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What determines the cost of a taxi ride?

What determines the cost of a taxi ride?

Ordering a taxi today is not a problem

The taxi pulls up directly to your home and delivers you comfortably to your destination. And everything would be fine if not for the cost of the ride. A taxi is much more expensive than public transport, which is not surprising. However, the comfort that using this service provides is truly worth the expense.

But many of those who use this type of service want to know what makes up the cost of a taxi ride. Of course, before the trip, the dispatcher is unlikely to give you the exact amount, as it depends on many factors. Only the driver at the end of the route can calculate it. However, as a passenger, you should know what the final cost will depend on. Let's try to figure it out.

Most taxi services charge a fixed amount for the order itself, and the rest of the payment is calculated based on several factors. First and foremost, it's the distance. Many taxi cars have special devices – taximeters – that automatically make the necessary calculations.

The cost of a taxi ride can be calculated using two different rates. One of them is a per-kilometer charge. This means a set amount per kilometer is established, and payment is made according to the distance traveled. Thus, you pay exactly for the route you have driven.

There is also another rate, which is payment by time. The so-called hourly rate is relevant when the taxi is stationary or moving at low speed. For example, if a passenger gets out of the taxi and asks the driver to wait for a certain time, and then go back.

Most often, these two payment methods are combined. While the car is in motion, payment is per kilometer. If you have to wait a long time for a passenger, the waiting time is included in the total cost of the trip. Therefore, knowing the rates for time and distance, you can roughly estimate the final amount.