Why are Boston cabs so expensive?

WBUR continues to look into why cabs are so expensive in the city.

There are so many reasons that go back decades. Much of the problem goes back to when cab companies became glorified rent-a-car companies and it is the driver and not the cab company that takes the hit when it is a slow day.

Then you have the credit card issue.

40 years ago the major cab companies in Boston were Yellow, Checker, Town, ITOA and Boston.


ITOA and Boston are still around but now other companies or radio-dispatch services have developed. Then you have the ongoing confusion between Boston, Cambridge, Brookline and Somerville cabs all looking for street fares. Customers don't care where the cab is from, they just want a cab.

I doubt things will ever change.