8.10.2007

POUND TAXI

This post was borrowed from a dear blogger called Pilgrim. I highly reccommend his blog, The Musing Pilgrim, for a great daily read. The following event occurred in his hometown and was ever more tragic than I could grasp! Especially after reading this post and being informed that there is no reason for this to have happend. Blessings Pilgrim, for this information and from my heart I am sorry to hear of your community's loss. ~Liquid

The story goes as follows:


"The conversation between myself and the MADD representative was rather pertinent considering just over a week prior a 19 year old boy (emphasis on the fact that he's just a wet behnd the ears kid) driving drunk struck and killed a 14 year old girl in our community. It was a tragedy on so many levels. This precious 14 year old's life was over. I can't even pretend to know the anguish of this child's family. The other tragedy was the 19 year old driver would have to live with the nightmare of the stupid decision for the remainder of his life. MADDman elaborated that the Driver's life would change in more ways than I did know. His family will be driven apart over the incident. Many in his family will disown him while others will rally behind him to help him pick up the pieces. The magnitude of the tragedy will never wane. A wedge will be driven between the two factions.
Hopelessly I searched MADDman for some type of anser to the senselessness. He told me about Pound Taxi
(#-T-A-X-I).
Pound Taxi is a North American wide initiative by all cellular phone providers on the continent. If you've had too much to drink, punch #-T-A-X-I (#8295) on any cell phone and a taxi will pick you up and drive you home for a measly buck twenty-five charge to your cell phone. MADDman told me to tell my kids if they've had too much too drink and don't want to get into a car with a drunk behind the wheel, get out and dial the number. They will driven home safely.
Unfortunately, this message will only be read by a handful of people, I ask that you please get the message out to everyone you know. A simple $1.25 is not much to ask to save how many lives.
"

~Pilgrim

6 comments:

Cliff said...

My heart goes out to both families. God is willing to forgive the young man, but I fear it will be a long time, if ever, before he forgives himself.

Pilgrim said...

Your comments were humbling Liquie. I can't tell you how honored I am to be recognized by aomeone whom I have an immense amount of respect for. Thank you for your kind words.

More importantly, thank you for reprinting this piece. It is my hope that getting the word out will save some lives.

Anonymous said...

#Taxi is ok. I've used it. But the time it takes to get through (if you actually do get through to a taxi company) is too long. They make you press a lot of buttons on your phone or go through a dozen or more voice prompts. A much better FREE alternative is
310-TAXI (310-8294)and it doesn't cost you a dime. In fact there is absolutely no charge that shows up on your cell phone bill AT ALL!
Unlike #Taxi, that doesn't even tell you that they're going to charge your cell phone bill - WITHOUT your permission.

A young person has a short attention span. I know, I am one. I want my taxi service now and I don't think I should have to spend my hard earned money I make at Burger King on cell phone charges that I didn't autorize or know about. So tell your friends about 310-TAXI. It's better, faster and BEST OF ALL ITS ABSOLUTELY FREE.

Now THAT will encourage me and my friends in first year university to not drink and drive...!

Bing said...

I think folks are missing the point! #Taxi is a scam. It's got nothing to do with the fact that they only charge you $1.25 per call to their service. But it has EVERYTHING to do with the fact that

1.)They don't tell you there is going to be a charge - so isn't that stealing?

2.)There is also tax ON TOP of the #Taxi charge that appears on your bill, so actually it's way more than just a buck twenty-five.

3.)If the average citizen doesn't know about the charge and tries to have it removed, the cell phone company can't or won't do anything about it.

4.)Have you ever tried to call these guys? You can't. There's no way to contact them to ask them for a refund.

5.)Not only do they zap you for the call and not tell you about there being any sort of charge (+TAXES!) to your bill, but you also have your air time charged and deducted from your monthly free minutes as well. If you're taking so long to get through all the menu stuff on their service, that can really eat into your free minutes? And frankly, that's just not fair!

6.)The FREE ALTERNATIVE is to call 310-Taxi.

Why pay when there is an ABSOLUTELY FREE ALTERNATIVE called
310-Taxi. . .

It just makes economic sense - especially if you think you might not want to call #Taxi if you've spent too much when you were out in the first place. Let's face it. A lot of people out there will over spend on a night on the town with their friends. And if they think they've over spent they just might think twice if they knew they were being charged for using their cell phone. So why not just just save your hard earned $$$$ and make a call that is free from any charges and just call 310-taxi.

Anonymous said...

Oh my GOSH!

I just went through my cell bills and I've spent nearly $20 on these guys! I didn't know there was any charge for using the #taxi service.

What a rip off!

Unknown said...

Just to clarify, all #TAXI marketing includes reference to the charges. It is the word-of-mouth between friends where this messaging is lost.

As to the difference between #TAXI and other dial-around services, #TAXI includes EVERY cab company (i.e. all of the best ones) and doesn't accept payment from cabco's like other services. As a result, you're always connected to one of the best cab companies for your area.

The carrier charges for it, so people are free to use other options when they are there, but having #TAXI as a back-up option is a good thing no matter how you look at it.