New York-style yellow cabs could soon hit the streets in Dublin.

Sunnyisland · 12-07-2011 3:37pm #1

NEW York-style yellow cabs could soon hit the streets in Dublin.
The National Transport Authority (NTA) has proposed a "distinctive external branding" for the taxi fleet "such as a single colour".
The suggestion forms part of the NTAs public consultation process on vehicle standards for the taxis, hackneys and limousines.
If the regulation was to be introduced, the colour would have to be decided on at a later date, with yellow a possibility. The change would apply in Dublin and countrywide.
Other changes to be considered include a requirement to renew taxi licences every six months for vehicles more than nine years old.
The NTA also suggests imposing an upper age limit of 14 years for vehicles beyond which the drivers would not be issued with licences.
In addition, it is proposed to exclude pick-up trucks for use as taxis and ban tinted windows.
The National Transport Authority (NTA) has proposed a "distinctive external branding" for the taxi fleet "such as a single colour".
The suggestion forms part of the NTAs public consultation process on vehicle standards for the taxis, hackneys and limousines.
If the regulation was to be introduced, the colour would have to be decided on at a later date, with yellow a possibility. The change would apply in Dublin and countrywide.
Other changes to be considered include a requirement to renew taxi licences every six months for vehicles more than nine years old.
The NTA also suggests imposing an upper age limit of 14 years for vehicles beyond which the drivers would not be issued with licences.
In addition, it is proposed to exclude pick-up trucks for use as taxis and ban tinted windows.(evening herald)
....................................................................................................................
What do you think ?
Is having a fleet of taxes the same colour a good idea or bad and whats that about pick up trucks ?

Morag · 12-07-2011 3:39pm

There are taxi drivers with cars which are over 14 year old which are immaculate and on their way to being classics cars, I'd sooner get into one of them instead of a 9 year old skoda which is not well kept.

prinz · 12-07-2011 3:39pm

Long overdue and you don't need to go as far as New York for it either, think London's black cabs or check out the beige/cream taxis in Germany.

Smyth · 12-07-2011 3:40pm

Unless they start to charge like NY taxis and other countries in the EU they can **** off.

Morlar · 12-07-2011 3:42pm

The first step should be preventing anyone with a criminal record, or who is not a legal worker in the state from ever being a taxi driver. That should be top of the little list there.

I don't like the green-party style anti-classic car stuff in that tbh.

ejmaztec · 12-07-2011 3:42pm

Sharrow wrote: »

There are taxi drivers with cars which are over 14 year old which are immaculate and on their way to being classics cars, I'd sooner get into one of them instead of a 9 year old skoda which is not well kept.

Skoda quips are so 1980s.:P

munchkin_utd · 12-07-2011 3:46pm

Irish taxis are actually cheap so quit complaining!

10km in Ireland is €13.37
10km in Munich is €22,80

40km in Ireland is €56.47
40km in Munich €67,70

source
http://www.dublincabs.com/dublintaxicharges.php
http://www.taxi-muenchen.com/privatkunden/tarif-und-preise.html

mikemac · 12-07-2011 3:47pm

Cream coloured Mercedes like Germany would be nice

If we still have the Ford factory in Cork, all taxis would probably be Fords to boost sales and keep people in jobs
But that's long gone

corkonion · 12-07-2011 3:49pm

well taxis are supposed to be nationwide, yet outside cork city, in large towns with populations of between 10,000 and 25,000 people .ie carrigaline, ballincollig, clonakilty, bandon, youghal etc.... there is not one single taxi rank... not one
they should start with giving them somewhere to park for hire outside of cork city center so that people can use the bloody things.

Chris P. Bacon · 12-07-2011 3:52pm

munchkin_utd wrote: »

Irish taxis are actually cheap so quit complaining!

10km in Ireland is €13.37
10km in Munich is €22,80

40km in Ireland is €56.47
40km in Munich €67,70

source
http://www.dublincabs.com/dublintaxicharges.php
http://www.taxi-muenchen.com/privatkunden/tarif-und-preise.html

Thats Dublin not all of Ireland.

Super-Rush · 12-07-2011 3:56pm

Moved from After Hours.

Marty McFly · 12-07-2011 3:58pm

Yeh but arent taxis generally cheaper outside of Dublin? thats what ive always found anyway.

