The end of a sleepless night, tiredness after a hard day’s work or bad weather. All these are factors for which most people automatically choose the most convenient solution – calling a taxi. The idea of a quick and hassle-free move home is tempting, but reality can sometimes bring unpleasant surprises.
A seemingly banal decision can turn into a situation that one immediately regrets within a few minutes. This also happened to Noemi Gažová, known from the second series of the show Ruža pre nevesta, which is broadcast by Markíza TV.
On the social network, she revealed how much she paid for a taxi from the Czech capital to Slovakia. “If you happen to think that taxi Prague – Bratislava is gud ajdija (good idea, editor’s note)” she complained and posted how much she paid. Noemi had to shell out 4021.25 Czech crowns for the trip, which translates to 166 euros. You can find her photo in the gallery.
The capital cities of the Czech Republic and Slovakia are 328 kilometers away from each other on tolled routes, which is roughly a 3 and a half hour drive. If the driver chooses to drive without toll roads, it is a 370-kilometer route that should take almost 6 hours.
However, it should also be taken into account that the taxi driver had to return to Prague, and thus it was a double distance and time. If Noemi were to travel by train, for example, she would pay 30 euros for the ride. She would be home in less than 4 and a half hours.
It is a common mistake to get into a taxi with the feeling that the driver is solely responsible for the smooth running of the trip. Even in the era of modern applications and digital tracking of routes, there are many factors that can make an ordinary drive an unpleasant experience. What should one think about before closing the taxi door?
1. The trap called “street taxi” and the price per kilometer
The biggest risk is still getting into random vehicles parked in busy places – in front of stations, airports or nightclubs. These drivers often do not drive under any known platform and their price lists may be legal, but at the same time absurdly inflated.
- Shame on taxameter: Before driving, it should be a matter of course to check the price per kilometer. If the driver refuses to turn on the taximeter with the excuse that “they will agree on a fixed price”, this is the first warning sign.
- Fixed price in advance: If a person has to use such a taxi, the amount for the final destination must be agreed upon before boarding. Otherwise, there is a risk that at the end of the trip, the driver will demand an amount that exceeds the price of the ticket.
2. Route Tracking: When the route mysteriously lengthens
Ignorance of the environment or reduced attention of the passenger are ideal opportunities for so-called “sightseeing drives”.
- Especially in foreign cities it happens that instead of a direct route, the driver chooses detours, congested streets or unnecessarily long detours in order to jump kilometers on the taximeter.
- Today, it is enough to have a smartphone with GPS navigation in your hand. Tracking the route in real time on your own display will not only reveal malicious intentions, but will clearly show the driver that the passenger is aware.
3. Digital footprint and identity verification
External applications of taxi services have significantly increased safety, but even they are not a 100% guarantee if a person loses his vigilance. Basic rule of applications: Always get into a car whose license plate (registration number), model and driver’s face exactly match the data on the phone’s display.
If a person mounts without verification, he risks that joined a complete stranger without any registration or guarantee of safety. You also don’t need to be afraid to ask the driver for the name of the client he came to pick up.
4. Attention to personal belongings and the moment of appearance
Forgotten phone, wallet on the back seat or a bag in the trunk of the car. Losing things in taxis is one of the most common scenarios. While the chance of contacting the driver and returning things is relatively high when driving through the application, this chance is almost zero with an anonymous taxi from the street.
It is equally important to have cash or a payment card ready in advance, so that people don’t have to search their bags in the dark and under stress, which again leads to potential pickpockets or inattention when something falls out of the car onto the road.
5. Personal security and intuition
Last but not least, one should not underestimate one’s own instinct. If the car does not appear to be technically fit, the interior is messy, or the driver behaves aggressively, loudly or shows signs of fatigue or consumption of addictive substances, it is better to immediately refuse or interrupt the ride. Safety and health are not worth saving a few minutes waiting for another vehicle.
