It may cost the same to get from point A to point B, but you'll likely get there a lot faster, with more taxis on the road.

I worked in the tourist industry last summer. Everytime I called for a cab for a visitor, I was put on hold, when you finally do get through to a dispatcher you have a long wait for the taxi to show up, if they show up at all. There are simply not enough taxis to serve a city of over 300,000 people. 

Vote NO on Prop 8 to increase the number of taxi permits.