Taxi or Uber for a 14 year old

[Anonymous]

My 14 year old son will be needing a ride from the metro station to home one day this week. There are always cabs outside the station. Is this a safe bet, or is uber better, from a safety perspective?

[Anonymous]

Doesn't Uber have some sort of "Uber family" option for giving kids a ride? I'd look into that.

[Anonymous]

Taxi. I honestly don't understand why people perceive Uber as safe. Taxis are at least regulated. Walk out of station, get in can on cab line, go home.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Taxi. I honestly don't understand why people perceive Uber as safe. Taxis are at least regulated. Walk out of station, get in can on cab line, go home.

Agree.

[Anonymous]

Uber. You will be able to follow his trip on your phone so you know exactly where he is.

Unless you order a taxi through and app like curb there is no way to track your child in the very unlikely even that something happens.

I love Uber but if that isn't your thing I would say use a taxi app rather than just getting in a random taxi. 14 seems old and responsible but it is still very young. Plus with an app when he inevitably leaves something in the car you can track it down.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Taxi. I honestly don't understand why people perceive Uber as safe. Taxis are at least regulated. Walk out of station, get in can on cab line, go home.

You take a risk anytime you get in a car with a stranger. I wouldn't classify Uber as "safe" but it's more traceable than cabs--which is why many probably believe it's "safer".

At least with Uber there is technology "paper trail" with every transaction and real time tracking on the location of the vehicle. The same cannot be said with most cabs. Not that it applies here, but if you are picked up by a random taxi on the streets of DC and whisked off into the night (God forbid), there would be very little information to track you down. I'm not sure what cab "regulations" you are referring to that increase safety?

As it applies to OP's question, I'd say a 14 year old should be OK with either option. Taxi may be simpler since the taxi stands are right there.

[Anonymous]

I wouldn't go with a taxi. They would give the kid a hard time and would ring up the bill.

Uber is way better and you can track it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn't go with a taxi. They would give the kid a hard time and would ring up the bill.

Uber is way better and you can track it.

This. I'm a grown and confident adult, and DC taxi drivers have tried to scam me maybe 15% of the time I've taken them.

[Anonymous]

If you are that concerned have him text you the taxi # before getting in the cab.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn't go with a taxi. They would give the kid a hard time and would ring up the bill.

Uber is way better and you can track it.

This. I'm a grown and confident adult, and DC taxi drivers have tried to scam me maybe 15% of the time I've taken them.

Yes! This one time I got in and told the driver I only had $10 and he said he didn't have a credit card machine (of course!!). It was only a mile or so and he assured me it wouldn't be more than $10. He went pretty far out of his way to get the bill over $10. He wanted to charge me to take me to an ATM. I refused to pay more and just walked out. It was a route I've taken many times and should have been about $7. I hate taxi drivers with a passion.

[Anonymous]

you can choose a middle ground if you like - uberTaxi works the same as uber, only a taxi will pick you up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn't go with a taxi. They would give the kid a hard time and would ring up the bill.

Uber is way better and you can track it.

This. I'm a grown and confident adult, and DC taxi drivers have tried to scam me maybe 15% of the time I've taken them.

Lucky. I'm pretty sure they try to scam me 100% of the time.

[Anonymous]

Jesus. He's 14, not 4.

Either one is fine. Your kid will be fine.

[Anonymous]

I loved Uber too but have stopped using the service. This is best summary of why. At least with a cab it's more clear that the car has proper insurance and the driver has a CDL.

.http://www.marieclaire.com/culture/news/a14480/uber-rides-dangerous-for-women/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you are that concerned have him text you the taxi # before getting in the cab.

This. Have him catch a cab, then call you with the cab company and number and even the name of the driver. (Have him call, not text, so that the driver will hear him relaying this information.)

If you prefer Uber but are worried about insurance (which is why I stopped using regular Uber), have him call Uber Black. It's more expensive, but you're getting a black car service, so the driver has the proper licensing and insurance.