Unlike other cities around the world, Los Angeles is not crawling with taxis roaming the streets in search of the outstretched arm of a potential rider. Rather, taxis and car services can be called upon to send a car upon request. There are nine taxi franchises that operate more than 2,300 cars. Sanctioned cars will display an official City of Los Angeles Taxicab seal, which means they carry insurance, have trained drivers and are regularly inspected by the city. Riders in authorised cars will encounter meters that charge $2.65 for the first 1/7 of a mile travelled and then $0.035 for each additional 1/7 of a mile or 47.5 seconds of waiting time. There is a fixed price of $42.00 between LAX and Downtown, with a $2.50 surcharge for any ride originating at LAX, which is one of the only places where a taxi can be found by simply going out to the kerb. More information about the rights of taxi riders and other services can be found at www.taxicabsla.org.