I arrived at Alewife Station after taking a new bus company back from New York. We arrived at just about 1am, and you know that the T was not running.
There happened to be one cab in the stand, Ambassador Brattle Cab. I got the number from the side, and called for one myself. It promptly arrived in 15min. Then my night went from bad to worse.
I had checked the company on my blackberry, and it said that it took cards. When the cab arrived, I got in and gave my address. The drive rudely informed me that ""he didn't take cards."" (despite the fact that the website said they did). I calmly informed him that my bank had an ATM right in Davis Square (where I was going). I had already planned to tip him more than 20% due to the fact that I had to stop at an ATM.
The driver proceeded to refuse to take me. He told me he needed to see the cash first, or he wouldn't take me. He demanded I go into the deserted station to use the ATM there. I'm a female, traveling alone, at 1am...why would I go into a train station that I'm unfamiliar with?
After arguing for a good 15minutes, the driver then informs me that ""...this is why I never take black people. They never have any money. And they always want stuff for free. And the only reason why I picked you up was because I thought you were with the white kids..."" I kid you not, that is verbatim what was said to me.
Needless to say, my blood about boiled over at that point...and granted, I said some things I should not have (however, given the situation and what was said to me and the treatment I received, I felt was somewhat warranted and justified). By this time, he was decided he's going to ""...make me happy..."" and take me to Davis Sq.
When we arrived, I stepped out of the cab, which was in front of my ATM, and left my belongings inside. Upon my return from the ATM with the fare plus tip, the driver had placed my items on the sidewalk and promptly sped off as I attempted to pay him.
I have never been so rudely treated and disrespected in my entire life. You can believe I will never use them or their counterpart (Yellow Cab) EVER again. And you can trust that I will make sure to tell everyone I know never to use them either!
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