Why do some call a taxi a metered taxi?

Question

Isn't it obvious that a taxi has a meter? Couldn't one just say taxi? What's the difference?

Answer 1

Yes.  I agree with previous answerers.

There are airport taxis with fixed rates, and so on.

Here in KKIA (The King Khalid International Airport) when a Pinoy gets wandering even inside the airport, there will be Arabs and expats, asking you if you have a car outside to fetch you. (Fi Sayara?)   If you make the mistake of saying No, they'd really take you for a ride.

Better go to their station just outside the translucent automatic doors that strangely remind me of capiz motiff (the cars are generally from GM, big, fast, sleek and luxurious) where they have fixed rates, official receipts and courteous drivers.   From the airport to my district, Sulaimaniya, it's only SR45.00 fixed.

There are metered taxis going about the city (colored white, with the "taxi" appendage on top),  and most have expat drivers from the Indian subcontinent region.   You can easily bargain for fixed rates if you know the going rate from point X to point Y.

Caution:  No decent woman goes out alone, much less ride a taxi alone, in the city.   Have always a companion if you're a girl and get an "abaya" to hide the face.  

Answer 2

There are airport taxis. These cabs do not have a meter and there is a fixed tariff rate depending on the location.

Then there are taxis which do not have a meter or if they did have one, they'd take advantage by asking for a negotiated rate.

A metered taxi could simply mean a legal one. As for me, doesn't make a difference, a taxi is a taxi.  

Answer 3

others have tariff rate

Answer 4

Some taxi will take you from point A to point B for a negotiated rate.  For instance.  When you arrive at NAIA and you need to go to Ermita you can go to the booth outside the baggage claim area and they will sell you that trip.  Its a flat rate.  The taxi you go in does not have a meter.  After he drops you off he will return to that same location for another passenger.  That taxi is usually a bigger car and much cleaner and the driver is more professional acting.  If you want to have a meter taxi you can go to some other location farther away from that baggage claim spot and catch a taxi with a meter.  Usually one who just dropped off someone at the departure level.  That taxi, if he uses the meter will cost much less than the other one.  The car might be smelly and have a bad aircon and the driver might be a disgusting pervert but at least its cheaper by about half.  That driver might also offer to take you "off the meter" for a flat rate.  If he does that it means he is stealing from the actual owner of the taxi who uses the meter to determined his revenue to split with him.  He's cheating.

Answer 5

some taxis go on a fixed rate.

e.g.  way back,  from merville to glorietta, my fare is usually around 100-110 based on the meter. but if it's on a fixed rate, they charge around 150.

taxis that go on a fixed rate are usually the ones who wait around for a passenger. those who drive around usually go on a metered rate, then they just ask for extra if your route is farther away.  but then, if it's really late, and they drop the line, "gagarahe na kasi ako eh," it could mean that he'll take you to your destination if and only if you agree to his price.

i get really irritated with taxi drivers from the phil. they are so demanding.