- FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
We answer your questions
How does the taxi meter work?
All trips are charged a $2.60 meter drop fee upon entering the taxi, then $2.70 per mile or $0.50/minute (referred to as wait time).
Mileage and wait time are never charged simultaneously.
What do all the meter fees mean?
- Meter Drop ($2.60)
Applied as soon as you enter the taxi and accept a ride. - Mileage ($2.70)
Applied once the taxi is travelling to your destination. - Wait Time ($0.50/minute) ||
Applied when the taxi is travelling 11 mph or slower during the trip (for example, at red lights or in heavy stop-and-go traffic). Customers are not charged per mile when wait time applies. - Extras (vary): City-approved fuel surcharges, tolls, additional passengers over two people (excluding minors or children under 13 years old)
Can I book my ride in advance?
Yes, you can book your ride hours or days in advance. However, this does not guarantee you a ride.
Drivers are independent contractors and work when and where they want to. SYC drivers primarily cover Seattle and South King County. If your pick up location is outside of these areas and before 6am, our dispatch system may struggle to find an available driver.
If your pickup time is between 12-6am, please call our main number 20-30 minutes before your pickup time to be connected with a call agent who can help update you.
CALL US 206-622-6500.
Why am I being issued a pre-authorization charge?
Trips booked in advance will be issued a pre-authorization charge to ensure the card on file has sufficient funding. Pre-authorizations are temporary holds on your card that are slightly overestimated but refunded once your trip has been serviced. Your card will be charged separately for the final total (per the meter) and your pre-authorization charge will be fully refunded. We apologize for the inconvenience this may pose but it’s important our drivers be compensated for their services and this is the best way for us to accomplish that goal at this time.
Rest assured, you will NOT be charged twice for the same fare. Please message us here if you encounter any issues.
How do Commercial and Personal accounts work?
- Upon application approval, this service enables you to charge taxi fares to your assigned account and be billed on a monthly basis. All charges are itemized in a monthly billing statement that gets emailed to the billing contact on file on the 5th of every month
- Our payment terms for Charge Accounts is Net 30, with all charges due payable within thirty days from the statement date.
All Checks must be made payable to Puget Sound Dispatch, LLC. Please include your invoice number in the memo for timely processing. - Please note that you are ultimately responsible for the security of your account. If you would like a PIN attached to your account for additional security, please email us at [email protected]. PINs can be applied at any time.
- $100 security deposit plus processing is required for all Personal Charge Accounts. Commercial accounts are not subject to this fee.
NOTE: Puget Sound Dispatch, LLC (dba Seattle Yellow Cab) holds your personal and/or company information in the strictest confidence and will NEVER sell any information you submit to any third parties.
Can drivers request payment when I first enter the cab?
Yes, per City code, drivers may request that passengers show proof of payment upon entering their cab.
For credit or debit cards, proof of payment may mean running your card for the estimated amount and settling the final cost at the end of your fare. It is up to drivers to use their discretion in establishing proof of payment.
How do I know I’m riding in a legit taxi?
- Vehicle exterior must include the Yellow Cab decals, as well as our phone number and the driver’s medallion number.
- Medallion plates must be visible on the back of the car.
- The driver must be using a soft-meter (aka digital) that is visible to you.
Some drivers use their cell phones as a back up device when their tablet isn’t working properly.
Where can I report fake cabs?
Please report fake cabs on our Contacts page. Your message will be sent to the appropriate staff and possibly shared with the City of Seattle.
We appreciate your support in identifying fake cabs and protecting the interests of legit taxi owners/drivers.
Download the App!
The all new SYC app is the most powerful Apple iOS & Android Taxi Booking app for Seattle, including services to & from Seatac Airport and all surrounding communities!
- See where your taxi is with live tracking
- Receive notifications when your cab is near.
- Tip by percentage or dollar amount.
- Type a note for the driver to help them find you.
- Connect with a live agent if needed straight from the app by tapping “Call Operator”.
- Save your common locations for quick access.
- Set up future rides.
- Track your ride history.