Taxi Service in Austin, Lakeway, Round Rock and Cedar Park and Surrounding Areas
By: Kathy, Valerie
DHF Services
DHF Services is an Austin transportation company that offers not only rides but also personal errands!
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Austin Taxi drivers and chauffeurs transport passengers to and from their homes, workplaces, and other locations. Taxi drivers help people get to and from home, work, and recreational activities. They also help tourists and other travelers get around in a new area.
Watch this video of ASC's Ellie Evans talking with Kathy of DHF Services, about tips and advice when hiring an Austin driving service.
Taxi drivers usually begin their shift by reporting to the taxi company and getting their assigned taxi. They check the cab to be sure the lights, brakes, horn, and wipers work properly. They add gas, oil, water, or air in the tires, if necessary. They record information about the cab and about fares on a trip sheet. In addition, drivers who own the taxis they drive usually take charge of cleaning, maintaining, and repairing their own cabs.
Be prepared! Some cab drivers in Austin will try to charge you more if you are using a credit card. This is because the actual cab company is charging the driver 10% of the total bill to run credit cards. Still, that is the driver's responsibility, not yours.
Taxi drivers often spend much of their time looking for fares. They cruise the streets in high traffic areas. They pick up passengers at taxi stands or places where people gather, such as airports or train stations. In addition, they pick up passengers at prearranged places. The cab company calls these locations to them over the radio or cell phone. Taxi drivers help passengers into the cab and take care of their luggage. They drive passengers to their destination using the quickest route. Taxi drivers then compute the fare from the taximeter. They may also figure in surcharges, such as fees for extra passengers.
Sometimes taxi drivers have various other duties. Some drivers transport people with special needs, such as those with disabilities and the elderly. They drive vans with special equipment, such as wheelchair lifts, that they must learn to operate. Sometimes drivers perform errands for customers, such as carrying mail to and from the post office. Some drivers deliver cars to customers from rental agencies or repair shops.
Did you know? There are only a few cab companies in Austin that even accept credit cards. Make sure to ask before taking the ride.
Chauffeurs drive limousines, vans, or private cars. They work for limousine services, private companies, government agencies, or wealthy families. Many chauffeurs drive customers in large vans between hotels and airports or train stations. Others drive luxury cars to business or social events. Others provide full-time transportation to wealthy families or private firms.
Taxi driver do the following on a regular basis:
Report to taxi service or garage for assigned car. Record name, date, and taxi identification information on trip sheet.
Check performance of lights, brakes, horn, and wipers.
Maintain car by adding gas, oil, water, or air.
Pick up passengers at prearranged places, taxi stands, or by cruising streets in high traffic areas.
Drive passengers to destinations using quickest route.
Communicate with dispatcher by radio, cell phone, or computer.
Determine fare based on distance and time of trip, using taximeter and fee schedules.
Record information about fares on trip sheet.
Assist passengers with luggage and getting in and out of cab.
May operate vans with special equipment, such as a wheelchair lift, if transporting people with special needs.
May perform errands for customers, such as carrying mail to and from post office.
May deliver cars to customers from rental agency, car dealership, or repair shop.
May vacuum and clean interior and wash and wax exterior of cab, especially if owner-drivers.
May make minor repairs on car, especially if owner-drivers.
Need a ride, or have more questions? Contact Valerie or Kathy at DHF Services.
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Be prepared! Some cab drivers in Austin will try to charge you more if you are using a credit card. This is because the actual cab company is charging the driver 10% of the total bill to run credit cards. Still, that is the driver's responsibility, not yours. 
Did you know? There are only a few cab companies in Austin that even accept credit cards. Make sure to ask before taking the ride.