Web site a direct link to taxi drivers

Terry Davis, who's driven a cab in Seattle for more than 15 years, wants to change the way people in the city get a taxi -- besides calling Yellow Taxi or Orange Cab and hoping they'll send one.

Davis has started a Web site, taxidriversdirect.com, which allows potential riders to click on their travel time and get a list of available cabbies and their cell phones. Then, riders can call one of the cabbies directly.

Ultimately, Davis said, it will improve the city's cab service.

Though taxi drivers must pass city exams showing that they speak English and understand the area's geography, Davis said, "The biggest complaint I hear is that the drivers don't speak English, or they don't know where they're going."

He's only listing drivers who know their way around and speak English well. As people use the Web site, they'll get to know which drivers are good and bad, Davis says. Riders will start picking their driver instead of rolling the dice with dispatching companies.

There's no reason why cabbies can't get customers by using their reputation, like lawyers or doctors, he said.

That raises the question, though, of whether popular drivers will be available when people call for a ride -- and if customers might need to call several drivers to find one who is available. Davis recommends calling at least 30 minutes in advance.

For taxi drivers, who drive in anonymity and are reliant on dispatchers to get customers, the Web site might be a way to be recognized for their work, said Thomas Sawer, a taxi driver who agreed to be on it.

Like other drivers on the Web site, he will continue driving for a taxi company and will take dispatched calls. But there's a lot of competition for fares, he said. And having his name on the Web site, for $15 a week, means another way to get customers as he waits for calls.

"I hope it makes a difference for someone like me, who's prompt and on time," Sawer said.

The Web site has been up for about a week, and thus far there have been no callers. Sawer and other drivers say they don't know how much business it will bring.

A question, though, is whether the Web site is legal, said Craig Leisy, manager of Seattle's consumer affairs unit, which regulates taxi service.

A city ordinance requires taxi drivers to be part of an association, like Yellow Taxi, which keeps records of fares and deals with complaints from customers, he said.

On the other hand, Leisy said the city already allows cabbies to give out their numbers so customers can call them directly. He is consulting the City Attorney's Office for advice.

Davis does not seem to be keeping equally detailed records on trips generated through the Web site.

Frank Dowgwilla, general manager of Yellow Taxi, said the Web site wouldn't offer consumers protection. When a customer files a complaint, he says the company is required to look into the situation, call the customer to say how it responded and provide documentation to the city. "Not only would I not use (the Web site), I'd say, 'Hell, no,' " Dowgwilla said.

Davis said customers still can phone or e-mail him if they have problems. He'll look into complaints about drivers and remove those giving bad service from the Web site.

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Visit taxidriversdirect.com for more information.