On Taxis

[The Beatles]

My recent trip to Hungary reminded me of one aspect of the Hungarian system that actually works. I make frequent criticisms of many things in Hungary -- a consequence both of the Communist oppression and homegrown political incompetence -- but it's nice to know we get at least some small things right.

The differences between the Hungarian and Seattleite taxi systems are astounding. In Hungary, the taxis are all Mercedes or equivalent high-class vehicles, not the cheapo Toyota or Hondas here. The taxis are meticulously well-kept, unlike the scruffy and coming-apart-at-the-seams vehicles here. And I do mean meticulously well-kept: not a stain or thread hanging out, quality seats, tasteful lighting and music, and a comforting smell of pipes, or rather an own unique taxi-smell, that I still remember with longing from my childhood (I remember being thrilled at riding in taxis because of the vehicles and that smell). The drivers take pride in the vehicle, are always well-dressed and well-spoken, and although some of them may be rude (you get elements in every society), not a one would ever DREAM of talking on a mobile phone whilst driving you. No garish signboards clutter the inside of the vehicle, there is just the matching black display with red LCD for the meter. Did I mention the taxis aren't painted neon yellow/orange/green, and don't carry a whopping big billboard on the top? (Just a plain box saying "TAXI", about as high as a box of eggs is wide.) And finally, despite the petrol being much more expensive, fares are actually cheaper: it takes me $16, tops, to get to the airport in Budapest, but I'm lucky if it's $40 in Seattle (and the distance is about equivalent). There's also a diversity of companies, with frequent-user cards and whatnot.

Some of the differences between the systems I know: in Seattle, taxis are often driven by illegal immigrants or immigrants afraid of the system, so they don't protect their taxis so vigorously. Also, Hungarian drivers own their own taxis. Still, it does puzzle me why the systems would be so different: I guess, perhaps just traditions, cultures, societies?

I haven't ridden in taxis in many other European countries, just once in Denmark. I don't recall the vehicle, it wasn't a Merc, but it wasn't badly maintained. The seats were certainly not leather, and the back of the seats had a little LCD displaying ads and some news. All in all I didn't like that much either, it was lacking taste.

[Kraken]

who cares.

of course its a difference in culture.
green monkey turtle fish: get a bike and ride yer wish.

[Freenhult]

Simple American Business Policy. Profits. If they spend money on maintaining the cars excessively, then they lose money. Ads bring in money too. Its the philisophy...

Funny though.

[The Beatles]

I said that to my friend in Budapest. He said something like they wouldn't do it if it didn't mean long-term profits. I certainly know it's more of a pleasure to use the taxi than here, and less people have cars in Hungary than here. (Plus public transport isn't the best, although it is better than Seattle transport). So I'd say taxi usage is higher there than here.

[Devari]

Wow! Taxis sound like an absolute treat in Hungary!

In Canada (at least where I am), taxis range from rather nice to quite shoddy. Then again, I live in rather much of a tourist town, so the nice ones might be a bit of an anamoly.

For the record, the nice ones are simply vacuumed, well-maintained, etc. Oh, also, there a number of nice hybrid taxis around. Nothing quite so luxurious as what you describe, though!

[Freenhult]

Good point Beatles. Public Transportation in the US is the best in major cities, and thats about where it ends. Metros and Buses are about it in the US, but Taxis are probably more affordable to 2nd and even 3rd world countries. So it would make much more sense that Hungary, have a better Taxi system that say, the US. Mainly, its cheap, affordable, and easy to maintain.

PS: Whoa...FF2 has spell check? Awesomesause!

[Nuclear Raunch]

The US is rather spread out whereas European countries tend to be more densly populated. Here a vehicle is somewhat of a necessity unless you live in a metropolitan area, whereas in Europe you can get by without a car for much of the time.

[The Beatles]

Of course. And also, the US is richer, so parents buy the teens taxis for their 18th birthday. I know in Hungary for most families, the teens don't even dare to hint at anything like their own car until a. they're married b. the family has a car, c. they're paying for it.

