SEATTLE (AP) — Some Seattle-area taxi drivers are trying charm school as a way to improve their customer service and fight off competition from other ride services.

KOMO-TV reports (http://is.gd/SrJwlW ) about 130 drivers from Yellow Cab sat in a classroom Tuesday to listen to hospitality management instructors from South Seattle College. The four-hour program focused on connecting with customers, leaving a good impression and dealing with complaints productively.

One of the region’s major cab companies, Yellow Cab, asked the college to design the class in response to competition from smartphone app ride services like Uber and Lyft.

Cabbie Paul Cheema says he and his fellow drivers want to show customers they’re trying to make a change in the industry.

The class costs $60. Another is scheduled for Thursday, with more planned if reviews are favorable.

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Information from: KOMO-TV, http://www.komotv.com/

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