Taxi standards Q?.

arybvtcw0eolkf

Taxi threads here are hilarious, everyone's an expert. From Spook.ie (a professional taxi driver) with honest answer's and seem's to tries to get accross the professional driver's perspective to the usual muppetry "All taxi drivers are ****", to the guy with good experiences and the guys who've been ripped off (or seemingly so)..

So how would YOU improve the taxi standards in Ireland?.

Here's a start;

A. Only Irish citizens with a clean licence of five year's (or more) and a checkable and clean criminal record.

B. Be an Irish citizen for a minimum of 5 years, and be over 25 years of age.

C. More licence inspectors checking cabs on the street & ranks.

D. Set an industry standard for taxi companies.

E. Set and enforce a dress code. No more tracksuits and baseball caps.

F. Apart from the ID card on the dash a driver should also wear badge on his left breast pocket with matching info.

Any more?.

subway

functioning seatbelts

subway

i disagree with a, b and e.

no real effect, i dont need a man in a top hat to drive me around.
if someone has a wprk permit and a driving license they can do the job, simple as.

Red Hand

Any Taxi driver that spouts inanities should be banned.

Ban Dublin accents-those that are unable to adopt another accent should communicate with a flashcard system or else with eyebrow movements.

arybvtcw0eolkf

subway wrote: »

i disagree with a, b and e.

no real effect, i dont need a man in a top hat to drive me around.
if someone has a wprk permit and a driving license they can do the job, simple as.

You think it should be that simple?.

I don't. But lets go go on...

jameshayes

They should have an irish / EU license IMO...

- The cars should be a particular colour to avoid personal use of taxis

- The Drivers should be required to pass a test every 10yrs or so

Rob_l

some drinks and nibbles provided en route would be nice!

Spud83

Every taxi driver should have knowledge of the city they plan on working in, or have a GPS system installed.

arybvtcw0eolkf

alanmurphy83 wrote: »

Every taxi driver should have knowledge of the city they plan on working in, or have a GPS system installed.

Covered by the S.P.S.V. licence exam, but some apparently slip through.

A GPS would cover checkable criminal records, clean drivers licence etc?.

humbert

I don't know if there's a particular driving test or license required to be a taxi driver but as long as they have that I don't mind where they are from.

Tigger

Mairt wrote: »

Taxi threads here are hilarious, everyone's an expert. From Spook.ie (a professional taxi driver) with honest answer's and seem's to tries to get accross the professional driver's perspective to the usual muppetry "All taxi drivers are ****", to the guy with good experiences and the guys who've been ripped off (or seemingly so)..

So how would YOU improve the taxi standards in Ireland?.

Here's a start;

A. Only Irish citizens with a clean licence of five year's (or more) and a checkable and clean criminal record.

B. Be an Irish citizen for a minimum of 5 years, and be over 25 years of age.

eu citz

C. More licence inspectors checking cabs on the street & ranks.

not too bad an idea

D. Set an industry standard for taxi companies.

like what?

E. Set and enforce a dress code. No more tracksuits and baseball caps.

neat and clean will do for me

F. Apart from the ID card on the dash a driver should also wear badge on his left breast pocket with matching info.

fair enough

Any more?.

much higher rates at night and lower during business hours
more subsidies for acessable and hybrid and lpg cars
gps as std
cameras in the cabs

arybvtcw0eolkf

Jeremiah 16:1 wrote: »

Any Taxi driver that spouts inanities should be banned.

Ban Dublin accents-those that are unable to adopt another accent should communicate with a flashcard system or else with eyebrow movements.

Covered by "usual muppetry", doesn't make you look any brighter my friend.

aidan_walsh

A GPS would cover checkable criminal records, clean drivers licence etc?.

Yes, because thats exactly the problem domain that GPS was designed to solve, and not what the poster said.

Tigger

humbert wrote: »

I don't know if there's a particular driving test or license required to be a taxi driver but as long as they have that I don't mind where they are from.

there is a licence needed you apply and then wait 3 months
if you nevr killed nobody you get the licence

arybvtcw0eolkf

rbd wrote: »

like what?

Are you working for a taxi company?.. Do you get paid the full meter price on account work, or is your company ripping you off?. An industry standard will protect drivers too!.

Will you always get the next/closest job or will one of 'the lads' get it because they're in the clique?.

Spud83

Mairt wrote: »

Covered by the S.P.S.V. licence exam, but some apparently slip through.

A GPS would cover checkable criminal records, clean drivers licence etc?.

