Taxi fares to go up 8%

chin_grin

http://www.rte.ie/news/2008/0922/taxi.html

^

Leading on from the rehashed AH threads......rabble rabble rabble taxi's rabble rabble rabble.

jaycen

I won't be paying it, they're overpriced as it is, more plates please mr Ombudsman.

Ruu_Old

Well deserved. >_> *runs from mob*

Gary ITR

Ruu wrote: »

Well deserved. >_> *runs from mob*

You'd better run

KTRIC

OK, I'm off to Lagos airport to start handing out free (fake ) Irish taxi plates. A bit of healthy competition will straighten this out

Eoin

Are they actually over-priced though? I thought that the fares over here measured up OK against other European countries.

anonymous_joe

Have you seen how many taxi's there are floating about this city?

Makes it bloody hard for them to make a living.

jaycen

anonymous_joe wrote: »

Have you seen how many taxi's there are floating about this city?

Makes it bloody hard for them to make a living.

I'd really doubt that, they doin't seem to be willing to work different hours, they're all going after the same cherry (weekend night crowd).

Morlar

anonymous_joe wrote: »

Have you seen how many taxi's there are floating about this city?

Makes it bloody hard for them to make a living.

Thats to balance out the decades of monopoly they held onto with an iron grip while commuters literally had to queue for 3 hours+ or walk home from town at the end of the evening.

Taxis in Ireland are among the most expensive I have ever taken anywhere be it europe america or australia or the middle east. Though I am sure they will come up with a study to say 'no no actually we are the cheapest when you account for x,y,z etc'

arybvtcw0eolkf

Considering fuel overheads have increased close to 50% since the last taxi fare increase 8% isn't a lot.

Then taking into consideration the cost of having their meter's re-calibrated and sealed its going to take a long time to recoup those fee's.

I would have thought an increased nearer 15%, and or an increase in the additional charge for extra passengers would have been fair.

Solarball10

I reckon most taxi's are reasonable enough...but my mate got seriously ripped off in Galway a while back...in a normal hackney, the fare costs €7...but on this day, there were no hackneys and a big line of taxi's so she decided to get that...there was NO traffic, yet the fare was €13!! When questioned, the driver told her that because there was an extra person and 1 bag, he charged extras! Um what?! (he wasn't Irish)

Anyway, apart from the odd pr*ck trying to do ya for all you've got, taxi fares are ok..

Run_to_da_hills

This all comes in line with the recent "walking home tax" of e100 & e140 that the state imposed on us. :rolleyes:

Silenceisbliss

eoin_s wrote: »

Are they actually over-priced though? I thought that the fares over here measured up OK against other European countries.

yes they are overpriced. rediculously.

I get a taxi here in germany, which will almost always be a brand new mercedes, get it with three others mostly. drive for about a good 5 mins and the MOST weve paid so far is 9euro. normally its around 7 or 8euro.

big differance from limerick. I can go to the lodge with this same number of people. (which is 3 mins drive) and it will cost 12-15euro. and it will be a toyota or something.

Ruu wrote: »

Well deserved. >_> *runs from mob*

ahh, Ruu....and I thought highly of you.... until now that is.

mathie

anonymous_joe wrote: »

Have you seen how many taxi's there are floating about this city?

Makes it bloody hard for them to make a living.

Good old-fashioned Competition. Deal with it.

arybvtcw0eolkf

Silenceisbliss wrote: »

yes they are overpriced. rediculously.

I get a taxi here in germany, which will almost always be a brand new mercedes, get it with three others mostly. drive for about a good 5 mins and the MOST weve paid so far is 9euro. normally its around 7 or 8euro.

big differance from limerick. I can go to the lodge with this same number of people. (which is 3 mins drive) and it will cost 12-15euro. and it will be a toyota or something.



ahh, Ruu....and I thought highly of you.... until now that is.

Taxi drivers/owners in Germany and other EU countries are not paying VRT on their car's, the lads here are, even those driving wheelchair accessable cabs aren't exempt despite the fact that the vehicle will most likely never be sold on to a private buyer again.

jaycen

Mairt wrote: »

Considering fuel overheads have increased close to 50% since the last taxi fare increase 8% isn't a lot.