+1 on all taxis being the same colour though, its about time it was done really, as for taxis being over a certain age I couldnt care how old they are as long as the cars in good nick, I know myself when out in town me and my friends will walk along till we see a car we like before getting into a taxi i.e a car id drive.

mathie · 12-07-2011 3:59pm

Smyth wrote: »

Unless they start to charge like NY taxis and other countries in the EU they can **** off.

Morlar wrote: »

The first step should be preventing anyone with a criminal record, or who is not a legal worker in the state from ever being a taxi driver. That should be top of the little list there.

I don't like the green-party style anti-classic car stuff in that tbh.

Irish taxis are expensive.

Irish taxis are diven by criminals and illegals.

That's good going for page one.

Can someone mention that some taxi drivers stalk single women and then we can just close the thread.

Miss Fluff · 12-07-2011 4:02pm

Thanks for heads up. Yet another thing for taxi drivers to rant and rave about :mad: LIKE I CARE

1huge1 · 12-07-2011 4:08pm

munchkin_utd wrote: »

Irish taxis are actually cheap so quit complaining!

10km in Ireland is €13.37
10km in Munich is €22,80

40km in Ireland is €56.47
40km in Munich €67,70

source
http://www.dublincabs.com/dublintaxicharges.php
http://www.taxi-muenchen.com/privatkunden/tarif-und-preise.html

I live in Munich too and can definintely back up your points too, crazy prices here, was always so easy to get a god deal in Limerick

munchkin_utd · 12-07-2011 4:50pm

luvbulmers01 wrote: »

Yeh but arent taxis generally cheaper outside of Dublin? thats what ive always found anyway.

nope.

supposed to all be the same price nationwide.
http://taxiregulation.nationaltransport.ie/for-users/tax-fare-calculator/how-taxi-fares-are-calculated/

AlekSmart · 12-07-2011 5:17pm

1huge1 wrote: »

I live in Munich too and can definintely back up your points too, crazy prices here, was always so easy to get a god deal in Limerick

As a matter of passing interest 1Huge1,what is the mainstream Public Transport service like in Munchen ?

Seachmall · 12-07-2011 5:20pm

1huge1 wrote: »

was always so easy to get a god deal in Limerick

No matter where you are if you ask the taxi can he give you a lift for a few bob cheaper you'll generally find one. It's normally €13 from town to my house but I always ask if they'll do it for €10 and they've never refused. In Galway or Limerick you might have to ask a couple but you'll find someone who'll do it cheaper.

Like anything if you shop around you can save a few bob.

oisindoyle · 12-07-2011 5:20pm

Chris P. Bacon wrote: »

Thats Dublin not all of Ireland.

All metered taxis are the same price throughout IRELAND,,,,,,if it doesnt have a meter then its a hackney NOT a taxi

weehamster · 12-07-2011 6:08pm

Haven't been there in a while so I don't know whats its like now, but on the island of Kos, Greece, they had Sliver Mercs as their Taxis. I thought that was a nice touch of class.

oisindoyle · 12-07-2011 6:17pm

Seachmall wrote: »

No matter where you are if you ask the taxi can he give you a lift for a few bob cheaper you'll generally find one. It's normally €13 from town to my house but I always ask if they'll do it for €10 and they've never refused. In Galway or Limerick you might have to ask a couple but you'll find someone who'll do it cheaper.

Like anything if you shop around you can save a few bob.

Why? why do you feel it is your right to ask for a cheaper fare.If you went into your local pub and a pint was 4.80 would you ask the barman to give it to you cheaper? I bet you wouldnt and you would be told where to go ,,,same as if u went into your local spar and a pint of milk was 1.50 thats the price you are going to pay ,,,the same if u went to dunnes Stores for clothers ,,,the price on the label is the price you will pay ,,,would u ask them to give it to you cheaper? no i bet you wouldnt ,,,So would take the liberty of asking for a cheaper fare from a taxi driver ,,,He/she has bills to pay the same as everyone else!

Losty Dublin · 12-07-2011 6:24pm

prinz wrote: »

Long overdue and you don't need to go as far as New York for it either, think London's black cabs or check out the beige/cream taxis in Germany.

London doesn't have a specified colour for it's cabs this long time now. Some cabs over there have all over ads, similar to buses.

