One of the most important things to have for your taxi business to work is a taximeter. It’s an ingenious invention that automatically calculates how much your passengers should pay for the ride.
As a taxi driver, one of your main concerns is to carefully drive your vehicle and troubleshoot it when you face different problems. But have you ever bothered or have you ever become curious as to how your taxi meter works? Do you simply sit there and believe that whatever amount it shows is the right amount?
We’re not here to convince you to doubt the taximeters. Instead, we are here today to help you know how it works so you can be confident that the amount it shows is the price to charge your passengers.
What Is A Taxi Meter?
A taximeter is a device that calculates how much the taxi ride is. It is calibrated, tested, and inspected by the regulatory board to make sure that it shows the right price for the specific taxi ride.
In order for the taxi meter to calculate the fare, it needs to measure the distance and time of the taxi ride. Depending on where you are, the taxi fare may be different from one area to another even if you traveled the same number of miles and spent the same amount of time during the ride.
The taxi fare may also incur additional fees if it has to cross state or municipal lines. It could also change depending on the number of passengers in the vehicle. There are also some who charge a pickup fee.
How Do Taxi Meters Work?
Nevertheless, the taximeter is responsible for calculating the distance covered and the time spent. In that way, even if the distance is short but the taxi has spent a long time due to traffic, you, the taxi driver will still be compensated for the time. That makes sure that the taxi doesn’t lose money simply because they are stuck in traffic.
To measure both the distance and time, the taximeter uses electric pulses. This is possible with the sensors that are attached to the taxi cab’s transmission. The sensor sends out the electric pulse as the cab travels a certain distance.
There is also a timer inside the taximeter itself to send electric pulses after a specific time has passed. Taxi meters combine both measurements as taxi rides usually stop and go.