For over one half century, there have been two types of taxi cab companies serving the city of Madison - metered cabs & zone cabs. Metered cabs, under normal circumstances, are legally required to provide individual, direct to destination service. The rates for metered cabs include an initial pickup charge plus additional charges for distance traveled and for time not in motion, as determined by the taxi meter.
Zone cabs may legally transport separate passengers at the same time, if they share a common route. The rates for Badger Cab, Madison's only zone cab company, are predetermined between any two points, regardless of the route taken. There is also a nominal charge for each additional passenger in a party. Fares are often as little as 2/3 that of metered cab rates, while involving only minimal delays.