Taxi Cars

kona

Got a bit of a rant, and hopefully some taxi drivers read this.

Why the hell are most of these cars heaps of ****e? They are on their last legs, a total disgrace. The cheek of them, I dont want to spend e30 to be driven 20mins in a piece of **** 16 year old toyota carina 2 Leanburn.

While being poisoned by this engine that was banned within 2 year of release due to obscene nox emmissions. They proceed to brag that the car is the best thing,"its got 350k on the clock", "barely need to service it"...well Ill tell you one thing it looks like it,...... sack of ****.

When im driving myself, the amount of taxis that have crash damage, broken windscreens, some dope behind the wheel with a gripe with EVERYTHING.
Lights not working, suspention fooked, low tyre pressure.

The Funnyes thing was last week, got in a mitsubishi MPV 96 is think, the sack of gick that was banished from japan 5 years ago for being crap, sure itl do for the Irish taxis:rolleyes:
Anyways, I was informed by some thick skanger driver, i couldnt get in on the nearside because the door was broke....couldnt sit in the offside passenger seat because the belt didnt work, when I got out my mate couldnt close the door because the taxi driver decided to drive off, with the door open.


sorry for the incoherrent rant but who the **** regulates this??

I mean to be proud of driving a 96 carina??? and then think its okay to use as a taxi???

Pathetic.

Then these arseholes go on strike because they arent earning enough?? cop the **** on.

I wont start on the level of driving.

Volvoboy

kona wrote: »

Got a bit of a rant, and hopefully some taxi drivers read this.

Why the hell are most of these cars heaps of ****e? They are on their last legs, a total disgrace. The cheek of them, I dont want to spend e30 to be driven 20mins in a piece of **** 16 year old toyota carina 2 Leanburn.

While being poisoned by this engine that was banned within 2 year of release due to obscene nox emmissions. They proceed to brag that the car is the best thing,"its got 350k on the clock", "barely need to service it"...well Ill tell you one thing it looks like it,...... sack of ****.

When im driving myself, the amount of taxis that have crash damage, broken windscreens, some dope behind the wheel with a gripe with EVERYTHING.
Lights not working, suspention fooked, low tyre pressure.

The Funnyes thing was last week, got in a mitsubishi MPV 96 is think, the sack of gick that was banished from japan 5 years ago for being crap, sure itl do for the Irish taxis:rolleyes:
Anyways, I was informed by some thick skanger driver, i couldnt get in on the nearside because the door was broke....couldnt sit in the offside passenger seat because the belt didnt work, when I got out my mate couldnt close the door because the taxi driver decided to drive off, with the door open.


sorry for the incoherrent rant but who the **** regulates this??

I mean to be proud of driving a 96 carina??? and then think its okay to use as a taxi???

Pathetic.

Then these arseholes go on strike because they arent earning enough?? cop the **** on.

I wont start on the level of driving.

I'm going to cry.

DanGerMus

kona wrote: »

some dope behind the wheel with a gripe with EVERYTHING.

Had to be said...

Darragh29

I had a fight with a taximan recently over a brake wear indicator being on in the car. I had a few pints on me and get into this taxi and the fare was around 20 Euro home and the brake wear indicator light on.

Your man proceeded to tell me that the light was to remind him that the brake fluid needed to be changed! I could hear the front pads grinding when he stopped at traffic lights and I told him that it was his brake pads worn down to the metal. He insisted that I was wrong, that it was just the brake fluid replacement warning light. 20 Euro for a 5 mile trip and the c*nt couldn't be bothered getting basic maintenance done on his car. :mad::mad::mad:

Volvoboy

If you've a problem with the condition of a Taxi get the plate number and report it to the commission of taxi regulation, ranting and complaining here will be useless, if you feel that it isnt your job to regulate taxi's talk to your local politician about how the acting government let the taxi trade decline into a state where unsafe cars are being driven.

Rowley Birkin QC

I'm not a taxi driver but I do drive a 1998 car with light damage from a drunk kicking it. Is that ok with you?

EPM

I'd have no hassle getting into an older taxi if its well kept - plenty of new shacks out there too. Of course some taxi's will have damage - if the cars are on the road a lot they are going to have a higher chance of having a tip - sh1t happens.