Eh I think your confused, I meant a GPS navigation system (Sat Nav). I'm not convinced that they are tested on the geographical location that much on the SPSV and I know from the perspective of Dublin it would be hard to know everywhere thats why I think a GPS system would be good.

humbert

rbd wrote: »

there is a licence needed you apply and then wait 3 months
if you nevr killed nobody you get the licence

Well then that should be stricter. I also think giving receipts should be mandatory and the should include exactly where you were picked up and left off and the distance travelled.

Tigger

Mairt wrote: »

Covered by the S.P.S.V. licence exam, but some apparently slip through.

A GPS would cover checkable criminal records, clean drivers licence etc?.

there's no spsv exam least i never did one


look

To qualify for a SPSV Driver’s Licence a person must hold a current Driver’s Licence, produce a Tax Clearance Certificate and satisfy An Garda Síochána that he/she is a fit and proper person to hold such a licence and has a good knowledge of the geography of the area as well as the SPSV regulations and general road traffic legislation. SPSV Driver’s Licence applications, to date, have been processed by An Garda Síochána who also issue the licence and a badge which must be worn by the driver at all times while operating as a SPSV driver. The Garda Carriage Office is responsible for this function in the Dublin Taximeter Area while Garda PSV Inspectors are responsible throughout the country.

and

Section 36 of the 2003 Act
Section 36 of the 2003 Act, once commenced, will significantly strengthen this. Section 36 will introduce a system of automatic disqualification from applying for or holding a SPSV driver licence for those who have been convicted of specified serious offences including:

Murder;
Manslaughter;
A range of non-fatal offences against the person, including threats to kill, syringe attacks, endangering traffic, false imprisonment;
Assault or assault causing harm;
Sexual offences including rape, sexual assault, and aggravated sexual assault;
Drug trafficking;
Money laundering;
Theft and fraud offences;
Illegal immigrant trafficking;
Firearms and offensive weapons offences.

Tigger

Mairt wrote: »

Are you working for a taxi company?.. Do you get paid the full meter price on account work, or is your company ripping you off?. An industry standard will protect drivers too!.

Will you always get the next/closest job or will one of 'the lads' get it because they're in the clique?.

very hard to enforce thats transparancy i reckon
very hard to enforce

but i get what you mean

Spud83

humbert wrote: »

Well then that should be stricter. I also think giving receipts should be mandatory and the should include exactly where you were picked up and left off and the distance travelled.

I have never been refused a receipt so I don’t think there is need to make this mandatory. If you want one you ask. Although that’s my opinion as I don’t even like the way receipts are mandatory in most shops especially for small purchases.

arybvtcw0eolkf

humbert wrote: »

Well then that should be stricter. I also think giving receipts should be mandatory and the should include exactly where you were picked up and left off and the distance travelled.

All meters should legally print a receipt. More inspectors would ensure this is the case.

All receipts printed from a meter (presently) show's the car reg no. the roofsign no. the time the journey started and finished, the distance travelled, the price (of course), tips applied, Tolls and extra's.

Tigger

humbert wrote: »

Well then that should be stricter. I also think giving receipts should be mandatory and the should include exactly where you were picked up and left off and the distance travelled.

thats an expensive gps/meter system would mean an increase in fares

but theidea is sound

cornbb

I don't see how having an Irish driver at the wheel would make taxis safer/cleaner/friendlier etc. As long as the driver knows where they are going and avoid moaning/spouting bullsh*t thats good enough for me.

arybvtcw0eolkf

rbd wrote: »

there's no spsv exam least i never did one





and

There's no Small Public Service Vehicle Licence exam?..

What did I do then?.

How long are you driving a taxi?.

Tigger

cornbb wrote: »

I don't see how having an Irish driver at the wheel would make taxis safer/cleaner/friendlier etc. As long as the driver knows where they are going and avoid moaning/spouting bullsh*t thats good enough for me.

you think that taxi drivers don't here a lot of bulklshi

arybvtcw0eolkf

rbd wrote: »

you think that taxi drivers don't here a lot of bulklshi

Lets keep it to taxi standards questions and answer's.

Tigger

Mairt wrote: »

There's no Small Public Service Vehicle Licence exam?..

What did I do then?.

How long are you driving a taxi?.

i got my psv in 2000 i dont drive taxis anymore what was in the test you did
all i had to do was promise the carrige officer in the garda barraks that i'd be good

cornbb

rbd wrote: »

you think that taxi drivers don't here a lot of bulklshi

Not from me anyway, I'd like them to return the favour. Not meaning to generalise btw, the vast majority of them seem sound.