[windhound]

bah.. reason why parents should not buy their kiddies nice cars:
http://raleigh.craigslist.org/car/224284904.html

I've never had to use taxies myself.. always had somone to either drive me or a car I could borrow.. now I have my '94 ranger (which I bought), so unless she breaks down (again) I dont really see myself having to use public transporation..
I use the universities' busses to get around campus on rainy days or if I'm feeling ickish/lazy, but other than that...
*shrug* I actually enjoy driving

sounds like spiffy taxies though..
oddly, I have a hard time believing people in the US would respect a nice taxi, and a harder time thinking buisnesses would give up advertising space. I mean, they've even thrown ads into video games.. which you pay for. one of the newer games actually contains spyware that tracks where you go online to give you more appropriate ads...

[Gen. Volkov]

It depends on the city really, the taxi's around here are all pretty nice. I mean they aren't nice cars, but they are well maintained, the they simply have "Taxi" written on them, and a little box that says it on top. Some have the phone number for the taxi company, which is nice. Most are not driven by illegal immigrants, usually by whites actually. Fairly inexpensive as well. My dad took a taxi too and from work all last winter when it got too dark for him to drive himself in the mornings. (He has bad eyesight in the dark, bright light he's ok in, but not in the dark) But then in Chicago, it's exactly as you describe for Seattle. So I guess it just depends on area and demand.

[The Beatles]

Hey, your city's taxis sound much like Budapest's. And of course, Budapest being the capital of Hungary, with the most people and greatest concentration, makes sense for them to be Mercs.

[Nuclear Raunch]

one of the newer games actually contains spyware that tracks where you go online to give you more appropriate ads...

??????

Can you elaborate?

[Gen. Volkov]

I think it's one of the sports games, for Xbox, when you go on the net through the machine, it tracks you. But I'm not sure of that.

Companies are starting to pay to get their logos and stuff in the games. Was it FIFA world cup that has the ads now along the edge of the stadium for real companies? Driving games now are getting billboards with real companies ads as well.

[windhound]

should have phrased that better

the legal crud on the box of Battlefield 2142 that skeered some people:

    The Software may incorporate technology developed by IGA Worldwide Inc. ("IGA") (the "Advertising Technology"). The purpose of the Advertising Technology is to deliver in-game advertisements to you when you use the Software while connected to the Internet. When you use the Software while connected to the Internet, the Advertising Technology may record your Internet Protocol Address and other anonymous information ("Advertising Data"). The Advertising Data is temporarily used by IGA to enable the presentation and measurement of in-game advertisements and other in-game objects which are uploaded temporarily to your personal computer or game console and changed during online game play. The Advertising Technology does not collect any personally identifiable information about you, and EA will not provide IGA with any of your personally identifiable information. The servers used by the Advertising Technology may, from time to time, be located outside your country of residence. If you are located within the European Union, the servers may be located outside the European Union. By installing and using the Software, you agree to: (i) the transfer of the Advertising Data to servers located outside your country of residence and, if applicable, outside the European Union; (ii) the collection and use of the Advertising Data as described in this Section; and (iii) the delivery of advertising and marketing content by the Advertising Technology. IF YOU DO NOT WANT IGA TO COLLECT, USE, STORE OR TRANSMIT THE DATA DESCRIBED IN THIS SECTION, DO NOT INSTALL OR PLAY THE SOFTWARE ON ANY PLATFORM THAT IS USED TO CONNECT TO THE INTERNET.

EA's response:

The advertising program in Battlefield 2142 does not access any files which are not directly related to the game. It does not capture personal data such as cookies, account login detail, or surfing history. BF 2142 delivers ads by region. The advertising system uses a player's IP address to determine the region of the player, assisting to serve the appropriate ads by region and language. For instance, a player in Paris might be presented with ads in French. The information collected will not be repurposed for other uses. Battlefield 2142 also tracks "impression data" related to in-game advertisements: location of a billboard in the game, brand advertised, duration of advertisement impression, etc. This information is used to help advertisers qualify the reach of a given advertisement.

(source: http://pc.gamespy.com/pc/battlefield-2142/740034p1.html is PA's take, along with a link to their parody comic

...and thus beatles' thread has been polluted