Can I pick my own taxi?

Saskia

I was having this debate with a friend of mine today. If you go to a rank and at the top there's a wreck of a car with bits hanging off it and the second car in the rank is a shiny new Merc, arent you entitled to chose the Merc if you wish? The friend was saying its the "law" that you have to go with the first taxi but I dont think so. The rank isnt a legal queue AFAIK. Anyone know the facts?

jetsonx

The driver of the "better" car behind would probably not take you on as a fare if you did that.

marco murphy

I do it all the time. I pick the last one in the que infact, for traffic avoidance reasons.

OPENROAD

jetsonx wrote: »

The driver of the "better" car behind would probably not take you on as a fare if you did that.

You could then report him I would say.

xOxSinéadxOx

i always thought that you HAVE to pick the first one

minxie

Saskia wrote: »

I was having this debate with a friend of mine today. If you go to a rank and at the top there's a wreck of a car with bits hanging off it and the second car in the rank is a shiny new Merc, arent you entitled to chose the Merc if you wish? The friend was saying its the "law" that you have to go with the first taxi but I dont think so. The rank isnt a legal queue AFAIK. Anyone know the facts?

think its taxi traffic "law" so to speak or courtesy to use the first one in line

green123

Poblachtach wrote: »

I do it all the time. I pick the last one in the que infact, for traffic avoidance reasons.

traffic avoidance ?
how ?

Catari Jaguar

I think if it's the same company you can pick whatever. If it's like at College Green or O' Connell street where it's freelance/ different companies you have to go with the first taxi driver. A lot wont pick you up if you approach because they're stealing business away. They just drive in a circle around the road island thing until it's their turn to be first.

I mean if you REALLY wanted the second car you could wait for another person to jump in the first one while you stood in the píssing rain...

radiospan

Lil Kitten wrote: »

I think if it's the same company you can pick whatever. If it's like at College Green or O' Connell street where it's freelance/ different companies you have to go with the first taxi driver.

I thought it was the other way around. In America anyway, people can choose whichever company they like at a rank (because some take credit card, some don't)

OPENROAD

plazzTT wrote: »

I thought it was the other way around. In America anyway, people can choose whichever company they like at a rank (because some take credit card, some don't)

I am almost certain that is the case in dublin, pick whatever car you want.

javaboy

AFAIK you can pick whichever car you want but taxi driver etiquette (stop laughing now, I'm serious) will usually mean the other taxi driver telling you to take the first taxi.

It does sort of make a mockery of those taxi drivers who really take pride in their car though that you effectively can't choose them at a rank.

phantom_lord

jetsonx wrote: »

The driver of the "better" car behind would probably not take you on as a fare if you did that.

yup. it's just an etiquette thing i think. i doubt there's a law about it or anything.*

Jaunte

I think when the Taxi Regulator issued all those stickers and guideline sheets, they explicitly stated that you are not obliged to take the first taxi in line.

That said, the drivers do enforce it unofficially themselves.

I wonder if there are other, more secret taxi-driver traditions?

baglady

who cares. just go with the 1st guy. jeez.

Stercus Accidit

First I've heard of this.
I just stagger into the nearest taxi that I can.

Catari Jaguar

javaboy wrote: »

AFAIK you can pick whichever car you want but taxi driver etiquette (stop laughing now, I'm serious) will usually mean the other taxi driver telling you to take the first taxi.

It does sort of make a mockery of those taxi drivers who really take pride in their car though that you effectively can't choose them at a rank.

Yea, that's what I mean. But they will pick people up when they're first in line... Provided they get picked and not the even nicer car behind them

OPENROAD

baglady wrote: »

who cares. just go with the 1st guy. jeez.

Why should you have to pay for a cramped car when the second car is far more comfortable.

baglady

OPENROAD wrote: »

Why should you have to pay for a cramped car when the second car is far more comfortable.

because unless you are getting a taxi for a really long journey then who the hell cares. It's a car. We're not talking the difference between an old mini and a limo here, its a car that's a bit banged up. It's just a car. It will get you there fine!