WASP0 · 12-07-2011 6:28pm

mikemac wrote: »

Cream coloured Mercedes like Germany would be nice

Surely Blue would be the most suitable colour for Dublin Taxis.

Pablo Sanchez · 12-07-2011 6:43pm

Great idea about the uniform colour, i do hear a lot of drivers complaining about part timers, that would surely cull their numbers dramatically.

Age shouldnt matter too much, condition is king.

mikemac · 12-07-2011 6:46pm

oisindoyle wrote: »

Why? why do you feel it is your right to ask for a cheaper fare.

Kathleen Doyle encouraged it

The meter is the maximum fare

WASP0 wrote: »

Surely Blue would be the most suitable colour for Dublin Taxis.

Good point

And we know what the Limerick drivers can do

Latchy · 12-07-2011 6:49pm

prinz wrote: »

Long overdue and you don't need to go as far as New York for it either, think London's black cabs or check out the beige/cream taxis in Germany.

Mainly all black were I am with the odd silver and yellow one about .

phasers · 12-07-2011 6:51pm

This sounds like a great idea but what about drivers who can't afford to get an appropriate car? I suppose it could help cut taxi numbers, but I could see taxi rentals rising dramatically because there's no real way to get out of the taxi game unless you can immediately secure another job.

Personally, I like the idea of blue go-faster stripes on all taxis

Seachmall · 12-07-2011 6:56pm

oisindoyle wrote: »

Why? why do you feel it is your right to ask for a cheaper fare.If you went into your local pub and a pint was 4.80 would you ask the barman to give it to you cheaper? I bet you wouldnt and you would be told where to go ,,,same as if u went into your local spar and a pint of milk was 1.50 thats the price you are going to pay ,,,the same if u went to dunnes Stores for clothers ,,,the price on the label is the price you will pay ,,,would u ask them to give it to you cheaper? no i bet you wouldnt ,,,So would take the liberty of asking for a cheaper fare from a taxi driver ,,,He/she has bills to pay the same as everyone else!

The difference between my local shop and bar is that the server doesn't have that discretion. I ask for discounts when I think I can get them be it buying a suit or electronics or a taxi. I have the right to ask for a discount the same as those I'm asking have the right to refuse or accept. The taxi driver can say no and wait for another fare or may choose to say yes. There is nothing wrong with asking and I too have bills to pay.

CIE · 12-07-2011 6:59pm

This thread is quite amusing. If it's not a Checker Marathon, it just isn't a NYC-style taxicab. I'm sure someone could produce a knockoff in Europe; the original body design must've passed to some German company now...?

syklops · 12-07-2011 7:10pm

AlekSmart wrote: »

As a matter of passing interest 1Huge1,what is the mainstream Public Transport service like in Munchen ?

In a word ****in-awesome.

patrickbrophy18 · 12-07-2011 7:35pm

prinz wrote: »

Long overdue and you don't need to go as far as New York for it either, think London's black cabs or check out the beige/cream taxis in Germany.

We could have green taxis with a shamrock emblem on the taxi banner!:D

AlekSmart · 12-07-2011 7:48pm

patrickbrophy18 wrote: »

We could have green taxis with a shamrock emblem on the taxi banner!:D

I'm confident that many will remember a former attempt at Taxi-Specific livery...two Yellowish panels above the front and rear window lines on each car....think it was mid 1970's ?

Dai John · 12-07-2011 9:30pm

How about day-glo orange ?

oisindoyle · 12-07-2011 10:02pm

Seachmall wrote: »

The difference between my local shop and bar is that the server doesn't have that discretion. I ask for discounts when I think I can get them be it buying a suit or electronics or a taxi. I have the right to ask for a discount the same as those I'm asking have the right to refuse or accept. The taxi driver can say no and wait for another fare or may choose to say yes. There is nothing wrong with asking and I too have bills to pay.

