Are You Fussy About What Kinda Taxi You Get Into?

I Was VB

This is strictly about the cars plying as taxi's not about the drivers, or the politics of driving a taxi or the taxi trade.

Just wondering to myself lately do people select thier choice of taxi they're getting into, or are they fussed about what they get into?? Seen this happen recently where the 1st car was a 2000 Toyota Avensis well kept and in roadworthy condition, the people wanted to get into a taxi that was behind it. A 1996 Mercedes E-Class, just because it was a Merc they wanted to get into it. The regulator says you can get into any taxi of your choice. Do you excercise this right?

KeithM89_old

I could be really racist here but i wont...

Reganio 2

I know quite a few people that won't get into a foreigners taxi. Personally if it dosn't have a door missing then its all good. Why would you be a snob? Your gonna be in it for about 15 mins get over it.

baldymac

well most taxi's now are in a line, so you take the 1st one, if you decide to try an get into lets say the 3rd or 4th taxi, not sure how the 1st taxi driver would feel

I Was VB

KeithM89 wrote: »

I could be really racist here but i wont...

The poll/thread is about taxi cars, not taxi drivers.

Pauleta

When i use taxi's im usually hammered so i probably dont notice

mikemac

Not realy

Maybe if I had my bike and I need a wheelchair accessible taxi to carry it. In that case no issue and the drivers have no issue either

Too many 1990's battered Carina's around for my liking though

Agent Smith

baldymac wrote: »

well most taxi's now are in a line, so you take the 1st one, if you decide to try an get into lets say the 3rd or 4th taxi, not sure how the 1st taxi driver would feel

By law, you are entitled to take what ever taxi you want at a rank

baldymac

Agent Smith wrote: »

By law, you are entitled to take what ever taxi you want at a rank

nice ill do that next time, cause bit if agro,

Buceph

When I'm with one friend of mine I'll only get into a wheelchair accessible one. For obvious reasons. Which now allows me to rant at the ****ing disgraceful behaviour of some of the guys in wheelchair taxis. The amount of times he, and me when I've been with him, have approached a taxi with the wheelchair sign, only for the driver to say he doesn't have the ramps is a disgrace. And another one is them pimping for better trips, with more people so they can charge more. The wheelchair taxis pay a reduced, if not completely free license fee on the basis that they give priority to people who need the wheelchair service. If there's two people looking for a taxi, and one of them is in a wheelchair they have to go with the wheelchair passenger. And if they have the wheelchair sign on their board, they have to be carrying the ramps. There's loads who break those two rules. Complete chancers, totally ripping off the system, and letting people who really need their service down very badly.

Dudess

I Was VB wrote: »

Just wondering to myself lately do people select thier choice of taxi they're getting into, or are they fussed about what they get into?? Seen this happen recently where the 1st car was a 2000 Toyota Avensis well kept and in roadworthy condition, the people wanted to get into a taxi that was behind it. A 1996 Mercedes E-Class, just because it was a Merc they wanted to get into it.

Wtf? Seriously? Although maybe some peeps just want to see what the inside of a Merc is like, but you'd wanna be pretty sober (not saying there's anything wrong with that btw) to care...

mrDerek

just outa curiosity is it illegal for a taxi driver to knowingly take a longer route to drive up a fare?

major bill

Speaking of taxi choice I was in a racist nigerian mans taxi there last week i got in after 2 others chose the cars behind him....very funny, ''get off the road you chinease bastard'', made me laugh very Ironic!!!!

I Was VB

Buceph wrote: »

When I'm with one friend of mine I'll only get into a wheelchair accessible one. For obvious reasons. Which now allows me to rant at the ****ing disgraceful behaviour of some of the guys in wheelchair taxis. The amount of times he, and me when I've been with him, have approached a taxi with the wheelchair sign, only for the driver to say he doesn't have the ramps is a disgrace. And another one is them pimping for better trips, with more people so they can charge more. The wheelchair taxis pay a reduced, if not completely free license fee on the basis that they give priority to people who need the wheelchair service. If there's two people looking for a taxi, and one of them is in a wheelchair they have to go with the wheelchair passenger. And if they have the wheelchair sign on their board, they have to be carrying the ramps. There's loads who break those two rules. Complete chancers, totally ripping off the system, and letting people who really need their service down very badly.

