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taxis

Hi, it's an endless debate on this but may I ask once more, is it really, really dangerous to take cabs off the street in Bogotá? I was there a few months back and took some anway as it just seemed so restrictive and expensive to have to call a taxi at the hotel every time.

Well, nothing happened, several took me up and down the Septima Carrera, one to the botanical garden, no problems any of the times.. was that just luck? OK I did try and scrutinize the drivers first or get a taxi where someone had just got out.. and let many drive by. It's what I do in Mexico DF, where I live.

So literally, does one have to call a taxi every single time? It just seems paranoid..

Another question for those living there: the combis or microbuses or whatever they call them there, do you buy your ticket as you board? how much is one, they seem safe, right, probably a better option than a taxi. Is it fixed price or do you have to say where you're going.. anyone take those?

thks for any information on these two, much appreciated.

By Alidad on Jul 25, 2009, 10:08 in Travel tips.

viajero123 (☼Travelguide writer) says on Jul 25, 2009, 10:25:

The buses display their fares fares, the older ones cost $1.100, the not so old ones cost $1.200 and Transmilenio costs $1.500.

Transmilenio you pay at a till before entering the stations, where you can board any number of buses and you don't have to pay extra until you leave the station.

For the older buses, you just pay once you board, no matter where you go. The real challenge is actually taking the correct bus if you don't know the system. And there really is no systematic way that will teach how to fully understand them.

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McPesos says on Jul 26, 2009, 23:57:

Yeah, take the taxis off the street. The generally seem to be much safer than in DF taking the unregistered ones there... I was weary in DF to do that, but here, no... I only take street taxis - the best advice is to call them, but yeah, that can be more pricey, I never call them, and don't look rich and don't have a lot of cash on me usually.... I've never had a problem with hailing a cab on the street and don't suspect I ever will. My girl's mom is always worried about my girl taking taxis but never really tells her not to, it's the norm here, unless you are in an area where you can't get a cab - that's the only time we would call one, but we never do. I do everything around the Septima and really doubt that it would ever be a problem... To be safe I'd take a street taxi over a bus, if I wanted to be extra safe, but I take the busses all the time also. Viajero is correct, its 1100 and 1200 respectively on the buses. But you live in DF, don't worry about Bogota taxis, they are very safe. Of course something can happen, but I don't think it is likely and I definitely think street cabs are much safer here than in DF. Don't worry about them, just don't look rich and the drivers will be pretty content to have a fare. I have a gringo accent in my Spanish and am very very comfortable taking a taxi anywhere (I actually look at it as a luxery here, as opposed to taking a bus, I'm always pretty happy in a taxi here, and it is pretty cheap, but my girl likes using the buses to save money, and is always very happy when I invite her to a nice, safe taxi).
I know a couple of people who have been robbed on busses, but I wouldn't really worry about it. It's because they answered expensive cell phones while on the bus.
To be paranoid about taxis in Bogota, yes, I think that is being very paranoid. But then again, maybe I was being paranoid in DF when I always called them.....
Flag them off the street here, it's not a problem....

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davidslc46 says on Jul 27, 2009, 06:48:

On occaision when my car is in the shop, I will take a taxi off the streets of Medellin. I see no evidence that it is unsafe personally or in the media. Any major store like exito will record the taxi number, the time of the pickup, and the final destination of your ride.

David

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webmanco says on Jul 27, 2009, 08:15:

It just seems paranoid..

It is PARANOID

If something cab drivers do help lots of time and don´t deserve the stigma.

http://www.eltiempo.com/colombia/bogota/malestar-de-taxistas-por-la-li...

I wonder why that company took the 911 for the domain, maybe because those who worry a lot for the gringo tax are the more paranoid.

taxi - 911 . com

No hay extremo cierto o verdadero, porque los extremos opacan, enruedan, (lavan cerebros) verdades. Yotas

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Alidad says on Jul 27, 2009, 16:33:

Thanks for the answers, my worry of course was about the possibility of being assaulted, mugged or kidnapped, not over a doctored meter, where you can get out I suppose.. Even a doctored meter I think would not cost you the 10-12 euros of a taxi in Paris or 10 pounds or more in London. I know taxis in DF Mexico are also afraid of being mugged by passengers, works both ways.

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