Taxi gouging

12-12-2019

Excerpt from post by mosesk

...."on the part of certain taxi drivers...
NOT HAVING ENOUGH CHANGE FOR A 200, AND SOMETIMES 100 PESO NOTE!!

That's precisely why I walk everywhere, every day, every time".....

Hola mosesk

1. Good point about the change.
Besides taxis, in some smaller shops, change is often a problem.
If you try to pay make a small purchase with a $500 peso note, (which is around USD26.00), most likely the response will be that they can't make change.
I susupect that may be because they start their day with a small amount in the "register", so making change is problematic.

As a general tip, it's a good idea to even go to a bank, and stock up on "monedas", and "billetes" in 20 & 50 peso denominations.

2. YES☺ When possible, Walk and save money and get some exercise at the same time, and enjoy the "Zcenery" as well.
It may take an extra ½ hour, but is well worth it.
In the years I have been here, I never owned a car.
I walk 90% of the time, and only if in a rush or to avoid the sun, I will use the Urvan.
If I spend the equivalent to US $3.00 per month on public transportation, that's high for me. Most places here in Z zone aren't more than a 40 minute walk, max.

3. About the price gouging by SOME taxi drivers:

My interpretation of the thread is that us as Passengers paying for a service believe that the best policy is honesty, meaning to charge the "official" rates, and let the Passenger add on a tip, should they desire.
Even though a driver charged an extra 5, 10, or 15 pesos, as someone mentioned it is very little money. Nevertheless, tips shouldn't be "built-in" to the cost of a taxi ride.
If, for example, the official rate is $35, and the taxi driver charges that, you may give the driver $40.