I briefly drove a wheelchair taxi over the christmas period last, have to say i didnt mind driving them, i got a wheelchair passanger who was gratefull that i didnt ''leave him behind'' his words, and kinda shocked me. I hope you get the numbers of them and report them to the Taxi Regulator.

ION08

What, just cos he's black means he can't be racist?!

Jimmy Garlic

Agent Smith wrote: »

By law, you are entitled to take what ever taxi you want at a rank

Only pricks do that. Taxi drivers and taxis are not like hookers in a window in Amsterdam, social etiquette says you go to the top of the rank.

eternal

Taxi drivers here have to stay within the speed limit.Go abroad and find yourself racing at high speed ,going in and out of lanes.Its terrifying .

howardmarks

Driver at the top of the lines been waiting longest. only fair i get in his/hers.
Unless its a complete skip like a early 90s carina and hasnt been washed and looks a bit small. In that instance i may and only sometimes wait 5 mins til the queue moves. still if he looks friendly id forgo all that too. Always sit in the front so i can talk the ears off the driver. ha

Pdfile

the second i get into at axi, i check for smell and dirt... to be honest... its generally a private and job car so alot of people do be in it....


also the driver has to be clean, even though i dont work in the public domain, i still have to keep myself spotless ( much like everyone else )


either of the above are invalid, ill hop out not a bother to me.

also i heard that argument too and its Bull**** op, a 96 Could be a nice car if an s500 or simular, but if its a pile of rust e200 with bogey suspention, exhaust rust and chrome arches with a driver who smells like ****e ( i smoke alot, yet can smells it ) and plays crappy music/talks rubbish to ye id rather be in a 91 carina, with the classic " no style or comfort " seats

eternal

Jimmy Garlic wrote: »

Only pricks do that. Taxi drivers and taxis are not like hookers in a window in Amsterdam, social etiquette says you go to the top of the rank.

I further this and I have to say that ANY time I have gone by mistake to the middle of the queue when drunk or whatever ,the taxi driver ALWAYS says 'go to the first one.'

howardmarks

Pdfile wrote: »

the second i get into at axi, i check for smell and dirt... to be honest... its generally a private and job car so alot of people do be in it....


also the driver has to be clean, even though i dont work in the public domain, i still have to keep myself spotless ( much like everyone else )


either of the above are invalid, ill hop out not a bother to me.

also i heard that argument too and its Bull**** op, a 96 Could be a nice car if an s500 or simular, but if its a pile of rust e200 with bogey suspention, exhaust rust and chrome arches with a driver who smells like ****e ( i smoke alot, yet can smells it ) and plays crappy music/talks rubbish to ye id rather be in a 91 carina, with the classic " no style or comfort " seats

Wouldnt do this.
Nice name

howardmarks

eternal wrote: »

I further this and I have to say that ANY time I have gone by mistake to the middle of the queue when drunk or whatever ,the taxi driver ALWAYS says 'go to the first one.'

At three in the morning even taxi drivers dont mind u doing this as the queue moves quick so theres little waiting around between jobs and 9 times outa 10 if u pick a car instead of using the queue your not the kinda client they want anyway

randylonghorn

Unless there's something obviously wrong with the car, I'll hop in the first one.

That said, the day I see a taxi with a sign in the front window which says "I promise not to harangue you with my opinions on politics / the economy / current events / the state of the taxi trade!" I'm taking that one, no matter how far back in the line it is!

howardmarks

That all comes in the price of the fare. You can get a discount if u ask for it to be not provided

pappyodaniel

Depends on how sober or desperate for a lift. I have gone back a few places in ranks and gotten into the newer cleaner taxi. Same price, better comforts.

A little thing I appreciate is when a driver doesn't add the extra euros for the 2nd, 3rd and 4th passengers. Taxis are way too expensive as it is and if I notice that the driver doesn't add them I'll equal his loss with a tip worth more than the extra sum.

If you're sound you'll be rewarded.

