receipt!
[Chron]
Join the conversation
Comments
Comments load automatically as this section approaches.