DanGerMus

Dont think you're obliged to take the first one. But AFAIK they are obliged to take you ie. taxi at a rank cannot turn away a fair. Maybe someone got mixed up.

OPENROAD

baglady wrote: »

because unless you are getting a taxi for a really long journey then who the hell cares. It's a car. We're not talking the difference between an old mini and a limo here, its a car that's a bit banged up. It's just a car. It will get you there fine!

I care Short journey true but it could cost me up to 30 Euro for this short trip if I am gettig one from the airport,I've had a long day and I'm tired I want a comfortable trip home for that price. From town I can pay up to 15 Euro.

Cianos

OPENROAD wrote: »

Why should you have to pay for a cramped car when the second car is far more comfortable.

Because it's a question of etiquette. The taxi drivers are using a fair system so they all get a fair share of the business. Who cares if one car isn't as "comfortable" as the other, you're hardly going on a trip half way across the world. I've personally never been in a taxi I thought uncomfortable. Whether it can get me from A to B, and if the driver will try rip me off along the way is all I'd care about. Until you are trying to pack 4 people in to a micra, comfort is hardly an issue with taxis.

Jigsaw

This is all news to me. As a rule I have my driver collect me in the event that I am not going back to the hotel to sip the 'gnac and smoke wit ma ho's.

baglady

Cianos wrote: »

Because it's a question of etiquette. The taxi drivers are using a fair system so they all get a fair share of the business. Who cares if one car isn't as "comfortable" as the other, you're hardly going on a trip half way across the world. I've personally never been in a taxi I thought uncomfortable. Whether it can get me from A to B, and if the driver will try rip me off along the way is all I'd care about. Until you are trying to pack 4 people in to a micra, comfort is hardly an issue with taxis.

exactly!!!!!

baglady

OPENROAD wrote: »

I care Short journey true but it could cost me up to 30 Euro for this short trip if I am gettig one from the airport,I've had a long day and I'm tired I want a comfortable trip home for that price. From town I can pay up to 15 Euro.

seriously though, it's a freakin car. I mean it's not like one has a free mini bar and massage chairs. Its a seat to sit in. They're not going to let a taxi on the road that has springs sticking out of the seats or anything.

javaboy

Cianos wrote: »

Because it's a question of etiquette. The taxi drivers are using a fair system so they all get a fair share of the business. Who cares if one car isn't as "comfortable" as the other, you're hardly going on a trip half way across the world. I've personally never been in a taxi I thought uncomfortable. Whether it can get me from A to B, and if the driver will try rip me off along the way is all I'd care about. Until you are trying to pack 4 people in to a micra, comfort is hardly an issue with taxis.

What about safety? If one taxi has all the bells and whistles and the one at the top of the queue only has the legal minimum, should people not be allowed opt for the better one? At the end of the day, it's a service. If one person is providing a more comfortable, safer service than another, why should the customer be forced to choose the worse service?

baglady

javaboy wrote: »

What about safety? If one taxi has all the bells and whistles and the one at the top of the queue only has the legal minimum, should people not be allowed opt for the better one? At the end of the day, it's a service. If one person is providing a more comfortable, safer service than another, why should the customer be forced to choose the worse service?

what would be the difference between "the bells and whistles" and the "legal minimum"? are you talking air bags and stuff? Coz if I had a choice between one car and a safer one, I would defo take the safer one. But surely they won't let taxis on the road who don't have all the necessary safety features?

OPENROAD

Cianos wrote: »

Because it's a question of etiquette. The taxi drivers are using a fair system so they all get a fair share of the business. Who cares if one car isn't as "comfortable" as the other, you're hardly going on a trip half way across the world. I've personally never been in a taxi I thought uncomfortable. Whether it can get me from A to B, and if the driver will try rip me off along the way is all I'd care about. Until you are trying to pack 4 people in to a micra, comfort is hardly an issue with taxis.

A fair system for the customer would be to have a standardised car like they do in London. Using taxis regualrly in both London and Dublin, I know which offers better value.

I have got into many a taxi in Dublin in which the front seat has been out of use and have had to sit cramped up in the back.