Plain and simple if the car doesn't meet your standards/is obviously a shed you're the bigger fool for getting into it:rolleyes:

kodak

What i can't understand is when they 'regulated' it all why they didn't put
a clause and have a standard list of cars suitable for being a taxi and within a certain age bracket too. (or maybe they do??)

This would of cleaned up taxis in a few years and would have created a bigger start up cost that the taxi person could divide over a few years.

The last taxi I was in didn't have one seat belt working in the back and i regret not getting out straight away or take his number and report him. A few drinks and a cold night alters your actions!!

Gumbo

kodak wrote: »

What i can't understand is when they 'regulated' it all why they didn't put
a clause and have a standard list of cars suitable for being a taxi and within a certain age bracket too. (or maybe they do??)

This would of cleaned up taxis in a few years and would have created a bigger start up cost that the taxi person could divide over a few years.

The last taxi I was in didn't have one seat belt working in the back and i regret not getting out straight away or take his number and report him. A few drinks and a cold night alters your actions!!

theres currently a 9 year rule, but it wont affect most existing taxi drivers until 2012 iirc

its not the age of the car thats the problem, its the condition.

i have no problem getting into a 92 primara aslong as its maintained and doesnt smell of sh1t.

the merchant

isn't is illegal for them to smoke in their cars now? You wouldn't think it as every taxi i've gotten into recently had been recently smoked in. The last taxi I got into town stank of johnny blue so I said it to the driver. He claimed to have never smoked in the car but had just had one outside the car with the sunroof open - what a load of crap.

steph1

kodak wrote: »

What i can't understand is when they 'regulated' it all why they didn't put
a clause and have a standard list of cars suitable for being a taxi and within a certain age bracket too. (or maybe they do??)

This would of cleaned up taxis in a few years and would have created a bigger start up cost that the taxi person could divide over a few years.

The last taxi I was in didn't have one seat belt working in the back and i regret not getting out straight away or take his number and report him. A few drinks and a cold night alters your actions!!

Ah ha you said it there a few drinks and a cold night alters your actions and more than likely your vision. The vision you saw of the lit up roofsign and you said yes I got me a seat home safe and sound.

I'm a taxi driver and I have a 98 merc and it is beautiful. Would you be happy with that model to whisk you to your destination. The way things are going in the industry in general heaps of ****e being driven around are going to be the norm for some time because drivers cannot afford to upgrade. Simple as that.

Row

Good post...:)
I think a taxi going to work with a Badly maintained car is like a chef starting
his shift with a set of blunt knives......:rolleyes:
The only difference is the taxi is more dangerous......:eek:

DonJose

steph1 wrote: »

The way things are going in the industry in general heaps of ****e being driven around are going to be the norm for some time because drivers cannot afford to upgrade. Simple as that.

Ah poor taxi drivers :rolleyes:

"The court heard that Mr Boyne, a €62,000-a-year taxi driver..."

http://www.independent.ie/national-news/receptionist-gets-836445000-for-her-share-of-exs-home-1626330.html

cashmni1

kceire wrote: »

theres currently a 9 year rule, but it wont affect most existing taxi drivers until 2012 iirc

its not the age of the car thats the problem, its the condition.

i have no problem getting into a 92 primara aslong as its maintained and doesnt smell of sh1t.

+1
The thing is the condition of the car. If it smells like smoke, don't get in. The regulations are strict enough but not everyone complies. Some guys have lovely cars and they work hard. But the shabby drivers should be reported and that is something that is a bit Irish. We don't complain enough (accept for internet fourms of course!)

kodak

steph1 wrote: »

Ah ha you said it there a few drinks and a cold night alters your actions and more than likely your vision. The vision you saw of the lit up roofsign and you said yes I got me a seat home safe and sound.

I'm a taxi driver and I have a 98 merc and it is beautiful. Would you be happy with that model to whisk you to your destination. The way things are going in the industry in general heaps of ****e being driven around are going to be the norm for some time because drivers cannot afford to upgrade. Simple as that.

Well in fairness asking for seatbelts to be working isn't to big of an ask, is it?

Ah a Merc would make it onto the list.

If the newcomers had of being made buy a car off a list this may of prevented so many entering the market, while cleaning it up too. Just a thought anyway..