Then taking into consideration the cost of having their meter's re-calibrated and sealed its going to take a long time to recoup those fee's.

I would have thought an increased nearer 15%, and or an increase in the additional charge for extra passengers would have been fair.

You've got to be kidding, their costs have dropped, insurance is much cheaper now, as are the cars themselves. A recalibration of a meter costs what? €50 at a stretch.

taidghbaby

i think it was to be expected

Eoin

Silenceisbliss wrote: »

yes they are overpriced. rediculously.

I get a taxi here in germany, which will almost always be a brand new mercedes, get it with three others mostly. drive for about a good 5 mins and the MOST weve paid so far is 9euro. normally its around 7 or 8euro.

big differance from limerick. I can go to the lodge with this same number of people. (which is 3 mins drive) and it will cost 12-15euro. and it will be a toyota or something

I remember Rome being easily as expensive, and London isn't great either, especially if you get stung with a black cab. I thought there was some proper study done that showed that we were not among the most expensive, but I could be wrong.

Run_to_da_hills

Taxi drivers must also take into consideration the massive increase in M50 toll bridge charges and the fact that they can no longer claim the VAT back.

arybvtcw0eolkf

jaycen wrote: »

You've got to be kidding, their costs have dropped, insurance is much cheaper now, as are the cars themselves. A recalibration of a meter costs what? €50 at a stretch.

Their insurance have dropped because of the amount of taxi's on the road now, an increase which has hit driver's very hard so one cancels the other I think.

I don't know how much it is to recalibrate a meter, but if its €50 snots thats going to take a long to to recover with an 8% increase in fares.

Morlar

Run_to_da_hills wrote: »

Taxi drivers must also take into consideration the massive increase in M50 toll bridge charges and the fact that they can no longer claim the VAT back.

Are you for real ? Taxi drivers pass that directly along to the customer, sometimes with interest.

arybvtcw0eolkf

Morlar wrote: »

Are you for real ? Taxi drivers pass that directly along to the customer, sometimes with interest.

Noooo sh*t, imagine passing on your costs to a customer - BASTARDS :mad:

Morlar

Mairt wrote: »

Noooo sh*t, imagine passing on your costs to a customer - BASTARDS :mad:

Kind of undermines the attempt to use that as a justification for an 8% increase then doesn't it ?

Sir Digby Chicken Caesar

well if it bothers you don't get a taxi, or if it really bothers you start up your own taxi firm and show them how it's meant to be done.

they can charge whatever the hell they want, if people are willing to pay then more power to them.

arybvtcw0eolkf

MistressMord wrote: »

well if it bothers you don't get a taxi, or if it really bothers you start up your own taxi firm and show them how it's meant to be done.

they can charge whatever the hell they want, if people are willing to pay then more power to them.

+1.

And that really does just about sum it up.

Some people are just tight arsed stingy fvckers who hate to part with a penny or begrudge his neighbour earning a living too.

Run_to_da_hills

Morlar wrote: »

Are you for real ? Taxi drivers pass that directly along to the customer, sometimes with interest.

Still dose not include the extra overtime the taxi driver needs dealing with this shower over the phone and on line when he finishes work. He also needs another recycling bin to put all the pages and upon pages of false ivoices he receives from the NRA

krpc

KTRIC wrote: »

OK, I'm off to Lagos airport to start handing out free (fake ) Irish taxi plates. A bit of healthy competition will straighten this out

Don't forget to sign them up for some Ebay accounts too. We can always do with more scammers in the world.

Spook_ie

Ah Jeez here we go again....

Fact the fare structure hasn't altered since Sept 2006.

Fact Meter alteration will be about €50 to the Installer and a further fee (€140 if I recall ) will be payable to Legal Metrology Services to reseal the meter.

Fact Costs of fuel have increased circa. 25% since 2006

Fact The fare structure is to stay in place for 2 years before another review

Fact The Taxi Regulator asked you the Public for your input ( Did you? )

Fact You'll always get Taxi Drivers that will " rip " you off, because you the customer are at times unable to read or comprehend the simplest of information given to you by various sources

Fact Taxi Drivers aren't exempt from rises in the cost of living

Fact Taxi Drivers aren't exempt from any downturn in the economy and if there are less fares with more taxis AND the Taxi Regulator wants to increase standards then the money has to come from somewhere....

