Choice Taxi

Rip-​off! My husband and I hailed a cap on Adams Street to go to the Museum of Science and Industry. It was a straight shot from 211 Adams to Michigan to Lake Shore Drive. My husband asked why he was getting out of the way and on to the expressway and he said because the expressway was closer, which we knew was not true. The cab driver took us completely out of the way and we continued to ask why he was going this route and he merely mumbled. We were very upset that what should have been no more than a $ 12 fare was now almost $ 30. We spoke to the museum help desk as well as the driver who took us back to the parking garage on Adams and all agreed, we were taken out of the way. Not happy about this all, done with Chicago taxi companies, will be using Über or Lyft from now on.

Driver was incredibly rude and waited until after I paid the $ 20 fare (and tipped 25%) to complain about the route I chose and how I wasted his time by having a destination in a busy area. I should have gotten the cab number and driver’s name but was so appalled I wanted no further interaction. My card statement does list Choice Taxi 633 so that may be the cab number. Avoid like the plague.

*COMPANY NEEDS to be SHUT DOWN– UNSAFE– HARASSMENT*
I was a passenger in a car driving behind Taxi #6131 from Choice Taxi in Chicago. The driver (about 5’10″, black, skinny, baseball cap) stopped his car in the middle of moving traffic. When honked at he started backing up. Right before hitting our car, he got out, approached us and started taking pictures. After this he continued to follow, speed around cars and through alleyways to try and catch us.
The company was called and dismissed the situation. The police had to be called and was eventually transferred to 911 after the driver showed up to my home.
Since then I have filed with the BBB and State Attorney. Based on all of these other complaints I see this company being shut down very soon.
NEVER EVER USE

*ZERO STARS* *DANGEROUS UNSAFE CAB DRIVER*
I normally don’t screen what cabs I take but definitely will at this point.
Cab #2776 was talking on his cell phone and texting when we were heading east on Randolph to get on Lake Shore Drive heading north. When we was busy texting or looking down on his phone the light turned green so the car behind us honked. He looked up, starting driving, immediately turned left and turned onto the south bound exit ramp of lake shore drive. Myself and another passenger yelled at him that he was going the wrong way to which he disagreed. We yelled at him to look behind him to see how a the front of a stop light was behind us. At that point he reversed down the ramp back onto randolph. We then at that point yelled at him to let us off downtown because we didn’t feel safe — instead he ignores us and proceeds to the original destination. We refused to pay when we arrived because 1) he was driving dangerously 2) he didn’t listen to our requests. The cab driver eventually called the police to which the we gave the police the cash who gave it to the cab driver.
Called 311 to report his reckless driving, filed a complaint at the BBB, tried to file complaint to website but as mentioned by other people there website is broken and you can’t never successful send the feedback form.

***ZERO STARS***
Cab #5308 was hailed by my co-​worker after a brief happy hour last night. My kind and gentlemanly co-​worker gave the driver (Brown skinned, curly hair, heavy North African or Arabic accent, aged 28 – 35) a $ 10 bill and several singles towards my ride home. When we get to my address I say «thank you, how much do I owe you after the cash?» Driver says «You pay the fare!». I said «wait» (he must think I’m drunk and forgot) «I meant how much do I owe you after my co-​workers contribution?» Driver, «No, that was tip!!» I say, «an over $ 10 tip? No sir, that was towards my fare!» Driver then proceeds to pull away from my house!!! So I ask, «Where are you going? Why are we leaving? My house is back there!!» At this point fearing for my safety, I tell him my husband is waiting for me and looking out of the window! Then I tell him (as he continues to get on the main street) «My husband is Military and so am I! What are you doing??» Driver, «I call police!!» I said, «please do! I’m calling them too!!» At that time my phone rings. It’s my husband wondering why I pulled off (Yes, he was really watching). I tell him the driver is nuts and won’t let me out. I plead with the driver to turn around! Make a U-​turn! I will just pay! Let me out! He refused. As he is on the phone with police (for what justification I still don’t know) I am yelling to them that the driver is transporting me against my will! He must have then realized how this was looking so he finally let me out. Even as I opened the door to leave I offered to pay for my ride (I am NOT a thief!!!) ! He said «No, get out!» So here I am a woman, alone, on the Southside, almost 11 pm, a mile away from my requested drop-​off! Thank God my husband was already in the car and on his way to get me. I’ve lived in Chicago my whole life! I have been passed up by empty taxi’s (Yes, I’m African-​American). I’ve never been compelled to write a review about one until now. Of course I submitted a report with 311, called «Choice» and complained (prompting a second 311 complaint-​Refusing to give me his name stating ‘confidentiality’-that’s BS because it is displayed in the cab, but it was too dark to see). I am very tenacious and plan to follow this through.
People, Ladies beware!

I was not actually in the cab, but this driver almost ran over me, twice. He was upset that some condo association had their cab light on, and no one needed a cab. He also «layed on» the horn for a solid minute. My ears are ringing. Tried to file a complaint on their website, but it didn’t work. It kept telling me to resubmit. I agree with the crazy driver description.

I caught a random cab from Choice Taxi in lakeview. When we arrived at the destination I paid with a credit card. The driver said it didn’t read and told me to swipe again. A couple of days later I check my bank account and there are two charges for the ride. Their «customer service» said they would check on it and call me back. They didn’t call back. I called them and they said they couldn’t find any record of the transactions. Told me to take it up with my bank. I don’t believe for a minute this was an isolated accident. It is fraud, pure and simple.