Lauder

We should standardise all Taxis as soon as possible. Either start insisting drivers use London Cabs ONLY or something similar or like they have a Athens were all cars are Merc E-Class Diesels less than 8 years old.

We could then are various taxi depots around the city where work could be done, repairs, valets etc. etc, all parts would be the same so jobs could be done quickly and efficiently. I would be a safer, cheaper and cleaner service for us all.

spartacus93

the merchant wrote: »

isn't is illegal for them to smoke in their cars now?

Fairly sure it is. It's considered their place of work so covered under the ban on smoking in the workplace

steph1

Lauder wrote: »

We should standardise all Taxis as soon as possible. Either start insisting drivers use London Cabs ONLY or something similar or like they have a Athens were all cars are Merc E-Class Diesels less than 8 years old.

We could then are various taxi depots around the city where work could be done, repairs, valets etc. etc, all parts would be the same so jobs could be done quickly and efficiently. I would be a safer, cheaper and cleaner service for us all.

Thats a great idea - and as you say around the city. But bear in mind all taxi or hackney drivers dont work in a city. I work in rural Ireland and I cannot see anyone willing to set up a depot and stay up half the night just in case a taxi needs a quick fix.

Remember drivers are self employed they should have a choice in the car they drive after all we are human and have preference for certain makes of cars and as we are in them for a long time it should be comfortable and suit the driver whilst of course conforming to the regulations as regards space for passengers and luggage. My choice just happens to be a merc as I love them and I think they are a lovely looking car and the punters I get love to get me but I did have a passat before that and a great car it was too.

If you look at the taxi regulator website you will see all sorts of wonderful documents relating to standards in the industry. More glossy publications wasting the taxpayers and our money.

steph1

spartacus93 wrote: »

Fairly sure it is. It's considered their place of work so covered under the ban on smoking in the workplace

Yes a driver is not allowed to smoke in their car while they are operating as a taxi or hackney.

Pity though some of the punters I encounter at the weekends dont obey this. I've had numerous rows with drunks insisting on smoking and once I had to tell a guy to leave the taxi as he would not put the fag out.

-Chris-

I remember walking to the rank in Ranelagh looking for a Taxi. The first car in the queue was a fairly old white Carina that looked like it needed a bit of TLC, the second car was a relatively new Merc E-Class.

I walked past the Carina to the E-Class. The E-Class driver refused to let me in and insisted I take the Carina.

I don't believe this is fair for me as a customer (even though it may be a gentlemens' agreement between taxi drivers) - seeing as the pricing is the same from every supplier, I should be able to choose the supplier who has invested the most in their "premises".

spartacus93

AudiChris wrote: »

I remember walking to the rank in Ranelagh looking for a Taxi. The first car in the queue was a fairly old white Carina that looked like it needed a bit of TLC, the second car was a relatively new Merc E-Class.

I walked past the Carina to the E-Class. The E-Class driver refused to let me in and insisted I take the Carina.

I've done this before for similar reasons. Sometimes the 2nd driver can kick up over it alright. But I agree with you 100%, if you're not happy with the first car you should just go to the second.

If the second fella refuses to take you, leave him off and wait until another one comes along...

Aside from this "gentlemans agreement" the taxi regulator states that the customer can choose any taxi at the rank.

x in the city

taxis in Ireland, along with pretty much everything else are a joke

Was in a cab in the uk [well alot of cabs]last year and they were all pretty much brand new.

dont talk about Germany....

x in the city

spartacus93 wrote: »

I've done this before for similar reasons. Sometimes the 2nd driver can kick up over it alright. But I agree with you 100%, if you're not happy with the first car you should just go to the second.

If the second fella refuses to take you, leave him off and wait until another one comes along...