Morlar

Spook_ie wrote: »

Ah Jeez here we go again....

Your not the only person thinking that right now.

mathie

Spook_ie wrote: »

Fact Taxi Drivers aren't exempt from any downturn in the economy and if there are less fares with more taxis AND the Taxi Regulator wants to increase standards then the money has to come from somewhere....

Surely they should be looking to lower their prices amidst all the sales and supermarket wars?

jaycen

Fact: Taxi drivers are trying to turn what is really a part time job into a job that pays full time rates.

I don't begrudge anyone a living but they really do take the phiss at times, 2 yers since their last hike, it's been 4 since I got a raise and I'm not alone, pay freezes aren't unusual around the country, my costs have risen too.

Spook_ie

mathie wrote: »

Surely they should be looking to lower their prices amidst all the sales and supermarket wars?

Taxi drivers are NOT allowed to lower their fares, Taxi Drivers may DISCOUNT the fares shown on the meter but the fare structure is set up by the taxi regulator as the maximum fare calculated.

Spook_ie

jaycen wrote: »

Fact: Taxi drivers are trying to turn what is really a part time job into a job that pays full time rates.

I don't begrudge anyone a living but they really do take the phiss at times, 2 yers since their last hike, it's been 4 since I got a raise and I'm not alone, pay freezes aren't unusual around the country, my costs have risen too.

So get out and get a license, sure the streets are paved with punters just waiting to be taken home...

jaycen

Spook_ie wrote: »

So get out and get a license, sure the streets are paved with punters just waiting to be taken home...

What are you on about? I didn't say I wanted to drive a taxi, I'm fine as I am thank you, I have a full time job.

I thought the taxi drivers complained about there being too many drivers, didn't know I'ds be invited into the ranks (excuse the pun )

kraggy

jaycen wrote: »

Fact: Taxi drivers are trying to turn what is really a part time job into a job that pays full time rates.

I don't begrudge anyone a living but they really do take the phiss at times, 2 yers since their last hike, it's been 4 since I got a raise and I'm not alone, pay freezes aren't unusual around the country, my costs have risen too.

If you're implying that it's a part time job with regard to the hours put in by drivers, then you musn't know many taxi drivers. Any driver will put in at least 11 or 12 hours a shift and usually 6 days a week to make a living. No other choice.

jaycen wrote: »

I won't be paying it, they're overpriced as it is, more plates please mr Ombudsman.

You have no choice unless you want the driver to ring the Gardai and report you. Either that or walk/get a lift.

And more plates has nothing to do with it. The industry has already been deregulated so there is already a surpuls of taxis on the streets. And pricing has nothing to do with number of plates anyway. The prices are set by the Taxi Regulator and the same prices should be used by taxi firms all over Irleland.

KTRIC wrote: »

OK, I'm off to Lagos airport to start handing out free (fake ) Irish taxi plates. A bit of healthy competition will straighten this out

Nothing to do with number of plates. See above.

jaycen wrote: »

I'd really doubt that, they doin't seem to be willing to work different hours, they're all going after the same cherry (weekend night crowd).

Should they work on Monday and Tuesday nights when it's dead and make now money instead of Sat and Sun and try a make a living?

ozzyoh wrote: »

I reckon most taxi's are reasonable enough...but my mate got seriously ripped off in Galway a while back...in a normal hackney, the fare costs €7...but on this day, there were no hackneys and a big line of taxi's so she decided to get that...there was NO traffic, yet the fare was €13!! When questioned, the driver told her that because there was an extra person and 1 bag, he charged extras! Um what?! (he wasn't Irish)

Anyway, apart from the odd pr*ck trying to do ya for all you've got, taxi fares are ok..

There's no charges for bags anymore. The driver was out of order.

And if your friend was on his own, he shouldn't have been been charged for any extra people.

Silenceisbliss wrote: »

yes they are overpriced. rediculously.

I get a taxi here in germany, which will almost always be a brand new mercedes, get it with three others mostly. drive for about a good 5 mins and the MOST weve paid so far is 9euro. normally its around 7 or 8euro.

big differance from limerick. I can go to the lodge with this same number of people. (which is 3 mins drive) and it will cost 12-15euro. and it will be a toyota or something.



ahh, Ruu....and I thought highly of you.... until now that is.