Tigger

i was a m-bike courier before so mabey i was asked how to get here from there but nothing written

roy123456789

rbd wrote: »

i got my psv in 2000 i dont drive taxis anymore what was in the test you did
all i had to do was promise the carrige officer in the garda barraks that i'd be good

Still the case outside The larger urban districts,

I'd have stricter enforement of the legislation
Much Higher vehicle standards 6 years old min (my own car now wouldn't meet this standard it's a 01
The entrance test should be harder and current drivers should have to re-sit it

I don't like the racial barring in the first post, i really don't see what that's got to do with driving a Taxi, so long as the test is passed

MOH

alanmurphy83 wrote: »

Every taxi driver should have knowledge of the city they plan on working in, or have a GPS system installed.

Every driver should either have a GPS system they know how to use, or at least splash out on an up to date book of street maps, to be kept in the car at all times. It's only 10 quid.

I don't expect a driver to know where every street in Dublin is. I do expect him to be able to find out at least as quickly as I would if I was driving.

[rant] Spent about 40 minutes trying to get from Ranelagh to a restaurant in Pembroke Lane once while the muppet drove up and down Baggot St looking for inspiration. Ended up having to ring directory enquiries, get the restaurant number, ring them and ask for directions. What should have been about a 7 quid taxi fare cost about 15. When I got home I looked up the street index and found it in 30 seconds. [/rant]

watna

I just think they should have to pass some kind of test/exam on the areas in the city they're working in. I don't expect them to know my street name, but if i give my general vacinity, they should know it. In my recent experience, they don't. it should be like in London where they have to have "The Knowledge" and be tested on the geography of London. Like in London, it should be hard to pass so when you get in a taxi the driver is not going to stare blankly at you when you name where you live.

Zzippy

Mairt wrote: »

E. Set and enforce a dress code. No more tracksuits and baseball caps.

He must be dressed in a chauffeur uniform. Hat height dependent on type of vehicle i.e. roof clearance.

F. Apart from the ID card on the dash a driver should also wear badge on his left breast pocket with matching info.

As long as his name is James. "Home James, and don't spare the Volvo!"

Actually, complimentary strawberries would be nice. Mmmm, strawberries... /drools

Trojan911

Mairt wrote: »

A. A clean licence of five year's (or more) and a checkable and clean criminal record.

This is mandatory now. You won't get a spsv without being vetted & that includes if you have lived in other countries.

Mairt wrote: »

B. Be an Irish citizen for a minimum of 5 years, and be over 25 years of age.

Agree.

Mairt wrote: »

C. More licence inspectors checking cabs on the street & ranks.

Agree.

Mairt wrote: »

D. Set an industry standard for taxi companies.

Agree.

Mairt wrote: »

E. Set and enforce a dress code. No more tracksuits and baseball caps.

Difficult as it would put 3/4's of the cabbies out of business. I wear a shirt & jumper clean jeans & shoes and I also take the time to meet/greet my customers and hold the door for them on entry/exit. This ensures minimum €60+ in tips alone by the end of the night.

Mairt wrote: »

F. Apart from the ID card on the dash a driver should also wear badge on his left breast pocket with matching info.

That's mandatory as well...

Mairt wrote: »

Any more?.

Yes, educate the public on THEIR responsibilities when they get into a cab.

Hobbes

EU citizen should be enough. If anything they have stricter driving laws then here.

As we are talking about imaginary rules. They should have all Taxis set up with a GPS and the ability to print out the route taken if there is a dispute.

I have no problem with what the taxi driver looks like as long the taxi itself is kept in a good condition. Some of the ones I got in Long Island were dreadful, a lot of them should have been taken off the road years ago.

Apparently in Holland all/most of the taxis are fitted with GPS.

Capt'n Midnight

Existing taxi drivers will have until 2012 to get a car 9 years old or less. New licensees will soon have to drive a car 9 years old or less. So a 1998 Corolla is judged to be a suitable vehicle. What's the market value of them ???

OPENROAD

I would rule A out, doesn't matter where driver is from as long as he knows his way around.

Uniform not too relevant either.


1.Personally I would like to see a standardised car. Dublin taxis are miles away from London taxis which are large, plenty of leg room and are absolutely spotless. Dublin taxis are often cramped for passanger particularly in the back.

2. Wish taxi drivers would keep quiet, if I want to chat I will start up a conversation, sorry but dont want to listen to you.

3. Eliminate the minority of racist drivers.

ojewriej

Mairt wrote: »

A. Only Irish citizens with a clean licence of five year's (or more) and a checkable and clean criminal record.

B. Be an Irish citizen for a minimum of 5 years, and be over 25 years of age.

Why would it have to be an Irish citizen? Not looking for a fight or anything, i'm genuinely interested why.

arybvtcw0eolkf

There's a couple of problems with a standardised taxi vehicle, ie Government VRT!.