Aside from this "gentlemans agreement" the taxi regulator states that the customer can choose any taxi at the rank.

why the **** would someone go into a car whose value would be probably lower than the fare you would pay at the end of your trip

garyegt

i do see a fair point here tho. was up in dublin a few moths back, got a taxi a couple of mile costing 20 quid. it was an old carina or corolla i cant remember and had high mileage.

thats fine but what i couldnt stand was the smell. it stunk. he stunk his clothes were filthy as were the seats etc. 1 of the girls i was goin with had to block her nose the whole way. it was unbearable. certainly a health and safety issue of some sort:rolleyes:

Tragedy

steph1 wrote: »

Remember drivers are self employed they should have a choice in the car they drive after all we are human and have preference for certain makes of cars and as we are in them for a long time it should be comfortable and suit the driver whilst of course conforming to the regulations as regards space for passengers and luggage. My choice just happens to be a merc as I love them and I think they are a lovely looking car and the punters I get love to get me but I did have a passat before that and a great car it was too.

Why should they have a choice? Many people works in jobs(employed or self employed) where they have to spend long hours using or in standardised vehicles/equipment/whatnot.

spartacus93

x in the city wrote: »

why the **** would someone go into a car whose value would be probably lower than the fare you would pay at the end of your trip

I know, but it's always the case at a rank that if you approach the second car, he will direct you to the first car. Sometimes they can be very insistant that you go in the first car...

joey54

spartacus93 wrote: »

Aside from this "gentlemans agreement" the taxi regulator states that the customer can choose any taxi at the rank.

I didn't know you could do this. Maybe we all need to start choosing the best car at the rank when getting a taxi. If people were to choose which car they got obviously it would force taxi drivers to improve the standard of car which they are driving.

Air fresheners in some of them wouldn't go astray either. I had reason to get 2 taxi's yesterday and both of them smelt stale and generally unpleasant!

Owen

kceire wrote: »

i have no problem getting into a 92 primara aslong as its maintained and doesnt smell of sh1t.

And for appearances, and comfort that's fine. But there's also safety to consider, and I'd wager that most of the aged taxis out there'd struggle to put a 2 star rating on a modern NCAP crash test report - so if you're in an accident in one, you're much more likely to be maimed.

For that reason alone, Taxis should have a mandatory 4 star safety rating, and be roadworthy to boot.

poisonated

They sometimes ask if you mind if they smoke.. I just say grand as I smoke ocasionlly myself but anyway I dont mind an old taxi as long as its clean and has a driver that is able to speak English and knows the roads.

steph1

poisonated wrote: »

They sometimes ask if you mind if they smoke.. I just say grand as I smoke ocasionlly myself but anyway I dont mind an old taxi as long as its clean and has a driver that is able to speak English and knows the roads.

Eh??? The taxi driver asks if you mind if they smoke??

A taxi driver is not allowed to smoke in the taxi. Well certainly not when they are working and are carrying passengers.

james116

i have a 08 transporter and a lot of the cars going around are junk but at the end of the day a lot of drivers are not makeing money so they have to go around in the **** heaps cos thats all they can pay for.

zilog_jones

Sitec wrote: »

once the vehicle has a valid NCT i dont see the problem. and 99% of taxi's do.

The NCT only shows that car was roadworthy on the day of the test. Considering the relatively heavy use taxis go through, they can easily turn to complete wrecks between NCTs.

One of my major annoyances with some taxi drivers is when you get stuck in the centre seat in the back and the lap belt is either jammed behind the seat or completely inaccessible - and the driver couldn't care less.

Compare this to when I got a taxi in Leeds a few months ago, again stuck in the middle, again looking for the seatbelt but the driver promptly told me where it was (it was one of those ceiling-mounted 3-point belts). And all the taxis there were TX4s, Metrocabs or other cars with at least 5 proper seats and all the one distinctive colour (white with black bonnets and boots) - no Corollas or Almeras where you have your knees in your ears if there's anyone remotely tall in front of you.

Gumbo

ned78 wrote: »

And for appearances, and comfort that's fine. But there's also safety to consider, and I'd wager that most of the aged taxis out there'd struggle to put a 2 star rating on a modern NCAP crash test report - so if you're in an accident in one, you're much more likely to be maimed.

For that reason alone, Taxis should have a mandatory 4 star safety rating, and be roadworthy to boot.

yeah never thought if that end of things, i suppose a taxi can be maintaine to the hilt for all its life but a 92 primera will still be a very unsafe car to be in (NCAP rating), so with that in mind i think taxis should all be a minimum NCAP rating vehicle, and VRT should be abolished for full time taxi drivers in order to allow them to upgrade their cars more often.

