The taxicab authority is planning on rolling our a zoned flat rate fee in January 2020. This will be a six-month trial proposal to see if this will deter taxi drivers from long hauling passengers when coming from McCarren airport to the Las Vegas Strip.
Let’s face it the cab companies around Las Vegas are struggling to be competitive with Lyft and Uber in town. This zone flat rate fee may help a little but it also may confuse passengers if they cross over into another zone. Where there may be other fees tacked on at the end of the fair. It remains to be seen how this will roll out. But rest assured taking a Lyft or Uber is still the most cost-effective way to get around Las Vegas.
Cabbies may take advantage of add on Fees
Cabbies are not the most honest drivers when it comes to buzzing you around town here in Las Vegas. They will sometimes purposely slow down when seeing the Yellow light when knowingly they could have made it through safely. The reason is that waiting at a red light equats to a bigger fare because the meter is still running at a 3 to 4-minute wait for the light to change green. This is still a problem for most people when navigating in and around Las Vegas. Plus, don’t forget to tip your cabbie as it’s an industry standard to tip out the driver when they take advantage of you for stepping into their cab.
This model still has its problems and unanswered questions of crossing into another zone. Will there be an upcharge for crossing into another zone as you make your way thru the Las Vegas Strip? This remains to be seen and is still up for debate as this new Flat Rate Zone begins in the first part of 2020.
Lyft and Uber Dominate the Las Vegas Strip
Lyft and Uber still are the market leaders in moving people around at a cost-effective advantage to Taxi Cabs in Las Vegas. At most a typical Lyft or Uber ride from McCarren airport to the Las Vegas Strip is about $12.00 to $24.00 depends on where you end up on the strip. Plus, with Lyft and Uber you can request a second stop in the app for getting supplies at the store or dispensaries along the way. This may add a few dollars to the fare but is a good way for you and your driver to have mutual respect for each other and your time while he or she brings you to your desired place to shop.
Compared this to the cabbies in Las Vegas and you’re going to be charged for waiting at a store or dispensary because the meter is one slam at this point. Ask anyone that has taken a cab from McCarren airport and requested to stop at a store or a dispensary. They will tell you it was an expensive endeavor.