As explained by someone earlier, they are getting mercs for the price we pay for a mondeo or avensis. It's not fare to compare.

I said in another thread before that people need to stop complaining about getting overcharged and learn the extra charges. There's only about 4 items to learn. That way you can keep an eye on the extras section of the meter when the driver is adding them on. You'll not get caught out then.

Spook_ie

Anyways it's time you all woke up and smelt the coffee there's a more pressing problem out there than arguing about a merited/unmerited fare increase...

Man lay on floor of taxi in kidnap bid
PROBE: Terrified woman fled to city pub screaming after incident

By Geraldine Gittens


Monday September 22 2008

Gardai are investigating an alleged assault by a taxi driver on a woman in Dublin.

The incident was brought to the attention of the gardai after a woman ran into a pub in Terenure screaming for help last Tuesday morning.

Alarmed drinkers in the pub rang the gardai as soon as they saw the woman's distress.

According to sources, the woman had been out on the road hailing a taxi when one pulled up, and the driver asked her to get into the passenger seat.

However, when the women refused, the driver proceeded to open the passenger door and tell the woman to sit in the front, it has been alleged.

When the woman opened the back door to get in the back she found a man lying on the floor waiting for her to get into the front, sources say.

"We're investigating an alleged assault in Harold's Cross and Terenure at 1.30am in the morning of Tuesday September 16," a Garda spokesperson said.

Investigation

Meanwhile, the Taxi Regulator said it is unaware of the incident.

"Anything deemed a criminal offence would be dealt with by the gardai," says Justin Bowers, a spokesman for the organisation.

"The Commission doesn't break down the complaints we receive, we only break them down in relation to fares," he added.

While the Commission says that they deal with drivers conduct, they do not deal with cases such as the alleged attack on Monday night.

"We are constantly advising people on their own personal safety, particularly women," says the Garda spokesperson.

"Any crime would be taken seriously as far as we're concerned."

Taxi drivers are vetted by the gardai before they are awarded their taxi licence and allowed to operate.

In order for an applicant to obtain a taxi license, the Taxi Regulator says that the person must "satisfy An Garda Síochána that he/she is a fit and proper person to hold such a licence".

- Geraldine Gittens

http://www.herald.ie/national-news/city-news/man-lay-on-floor-of-taxi-in-kidnap-bid-1479938.html

I would suggest you all take note of the complaints from drivers about the apparent lack of vetting and enforcement....

jaycen

kraggy wrote: »

If you're implying that it's a part time job with regard to the hours put in by drivers, then you musn't know many taxi drivers. Any driver will put in at least 11 or 12 hours a shift and usually 6 days a week to make a living. No other choice.



You have no choice unless you want the driver to ring the Gardai and report you. Either that or walk/get a lift.

That's exactly my point about part-time work, there is only a limited opportunity to earn at the job, you'll find yourself working outrageous hours just to make average wage if you're at it full time, it's time to stop dilluding yourself and realise that it is only a part time job.

There's always choice, it's a free country, I can walk or drive myself home kraggy, no problem but by all means give the gardai a call

Also, everyone should note it's worth getting a price from a driver, haggle, they will discount quite a bit, there's finally a bit of competition out there

Tigger

taxi drivers cant have two jobs so what would you like them to do?
seriously guys if you don't like it walk or get the bus

is the bus too scarey ?

kraggy

jaycen wrote: »

That's exactly my point about part-time work, there is only a limited opportunity to earn at the job, you'll find yourself working outrageous hours just to make average wage if you're at it full time, it's time to stop dilluding yourself and realise that it is only a part time job.

There's always choice, it's a free country, I can walk or drive myself home kraggy, no problem but by all means give the gardai a call

Also, everyone should note it's worth getting a price from a driver, haggle, they will discount quite a bit, there's finally a bit of competition out there

It's not viable to work as a taxi driver as a part-timer because that level of income wouldn't justify the operating costs necessary to run a taxi. e.g. insurance, buying the plate, meter etc.