Pedro K

Have to say, I agree with a lot of what the OP is saying.

As I had mentioned in a previous thread about the taxi protests, my dad drives a taxi.

He has an 05 Avensis. (Looks nice in black). He doesn't go out working if the car is dirty, he will clean it, and every week he'll give it the full works. Cleaned thoroughly, inside and out. He also has leather covers for the seats.

But anyway, more to the point.

When the taxi men were protesting (my dad included) I always maintained that they were going about it the wrong way altogether, and I said this to the taxi men I know as well.

They were calling for a cap on licenses, which was never going to happen.

I said if they went out and protested against all the heaps of **** on the road, like the 98 Opel Astras, this would take a lot of cars off the road, and in turn, free up the market a bit. I am also of the opinion that jeeps or SUVs shouldn't be allowed operate as taxis.

Jaysoose

steph1 wrote: »

Eh??? The taxi driver asks if you mind if they smoke??

A taxi driver is not allowed to smoke in the taxi. Well certainly not when they are working and are carrying passengers.

It does raise the interesting question.......which would kill you quicker?

Passive smoking or being bored to death.:D

Preset No.3

steph1 wrote: »

in general heaps of ****e being driven around are going to be the norm for some time because drivers cannot afford to upgrade. Simple as that.

Well if they cant afford it, get out of the business. Better still, why dont you protest some more about taxi plates being issued? Instead of doing it on a monday, why not strike on a Saturday night???? Not a frickin chance of that happening.

I point blankly refuse to get into a an old car. Its my €20 that Ive worked hard for. Not to sit in a 91 honda civic, or a 90 Carina.

robtri

taxi drivers... always a big subject...
personally I think its comical to see them protesting about caps on licence....
its a business... anybody can join.. same way anybody can open up a corner shop....
as to the heaps of crap on the road, I wouldn't get into a taxi unless I felt the taxi was safe....All those 92 primera's and 96 astra's and other pieces of junk,

they are a disgrace... and make us look like idiots here.... all these tourists arriving into ireland and what do we pick them up in 15 year old heaps of junk....

ArphaRima

I think that the 9yr limit that will be in force soon will put an end to a lot of this.
Consumers shopping around will help too. I regularly bypass older taxis to get into the newer/better car. Mind you I dont go to ranks. I just put my hand out when I see a nicer one.

If a car in UNSAFE. Like the brake wear light is illuminated etc. Then just tell them you'll email the carriage office with his details. The car will be fixed in a day I reckon.

I was in a taxi yesterday that broke down. (every single light on the dash came on, a burning smell, and engine stopped. Not good). I tried to help him figure out what was wrong, then we both gave up, I paid my fare and got another taxi. Not his fault.

kona

The 9 year rule!! are you serious it should be at max a 5 year rule. A 9 year old taxi is going to be ****ed, The majority of these clowns are there to milk the business dry so they skimp on the servicing to keep costs down and maximise profit.
Im going to take the advice of sombody here, im going to write down the plate of every sack of **** taxi i see and report him. These ***** have pissed me off too much from there pure ignorance to every road user and every customer. Moaning on boards aint going to solve it.

Ah yes the protests, are these guys on the same ****ing planet? sorry with all due respect, its a menial job and should be paid as such, no ****ing way should these muppets be on 60k a year and live like royalty. If you want to be paid high, you put the ****ing work in to a degree or take the risks as a entrepeneur. Driving around dublin city isnt a hard job and should be paid as such.
Why moan that the carreer path you took is not profitable, do what anybody else does and get the boat and another job, or go and get educated.

This is targetted at the muppets in the taxi trade not the minority who are actually doing a proper job of it.

kona

kceire wrote: »

VRT should be abolished for full time taxi drivers in order to allow them to upgrade their cars more often.

Then everybody will buy a plate:D well have a population of taxi drivers:D:D

But somthing along those lines should be brought in.

The cars should be standardised, one make, one level of interior and instead of a year rule a mileage rule.

When has the wear on any machine been measured in time? its measured in miles or cycles, another example of how stupid the people in charge are.

