Now, do you think that is the driver personally using square to accept card payments as it's more economical for him to manage that stuff himself rather than relying on the cab company?
That seems likely, but I don't have evidence either way. In one case the transaction came through as what I presume was the driver's name, the other as "SQ *TAXI OF CHICAGO".
Still, the that fact that out of three recent cab rides, the two trips involving credit cards were both paid for using Square is an impressive sign.
As noted by others in this thread, drivers here regularly try to use the "machine is broken" tactic, despite the law. If Square's existence makes taking credit cards sufficiently easier for drivers then cab riders will directly benefit.
Last July I took a taxi in Chicago and the driver was using a Square card reader. I take a few taxis every week in various cities, always paying by credit card (so it can be expensed), and it was the first and only time I've seen a taxi driver using Square.
I asked him about it and he said it was personal and he had not seen any other drivers using one. It's non-sensical and as an earlier poster noted, also a bit of a political issue, since the existing terminals force the driver to pay 6% versus 2.75%, with no ad revenue sharing. I talk to the drivers here in Boston quite often, and they have no choice on the terminals they have in the cars. One would think that if drivers are forced to accept credit cards, they should at least have the option of choosing a vendor.
Still, the that fact that out of three recent cab rides, the two trips involving credit cards were both paid for using Square is an impressive sign.
As noted by others in this thread, drivers here regularly try to use the "machine is broken" tactic, despite the law. If Square's existence makes taking credit cards sufficiently easier for drivers then cab riders will directly benefit.