OPENROAD

javaboy wrote: »

At the end of the day, it's a service. If one person is providing a more comfortable, safer service than another, why should the customer be forced to choose the worse service?

+1

Hermy

You are perfectly entitled to pick what ever taxi you like at the rank.

kmart6

Taken from here;

TaxiRugualtor wrote:

Am I entitled to choose any taxi at a rank?
Yes, as a consumer your can choose whichever taxi you would like to travel in

Cianos

javaboy wrote: »

What about safety? If one taxi has all the bells and whistles and the one at the top of the queue only has the legal minimum, should people not be allowed opt for the better one? At the end of the day, it's a service. If one person is providing a more comfortable, safer service than another, why should the customer be forced to choose the worse service?

The biggest factor by a massive margin in the safety of the journey is the driver. So you really have no way of telling. If it has the legal minimum, then it is considered a safe vehicle.

Further, you are not forced to choose what you would consider the worse service. You can break the practiced etiquette if you wish and try the cars further down the line, or wait for other people to take the first car so you can consider your journey home more comfortable.

j1smithy

according to the taxi regulator you can choose whichever one you like. But I have to agree with the etiquette on this one. I was going by Heuston station last week and counted over 60 taxis waiting. It would be a bit mean not to take the first in line considering the length of time the driver must have waited to get there.

javaboy

baglady wrote: »

what would be the difference between "the bells and whistles" and the "legal minimum"? are you talking air bags and stuff? Coz if I had a choice between one car and a safer one, I would defo take the safer one. But surely they won't let taxis on the road who don't have all the necessary safety features?

There's a huge difference between the bells and whistles and the legal minimum. Yes taxis have to meet a required standard but if one taxi driver has the optional extras, I would prefer his car.

Cianos wrote: »

The biggest factor by a massive margin in the safety of the journey is the driver. So you really have no way of telling.

Completely agree. The biggest factor is the driver but if you see a well cared for car that seems to be the drivers pride and joy behind a taxi that's clearly been in a few scrapes over the years, would it not be an indicator of who is likely to be the safer driver?

If it has the legal minimum, then it is considered a safe vehicle.

By the law, yes. But if you are bringing your children in the taxi with you, would you accept the legal minimum for the sake of taxi driver etiquette?

Further, you are not forced to choose what you would consider the worse service. You can break the practiced etiquette if you wish and try the cars further down the line, or wait for other people to take the first car so you can consider your journey home more comfortable.

No you're not forced but some drivers 'enforce' the etiquette thing quite strongly. Sure the regulator/law is on your side but it can be very awkward at the rank if you turn down a taxi and his mate behind gives you the stink eye all through the journey.

Savman

You have your choice of any taxi on the rank.

In reality, however, you're just giving them extra cause to piss and moan and lord knows they hardly need encouraging.

DarkJager

TaxiRegulator wrote:

When should the meter stop?
When you disconnect the red and green wires and tear it out of the dashboard. Your taxi driver will have the neccesary tools to do this.

squibs

Because it's a question of etiquette. The taxi drivers are using a fair system so they all get a fair share of the business. Who cares if one car isn't as "comfortable" as the other, you're hardly going on a trip half way across the world. I've personally never been in a taxi I thought uncomfortable. Whether it can get me from A to B, and if the driver will try rip me off along the way is all I'd care about. Until you are trying to pack 4 people in to a micra, comfort is hardly an issue with taxis

There's a 1988 Corolla in the rank in my town. It's as manky as you would imagine, so I go to the one behind it if it is first in the rank. I've been asked by the second guy to go to the corolla but I politely refused on the basis that if the corolla man is too cheap to buy a decent car then I don't trust him to maintain the corolla properly.

JIZZLORD

i always take the first car out of etiquette. but several times in a queue if heard people not wanting to go in the first cab if the driver is african. Now that's rude. A taxi's a taxi, FFS!

mikemac

What if the first taxi has damaged lights or maybe a wing mirror is missing?
Tbh, they seems to be loads of cars that have weird and wonderful combinations of lights not working so they use fog lights instead or maybe one brake light doesn’t work.

