| The difference is that because these guys were part of a regulated system. It made tracking them down much easier. Yeah shit happens and it sucks. But it's at least there's some kind of formal thread of responsibility. How was Singh caught? He was asked to come to the Taxi and Limo Commission. Chung was caught because the victim called 911 who tracked him through his dispatch records. The livery and identification of their jobs significantly narrowed down the search from "person with car" to "cab #xxxx". I bet if you hunt down crime statistics on kidnappings etc. on regulated taxis vs. unregulated taxis the percentage of global incidents on unregulated taxis will far outstrip those of regulated systems. Here's the security guidelines for taxis in Mexico https://www.osac.gov/pages/ContentReportDetails.aspx?cid=151... ""Libre" taxi cabs are poorly regulated and often criminally-linked enterprises, which pick up fares on the street after being hailed by customers. "Sitio" or radio dispatched base station taxis are far safer, more reliable, and are worth the added expense. "Sitio" or radio dispatched base station taxis cannot be hailed off the street and must be ordered by phone or met at a designated taxi stand. Twenty-four hour radio taxi service is available at 5516-6020 and 3626-9800 to 30. “Sitio” taxis in Mexico City are most often metered and registered by the government. “Sitio” taxis from Benito Juarez International Airport are paid in advance in the terminal (at the “Sitio” stands) and are well regulated. For Kenya http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/english/alertswarn... "U.S. citizens should use commonsense precautions at all times, to include the following practices: avoid crowded transportation venues; visit only legitimate businesses and tourist areas only during daylight hours; use well-marked taxis and be sure to lock vehicle doors and keep windows up..." Ecuador http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/english/country/ec... "When in Ecuador, you should call to order a taxi by phone or use a service affiliated with major hotels. If you must hail a taxi on the street, seek out those that are officially registered and in good condition." Brazil https://www.osac.gov/pages/ContentReportDetails.aspx?cid=150... "Avoid city buses and other public transportation. Taxis and private vehicles should be used when moving within the city of São Paulo. Only use taxis at taxi stands, or have your hotel call one for you directly." Here's general advice for expats http://www.expatify.com/south-america/how-to-avoid-an-expres... "Avoid illegal taxis...sometimes the car has irregular markings. The best bet is to use one of the recommended taxi companies." Here's the Catholic Church's official guidance http://www.pilotbulletins.net/weeklymailing/RiskMgmt_Kidnapp... "Taxis - Only take taxis clearly identified with official markings. Beware of unmarked cabs.
Never accept an offer to share a taxi with strangers." There's very good reasons why these guidelines are the way they are. What do you suppose those reasons are? |
Uber knows exactly where each of its on-duty vehicles are down to the meter and maintain well-organized logs -- better than any Taxi company.
> I bet if you hunt down crime statistics on kidnappings etc. on regulated taxis vs. unregulated taxis the percentage of global incidents on unregulated taxis will far outstrip those of regulated systems.
Correlation does not imply causation. Obviously well-developed countries with overpowering legal systems capable of implementing and enforcing taxi regulations are going to have less crime in general.