Software to cut taxi ‘long-hauling’ set for test

Software to cut taxi ‘long-hauling’ set for test
The Associated Press

Monday, Jan. 14, 2013 | 3:39 p.m.

It may soon be harder for Nevada taxi drivers to take unsuspecting passengers on long rides just to rack up the meter.

The Las Vegas Sun reports ( http://bit.ly/W4y3mE) the Nevada Transportation Authority approved a statewide test of software to detect taxi "long-hauling."

The illegal practice involves drivers taking an indirect route to a destination so the fare is higher. It has given the taxi industry a bad name, but is difficult for regulators to control.

The RideIntegrity software developed by Frias Transportation Infrastructure would track a cab's movements with GPS and store the information in a database. The records could be retrieved later to check complaints about long-hauling.

A pilot program will be funded by the developer and includes monitoring 150 taxis, sedans and limousines.

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Information from: Las Vegas Sun, http://www.lasvegassun.com

 

Sounds like a great idea and even better that the developer is funding it. The only thing I would change is out of the 150 vehicles I would track all taxis, never heard of people getting long hauled in sedans and limos.

And honestly I don't know how this is still a problem. I'm willing to bet 99% of first timers coming to Vegas will research on the internet how to get around the city, and every article will mention taxis, long hauling, and especially the "tunnel". If you get long hauled you are either:
A. A dumbass for not doing your homework
B. To big of a pussy to confront a cabbie

Either way I hope it ends cause it doesn't look good for the city.

 

My only concern is the developer is a taxi company

 

My guess is that they will make bigbux if the system is mandated for all taxi companies!

 

Yea, I don't really see the point of putting it in limos and sedans. Since you pay for those by the hour, it seems silly. The only thing I can think of is since they operate differently and the system uses GPS, perhaps they are looking to see the quickest routes that they take, like say if it's just an airport transfer with no stop before the hotel. It sets up some sort of baseline.

 

I'm just concerned that if this implementation is successful, the message board will lose 40-50 posts a day and become quite boring...

 

thumbsup:

 

Pilot program funded by the devolper.

Implemented program funded by us.

Keep in mind it does not say it will prevent it. It just says they can review the tapes later if need be.

They do this at casinos, does it prevent people from trying to cheat?

 

LOL! It must be nice in that dream world you live in where 99% of its residents are intelligent people. It must not have any freeways though because just a short trip on mine reminds me that in the real world that number is more like 10%.

Seriously though, spending a lot of time on forums like this surrounded by like minded thinking people gives the false impression that Internet crawlers like ourselves are the majority. We are not. Also don't forget the the Internet is also the greatest disseminator of MISinformation as well. I know all too many people who have figured out how to search for info, but haven't yet figured out how to vet it.

 

Based on my discussion with people heading to Vegas for first or even 2nd, 3rd time... very few research, especially something as mundane as taxis.