EPM

kona wrote: »

The 9 year rule!! are you serious it should be at max a 5 year rule. A 9 year old taxi is going to be ****ed, The majority of these clowns are there to milk the business dry so they skimp on the servicing to keep costs down and maximise profit

There's nothing wrong with a guy buying a low mileage 5 year old car and driving it for a few years as a cab - the reg plate has very little to do with it.

Also, any of the owner drivers I know look after their car extremely well as it is their livelyhood and a day off the road is a days earnings lost. I'd say many of the crap buckets you see on the road do not have owner drivers behind the wheel

-Chris-

kona wrote: »

The 9 year rule!! are you serious...
<insert rant here>
...who are actually doing a proper job of it.

Deep breath there Kona...

kona

AudiChris wrote: »

Deep breath there Kona...

:pac::pac::D:D I did say I was on a rant at the start:D

bladespin

Have to give credit to our local taxis on this (Navan) most of the cars are in very good condition, not all are new(ish) cars but they seem good enough.

kona

EPM wrote: »

There's nothing wrong with a guy buying a low mileage 5 year old car and driving it for a few years as a cab - the reg plate has very little to do with it.

Also, any of the owner drivers I know look after their car extremely well as it is their livelyhood and a day off the road is a days earnings lost. I'd say many of the crap buckets you see on the road do not have owner drivers behind the wheel

Well the taxi drivers know where the problems are, if they allowed a boycott of these **** heaps it would mean nobody would use them. which would mean more fares for the lads who actually take care of their cars. Also ill be able to actually drive in the city, without so much of the taxis clogging up everywhere.

I totally agree there is nothing wrong with a 5 year old car, im talking about how a low milage 5 year old car is miles away from a high mileage 5 yar old car.

Heres another fact aimed at a know it all who i had the displeasure of doing buisness with.......100k mile ISNT breaking in mileage, on any car never mind a 96 carina. maybe on autobahn or motorway its will be easier on the engine, but 100k in stop start traffic means, unless you change oil every 2k , your engine will be ****ed.

Thats why I think time is a stupid way of measuring a taxis life, it has to be mileage, that way its fairer to everybody, and in a few years you could tell the part timers from the full timers by the year!!

The 9 year rule is a start but its totally inadequate. I think there should be a inspector who inspects the cars and if they dont meet the standard then the plate is taken until the standard is met(a new car).

bladespin

kona wrote: »

Thats why I think time is a stupid way of measuring a taxis life, it has to be mileage, that way its fairer to everybody, and in a few years you could tell the part timers from the full timers by the year!!

Fair point, though proper maintenance will mean the car could well go into mega figures (300K+ miles) without being useless.

Mileage is the only way to gauge the value of commercials (which is what a taxi is really).

EPM

I dont necessarily think mileage is as good a measure as people think either. A 300k Avensis may, with proper care, be infinitely better than a car with half the mileage and not looked after. There are some complete sheds about there, but the only point I can see against an old high mileage car thats been cared for is the NCAP rating.

Maybe an incredibly strict test is in order for any car with a taxi licence with minimum tollerances?

kona

mileage is the fairest way TBH, maybe have a appeals process for higher mileage cars where they are viewed by judge.

Mechanically they maybe perfect but id hate to see what a toyota interior looks like after 300k of taxi life:o

Its more than just mechanics, its the overall standard of the car. Ive been in cars in scrap yards in better condition than some taxis ive been in.

Maybe ever a differnt pricing structure for older cars. So if you ant to go in a merc you pay, if you are bothered then you can take the cheap clapped out banger.

EPM

But seats can be replaced just like a tyre, set of decent seat covers and they'd last no problem.

A very strict mechanical test is the fairest way regardless of age and mileage

kona

EPM wrote: »

But seats can be replaced just like a tyre, set of decent seat covers and they'd last no problem.

A very strict mechanical test is the fairest way regardless of age and mileage

In all fairness if these clowns cant change a bulb when it goes, or dont have the cop on to know when to change brake discs, can you expect them to change seats?? doubt it.

They are like kids, you have to tell them what to do.

EPM

kona wrote: »

In all fairness if these clowns cant change a bulb when it goes, or dont have the cop on to know when to change brake discs, can you expect them to change seats?? doubt it.

They are like kids, you have to tell them what to do.

Well then it'd fail the mechanical test:D