The government won't even drop the VRT for wheelchair accessable car's.

The other problem is earnings. Yup, contrary to popular believe taxi driver's aren't rich and the guys are now working in an open market, which in their opinion is flooded now.

So should the VRT be dropped on wheelchair accessable vehicles and 'standardised' vehicles?.

arybvtcw0eolkf

ojewriej wrote: »

Why would it have to be an Irish citizen? Not looking for a fight or anything, i'm genuinely interested why.

For the protection of both the driver and passengers.

If a foreign born national is here more than five year's with a clean criminal record and a clean driver's licence then racists have less excuse to point the finger about 'coming here and robbing our jobs'. Plus alot of times a taxi driver has a lot of responsiblity to his passengers safety.

A person here more than five year's will most likely have solid ties to Ireland and less likely to commit a crime and do a runner.

So I believe its in both the driver's and the publics interest.

OPENROAD

Mairt wrote: »

There's a couple of problems with a standardised taxi vehicle, ie Government VRT!.

The government won't even drop the VRT for wheelchair accessable car's.

The other problem is earnings. Yup, contrary to popular believe taxi driver's aren't rich and the guys are now working in an open market, which in their opinion is flooded now.

So should the VRT be dropped on wheelchair accessable vehicles and 'standardised' vehicles?.

Have to say standard of Dublin taxis are still relatively poor, though from taxi drivers point of view, fully accept and understand the cost implications,don't know the economics of the whole thing, but yes if possible govt should consider vrt option.

Trojan911

Mairt wrote: »

Plus alot of times a taxi driver has a lot of responsiblity to his passengers safety.

Cabbie has a responsibility all the time to his passenger safety once they step into the vehicle & until they exit it. The customer hires the cab but the driver has overall say during the journey.

ojewriej

Mairt wrote: »

For the protection of both the driver and passengers.

If a foreign born national is here more than five year's with a clean criminal record and a clean driver's licence then racists have less excuse to point the finger about 'coming here and robbing our jobs'. Plus alot of times a taxi driver has a lot of responsiblity to his passengers safety.

I'm here 6 years now and i don't have an Irish citizenship. You can only apply after 5 years and the process takes about 2 years. Plus in a lot of countries it's illegal to have dual citizenship, and some people would not want to renounce their original one.

The argument about racists moaning about robbing jobs - i don't think so. They will moan no matter how long we are here.

Mairt wrote: »

A person here more than five year's will most likely have solid ties to Ireland and less likely to commit a crime and do a runner.

So I believe its in both the driver's and the publics interest.

Seriously? What kind of crime? Overcharge a passenger?

If someone wants to commit a crime and do a runner, they will hardly go through the trouble and cost of getting a taxi licence, don't you think? On the other hand the ones who want to earn honest living would.

angelsfire

I think as long as they have a good knowledge of the city and the villiages surrounding the city and no B.O. then more power to em. Oh and I don't like a lot of idle chatter. Wish sometimes they would mind their own damn business. Oh and one more thing...LOL...quit gawking at the women in the rear view mirror!:eek:

arybvtcw0eolkf

angelsfire wrote: »

I think as long as they have a good knowledge of the city and the villiages surrounding the city and no B.O. then more power to em. Oh and I don't like a lot of idle chatter. Wish sometimes they would mind their own damn business. Oh and one more thing...LOL...quit gawking at the women in the rear view mirror!:eek:

Funny, coming from someone using an internet discussion forum!. Oh, and listing MSN and Yahoo IM's too, lol... (Sorry couldn't ignore that one).

Back to the discussion re. improving the stardard of taxi's in Ireland.

How about making it compulsary to operate a Hybrid only car (give drivers a time line to comply). This would make sense since taxi's drive more kilometer's per year than almost everyone else on the road.

Spook_ie

Thanks for the compliment Mairt, I try my best.

Anyway to topic...


A. EU citizenship should be ample, at a push a legit work permit, however, they should be compelled to surrender thier national/EU license for an Irish one ( A Legal Requirement anyawy if you are "resident" in this country ) so they are not immune to traffic law prosecutions.

B. A minimum age is a definate, as should be the factor that they have driven in Ireland for a set period, Irish roads are ( to a fair extent ) unique as are the roads in other countries, I wouldn't feel happy driving on the wrong side of the road for about 12 months.

