Taxi company racism report

I lived in Glasan by GMIT last year and whenever we'd call Big-O(the recommended company by the SU), if they said 5 minutes, we'd look out at that time and there'd be a load of 'black taxis'. This happened more than once and if there were more people than the black taxis could fit, and then the ordered taxis came the drivers would scream at us for using them. Hello they're drunk, they just want to go to town.

I won't get in a taxi that doesn't have a company of the sign, for safety reasons. Yeah, I know things can happen in company taxis, but it's easier, I guess, to take action, if needed because you know they're part of a company. Big O, and this year Cara Cabs have regulated fares too, around €2 per person from Bodkins/Glasan to town. But black taxis can charge up to €4 pp.

bryanjf wrote: »

My story involves a taxi driver of African origin.

I got into a taxi last night on the eyre sq rank, told the driver my destination, bohermore, and he refused to take me.

needless to say I took his plate number and will be complaining to the taxi regulator.

Hopefully justice will be swift for that taxi driver.

I think we all have a right to choose a taxi if there is a selection available. I, for one, do not get into taxis driven by black men anymore. I have had 2 bad experiences and heard lots of stories. I know some of the stories about not being registered etc arent true, but if there is a seed of doubt and there is another option available, thats enough for me. I feel safer. I have never and will never be rude to drivers, and if I am wrong it only means a couple of lads lost out on a fare. It probably is racist, as I am choosing drivers based on a nationality, but I would also also avoid getting into a taxi with an Irish driver if the car was a banger or I thought the driver looked rough. I have no issues getting on a bus with a black driver as I know they have passed the appropriate test and are legitimate. Sadly, it is the few who caused the bad reputation and nervousness who have caused this problem, and not those of us who want to get home from our nights out as safely and comfortably as possible.

Originally Posted by Fuinseog
i am entitled to my opinion. there is nothing disgusting about it.:eek:

You are disgusting:mad: and thank god racists are a dying breed:P

freckly wrote: »

It probably is racist, as I am choosing drivers based on a nationality..

The thing is you are *not* basing it on nationality, you are basing it on skin colour which is no indication of nationality. It is like looking at a White person and saying " I am not getting in a car with that British b*stard "(French, German, Austrian whatever), while having no idea where they are actually from. Aside from the obvious statement that people are individuals, there may of course be certain cultural 'traits' that make people likeable/hated etc. Kenyans are different from Ethiopians, from Nigerians etc, but how people can be sure which country they are from at a glance, beats me. In another 10 years if we continue to do this sorting by skin colour, we will be taking business from young black Irish lads.

Of course you have a right to choose, and of course bad experience will influence that, but the point is,skin colour doesn't tell us that much at all.

Careful, according to the mods you're not allowed to express anti-racist views, it's too extreme.

Well the day I do not speak up against racists is the day they put me in the ground, anti-racist:eek: I have never heard anything so ridiculous

Fionn MacCool wrote: »

Give it 20 years and it will probably be different. These sort of attitudes get bred out of people, like natural selection.

It might take a bit longer here, Ireland seems to be a bit slow on the uptake on certain things.

But overall, I think you're right. To put this in a bit of foreign perspective:

Where I come from, 20+ years ago there was a major influx of Asian (mainly Cambodian and Vietnamese) refugees. Most of the Vietnamese decided that they liked the next-door country better, and left when the could. But the Cambodians stayed, and starting with being the "ethnic" guys driving the dodgy non-company taxis, they've slowly worked their way up the economic food chain. Today they are a significant bloc of shareholders in the best taxi company (like Galway Taxis position here, but actually a lot nicer still), and no one would see them as any different to a "white" driver.

There are still the dodgy non-company taxis. They're being driven by more recently arrived former refugees, mainly Somalis. I fully expect that given time they'll work their way up too (though their culture does have some attitudes towards women that don't sit well with the local culture - it will be a bumpier ride, though they do seem ambitious).

Irish people, btw, never really got into taxi driving because they were too busy dominating the building industry.

Of course there is some degree of racism going on in all these cases. But also people are recruiting from the folks they know and trust, and job opportunities are often filled from the friends of existing employees.

Seems to me that the original academic report (at least how it's portrayed in the media ) is a bit light on understanding of how the taxi industry works. Apart from that, it's not surprising me in anything it's said.

Clemon wrote: »

Ive never taken a taxi with a black driver. And proud of it too.

Why?

Fionn MacCool wrote: »

Surely a taxi driver is within his rights to turn down a fare? The same way a shop is allowed to refuse a sale.

That taxi driver should have done whats hes told, if he does'nt want to take fares the he should get out.

From www.taxiregulator.ie

What is reasonable refusal of a hire?
Taxi drivers have the right to refuse to carry a passenger requesting to travel in excess of 30km from the point of pick-up. A driver may also refuse a passenger who is disorderly.

They are probably renting.

Not good.

Fionn MacCool wrote: »

You are, and there is.


I'd say you haven't a clue what Jungle music even is. It started out in Bristol :pac:

you seem to be getting personal here and the childish smileys or whatever you want to call them do not help. obviously this is a topic you feel very emotional about. people like you drive people towards hard core racism.