Taxi

A taxi is a vehicle used to transport passengers for a fare, usually from a requested pickup point to a chosen destination. Unlike a private car, a taxi provides a transport service to different customers and is generally operated by a professional driver. Taxis can be ordinary cars, vans or other vehicles, depending on local regulations and the type of service.

In many cities, they can be hailed on the street, found at designated taxi stands or booked by telephone or through an app. A meter may calculate the fare according to factors such as distance and time, although some services use a fixed price or another pricing system. Taxi vehicles may have specific colors, signs or roof lights that identify them as licensed services.

Taxis play an important role in urban transport because they offer direct journeys without requiring passengers to drive themselves. They can be particularly useful when public transport is unavailable, when carrying luggage or when traveling to locations that are not well served by regular routes. Modern taxi services may use satellite positioning and digital booking systems to match passengers with available vehicles and estimate arrival times.

Some fleets also include hybrid or fully electric cars, which can reduce fuel consumption and local exhaust emissions compared with conventional vehicles. Rules governing taxis differ between countries and cities and may cover driver licensing, vehicle inspections, fares and passenger safety. Although taxis are often associated with city travel, they can also provide longer-distance journeys or connections between transport hubs such as airports, railway stations and bus terminals.