Cab Driving Terminology

Definitions and notes related to taxi driving

Published on August 1, 2004 By Cab Driver In Life Journals

computer (SEE: MDT)
fare
farebox
fare box (SEE: MDT)
GOA (SEE: no-show): Gone On Arrival.
MDT: Mobile Data Terminal.; Also referred to as 'the moneymaker'. The computerized dispatching system component mounted in the taxi that displays fare information including: Fares available by zone; Special messages from the dispatch supervisor; and The information (address, name, destination, etc) about your current fare if it was dispatched. It also allows the driver to communicate with the dispatcher using codes that send pre-defined messages. It works in conjunction with the two-way radio by sending and receiving data over radio frequencies.
no-show: The bane of all Taxi Drivers' existence. Customers who for whatever reason no longer need a taxi but fail to call and cancel. Usually it is because they took a different taxi or found some other form of transportation. It wastes our time and money on multiple levels. Some drivers have been known to decorate houses with mud or excrement following a no-show. IF YOU DO NOT NEED YOUR TAXI, PLEASE CALL AND CANCEL IT!
runoff
run-off: The other bane (see no-show) of all Taxi Drivers' existence.
A thief, if you will.
A customer who, by deception or other means, does not pay the meter fare for thier ride. This includes jumpers, who as soon as the cab stops throw open thier door and jump out; and people who wait until you are at the destination to mention that they have no money. They take money out of our pockets!
radio
shift: The time spent driving the cab. Anywhere from 6 to 15 hours, with the standard being 12.
zone: Basically the last three digits of the zip code you're in. All fares are entered into the computer by zip code, so you can tell the computer what zone you're in, and any run in that zone will come to you first (provided there are no other cabs in that zone).

Comments

on Mar 06, 2005

Another way of saying run off is JACK RABBIT

you also have the "I DIDN"T CALL A CAB"....then how is it , the computer has your phone # and address....not to mention the time of when you, or someone at that number had called. Like the dispatch says, "I wouldn't have sent you if they didn't call"

we have boxes or area in which we will wait for calls.

NO MONEY NO RIDE...what part of this don't you understand. This is how cabbies make the money....you pre pay before getting on the city bus, or a train, even the airlines ask money up front.....we estamate about how much it may run on the meter ( we are good at that) and you WILL get change if any back!

or MONEY UP FRONT ...no, it ain't no white thing, women thing or anyother thing.....on long trips we ask for a deposit up front. This also is policy most places....not actuall the company....more of the driver's policy. This is one of my bggest things, I ask for money up front for several reasons....one of which is so I won't have problem with this next term/pharse

NO LARGE BILL ON SMALL FARE (drive, ride) Why do people think of cabdrivers as a rolling bank ATM, or change purse? We don't carry that kind of money. Also , why is it people think we will change a large bill so you can leave some money with someone there at the house .

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Passengers in or waiting on the taxi. A customer.
The cost of the cab ride.

Gone On Arrival.

Mobile Data Terminal.

The other bane (see no-show) of all Taxi Drivers' existence.

A thief, if you will.

The two-way radio used by the MDT to communicate with the dispatch computer and occasionally for voice communications with the dispatcher(s) or supervisor.
The AM/FM radio that may or may not work depending on which cab you're in.

The time spent driving the cab. Anywhere from 6 to 15 hours, with the standard being 12.

Basically the last three digits of the zip code you're in. All fares are entered into the computer by zip code, so you can tell the computer what zone you're in, and any run in that zone will come to you first (provided there are no other cabs in that zone).

Passengers in or waiting on the taxi. A customer. The cost of the cab ride.