Rip off. Not to be trusted. Charged me $ 60 for a cab from ORD to NW suburbs. Usually costs $ 35. Called the company and they Claimed it was because they are based in the city and it was my fault getting into the cab. Will NEVER use again.

I’ve lived in Chicago for 15+ years and never reviewed a taxi company but had to after this ass made such a bad impression. Cab #4587 (or perhaps it was 4857) had no clue where the hell he was going. Call me crazy but you may want to quiz future drivers of the main streets of Chicago prior to hiring. (Um.the Kennedy!) I’ve had bad smelling cab drivers but this guy must be the worst. (Nothing like smelling like smoke, bodily fluids arriving to your destination) Then he pulled the «my credit card machine doesn’t work bit» I suggested maybe if we called the police they could make it work. Magically, a manual credit card device appeared. He was extremely rude from beginning to end. I tipped him $ 1.00 so he can buy some soap for his body and also to clean his crap attitude up.

Don’t even bother with these people. I called two days before my flight to reserve a cab to take me to O’Hare. I call the night before my flight to confirm and the lady who picked up said there weren’t any reservations under my name. I made another reservation and these idiots couldn’t even get it correct the second time. I call a few hours before my flight and they still didn’t have a reservation under my name. They get a star for referring me to Yellow Taxi Company.
I seriously wish I had read these reviews much better. Don’t trust these people unless maybe you want a cab on the spot. You’re better off calling a different cab company.

Worst company ever! I called many times the night before for a cab in the early morning in Uptown and they were never late. I moved to Bucktown, and called again, and they never showed up. Said they didn’t have a reservation at all for me. Guess if you don’t live near their drivers they don’t bother. Won’t ever use them again!

I wish I could give zero stars. This place is awful. Horribly unsafe drivers.

Called for a cab. Was asked to call back to confirm. Seemed pointless, but called back anyway. When I did, the guy wanted me to call a second number. I asked if he could send a cab or not, and he responded, «no.»
Useless.

Needed a pickup in Rogers Park for a medical appointment and didn’t think there would be a problem based on the fact they are located in Rogers Park and all the positive reviews here. How hard can it be? My pickup time came and went and I called to learn that «no driver had responded, sorry about that.» Was given another cab company’s number to call in another part of Chicago. Had to reschedule my appointment for another day. Thank God I didn’t call them to go to the airport or I’d be screwed. Won’t be calling this place again. I really wish all these taxi drivers were employed directly by the cab companies instead of «independent agents» who drive around and respond to calls if they feel like it. Looking forward to having my own car again.

Tried using their webpage form to schedule an early morning pick-​up. When I called to confirm, they said their webpage reservation system didn’t work (apparently they keep it up for giggles).
Nonetheless, cab arrived well before hand and was quietly waiting outside. Clean, friendly and efficient ride and credit card reader worked fine.
Recommended (at least for scheduled pick-​ups in Rogers Park, near Morse L Stop)

I was overcharged by Choice Taxi $ 90 instead of $ 19. When I called them to resolve it, I was told they would look it up and call me back «shortly.» When I never received a call back, I called them again and was connected to the same woman. I asked if she had been able to look into my overcharge and wow, she was RUDE. She informed me that she was too busy and suggested I just work through my bank instead. Wow, talk about horrible customer service when THEY made the mistake.

I called to reserve a cab and was told I’d get a call back to confirm it in 5 minutes. After 30 minutes I called them to ask about the cab and was rudely told there wasn’t one available yet and they had no idea when one would be available. I won’t be calling them again.

We chose this company because of the good reviews here. Sadly, our experience was decidedly different.
We called a cab at to pick us up. The dispatcher sounded like he was in bed but said that he would send a cab right away. We waited. We called back. The dispatcher still sounded like he was in bed, but now was grumpy about being woken up. Still no cab. We called again. This time dispatcher simply refused to answer the phone. Perhaps he finally fell asleep. In the end, we had to walk to a busy street and flag down a cab, that is, after waiting outside on the street for 40 minutes after the time the cab was supposed to arrive. Seriously not recommended.

Boy, oh, boy! When you’re leaving early in the morning to get to O’Hare, you tend to worry that the cab will be late. (I’ve had it happen before, and it’s a horror!)
With just one 5-​star review on Unilocal,I was still a little scared, thinking that their great service might have been a fluke for that customer.
But I called Choice Taxi the night before, putting in a reservation for a 5am Rogers Park pickup to O’Hare. At 4:50am the phone rang, and a friendly voice said that he was out front, that there was no hurry to come downstairs, that he just wanted to make sure he was there by 5am! Phew!
The ride out was very quick — he knew the perfect way to get to O’Hare quickly, and the cab total was $ 35 without tip. Sooooooo worth it not to lug huge bags on the CTA for hours.
Great, great, great!

Ok, I’m not what you’d call a «morning person.» In fact, I rarely like to carry on conversations (in person) before about… noon. And that’s with a cargo van of coffee runnin’ through my grouch-​ass veins…
So, when a cab picks me up randomly, at around 6am… I generally do not want to «chat.» However, my driver won me over with friendly conversation… and a really crappy, congested ride to O’Hare was downright… enjoyable? WHAT?! yes.
Courteous. Clean cab. Friendly, yet not overbearing. The driver and I discussed the merits of Ethiopian cuisine (his home country, my new found hobby)…and a myriad of other random topics. Refreshing! Not to mention… he was a steady driver, so I did not need a barf bag en route to the airport. YAY!
Plus, their web site is legit and you can make reservations. Nice.