Taxi Cab Fare

[Chaucer]

It's long been accepted that Toschi and Armstrong used the fare of $6.25 on Stine's cab meter to determine that Zodiac was picked up somewhere near Mason and Geary. But how did they do this? Couldn't there have been dozens - hundreds - of routes that could have cost 6.25 and ended at Washington and Cherry? What evidence did they use to narrow it down to that particular intersection?

[Richard Grinell]

Some people claim Mason & Geary, while Harvey Hines claimed "Toschi said that they had determined that the killer had called for a cab using the public payphone located at Union Square. Toschi said the cab then picked the killer up and drove to the corner of Washington and Cherry Streets." It is believed Paul Stine was heading back to the bustling theatre district to secure a fair after dropping off a passenger at San Francisco International Airport, and at 9:45 pm Leroy Sweet gave the dispatch to 500 9th Ave. apt. #1. So it's likely Paul Stine mentioned the general location he was in while accepting the call.

The rules for taxicab companies stated 'Rates for Taxicabs and Sedans. The rates of fare for taxicabs and sedans shall be as follows: Fifty-five Cents (55c) for the first one-fifth mile or "flag": Ten Cents (10c) for each additional one-fifth mile or fraction thereof: Ten Cents (10c) for each one and one fourth minutes of waiting or traffic delay time. Drivers of taxicabs and sedans shall keep an accurate waybill specifically setting forth the time of hire and discharge, the number of passengers, the origin and destination and the charges authorized and made for each trip.
(Amended Ord. 234-69; App, 4/18/69)'

Therefore, the pick-up point really should have been entered along with the destination. If not, when Leroy Sweet was interviewed, he may have revealed the general location of Paul Stine from his recollections of the dispatch, thereby giving law enforcement a rough location.

[Chaucer]

I have also heard there is evidence that the pick up point was in front of Westin St. Francis hotel. What evidence suggests that? Also, how did Toschi identify the payphone from which the call was made? That seems...implausible at best and impossible at worst.

[Quicktrader]

Mason Geary was from the log book / operator log book. It thus is also not 'well accepted' that the location was identified due to the fare itself. Also, as far as I remember, the cab meter was still running.

discussion
http://www.zodiackiller.com/discus/mess ... 1165333143

log book picture
https://www.zodiacciphers.com/zodiac-ne ... al-chapter

QT

[Chaucer]

Mason Geary was from the log book / operator log book. It thus is also not 'well accepted' that the location was identified due to the fare itself.
QT

Then that's my mistake for believing what I read in Graysmith's book. He implied that Toschi and Armstrong figured out the pick up location based on $6.25 fare alone.

[Xcaliber]

He wouldn't have telephoned for a cab. Available cabs were plentiful at that location. Telephoning for one would have been impractical. Also that would mean Leroy Sweet (or whoever answered the taxi company phone calls) heard the killer's voice. That would have come out.