Surely the 2nd car in the rank couldn’t refuse you if the first car had a broken light?

I agree with other posters, a lot of battered Toyota Corollas going around

azezil

I've seen it happen many times and the taxi drivers behind always tell you to go to the first in the queue. I don't know if that's a law but what is in the law is that the taxi must be clean and in good working order.

Dont be at yourself

Quick, ring Joe Duffy about this shocking state of affairs.

Seriously, it's just a taxi ride. Take the first car on the rank - it will get you where you want to go just as quickly and safely.

javaboy

NekkidBibleMan wrote: »

Quick, ring Joe Duffy about this shocking state of affairs.

He has enough on his plate with the floods don't you know?

Seriously, it's just a taxi ride. Take the first car on the rank - it will get you where you want to go just as quickly and safely.

How do you figure that all taxis are equally safe? If I see a well maintained taxi, I'm more likely to think the driver is careful about his driving than if it's a banger with a few scratches. Not to mention the additional safety equipment on newer cars.

Dont be at yourself

How do you figure that all taxis are equally safe? If I see a well maintained taxi, I'm more likely to think the driver is careful about his driving than if it's a banger with a few scratches. Not to mention the additional safety equipment on newer cars.

If I, or any rationally-minded person, sees a taxi, we see a taxi. I don't make near-baseless assumptions on the impact a tatty car has on my chances of being in an accident, or fret about making it home alive because the door has a creak in it.

People have very little to complain or worry about if these 'concerns' are seriously on people's minds.

axer

http://www.taxireg.ie/consumer/consumer-FAQs/consumer-FAQs.html wrote:

Am I entitled to choose any taxi at a rank?
Yes, as a consumer your can choose whichever taxi you would like to travel in.

End of thread

Saint_Mel

JIZZLORD wrote: »

i always take the first car out of etiquette. but several times in a queue if heard people not wanting to go in the first cab if the driver is african. Now that's rude. A taxi's a taxi, FFS!

Something similar but slightly different in my home town. Theres 1 African driver in particular who is notorious for driving very slowly and taking wrong turns "accidently on purpose" to keep the fare ticking up.

He's so bad for it that even when he's top of the rank the other drivers let customers know and so they take a different car

javaboy

NekkidBibleMan wrote: »

If I, or any rationally-minded person, sees a taxi, we see a taxi. I don't make near-baseless assumptions on the impact a tatty car has on my chances of being in an accident, or fret about making it home alive because the door has a creak in it.

People have very little to complain or worry about if these 'concerns' are seriously on people's minds.

Well to a certain extent, I'm only playing devil's advocate here so leave out the rationally minded comment if you don't mind.

I didn't say I would make any assumptions, baseless or otherwise. I said I would be more likely to think one driver is safer than the other. e.g. if one taxi is a pristine 05 Lexus and the other is an 00 Corolla with a dirty windscreen and a mismatched quarter-panel, I would assume that one is better maintained than the other. This would lead me to think that the Lexus driver might also be more conscientious about his driving.

Epic Tissue

I'd take the first taxi. It wouldn't be fair otherwise..

javaboy

Epic Tissue wrote: »

I'd take the first taxi. It wouldn't be fair otherwise..

So where's the incentive for the taxi driver to provide a better service?

Rob_l

Epic Tissue wrote: »

I'd take the first taxi. It wouldn't be fair otherwise..

Its not fair that because some shabby taxi is first in a queue that I have to take it, they are providing a service any like any service i have the right to choose whether to take it or not.

robby^5

Am I entitled to choose any taxi at a rank?

Yes, as a consumer your can choose whichever taxi you would like to travel in.

/Thread

arse..biscuits

What about a girl on her own and the first taxi driver is looking perticularly rapey

Cianos

If you are genuinely concerned about your safety then I'd have no problem about you breaking the etiquette and choosing a different car other than the next in line.

But I'd be inclined to think that in the majority of cases the safety factor doesn't even cross the persons mind, but rather the other car is chosen because the person thinks it below them to get in a car that isn't aesthetically up to their standards.