Passenger Rights and Responsibilities when Hiring Taxi Service in Richmond, VA

In order to experience a hassle-free taxi service in Richmond,VA, passengers should be aware of their rights and responsibilities regarding the services they are about to avail. Actually, knowing this information should be mandatory in order for passengers to acknowledge that they fully agree with the terms and conditions of the taxi service company. In addition, passengers would also know what to do or who should be contacted if they have complaints. With the intention to help you get started, provided below are the responsibilities and rights of passengers when hiring taxi services in the city.

Passenger Responsibilities

When traveling in a taxi, it is your responsibility to wear a seatbelt at all times for your safety. Failure to do so might nix your claims for insurance in the occurrence of an accident. If you book a taxi service prior to a trip, it is also your responsibility to pay the taxi service company upfront with the agreed down payment. Once you’re in the cab, you should also pay the fare displayed at the meter. In addition, pay the driver appropriately if there are surcharges for waiting time and extra passengers.

It is also the obligation of passengers to not consume alcohol and other illegal substances while traveling in a taxi. Also, passengers should not do anything to endanger the safety of other passengers, the driver, the vehicle, as well as other person outside the vehicle. It is not also advisable to do any form of distractions to the driver during the ride. Furthermore, passengers are not allowed to ask the driver for anything illegal such as running red lights and over speeding. By committing these freewheeling actions, the driver has the right to ask passengers to get out of their vehicle. 

Passenger Rights

By availing a taxi service in Richmond, VA, passengers have the right to issue orders regarding the route of their destination as long as the driver and the taxi company agreed that this route is legal and safe to traverse. In case you did not specify a route, the driver will take the most direct route to your destination. In case you left something in the taxi, you are entitled to claim it within seven days. If the item is still unclaimed beyond this time period, the taxi service company will then forward your lost item to the police station. 

Filing Complaints

If your complaint is about any of the following, you should forward it to Department of Transportation or to the Better Business Bureau.

1.    Taking incorrect route

2.    Being denied a hiring just because you are in a wheelchair

3.    Overcharging

4.    Being rejected a hiring from a taxi zone

5.    Serious unfitting behaviors such as verbal/physical harassment

However if you have minor complaints only such as dissatisfied with the service, it is highly advisable to directly contact the operator or the taxi service company. They will investigate your complaint and the people involved will be notified about it. After filing complaints, it’s simply commonsense to keep an eye for the particular taxi service company so you can avoid hiring their services in the future. Most of the minor complaints about the taxi service in Richmond, VA include the driver being late, bad-mannered, doesn’t help passengers with their luggage, and drives poorly. Once you experience these unprofessional services, move on and try other service providers.   

Conclusion

As taxi service companies and their drivers have their own duties and responsibilities in catering professional and ethical taxi service in Richmond, VA, so do the passengers. Be cognizant of the above-mentioned passenger rights and responsibilities so you will have a smooth and trouble-free taxi ride at all times.