Why would I ring the Gardai? I'm not a taxi driver and if you're going to walk anyway...?

gixerfixer

Such a load of B.S.. I am good friends with two taxi drivers who i know for a fact work a max of 40 hours a week and after fuel,tax.insurance etc..are still pulling down 700-800 euro a week. Sick of listening to them babble on about hard times etc....get a real job and live in the real world.

arybvtcw0eolkf

Tigger wrote: »

taxi drivers cant have two jobs so what would you like them to do?
seriously guys if you don't like it walk or get the bus

is the bus too scarey ?

Once someone is tax complient in this country you can have as many jobs as you wish, or as many hours as you can safely stay awake.

magick

u know with all the price hikes i hear about back home ill be surprised if i will be able to afford a taxi with the euro against the dollar, ill probably land at the airport, walkout and take in the air and get back on board, scary stuff !

arybvtcw0eolkf

magick wrote: »

u know with all the price hikes i hear about back home ill be surprised if i will be able to afford a taxi with the euro against the dollar, ill probably land at the airport, walkout and take in the air and get back on board, scary stuff !

You'd be mad to take a taxi from the airport. Take a bus, there's plenty of 'em and dirt cheap too.

marknoonan1974

a mate of mine is a taxi driver and he's making a fortune. started off with 1 car and now he rents out 5, he's cleaning up.

inforfun

kraggy wrote: »

As explained by someone earlier, they are getting mercs for the price we pay for a mondeo or avensis. It's not fare to compare.

You are probably right with that.
But i think Toyota Corollas from the 90's in Ireland are a hell of a lot cheaper than new Mercs in Germany.

gurramok

All those '08 taxi's cost a fair bit. I spotted a Lexus taxi pulling out onto the navan rd last week, must be hard for them.

kraggy

gixerfixer wrote: »

Such a load of B.S.. I am good friends with two taxi drivers who i know for a fact work a max of 40 hours a week and after fuel,tax.insurance etc..are still pulling down 700-800 euro a week. Sick of listening to them babble on about hard times etc....get a real job and live in the real world.

Well then they're not paying any tax. Or else they're bull****ing you.

There's no way you could earn enough to cover costs and come out with that sort of wage on a 40 hour week. No way.

kraggy

gurramok wrote: »

All those '08 taxi's cost a fair bit. I spotted a Lexus taxi pulling out onto the navan rd last week, must be hard for them.

I hint sarcasm in your tone.

People forget that most taxi drivers today were not around before deregulation. The drivers pre-deregulation had it very good. They thus have their mortgages, plates, licenses etc paid off already so whatever they are earning now is pure profit, aside from day to day running costs.

However, most drivers are post deregulation beginners. They are competing with, in the case of Dublin, 7 times more taxis. So I doubt that Lexus was being driven by a new-school taxi driver.

You'd be mad to take a taxi from the airport. Take a bus, there's plenty of 'em and dirt cheap too.

Not always an option. When I take early morning flights I have to get a taxi as there's no way I'm walking into town and standing around on my own waiting for the Aircoach at 3 or 4 a.m. Last time I went to London, the taxi to the airport cost more than my flights.

Spook_ie

inforfun wrote: »

You are probably right with that.
But i think Toyota Corollas from the 90's in Ireland are a hell of a lot cheaper than new Mercs in Germany.

You're probably right, but is that the taxi drivers fault that they are allowed to use them, instaed of complaining here maybe you should take it up with the taxi regulator and their inaction over imposing the stricter guidelines over such a long timeframe...

the 9 year age doesn't take effect until 1st jan 2009 and could easily have been brought forward to 1 Jan 2008.

Maybe you should also ask her to impose even tighter restrictions on cars that are rented out, the majority of the bangers would seem to be rented out

Spook_ie

gixerfixer wrote: »

Such a load of B.S.. I am good friends with two taxi drivers who i know for a fact work a max of 40 hours a week and after fuel,tax.insurance etc..are still pulling down 700-800 euro a week. Sick of listening to them babble on about hard times etc....get a real job and live in the real world.

I am a taxi driver and I would find it hard if not improssible/improbable to pull those figures on a 40 hour week, perhaps you'd like to ask your friends to post when and where they work so that we can all avail of this goldmine..