It’s gotten rather absurd. If my interaction is with a kiosk short of being handed something, it’s an insulting extra step. I’m already paying the price for my employer’s pay scale … I can’t take on someone else’s stinginess.

Archive link

  • @[email protected]English
    2•2 years ago

    Next week, Las Vegas is hosting a Formula 1 race. First time since like the early 80s. Recently, the local government’s taxi authority has authorized a $15 surcharge for certain trips during that time. Why?

    According to the Taxicab Authority Board, that surcharge is fully necessary “to encourage full workforce participation.” Apparently, there’s some worry that cab drivers will be less inclined to work on the busy event weekend. Not only is the city expecting an influx of European riders who don’t conform to the tipping customs of the U.S., but traffic is going to be abysmal with the main arteries of the city shut down to facilitate the race.

    Source.

    I have to believe that the majority of attendees will be Americans. Sure, there will be non-Americans from non-tipping cultures, but does that really mean that a $15 surcharge-in-lieu-of-tip is really needed on everyone? Especially as high as $15? For some of these flat-rate trips they range in price from $22-30. The surcharge means the “required tip” is 50-68%!

    Insanity.

    • @[email protected]
      2•2 years ago

      A lot of taxi and rideshare drivers are saying they are getting the hell out of town for the event so they don’t have to deal with it, so you have to incentivize people to stay on and make some cash. My source is just secondhand anecdotes of what cabbies were talking about when friends and family were visiting recently but if it sticks out enough for these people to mention it a lot of people must have said it.

      It sucks but for once I think Vegas isn’t just being full of shit here.

      Whether it’s the perception alone of European guests or a real issue is kind of irrelevant because the cabbies don’t want to work the event either way.

    • @[email protected]
      3•2 years ago

      Vegas has a rich tradition of taking visitors for every dime they have. This absurd charge is no different than the “resort fee” they charge at hotels. And good luck trying to get tickets to a popular concert or sports event at anywhere close to face value.

      As a local, all I can say is thank you for my lack of state income tax. :-D

    • @[email protected]English
      1•2 years ago

      You couldn’t get me to drive a cab in Vegas for a $20 tip with every ride.

      I’ve definitely run into Europeans that are totally clueless about tipping and it sucks. I can absolutely see adding a gratuity during an event with a disproportionate number of Europeans attending.

      If you don’t like it, you’re free to not take a cab.