Florida - Taxi question- was i ripped off?

I am in key west right now.
Made a last minute revision after seeing on here that one-way car rentals do not cost extra in fl, I changed my 4 day rental out of MIA to a one day one way to avoid parking costs and save some money on the rental.
Anyway I just returned the car to the airport and took a cab back to the crowne plaza on dual. I shared the cab with a couple who were dropped a block away. I was then charged 15.50 for my ride which was the full meter not the flat rate airport fee. I was pissed about this considering I could have gotten out of the car 100 yards back from the hotel and been charged half the rate.
Cabbie told me that flat rate was for parties 2 or more. I responded that there were three people in the car and I should only pay the per person.
He told me since we were not together that we both have to pay.
This is complete BS as far as I am concerned. why should he make double money by squeezing me in with strangers.


Was I ripped off or is this just how it works.

Hope this is in the right forum. If not I apologize and please move it.

Thanks

I have no idea if you were ripped off or not but it sounds like you were.

Personally, I would (and have) stated that I think the charge is wrong but I'd be happy to pay the full amount if a police officer could explain the charge for me. I've never ended up over paying this way:D

I go to Key West several times a year. It's usually about $20 for a cab from the hotel area on Roosevelt (near the corner of US1 and A1A) with the meter. $15 sounds about right from the airport. The only time I've ever had a flat rate was when there were 4 of us going back to the east side of the island. The cabbie quoted us $20 when we first got in (which we accepted) and he didn't turn on the meter.

I've never shared a cab with people I don't know, but in my experience the meter fair is all that's due. It's between the people riding to determine how to split it. If the cabbie quotes a flat fair and doesn't run the meter, I always confirm up front that it's for everyone, not per person. I know several people who had problems with that in other countries. They got a quote from the cabbie up front and when they got dropped off he tried to claim that his quote was per person.

Did you get the company name and cab number? I'd call the cab company and complain.

Let's see if the readers of our Travel->Florida forum can help. I'll move this there. Ocn Vw 1K, Moderator, TravelBuzz.

The cabbie handed me a business card for the dispatch company.

I did grad his cab permit number, in case i did get ripped.
Like I said if I were in the cab by myself I would be fine paying the meter, but this ahole charge me the meter rate and the other couple too.
He basically picked up a $32 for a $15.50 meter.

I just hate getting taken advantage of. For whatever reason I felt rushed when he dropped me off, (probably bc he knew he was wrong)

Looking back, maybe I should of tried the cop thing.