[vienna]

Some city cab authorities allow for flat rate fares to some particular locations, e.g., in Los Angeles, you can travel from downtown to the airport for a flat rate. The cab companies here in L.A. don't like to advertise the flat rates and allow only a little, out of the way sticker in the cab to detail the option. Also, I recall one other cross-country cab ride where the cabbie called in first to his dispatcher and was given a flat fare to quote to the customer. Still, I wouldn't want to take a cab clear acroos the country given the condition of some cabs I've seen...