My first driver got slightly turned around navigating downtown’s one-way streets, but he recovered quickly and took a logical route down the Broken Arrow Expressway. He was friendly enough but not overly talkative and seemed focused on driving quickly though not like a maniac. His car was clean but had a prominent smell of cigarette smoke.

The second driver, who took me back downtown, seemed more relaxed. He told me he was from an African country whose name I couldn’t catch, and he said he was happy to talk to passengers to practice his English. A route wasn’t discussed, but he took the most direct way. His cab was clean and didn’t smell like anything.

It had been years since I had been in a taxi, but both rides had all the usual trappings. The frequent chatter of the dispatcher’s radio was a little distracting, while the gradually increasing dollar amount on the meter had me a bit on edge. Maybe it’s something you get used to over time but not during my two rides.

With a rate of $1.90 per mile and a $1.50 starting point, the first trip cost me $15.56, though the driver bumped it down to just $15. The second came to $15.86. They took only cash with tips being customary. My first driver didn’t have change, so I let him keep a $20 bill.

Uber