General Advice about Atlanta Taxicabs from an Atlanta Driver Full-disclosure: I am a driver for a competing company but this is general advice for ALL ATL cabs. I am saying nothing about this particular company since to do so would be in conflict with Yelp! posting rules, but I feel that it's important to put things in perspective generally for all cabs in the city. This is in addition to Tenaya C's excellent advice. 1. Virtually all Atlanta taxi drivers are independent entities (they are not even contractors), even though they may be considered apparent agents of a taxi company (apparent agency only matters if you plan to sue). The companies do not pay the drivers. The drivers pay the company a flat rate per week according to a complex scheme. After "dues" and expenses, the driver retains about 30 % of receipts. The dispatch company cannot directly control or supervise what goes on inside a taxicab, which is why Atlanta has a Taxi Bureau. If you call the company, the drivers probably won't care. If you call the Bureau, that will get their attention. 2. If you are calling a taxi to pick you up within the Atlanta city limits, and your taxi does not arrive within 15 minutes, call back. Don't wait. Don't worry that you're bothering anyone. If you call back, then we know that you're still there. Taxi drivers don't like being dispatched trips with some time already on them because the chances of the rider not being there are high. If you call back, then that will get you more priority. If a trip is 20 minutes old and still hasn't been dispatched and nobody calls back, the dispatcher will usually just cancel the trip and assume that they got another ride. So the biggest rule is: CALL BACK! Don't be shy, we like it when you call back. 3. Credit Cards: All of the major dispatch company drivers are REQUIRED by the company to take credit cards (including my company and Checker Cab). If you get a driver from a dispatch company that says he doesn't take credit cards, start calling the dispatcher and see how fast he changes his story (this is one exception to the rule about getting better results calling the Bureau). The reason that drivers don't like to take credit cards in Atlanta is that most companies make the driver pay 10 percent of the fare as a service fee. Assuming that the average drivers "take" is about 30 percent of total receipts, then 10 percent out of 30 percent means the driver makes ONE-THIRD less money on a credit card trip than on a cash trip, so you can understand why the driver will do everything possible to talk you out of using a credit card. and will offer to take you to an ATM instead. 4. Taxi fares are regulated by the city. In Atlanta, the driver is required by law to charge the "correct" fare, which means the driver can get in just as much trouble with the city for undercharging as for overcharging. 5. There is a passenger rights sticker in the rear passenger door window with a phone number to the Taxi Bureau. If you are ripped off or overcharged or mistreated by a driver (a problem that spans all companies), call THAT number. 6. In the interest of simplifying fares for our many out of town guests, the city instituted the "business to business" flat fare system, whose rules are very complex. If the driver tells you it's a flat fare and you're not going to the airport, then the flat fare is $8.00 + extras. Additional stops are $1.00. The problem is that most passengers (and a lot of drivers) don't know where the boundaries are for the three zones. Anything going to a residence or crossing a zone boundary has to be on the meter. 7. Extras consist of (currently) a $2.00 per trip fuel surcharge plus $2.00 for each "additional" passenger (i.e. any passenger more than one), and any tolls (charged both ways). The meter rates are regulated by the city at $2.50 to start (called the "flag pull"), plus $2.00 per mile (in 25 cent increments) plus extras, and $21.00 per hour (in 25 cent increments) for "waiting time" (i.e. periods of time when the taxi is not moving for more than 45 seconds). A meter trip is usually a little cheaper than a flat fare, but neither the passenger nor the driver has a choice about which rate applies. 8. Do not try to haggle with the driver, especially after the fact. You do, however, have a RIGHT to an explanation of the fare, and a detailed receipt. Make sure to get one if you think you have been overcharged. 9. Pulling over is free, but getting sick in the car will get you a very expensive (between $125.00 and $250.00) "cleaning" fee which is calculated to include several hours downtime on the cab. So if one of your party seems a little queasy, it's probably a good idea to either wait a while until the person stabilizes, or be vigilant to quickly tell the driver to pull over. 10. While the meter is running, the passenger is in charge of directions. However, its much louder in the front seat than in the back, so be sure to speak loud and clear. read more

I got a taxi from the airport home. The rights of the passenger on the car's window clearly said that I am entitled to a receipt with the company name, phone number and driver's name. The driver simply refused to provide his name claiming that it will be provided only for cash payment and not card. I tried to look for the usual photo id in cabs but couldn't even find one! When I called Checker Cab to complain, the agent who talked to me said that I am not entitled to the driver's name at all. Needless to say, I am extremely angry with the way I have been treated. read more

