With the price of gasoline raising so drastically in the past few months,has it affected the taxi rates in the zone? Can you still get to la linea for five dollars?

I've found recently that when entering Tj I have to walk past the first group of cabbies to get the $5 fare. When it's time to go home, I just head over to the cabbies in front of Chicago Club. They seem quite happy with $5.

Tommy:

You're assuming that the price of gas in Mexico is rising.

I heard it was

Dropped my amiga off at AB and then got ripped by an aggressive AB cab driver. We agreed on $6 to linea segundo, otra lado autopista.

He did not even take me to the turn around. He dropped me at the very end of the sidewalk at the auto bridge and agressively insisted on $8. Never had that experience before.

Did you pay him $8?

I hope you didn't pay the $8.

Here is a tip if your cab driver pisses you off. Slam the door on your way out. They ALL hate that.

Thats very true!

About two weeks ago I exited the Cascada to return to the US and was asked by a cabbie right in front. It was 8a.m. Monday morning. I offered $4 and after a couple of seconds, it was accepted. I was dropped off at the yellow taxi station not too far from the foot bridge. There was quite a bit of congestion close to the border so I guess I got my money's worth!

From the border: NEVER take a yellow (shark) cab. Walk past their first line and don't pay more than $5 to and from centro or ZN.
To the border: The cabbies in the Alley or in front of CC are best. At the moment it is buyers market and you cn get them down to $4, but I don't think cheapness is a virtue. NEVER use the ones in front of AB. They always try to rip gringos off. If they go out of business with the recent events, I would not even mind.
In the long run: The payoff after finding a cabbie who knows you is tremendous. They know TJ like nobody and often even wait when you need to pick your chica up, without charging extra.

Given that the same group of guys work the Black y Yellow cabs on front of CC, for me it makes sense to stick to one of the guys that you like, and ask for him by name.

A long time ago, I had the chance to use the services of one of these guys for my first trip to my, then, amiga especial's home. He didn't rip me off, and the ride gave us a chance to chat quite a bit. From that night on, I've made it a point to use his services whenever possible. (on his occasional night off, I'll ask for one of his buddies)

For me, it's knowing that I've got a good reliable driver who will take care of me at a fair price. If I need to pick up something at a store, he's always been great about finding a place that will give me a good price. When I've needed translation services, he's been willing to help out there, too. (but, he is careful not to inject himself into a conversation. Either mi amgia or I has to ask for his assistance, before he gets involved.) If it's backed up at the border, he knows the routes around it.

For him, it's a regular client who makes sure to take care of him. Border run is always $5. All evening services were usually $40, no matter where we've gone. Basically a private driver for the whole evening. (Haven't done that in a few months.)

The key here is that when it's slow, he'll get my one extra run, even if he's way back in the line. (Trust me, this one extra run can mean a LOT to these guys. On a slow night I know for a fact that they may not make more than $15 or $20 all evening, so that extra $5 run is a big percentage of additional income for the night.)


StrikeEagle

Taxi prices have been dropping significantly since 9/11. To get a cheap fare to Adelitas (as an example) - instead of walking to the Taxi/Bus stand, turn right and head towards the pharmacies. Any one of those cabbies will take you there for about $3.00 during the day and $4.00 at night. To get back, get a cab over at Chicago Club. I've been getting rides for $4.00 during the day and $5.00 at night. This is to drop me off where the buses go to get into the US... (prog)

Of Course, now there are "Taxi Libre"s.

Cheap Metered cabs.

I recently got ripped of by a yellow taxi in front of AB. But it is rare that it happens, especially there.
Last week, one night I was returning to my hotel with one AB girl. Usually the ride is 8-10 dollars. When we arrived at the hotel he quoted $15! The girl, the hotel doorman, and myself were in shock! I punched the taxi number into my phone and the next day told the doorman at AB.
He told the taxi boss that stands outside AB and they looked into it. They asked me what time it happened. Later that day they told me that they checked the records to confirm he was working at that time and that the driver got into big trouble. They said that he hadn't worked in 2 weeks so he was probably trying to make up for lost time. They apologized up and down and told me that he wouldn't be stationed there anymore.

LOL, big trouble...he will look for a tip.

Yellow taxis are famous for jacking up their prices when you are with a chica. They think the chicas make too much money, so you should pay more.

Taxi economicos have put signs up next to their main SY border pickup location near Mcdonalds with fare prices to various colonias throughout TJ. Prices are quite reasonable. Only six bucks to playas.

And they will still try to fuck you, so make sure you repeat the price before getting into these taxis. Don't be fooled these are "yellow" taxis and they are crooks...if you and your friend are going to playas make sure you say "$6 total" as they will try and charge you each $6 if they can get away with it.

I just discovered these offshoots from the Yellows...the so-called taxi economicos, and they've been great so far - the comfort of a Yellow and the price of a Libre. I stayed at the Hotel Ticuan last week and the "economicos" are parked in front and I used them daily. It's a bad deal trying to hail them down though since you can't tell on approach if they are regular yellow cabs or not...or I haven't identified something that distinguishes them from the regular yellow cabs.