Taxi Zones - what is a return taxi fare?

"Taxi drivers cheat, apps are cheaper" - sounds familiar? But what if it's only a half-truth or a sh...t? An article from Trojmiasto.pl caused a storm by comparing rates that are separated by everything - time of day, fare and logic.

How does the taxi zone system in the Tri-City really work? Why does the legal license end at the municipal border? And why can Uber cost more than a regular taxi? Read this before you order a ride again – and get caught “for clicks.”

1. Clicks instead of facts? A response to an outrageous article from Trojmiasto

2. What are taxi zones really? How does it work in the Tri-City?

3. When do Bolt and Uber start charging a higher per-mile rate?

4. Why do prices differ? And what did the article from Trojmiasto show?

5. Where Does Taxi Pricing Come From? And Why There's No Magic In It

6. How not to overpay? A practical guide for passengers

7. And finally… Your common sense is key here

Clickability instead of facts? A response to an outrageous article from Trojmiasto.pl

Recently, several articles about taxis and their prices in the Tri-City have appeared on the web – specifically on the Trojmiasto.pl portal. And although one might get the impression that they are supposed to provide reliable information, in my opinion they rather cause unnecessary confusion.

Why? Because instead of explaining, they mix things up. For example, they compare a taxi ride from Gdynia, made by a company that does not apply a return fare , in the middle of the day, with a night ride from Gdańsk, where the return fare was already legally charged.

Conclusions? Quite biased – almost suggesting that drivers are scheming and that taxis are a trap for the naive . But the topic is completely different.

Despite the fact that the article almost screams that it was written on demand, it was not marked as sponsored. Conclusion? Either Trojmiasto.pl writes only for clicks – and taxi topics are clicking like crazy – or it is unwittingly misleading its readers. I don't know what is worse...

What are taxi zones really? How does it work in the Tri-City?

In the Tri-City, taxi zones are doing well – and rightly so. This is a legal solution that should apply to all licensed taxis , and not be treated as an option. Why? Because the fee zone is a real operating cost – the driver has to return, use up fuel, time, the car.

In theory, everything looks good: there is a first taxi zone with lower prices, and subsequent ones with higher tariffs.

This is fair and understandable. The problem occurs when some companies decide to play shortcuts and do not use taxi zones - counting on a lower final price, i.e. simple price dumping .

Interestingly, in the Tri-City, there used to be actual taxi zones within a single city , not just between municipalities. Today, similar solutions are in force in Krakow and Warsaw, among others. Currently, each municipality in the Tri-City has its own clear division into taxi zones - they end and begin where the administrative borders run. And this is also where the driver's license to practice the profession ends.

You need to know that it is not the drivers who are to blame for this state of affairs , but Polish legislation .

Because in Poland there is a taxi license is not a nationwide authorization, as in the case of road transport. It is a document issued separately by each commune , which operates only on its territory.

What does this mean in practice? A driver who takes a passenger to a neighboring city – for example, from Gdynia to Sopot – has no right to legally accept a new order there.

He is obliged to return to the territory of his "home" commune. And at his own expense. Unless... he buys additional licenses. In theory, if he wanted to drive around the entire Tri-City and its surroundings, he would have to have about ten of them.

The truth is that the customer often sees only the price on the receipt – and not that passenger taxi transport has to be profitable. If something is too cheap, it means that someone is either not making money or the quality is declining.

At first glance, everything is fine – cheap, fast, convenient. But economics knows no mercy. The driver has to come out on top – either he pays the extra himself, or you pay the extra in some other way. In time.

And what does it look like in transport "by app"?

It's a completely different story. Yes - taxi zones work there too, but... a little differently. Often there is no clear layout of taxi zones , there is no transparent price list at the vehicle door.

Instead – constantly changing regulations that no one reads, and dynamic prices that can fluctuate depending on demand, time of day, and sometimes... the mood of the algorithm.

Yes – usually cheaper. But let's not write fairy tales that it's more predictable. Because that's not true. And it's an unfair comparison.

What's more, Uber and Bolt also charge higher rates, but in a completely different way. For them, it's not about crossing the taxi zone , but about covering a certain distance. The further you go, the more expensive it is - and the rate per kilometer can increase imperceptibly.

It even happens that the cost of a taxi ride using the app exceeds the maximum rate applicable to traditional taxis!!!

Yes, you read that right – in specific situations , Uber or Bolt can be more expensive than the most expensive licensed taxi . But that is not something that is talked about openly, because “taxis are bad, and ridesharing is cool and trendy”…

Paradoxically, while Warsaw's taxi or Tri-City's taxi zone one may look old-fashioned, the system itself is clear . It's the enforcement of regulations and unfair competition that are the problem - not the rules.

When do Bolt and Uber start charging a higher per-mile rate?

Unlike classic passenger taxis , where the price per kilometer depends mainly on the tariff zone and time of day, platforms such as Bolt and Uber introduce an additional mechanism - dynamically increasing the rate after exceeding a certain distance .

How does it work in Bolt?

According to the information available on the Bolt support page:

• A distance threshold is set for each city – once it is exceeded, the rate for each additional kilometre increases .

When does passenger transport charge a return fare?

• Tricity : after 15 km – the price increases by +1.86 PLN/km.

• Warsaw : after 20 km – +2.30 PLN/km.