DO NOT WASTE YOUR TIME. First of all, it takes a MINIMUM of 65 seconds to get to a human being - IF YOU ARE LUCKY. Then, the surly dispatcher gets on and you can barely understand her. I just called FOUR times. FOUR times they took my number and said the taxi was en route. FOUR TIMES the automated call told me the car was there. BUT ALL FOUR TIMES i was standing curbside and there was NO TAXI. Finally i just flagged down a taxi on teh other side of te street. Don't get me started on the BS taxi rates in downtown. AVOID CHECKER AT ALL COSTS read more

CAN'T GET ANY WORSE! Called this cab company for a quest where I work for a short ride up Peachtree Industrial Blvd. Called back several times when the cab was a no-show and got a different excuse every time for why the cab had not arrived. Twice I was transferred to dispatch only to get a voice message asking to leave a message, but the mailbox was full so it just hung up. After 3 HOURS waiting on a cab that never showed and multiple calls, my quest contacted Amigo Taxi and they were there in less than 30 minutes. This is why people are not calling taxis anymore and going to services like Uber and Lyft. I can't stress enough how bad this experience with Atlanta Checkered Cab was. Poor communication, awful customer service and a cab that never shows. Avoid them like the plague! read more

The taxi driver from Checkers could not find my office address (which by the way is on a busy street), he calls to ask where I was specifically and if I could walk down to a major bank next to my building instead of him coming back to my location. However, I started having a bad feeling because of his very aggressive tone. As a lady, this rang bells in my head and I made a comment "I'm not sure I like the way you're shouting at me for not locating my building" and he immediately started swearing at me and even using the "F" word!!! I am so thankful he showed his true colors before I got into his taxi, but really with all the horror stories one hears these days and the need for safety considerations when getting into a taxi, people like this with anger issues should not be licensed to go out there to drive people around. read more

These people are horrible, called, was called back by someone who couldn't speak or understand English. Told me he understood, but after 20 more minutes, on top of the original 30 I called him back and he told me to call someone else!! I'll be using Uber from now on read more

Holy crap what a horrible company! Thought I'd come here and tell my story but I see it's their ONLY story! So, yeah- wedding party needing ride to a pre-event night of celebrating: Called for van-cab for group. Hour passed, no cab. Called to check on it- left on hold for 25 mins, to be told we'd canceled the cab. No, we didn't. Hold for manager. Manager says, no- cabbie came by but you weren't there. Also, not true: We were waiting in driveway with phone in hand the whole time. Sorry, sorry- cabbie coming now- be there right away! Wait another half hour, no cab. Call- On hold another 15 minutes. We call another cab company who picks us up and we never hear a word from Checker. Fast forward to end of celebration for the eve: Time to get home! Someone uninformed about the first situation calls Checker Cab to take us home- orders a van and gives them an hour advanced notice. Two hours later, no van. Restaurant calls another cab who shows up immediately-- Oh, look- - at the same time here comes Checker- not in a van but a car... Groom-to-Be decides to cordially tell the driver his services are no longer needed and also that he's not a van--- driver pulls over to all of us in the van and curses at us before peeling out. How are these people in business still? read more

If I could give them zero stars I would have. Dispatch will maybe answer their phone one out every 5 times you call them, not before you hear their prerecord message on how they're the best cab service in Atlanta. If you get a hold of their dispatch, you may need to call them back after a 20 to 30 min wait (if not longer) because their drivers won't answer calls convenient for them. Or they may just ignore your call because they don't want to leave the area they're in, in hopes of a better fare. And yet cab drivers complain about Uber and how they're losing business to them. Their service is the reason Uber is taking over. I'll be taking Uber for now on. read more

I will never, ever use this service again. I used the app, to go to work, a mere 2.5 miles, because it was raining tonight. I watched the meter in the first car car#77, confirmation number #17043 and it went to 7.75, he told me 9, i paid it as to not be late arguing over the meter. Called the same cab service to go back home (conf 17062). His meter never lit up, he was swerving, and his eyes were low. get to my location, he tells me 13!! then when i asked if there was a card fee, he says no, I make him show me the meter and he TYPES 13 in the system to charge me!! then said i was disrespectful, then said that i wasnt suppose to pay with card!! looked at my confirmation email, I PUT CARD. either way, this service sucks. The dispatchers have no customer service in their bones, and the cab drivers cheat you out of money. NO IM NOT GOING TO TIP if you cant even be honest with the meter! read more