The local shop has the same amount of discretion as a taxi driver.Yet you seem to think its ok to ask a taxi driver for a discount yet have this notion that a shop wont give u a discount ...Just because a perosn is a taxi driver doesnt ,make it a given that you will get it or even have the nerve to ask ..A taxi driver has the same bills and financial worries as everyone else ,but u want a discount,,incredible

oisindoyle · 12-07-2011 10:04pm

mikemac wrote: »

Kathleen Doyle encouraged it
The meter is the maximum fare

Yes and she was challenged about it and told it was wrong of her to do say such a thing

Pablo Sanchez · 12-07-2011 10:08pm

oisindoyle wrote: »

The local shop has the same amount of discretion as a taxi driver.Yet you seem to think its ok to ask a taxi driver for a discount yet have this notion that a shop wont give u a discount ...Just because a perosn is a taxi driver doesnt ,make it a given that you will get it or even have the nerve to ask ..A taxi driver has the same bills and financial worries as everyone else ,but u want a discount,,incredible

Realistically if your in a shop and speaking to some 17 year old weekend girl who works for a symbol retailer then no, there is no discretion. If your speaking to a self employed individual, plumbers, builders, taxi drivers, you can of course ask for a discount.

Have you never asked for 'your best price' from someone who was doing a quote for you?

mikemac · 12-07-2011 10:14pm

No point haggling over a small fare, maybe under 10 euro.

But for a large fare like it's around 32-35 euro from my house to the airport on the meter. If I don't book the 20% firm, I can go to the local rank and someone will take me for 25 euro which is the same price the fixed priced firm charge.
Just knock on a window and ask

It's a shopping centre rank so most runs are local so of course they'll do a deal.
I save money, they get a long run, we both win

:):)

oisindoyle wrote: »

Yes and she was challenged about it and told it was wrong of her to do say such a thing

The meter is the maximum fare, right?

Guy:Incognito · 12-07-2011 10:23pm

Morlar wrote: »

The first step should be preventing anyone with a criminal record,.

Why stop at taxi's though? What makes taxi's special that they shouldnt allow peopel with record have them but they can work in other jobs?

Morlar wrote: »

I don't like the green-party style anti-classic car stuff in that tbh.

No one will stop you having a classic car, just not as a taxi. I dotn see a problem with that.

mikemac wrote: »

If we still have the Ford factory in Cork, all taxis would probably be Fords to boost sales and keep people in jobs
But that's long gone

Small mercies, eh?:)

Chris P. Bacon wrote: »

Thats Dublin not all of Ireland.

The regulator set price is the maximum they can charge. Nothing stoppign them charging less. Plus I would assuem the prices in the link are at the max price.

oisindoyle · 12-07-2011 10:38pm

nothing stopping them from chargeing less?
They have bills to pay and other financial committments and yet people "expect" a taxi driver to give a discount ...The TR was pulled up many times for making the "its the maximum charge on meter",,,she had NO right in saying it and has been told so many a time ...
Go to your local bar and ask for a discount from your publician for your drink and you will be told where to get off,,,,,

L1011 · 12-07-2011 10:43pm

Chris P. Bacon wrote: »

Thats Dublin not all of Ireland.

Taxi fares are the same EVERYWHERE

Yellow is hideous as a colour. The Brighton colour scheme is fairly inoffensive yet still very distinctive and only needs a relatively minor respray to de-taxi the car afterwards:

Pity they have close to zero sign-light discipline there, cars sail past you full with their light on all the time.

Cathaoirleach · 12-07-2011 10:50pm

Surely these would be the cheapest option? Just import them from the UK.

L1011 · 12-07-2011 10:54pm

Cathaoirleach wrote: »

Surely these would be the cheapest option? Just import them from the UK.

1: They're not cheap. 30 thousand *sterling* for the base model

2: They can't handle hills for crap. Tried and failed in Cork. Wouldn't want to get stuck getting out of Lucan Village in one (hills to all sides) for instance.

Actually the Lewkan cabbies would just go back to being hackney like they were pre-deregulation I guess...

Guy:Incognito · 12-07-2011 10:55pm

oisindoyle wrote: »

nothing stopping them from chargeing less?
They have bills to pay and other financial committments and yet people "expect" a taxi driver to give a discount ...The TR was pulled up many times for making the "its the maximum charge on meter",,,she had NO right in saying it and has been told so many a time ...

How does any of that change the fact that they have the ability to charge less if they choose

mikemac · 12-07-2011 10:56pm

That Brighton example looks good

And there are not many white cars on the road. In Rome the taxis are white so that would be distinctive too if they went for that in Ireland

-Chris- · 12-07-2011 11:09pm

I was in Barcelona and all the taxis were black with yellow doors and boot. The yellow seemed to be done with some sort of vinyl wrap.