I Was VB

pappyodaniel wrote: »

Depends on how sober or desperate for a lift. I have gone back a few places in ranks and gotten into the newer cleaner taxi. Same price, better comforts.

A little thing I appreciate is when a driver doesn't add the extra euros for the 2nd, 3rd and 4th passengers. Taxis are way too expensive as it is and if I notice that the driver doesn't add them I'll equal his loss with a tip worth more than the extra sum.

If you're sound you'll be rewarded.

Thats fair enough if the driver does it as his own free will, but you're the minority who will notice it and pay the driver the balance on what he would of lost. Noting to do with the driver being 'sound' either, honestly i've a hard time beliving the stroy of drivers not putting on extra's, of which he's prefectly entitled to do.

pappyodaniel

I Was VB wrote: »

Thats fair enough if the driver does it as his own free will, but you're the minority who will notice it and pay the driver the balance on what he would of lost. Noting to do with the driver being 'sound' either, honestly i've a hard time beliving the stroy of drivers not putting on extra's, of which he's prefectly entitled to do.

I drive taxi and never charge the extras.

Admit it, taxis are over-priced.

mikemac

I was VB, what car have you yourself out of interest as you are out taxiing?

So we can look out for it?

Agent Smith wrote: »

By law, you are entitled to take what ever taxi you want at a rank

True, not something I do myself but there a lot of one eyed wonders out there (broken headlight/failed bulb or tailight) and for "professional drivers" that's inexcusable.
That's realy the main reason I'd ever skip the first car in a rank and I'd be happy to tell them why

I Was VB

feelingstressed wrote: »

I was VB, what car have you yourself out of interest as you are out taxiing?

So we can look out for it?

1994 Toyota Corona

pappyodaniel wrote: »

I drive taxi and never charge the extras.

Admit it, taxis are over-priced.

Depends on the journeys taken of 4 people hop into a taxi and the fare is €20 its alot less painfull than one person getting into a taxi for the same journey and paying €20. Anyway the price of taxi's is not what this thread is about.

jill_valentine

Don't care what kind of taxi I'm getting into, so long as the previous occupant isn't lying face first through the windscreen, and there's no bicycle parts in the grille.

Blatter

major bill wrote: »

Speaking of taxi choice I was in a racist nigerian mans taxi there last week i got in after 2 others chose the cars behind him....very funny, ''get off the road you chinease bastard'', made me laugh very Ironic!!!!

How is that Ironic?

Some would call your post racist.

Pdfile

howardmarks wrote: »

Wouldnt do this.
Nice name

you have every right to, if your criteria has not been meet to then engage in a verbal contract ( i.e take me to point b please ) then their was no contract in the first place, he/she can go join the dole cue etc etc

and thank you howard, you have earned yourself 10 duetche marks ( just need to invent a time machine so you can spend them.... might cost a few quid so invent the tenner i just gave ya i guess )

Napper Hawkins

ION08 wrote: »

What, just cos he's black means he can't be racist?!

Didn't you know? Only white people are capable of racism.

Azureus

Always get into a clean car but that's it really.
I tend to veer towards Irish drivers if I have the option though purely because most have a better knowledge of the roads and I've had a few bad experiences with foreign drivers taking me the super long way to get to places. Swords to Crumlin €50 with no traffic on the roads... Don't think so.

I'll add to this that some of the friendliest drivers have been foreign, and have done me favours giving me a flat rate off the meter etc aswell so cant really generalise.

Biggins

I always use the one firm.
They ALL know me, know my wife and kids, I could honestly ring them up in five minutes and tell them I have no money to pay them right away (don't happen but if it did in emergencies...) - and they would still come.
They are also reasonable as regards fares. They are what good taxi drivers should be.

There is also the rare occasion that I have to use other taxis, especially in Dublin where very often I have to go to one place regular. I can honestly say that my 3/4 years now since I go to this place, NOT ONE random driver that I've asked to take me there, has ripped me off in any way.

However back in my own home town on the rare occasion when I also use a rank random taxi, sometimes I do so, certain - NOT ALL - drivers try to rip-me off by taking a longer route more than usual or just charging more than normal.