I have booked them 3 times. Twice with terrible results. The last time and final trip, my reservation was arbitrarily cancelled by them, the second driver was very late and would not answer the dispatcher. When he finally came, the seat belt did not work and he never even properly shut the trunk, so it rattled all the way to the airport. The worst part was that the driver looked at his phone continually and was unsafe. Never again. read more

I can not believe how INEPT these people are! I called the company on Christmas Eve for a cab to pick me up at my house (not more than 10 minutes from the airport). The lady asked me for my address and what time I wanted to be picked up. She told me that they would be there soon. Well, the time came and went and I was getting very nervous because it was getting close to take off time. I called back and was like, "where is my cab????". These ignoramuses told me "WE DON'T SERVICE YOUR AREA". I was flabbergasted! I explained that I was right near the airport and that they were going to make me miss my flight. They never apologized for their ignorant employee that took my information and claimed they service the airport area and that THEIR EMPLOYEE TOOK MY ADDRESS AND TOLD ME THAT THEY WOULD BE THERE SOON!". This meant nothing and I was hung up on. I called back at least 7-9 times to speak to a manager, which mysteriously wasn't there and kept getting put into the manager's voice mail or HUNG UP ON! WHO DOES THIS??? I MISSED MY FLIGHT because of these morons! This company is HORRIBLE and beyond UNPROFESSIONAL! I will NEVER use this company again and will walk home from the airport before giving them any business! read more

If they would answer the phone and pick us up instead of running infomercials about how great they are they might be a successful company. My young son and I wasted an hour on the phone waiting to schedule a pickup while in town for the Chick fil a bowl on NYE. Finally answered after 20 mins on the way there and never answered for a pick up on the way back. We just lucked out and got some other company to get us from the game back to the hotel. Emory conference center hotel needs to remove them from their list of preferred cabs. read more

I don't even want to put one star. I called three hours before I needed a cab to reserve it. 10 minutes after it's supposed to be there I call to find that the dispatch system is down. they couldn't tell me how long it would be until it'd be back up. Could they just call a cab driver? No. They need to stop bragging about that "state of the art" system on their hold message! read more

Great experience with the Atlanta Checker Cab Co. The driver of Cab No. 0045 on January 9, 2019, had a wonderfully positive attitude. He deserves a raise and a substantial bonus. Thank you, driver of Cab No. 0045, for providing top- notch customer service that was truly excellent and awesomely refreshing! read more

Why can't these guys get their phone line act together. Waiting for more than 20 minutes and nada. Don't rely on these guys.

Thanks, Checker Cab, for leaving my colleague and I stranded at CDC. We called on a Wednesday night and the operator promised us that a cab would come pick us up right away. After 45 minutes, we called again, and the operator said that the cab was "en route." Thirty minutes later, we called a different cab company, and a cab came within 10 minutes. Never, ever, ever again will I try to call this cab company when I'm in Atlanta for business. Horrible. read more

Checker is USUALLY on time, but I have had a few extremely rude drivers. I book with the app and then they say they have picked someone else up - basically forgetting me when I am in a time crunch. I've had people yell at me before because I didn't mention (vocally) that I was using a card, even though I selected the option in the app preferences. read more

I use checker cab a lot. Each time my driver has been very friendly and on time. I only had one bad incident where the driver left me but I called the dispatcher and she sent someone out promptly. No matter how short the distance they are willing to take you. read more

AWFUL! I requested a cab to pick me up promptly at 4:30p. I was on a really tight schedule that day so I made the reservation hours earlier; they had ample time to get it together. 4:45p - no cab. Every dispatcher I talked to was incredibly rude. They sent out another driver who 'was only 6 blocks away'. What should've been there in no time arrived another 20 minutes later....after I was in another cab. I had finally gotten fed up and called Buckhead Saftey which is what I should've done in the first place. read more

Crappy service.Rude dispatchers.Unreliable.Every once in a while they get t right.I do not like taking chances with my time and money.It seems they are better than Rapid which is just USELESS.A pile of crap is still a pile of crap no matter how many flowers you put in it to make it look pretty. read more