• Poznań : after 10 km – +2.00 PLN/km.

• Zielona Góra and Radom : already 7 km each – an increase of PLN 1.50 and PLN 1.60, respectively, for each additional kilometre.

Important: this is not a new basic price, but a surcharge to the initial rate per kilometre . This means that you pay more for each kilometre above the set limit – and this regardless of whether you are driving in the city, to another commune, or just to the airport but from a distant district.

And what does it look like in Uber?

Uber does not disclose details about distance thresholds in its regulations. However, observations and user reports suggest that the algorithm works similarly – the further you travel, the higher the price per kilometre may be.

What's more, Uber also comes with:

• dynamic multiplier (surge pricing) – the price increases when there are many orders,

• travel time fee – calculated from the beginning to the end of the journey, not only for stops.

And now the question: is such an application supposedly more "honest"? But is it honest to hide this information deep in the regulations - and often only in the versions for drivers ? Because in the documents for passengers - silence. The customer only sees the final amount. Zero transparency.

What does this mean for the passenger?

• Even if initially the ride seems cheaper than a traditional taxi , on longer routes it may turn out to be much more expensive .

• The lack of clear thresholds and transparent stake breakdown means that the user has to trust the app – and not everyone likes to play blind.

In Bolt and Uber, the higher rate per kilometer starts automatically after exceeding a set distance , as a surcharge to the basic rate. And all this, plus time, plus a multiplier - and the price increases. And they still claim that this is fair?

Why do prices differ? And what did the article from Trojmiasto.pl show?

The article that stirred up so much emotion compared two courses: one from Gdynia – daytime, without a return fare, the other from Gdańsk – night, with an additional fare for going outside the zone. At first glance – the comparison is not equivalent. In my opinion, this is a blatant manipulation of facts.

First, taxi price lists are not standardized – each company has its own approach. Second, the taximeter charges differently depending on the zone , time of day and applicable tariff . And third – not all companies treat the Tri-City as one zone .

Companies like Hallo Taxi offer the Tri-City zone – one price, no surprises. Others, like Neptun Taxi, have clearly defined tariff zone boundaries and charge more for a taxi ride between cities. This is fair – provided the customer knows what they are paying for.

In practice, price differences result from three factors:

• The zone is valid or not (i.e. are we leaving zone one )

• Time of day (day/night/holiday)

• Company policy (whether the taxi serves multiple zones or just one )

Where Does Taxi Pricing Come From? And Why There's No Magic In It

The price of a taxi ride in the Tri-City is not black magic – it is a very simple formula:

• Initial fee (fixed amount for starting the course)

• Price per kilometer (varies depending on the tariff)

• Time fee (only when the car is moving slower than approx. 20 km/h)

• Extras (e.g. night, holiday, larger vehicle)

That's it. Clear and specific.

Now compare this to transport apps: there is no physical price list . There are regulations that change, dynamic prices that can depend on anything – time of day, location, demand and who knows how many other factors.

Sound familiar? It reminds me of... electricity bills. It's like everything is written down, but no one really understands where the final amount comes from.

And now the most interesting thing: app users don't make a problem of it as long as they feel they are treated fairly. Except... what exactly is this fairness? In practice, for many, "fair" equals "cheap".

Not quality, not legality, not system stability – just a lower price .

Following this line of reasoning, a fence selling a stolen phone is more honest than an Apple store because it's cheaper. Absurd? Exactly.

And that is why taxis – despite some drawbacks – still win in terms of transparency.

How not to overpay? A practical guide for passengers

Three questions worth asking before the course:

• Is there one taxi zone for the entire Tricity?

• What is the current tariff ?

• What will be the approximate cost of the course?

This will help you avoid surprises and know what to expect.

How do you know it's a legal taxi?

• It has a price sticker on the window

• There is a visible taximeter inside

• It is marked (city coat of arms, side number, etc.)

If something is missing – don't be afraid to give up. You have the right to do so.

Apps, opinions and common sense

Book a taxi through trusted apps or by phone. Avoid random vehicles. Before ordering – check online reviews.

And most importantly: if someone tells you that Uber is cool because it has an app – remember one thing. That's only half the truth. The other half is: every major taxi network in Poland also has its own app.

Hell – I'll go further: try to order an Uber by phone and explain where you are and what you want. It's impossible. At least not in Polish. Maybe it's worth brushing up on your Ukrainian or Russian, eh?

What does it look like in Warsaw?

The capital has its own system – with the first taxi zone covering the city centre and the second zone outside the city limits. There are also price limits, but the differences in prices can be big – depending on the company and location.

Comparison to the Tri-City shows one thing: passenger awareness and clear rules of the game are important everywhere.

And finally... Your common sense is key here.

The taxi fare system in the Tri-City works – but it requires fair use and good information. So before you get in the car – ask. Compare. Read the signs.

And remember: a lower price is not always a fair price . And a fair price is not necessarily the lowest.

Don't let yourself be manipulated - that's the most important thing. It doesn't matter if the price is high or low. The worst thing that can happen is that someone makes an idiot out of you!!!

I don't know about you, but I can't stand when someone tells me off. And even if they gave away courses for free - I wouldn't work with such a company.

And you? What will you do? Is low price or honesty more important to you?

Do you have your own experiences with taxis in the Tri-City ? Or maybe you have encountered an interesting situation? Let me know – let's talk!