I think that would be the simplest way to implement it - make the new regulation that all taxis require green (for want of a better colour) front doors and bonnet, and then just have all existing taxis done with a vinyl wrap.

You can then go on to insist that all newly registered taxis adhere to a more specific colour scheme e.g. silver with green front doors and bonnet.

Del2005 · 12-07-2011 11:41pm

Cathaoirleach wrote: »

Surely these would be the cheapest option? Just import them from the UK.

Our knowledgeable people decided that these aren't suitable for use here as wheelchairs can only access from one side. And as already pointed out they are actually crap cars vehicles.

Davy · 12-07-2011 11:53pm

Was looking at the taxis this evening after seeing this thread earlier, and the cream doesn't really age well. It looks great on the new cars, but the older ones make cream seem like a bad choice. Think i would prefer a lighter blue, something like the 11890 blue

images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSjP5v6FVmUlag3TbW2OyL3mIQSq-TWgcU83HiqKSFfEGoqsmgr

images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSjP5v6FVmUlag3TbW2OyL3mIQSq-TWgcU83HiqKSFfEGoqsmgr

Was in Barcelona recently, and didnt think the two colours really look that great, one colour for all seems better imo

Seachmall · 13-07-2011 12:01am

oisindoyle wrote: »

nothing stopping them from chargeing less?
They have bills to pay and other financial committments and yet people "expect" a taxi driver to give a discount ...The TR was pulled up many times for making the "its the maximum charge on meter",,,she had NO right in saying it and has been told so many a time ...
Go to your local bar and ask for a discount from your publician for your drink and you will be told where to get off,,,,,

And like my local pub the taxi driver can tell me to take a hike. I'm not forcing anyone to take less than they want, I knock on the window and ask them if they'd take me home for a tenner. If they don't think it's worth the fare they don't have to accept, I'll try the next driver.

The local shop has the same amount of discretion as a taxi driver.Yet you seem to think its ok to ask a taxi driver for a discount yet have this notion that a shop wont give u a discount ...Just because a perosn is a taxi driver doesnt ,make it a given that you will get it or even have the nerve to ask ..A taxi driver has the same bills and financial worries as everyone else ,but u want a discount,,incredible

The local shop, a large franchise with part-time staff, do not have the same discretion as someone who is self employed. And I'm not asking for a discount "Just because a perosn is a taxi driver", I ask anyone I think can provide a discount because I'm 20 years old on a less than great wage and 3 euro can get me breakfast. Last week I got a roll of wire for free in Maplin because I asked if they'd throw it in (€2 saved, electronic shops often give discounts to those who ask), next week I have to buy a suit and I'll see if I can get a tie thrown in (that ~€20 is a couple of dinners), I'm not rich and every euro counts for me. If you're willing and able to pay full price for everything then great for you, but if someone will happily give me a discount you can be damn sure I'll take it.

It seems you think we shouldn't ask taxi drivers for discounts because they're taxi drivers, that's just ridiculous.

-Chris- · 13-07-2011 9:49am

Can we drop the whole "Taxi Discounts" conversation? It's off-topic for this thread.

If you think there's a meaningful discussion to be had (although I'm pretty sure it's been done to death), please start a new thread.

1huge1 · 13-07-2011 9:53am

AlekSmart wrote: »

As a matter of passing interest 1Huge1,what is the mainstream Public Transport service like in Munchen ?

The best I've ever seen, the only other city I could saw was on par with Munich is Vienna. (in relation to size of network per population)

We have a massive Suburban train network (S Bahn), a very extensive underground system ( U Bahn) a tram network and a feeder bus system that is more used to transport you to to trains stations that actually getting you to places themselves which works very well.

Its all run by the MVG

this is a map
http://www.munich-info.de/images/mvv.jpg
without buses

All this in a city that is not that much bigger than Dublin, oh we can dream

If you want to see how they use the bus as a feeder system you can tell from this map but be warned, at first glance it is a bit daunting.

http://mapsof.net/uploads/static-maps/thumbnails/munich_transport_map_2572x0.png

HivemindXX · 13-07-2011 10:25am

Was there not a huge fuss from the taxi drivers about having to have the tariff on a sign in the side window? Something about not wanting to be known to be a taxi driver...cash business...risk of burglary...

Seems like this would lead to similar complaints.

New York-style yellow cabs could soon hit the streets in Dublin.

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