Sep 10, 2009 11:03 pm US/Eastern
Curious About Cabs And Credit Cards
BOSTON (WBZ) ―
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By law, Boston cab drivers are required to accept credit cards. That doesn't mean they always do.
WBZ
Just when it looked like paying for a taxi was getting easier, a roadblock.
You're supposed to be able to pay with a credit card. But can you?
Rules requiring the machines went into effect this summer.
But Craig from Boston wrote to ourÂ
Curiosity page:
"Almost every cab I've gotten into has claimed that it's either broken, or my fare would have to be at least $20. Is this legal?"
Well, the city is aware of the problem, and it set up a sting on Thursday.
Undercover police say they were pleasantly surprised. Of 10 rides they took, only one cab driver said he could not take credit cards, even though all are now required to have swipe machines on board.
Our own unscientific poll did not come out as well.
In a world of plastic, plastic, plastic, Boston taxicabs are finally tech-ready. But the drivers?
"I've found that a lot of cabbies won't actually let you use it," one rider told us.
"Sometimes they don't always take it, or say their machine doesn't work or something," another said.
"I don't think they're broken," our first rider said. "I'd be surprised."
We hopped in with one cabbie who was surprisingly honest about credit cards -- as long as we agreed not to show him.
"I prefer not to take them," he said. "I prefer to say to them, 'You might as well take the next cab. I'm not going to take credit card. I'm gonna take cash.'"
Capt. Robert Ciccolo is with the
Boston Police Hackney Unit.
"A driver who refuses a credit card faces an automatic three-day suspension," he said.
It's the law. Passengers have a right to demand paying with plastic. And if the driver says it's broken?
"The rules are very clear," Ciccolo said. "If the credit card machine is not functioning, the cab should not be in service."
Off camera, taxi drivers admit they avoid credit cards because the credit card companies charge a 6 percent fee for every transaction.
Then there are the times the cards are declined. Who loses, the cab company or the driver?
"I lose the money because I don't work for the cab company. I work for myself. I'm a private contractor," our cab driver said.
A private contractor serving a public addicted to plastic.
Last year, the city increased cab fares to help drivers cover credit card fees. Police say these machines are a matter of public safety. If someone is stranded without cash, or under the influence of alcohol, they could be a life saver.
If you have a complaint about a cabbie who won't take a credit card, you can call 617-536-TAXI, or send an e-mail to: taxi.bpd@cityofboston.gov.
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