Taxi drivers in general I feel get a bad rap.
The majority of them are struggling to keep their heads above water as regards money coming in versus the bills they too have to pay.
Its the odd rotten apple in the barrel that is ruining the names of taxi drivers in general.
Be they bad for service, price or just pure ignorance, a certain few are ruining it (the business) for the many.

Sunnyisland

Most times I just get the 1st taxi in line & dot notice anything about it till i am in it, usually i am to preoccupied with other things to notice any thing unfavorable to be honest.I do think it would be great for tourism & everyday users if all taxis were of the same highest standards, clean,roomy and big saloons or 7 seaters etc.

_feedback_

Will always take the first Taxi in line, unless it is a Taxi that I've had a bad experience/service from previously (which does happen often enough).

I wouldn't refuse first in line based on the condition of the car though.

Cupcake_Crisis

I'm not fussy, as long as it gets me home i'm happy

stovelid

As a rule, they have to stop for me, take me home in exchange for money and not dispense inane platitudes about the Premiership all the way home.

Dick Burns

i am not fussy or racist,i know one or two coloured taxi drivers which i use if i see them in the rank but other then that i will only use an irish driver,ive seen coloured taxi drivers take down the taxi sign when the inspector is in town and its hard too know who the legit ones are,also one night after a few pints a coloured taxi brought me home,well after a few detours,normally from the square in navan to my house is €6.50 max the meter read €15.60 i refused to pay and threaten to call the guards,the driver pushed me out of his taxi and drove off

im not painting non irish taxi drivers with the same brush(no pun intended) but its the few that are ruining it for the resr

BizzyC

Only time i'll feel weird about getting in a taxi is if it's one of those people-carrier/minibus ones and I'm on my own....

axer

Dick Burns wrote: »

i know one or two coloured taxi drivers which i use if i see them in the rank

What colour are they?

Dick Burns

axer wrote: »

What colour are they?

they are from the local tribe of Na'vi,you may of seen the film that came out about them,avatar

twinQuins

Jimmy Garlic wrote: »

Only pricks do that. Taxi drivers and taxis are not like hookers in a window in Amsterdam, social etiquette says you go to the top of the rank.

No it doesn't.

Taxi driver etiquette says that but I couldn't care less about whatever makey-uppy rules they keep amongst themselves. It's a business, not an old boys club.

axer

Dick Burns wrote: »

they are from the local tribe of Na'vi,you may of seen the film that came out about them,avatar

So they are blue?

petes

I generally ring the same taxi office to collect me where ever I am when I'm out and about. Same price home and I don't have to walk to the rank. This is in Dundalk.


If it happens I am at the rank fcuk the taxi mens etiquette, it's not mine. I'll jump in to whichever one I like. This however would not be in the middle of the night when there is a massive queue or anything as that seems to aggravate a few people!!

TheZohanS

twinQuins wrote: »

No it doesn't.

Taxi driver etiquette says that but I couldn't care less about whatever makey-uppy rules they keep amongst themselves. It's a business, not an old boys club.

It's etiquette when it suits them.

For years at my local taxi rank it was always "take the first taxi" and if you hopped into the second taxi you'd be told to get out and to get into the first in the rank. Now that there are a few black taxi drivers it's a free for all and the taxi drivers on the rank will open the door for you so you don't take a taxi with a black driver.

Daegerty

Missing option

I actively seek out the oldest banger of the lot to ensure I can have a good conversation with the driver about how they "dont make them the way they used to"

omega666

If the first car is a dirty 1991 Toyota and the car behind it is a year old Mercedes then of course yes I will get into the second car.
It not going to cost me any extra so why wouldn’t i take the better option.

I like to think of it as rewarding Mr Mercedes for putting more effort into his profession!

celticbest

I hand pick the Taxi I'm going to take, the way I look at it is I'm paying good money to use it, whether it's a heap of Junk or a brand new car the price is the same, for safety and comfort I always go for the newest / most prestigious one in the rank.

If a Taxi driver is p1ssed at me for not taking there car which is first in the rank I tell them why I wouldn't get into it. I wouldn't drive a junker so why would I pay for the privilege of bring driven in one ??

maglite

IMO A Taxi is a business.
If the driver invests more in their business by way of a better/newer car then I will be more likely to pick him/her.