Horrible service, the dispatcher was rude, I gave her my name she started laughing & thought it was funny & before was I able to give her my destination she hung up, as if she left it up to the driver to deal with. I waited for 45 mins & called back & the same dispatcher rudely told me that it takes time for a driver to come out. I explained to her that I was in a rush to a funeral & she asked if I wanted to cancel & hung up. Use another taxi service, I hope these guys fix their customer service. read more

Awful service. I called and they said a cab would call me. After 20 minutes I called again and they said the same thing. After another 20 minutes I called again and the girl on the phone was not attentive and I had to hang up. I will never call them again. read more

A special thanks to Wanda who gave us exceptional customer service. She was compassionate understanding that we left our back pack with a cell, iPad, cash, and other little items of value. I am not a fan of cab companies but if we come to that area again and need a cab it will be with Checker. Steve also was helpful. read more

cHECKER CAB HAS RUINED MY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This morning I call for a cab to get to the Civic Center Marta station to catch the Megabus to Mobile Alabama so that I could be with my family for Christmas. After waiting for a while I called back to check on the status of my cab. I was to that the cab was about 5 min. away. After waiting another 20 min. I called again to see where the cab was. At this point I only had about 10 min. to get to my destination to catch the Megabus out of town. I was placed on hold for 12 min. Finally, I spoke with Paul who was actually very kind considering how upset I was that I had missed the bus and had nonrefundable tickets. He said that this was totally unacceptable and that the company would take care of this. I was given the General Managers name and number to call. Moments after hanging up the cabbie called to say that he was here to pick me up. I informed him that I would not be needing their services because I had missed the bus. He told me that I could just catch the next one. ( I guess Non-refundable doesnt translate.) He also stated that it was dispatches fault and that he had just gotten the call. But, when I composed myself a bit, I checked my caller ID only to realize that that cabbie had called me 45 min earlier to find out where I was going. I guess because I was only traveling 2.5 miles my fare wasn't important, so he decided to blow me off. And then lied to my face and said the call had just come in. Now I have no way to get home for Christmas and no money to replace the ticket. And Tammy Edwards, general manager, told me that they would not pay for the lost ticket, but could offer me a coupon for my next cab. DO NOT USE THIS SERVICE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! DO NOT USE THIS SERVICE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! DO NOT USE THIS SERVICE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!DO NOT USE THIS SERVICE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! DO NOT USE THIS SERVICE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!DO NOT USE THIS SERVICE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! DO NOT USE THIS SERVICE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!DO NOT USE THIS SERVICE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! DO NOT USE THIS SERVICE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!DO NOT USE THIS SERVICE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! DO NOT USE THIS SERVICE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!DO NOT USE THIS SERVICE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! read more

Worst cab service ever. I've never had such a rude and inconsiderate driver before, and I travel a lot! Didn't help with my bags and said he didn't care about a tip...clearly! Will never use these guys again. read more

Terrible. 45 mins late. Overcharged and didn't offer to turn on meter. DO NOT USE THIS CAB COMPANY if you want to be on time

do NOT use this company!!! I called today and waited for over an hour for a cab. I called back and they said one was on the way but never showed. I called back again and they said "we are trying to find you a cab." This company is the absolute worst!! I called Lenox Cab and they were here in 10 min. read more

I have never had such horrible experiences with a cab company in my life. This place is awful and I will NEVER use them again. DO NOT USE THIS COMPANY! You will spend an hour on the phone trying to get a cab, the people who answer the phones are extremely rude, you will wait forever for your cab IF they even show up. They'll say they called you and never did. Horrible, awful, crappy service. I will use Lenox Cab from now on. read more

Would give 0 if the app allowed. Through course of week, they straight didn't show for 3/4 calls and were 30 minutes late on the last. Ended up tipping the concierge extra to use a diff company read more

I am very unhappy with last 3 times I contacted Checker Cab. - Cab driver insulted me - saying I know you, you never pay - he doesn't want to take a credit card, so he considers that not paying! I had only $4 cash - picked up at Dunkin Donuts at Blvd & Ponce - I suggested he take me to an ATM to get $20- - but he said he didn't want to bother. - Cab driver picked me up at Whole Foods, 650 Ponce De Leon & said it was a flat rate to 727 Juniper St. - then said I had to give him cash too - so I walked back into the store. -Tonight at 1225 Caroline Street, Target - when I waited a long time, I called back, was told they still hadn't found anyone - the store was closed - I had to ride home with a stranger. And I even tried to get a job at Checker answering phones too!!!! YOU DO HAVE ONE EXTREMELY NICE CAB DRIVER - #83 IS HE THE ONLY ONE? read more

