The cab industry in Ocean City MD has grown rapidly over the past 5 years. This has certainly been a welcome alternative means of transportation, but has brought with it some elements of cause for concern. Currently, licensed cabs in the city are required to post their “fare rates” on the outside of the cab. These fare rate postings are at best difficult to understand and calculate or even compare to the next cabs rates. The visiting vacationer, convention goer, and even the local resident is at the risk of being “ripped off” (charged excessive rates) unless one exercises due caution when boarding a cab.
A bad experience with a cab for hire reflects back upon Ocean City MD to our visiting vacationers and convention goers. I personally have experienced the rogue cab driver who charges much higher rates than the balance of the cab drivers on the road. My suggestion would be that before entering a cab, request that the driver provide you a close estimate of the cost before you agree to the trip. It is in the best interest of the city to become more active in monitoring and studying the issues and how to best regulate this commercial activity in Ocean City MD.
With some elation, I read in a recent newspaper article, The Dispatch / Maryland Coast Dispatch the possibility of some attempt to change existing cab for hire regulations to better protect the consumer. Let’s hope that these efforts lead to an improvement in the existing cab for hire situation in Ocean City MD.
Cab For Hire issues abound in cities throughout the USA and seem to be an evolving PITA for muncipalities. I applaud the seeming beginning of a more diligent effort by the city to address this issue.
I found this article of interest relating to some stringent licensing regulations which may be of interest.
The General Code Advantage
If your community licenses taxicabs, it’s time to compare your existing legislation to more current, and perhaps more stringent, legislation.
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