C. Agreed, but as the TRs office is funded primarily (AFAIK) by the license fees and renewals it would be better for the Gards to actively enforce traffic legislation. If a taxi is not properly legit ( licensed etc. ) then they are driving with invalid insurance, a factor that the Garda seem unaware of. Since I started taxi driving I have NEVER been asked for any proof that I am a legit taxi/driver.

D. AFAIK TR is in the process of this, from a certain date companies will require to be licensed, more regulation is on the way, in particular about booking taxis in advance

E. Up to a point, but it should be a minimal code, Sweater/Shirt/Trousers but track suits look so knackery anyway that I wouldn't wear one

F. If the Garda were to enforce the current regulation of having the driver ID displayed "correctly" on the dash there would be little need for the extra badge, I did suggest to the TR that the IDs should be color coded for where the license holder is allowed to work, blue for Dublin, green for Waterford or whatever..

G. It wasn't part of the 1st round of regulations, but was suggested, that Taxis should be a uniform color, like the Beige Taxis in Germany, A better solution ( Again, also aimed at stopping people working areas they shouldn't ) would be for the County Crest to be emblazoned on the doors or bonnet.

We're still waiting to hear from the TRs office about driver training and how they are proposing to take over the issue of driver SPSV licenses from the Garda, I did query them about a site taking prebookings for a Taxi Drivers Course and the reply is posted on www.dublintaxi.net under the topic of "you can be first" I'm not sure if I'm looking forward to it or not, probably not
Still time will tell,

As for the suggestions of color coding taxis and semi standardising the fleet, a lot of the reaction to drivers about that is ( of course ) the expense, the VRT is a killer on any car, but even more so if your livelihood is dependant on buying a newcar every 6 years as some people want.

andyl222

Well since they brought in the mandatory use of the Metre for any journey i'm pretty happy with the taxi service. It keeps the unscrupulous bastards in check I've found, and well the honest ones are just the same

SimpleSam06

humbert wrote: »

I also think giving receipts should be mandatory and the should include exactly where you were picked up and left off and the distance travelled.

Giving receipts is mandatory. I'm fairly sure they also include the distance travelled / time spent as well.

Mairt wrote: »

Are you working for a taxi company?.. Do you get paid the full meter price on account work, or is your company ripping you off?. An industry standard will protect drivers too!.

Will you always get the next/closest job or will one of 'the lads' get it because they're in the clique?.

Taxi companies can't afford to indulge in that sort of behaviour on a wide scale, and most of them can't do it technologically. They depend on the income from their drivers to pay for the office, staff, radios, etc, as well as advertising. Once the initial deposit / membership or whatever is paid off, they get a good lump sum, but it doesn't last that long. Taxi companies that gyp their drivers don't last that long either.

Also most companies work on a GPS based system anyway, jobs are given to cars closest to the area, automatically, once the dispatcher enters the info into the system.

Mairt wrote: »

For the protection of both the driver and passengers.

Yeah. Unfortunately the current thinking is that its better to have unemployable foreign nationals doing something, earning a living somehow, rather than sitting on the dole. So they'll push them through regardless. I'm neither for nor against that by the way, its just how it is.

Oho yes, the requirement to "know the area" has been waived for foreign nationals taking the exam.

Spook_ie

SimpleSam06 wrote: »

Giving receipts is mandatory. I'm fairly sure they also include the distance travelled / time spent as well.


Taxi companies can't afford to indulge in that sort of behaviour on a wide scale, and most of them can't do it technologically. They depend on the income from their drivers to pay for the office, staff, radios, etc, as well as advertising. Once the initial deposit / membership or whatever is paid off, they get a good lump sum, but it doesn't last that long. Taxi companies that gyp their drivers don't last that long either.

Also most companies work on a GPS based system anyway, jobs are given to cars closest to the area, automatically, once the dispatcher enters the info into the system.


Yeah. Unfortunately the current thinking is that its better to have unemployable foreign nationals doing something, earning a living somehow, rather than sitting on the dole. So they'll push them through regardless. I'm neither for nor against that by the way, its just how it is.

Oho yes, the requirement to "know the area" has been waived for foreign nationals taking the exam.

I realy hope thats not the case, if so then it makes a total mockery about race equality

SimpleSam06

Spook_ie wrote: »

I realy hope thats not the case, if so then it makes a total mockery about race equality

Well I don't have an official source for that, but it does seem to be the case. I have also heard about financial assistance being given when getting the taxi as well, and lowered requirements to pass the exam. From the point of view of Revenue, its an overall win. If someone with official contacts would like to step up and correct what I have heard, by all means do so.