Booked the cab online via the app. Driver called at about 10 minutes to pick up to confirm location. I'm not (right now) a frequent traveler, and haven't booked a cab in ages, but standards have certainly risen in the last decade -- I can't recall a cab I've ever been in that was cleaner! The driver double-checked the destination, and off we went. It was a smooth drive, even in morning rush hour traffic, and I arrived in plenty of time to grab a coffee before my meeting. Definitely beats renting a car and fighting the traffic yourself, or counting on the unpredictability of a non-licensed car service. Nice work, checker cab! read more

I was trying to reserve a cab for the following morning. Although I was annoyed that I called 3 times and waited about 5 mins. each time only to hear a recording that the mailbox was full and couldn't speak to a human, I saw there was the option to download an app to my phone. Skeptical, thinking I would have to try and deal with the phone again in the morning, I downloaded and used the app. To my surprise, I got a call the next morning, 5 mins earlier than requested, that my cab was waiting. I arrived at my destination with no issues. However, I would like to see the phone method improved. read more

The driver showed up on time and with a van, as I had requested. However, he restarted the meter during the trip and a ride from midtown to Emory wound up costing $30, which seems a little excessive. He did know exactly where we were going and was polite. He did say that they didn't take credit cards, which (according to the website, and the windows of his cab) is a lie, so that was annoying. read more

I was very pleased with Atlanta Checker Cab. The driver was professional and friendly. The cab was comfortable and roomy. I arrived at my appointment early. The only reason I gave a four instead of a five rating is I had to wait longer than anticipated for my pick up. I downloaded their app to my phone so I can use Atlanta Checker Cab in the future. read more

Do not use this cab service if you need to be somewhere, say a wedding, on time. They'll flat out lie to you about what time they'll be there to pick you up. read more

If you want to feel like an idiot, call for a cab from Checker. They'll have you wait for an hour, tell you the cab is on the way. When you call a forth time, after a shift change, the new shift tells you there is no cab in the area and to call Yellow Cab. DISASTER! How this company manages to stay in business in beyond me. And when confronted about the issue, the response was "i don't know nothing about that. That was the last shift, sorry." ZERO STARS. Stay far, far away. read more

I am local and recently planned a Valentine's weekend Amtrak trip for my family which included my train-crazy 4 1/2 year grandson. I called the day before we left to arrange for a pick up from my office which is very close to the Amtrak station in Atlanta. Atlanta Checker Cab Company was johnny-on-the-spot. The driver was professional, patient and very helpful loading up 3 adults and one squirmy, excited child. If the driver was unhappy at the short-distance fare he certainly didn't show it. When we returned from our train trip a few days later, I called Checker to take us back to my office building parking garage, where we had left our car. Again, Checker was johnny-on-the-spot. This driver was, just as helpful and courteous as the first driver, even in the monsoon-style winds and rains which greeted us upon our return to Atlanta. It's easy to slam service companies when they fall short of our expectations. Checker not only met my expectations, they exceeded them and I will have no problems in calling upon Checker for future business or personal needs. read more

First let me start by saying the taxi didn't arrive to pick me up in time for my doctors appt because he was busy yelling at me on the phone about why I wasn't outside the address he showed up to. I was at my location and address I provided he wasn't. Next, we arrived at my destination but he didn't have change so I was shorted $5 and since I was already late for my doctors appt didn't have time to argue...By now I realized the cabs are a scam because in my brief discussion about cost comparison I was told elderly don't mind astronomical fees because they are used to it...hmmm so it's ok to take advantage of folks by taking their money and especially ok to overcharge the elderly... if u have an elderly family member u love on a limited income show them how to use UBER or LYFT. read more

For a Atlanta cab, this one is the best ( in my opinion ). Fast and friendly.

Last night I called 3 hours in advance to order a cab. With the crazy crowds on Halloween, I thought it'd be much better to cab it than fight for a parking spot. I gave the dispatcher all of my relevant details, including my name, cell phone number, and the fact that I tried to reserve online and when I entered my address it didn't recognize it, and resolved to somewhere entirely different, with a different zip code. He told me he knew "exactly where it is" and I provided the apartment complex name, just in case. The cab never showed up - even though we waited in the cold and rain - and when I called to find out whether they were still coming, I was put on hold so long that I gave up. We wound up driving instead. I never received a call from the cab company. UGH! read more