Lady Cabs...

lynnyloo

Hi Everyone ! Im not sure if this topic was discussed before.

I was chatting to a friend this evening who was out in town last night and when it came to going home, she and a friend got a taxi from the main strip.. Her friend was dropped off first and then the taxi driver drove her the longest route home. When she asked , Do you not know where you are going ? he replied that he did. This trip usually cost €10 but this taxi driver ( Not from Waterford ) tried to charge her €14. She argued her point and all he got was €10 but she told me that this was the second time he had dropped her home. On the first occasion he also overcharged her and locked her into the car till she paid up.. ( When she initially got into the cab last night she didnt cop that it was him ).
I think it is a disgrace that he would intimidate her like this especially when she as on her own and as you can imagine she was quite nervous after her previous experience.
We were just chatting about this at home and I think it would be a great idea if someone out there would set up a Lady Cab business.
I used this kind of service in London and it was brilliant. Im sure within time it would be extremely successful and one of a kind to Waterford..
What do you think ??:)

Adyx

I think there is zero market for this in Ireland, let alone somewhere like Waterford. Besides, what difference does it make whether it's a male or female taxi driver ripping you off?

MitchKoobski

But sure then the female drivers would just lock us men in the car until we pay the price on the meter.

What is the world coming to?

lynnyloo

Looks like you have totally missed the point but hey I assume ur a man. I know for a fact that it would be really popular:)

lynnyloo

MitchKoobski wrote: »

But sure then the female drivers would just lock us men in the car until we pay the price on the meter.

What is the world coming to?

No men allowed full stop..

Flyin Irishman

lynnyloo wrote: »

I know for a fact that it would be really popular:)

Do it then

lynnyloo wrote: »

No men allowed full stop..

Is that legal??

lynnyloo

Flyin Irishman wrote: »

Do it then



Is that legal??

Thats a bit of a silly question now isnt it ??
If I could afford a **** load of Pink Cabs in Waterford I would do it in the morning...:D

lynnyloo

something like this would be perfect !!

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3011/3025818622_fff504203f.jpg

henboy

Adyx wrote: »

I think there is zero market for this in Ireland, let alone somewhere like Waterford. Besides, what difference does it make whether it's a male or female taxi driver ripping you off?

Think your wrong there buddy , reading the thread I think it comes down to intimidation . JMO

takola

lynnyloo wrote: »

something like this would be perfect !!

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3011/3025818622_fff504203f.jpg

Ha! There isn't a women alive with a bit of dignity that would get into that car!

I can see your point, absolutely. But I wouldn't frequent a womens' only cab company on principle. Women today get away with too much. We expect to be allowed to have things simply because we're "women". The insurance company for women (can't remember the name, but nothing should ever have that much pink associated with it.) does my head in. If there were an insurance company dedicated solely to men, we would be screaming discrimination. That's how we work. If it's of benefit to women, we're all for it. If it's of benefit to men, it's sexist, and discriminatory.

marlin vs

If you'r not happy with the service take the taxi no, and the name which should be displayed and go to the Garda station with you'r complaint,now go and do it,if you'r complaint is legit they will follow it up,don't be cribbing on the internet go and do it youself.

daenerysstormborn3

Female taxi drivers can be just as intimidating when they want to be. Plenty of female taxi drivers in Dublin. A taxi company I used to use a lot would ask when booking if you would prefer a male or female driver and try to accommodate you when possible, this was offered to male and female customers.

I got a taxi from Dublin City Centre to Hueston Station and the female taxi driver was really aggressive. I was going to get the train (obviously) and i think i had 30 minutes to spare and it was a pretty quiet time of day and the woman got really aggressive saying that she wasn't a helicopter and if we didn't make it it wasn't her problem, that giving out continued for 10 minutes of the 15 minute journey and when we got to the station she said "right we're here, happy now". When i got into the taxi i didn't demand she rush me to the station or anything of the sort. Just an example of how female taxi drivers can also be intimidating.

I don't think waterford is big enough for a female only taxi service.

dayshah

lynnyloo wrote: »

Hi Everyone ! Im not sure if this topic was discussed before.

I was chatting to a friend this evening who was out in town last night and when it came to going home, she and a friend got a taxi from the main strip..

Anyone stupid enough to call John Street 'the strip' or 'the village' deserves to get ripped off in my book.

Also, you might want to look into legislation on discrimination. Actually don't. I want you to open your company. That way I can sue yo ass for discrimination, and use the settlement to get lots of overpriced taxi rides.

MitchKoobski

What if we had Lad Cabs, where there were tv's in the headrests showing Match of the Day?

lynnyloo

dayshah wrote: »

Anyone stupid enough to call John Street 'the strip' or 'the village' deserves to get ripped off in my book.

Also, you might want to look into legislation on discrimination. Actually don't. I want you to open your company. That way I can sue yo ass for discrimination, and use the settlement to get lots of overpriced taxi rides.

First of all I can call the Strip what I like so get a grip..
Secondly.. Discrimination is a very strong word.. I dont see what the problem is providing a service just for women.. But only for you I will make an allowance.. If you really want a ride in my Pink cab.. just call....Ill have the hair straightners powered up and ready

lynnyloo

MitchKoobski wrote: »

What if we had Lad Cabs, where there were tv's in the headrests showing Match of the Day?

Now you're only copying my ideas;)

nkay1985

I also see your point but there isn't enough business out there for normal taxis, never mind one with a smaller market. And, if it was a success, one of the main companies could just replicate the idea and bully a new company out of the market with a superior marketing budget etc.

On the point of the anecdote, I'm assuming that girl took his name, ID number, make, model and registration number of the car and reported the behaviour to the local Garda station? If not, then she's very silly indeed and leave the threat of that happening to some other person with potentially worse consequences.

lynnyloo

nkay1985 wrote: »

I also see your point but there isn't enough business out there for normal taxis, never mind one with a smaller market. And, if it was a success, one of the main companies could just replicate the idea and bully a new company out of the market with a superior marketing budget etc.

On the point of the anecdote, I'm assuming that girl took his name, ID number, make, model and registration number of the car and reported the behaviour to the local Garda station? If not, then she's very silly indeed and leave the threat of that happening to some other person with potentially worse consequences.

In fairness I do agree but she was soo nervous she just ran into the house.
I said it to her earlier but when she got to the sitting room window to look out her was gone.

Minstrel27

Sexism is alive and well

dayshah

lynnyloo wrote: »

Secondly.. Discrimination is a very strong word.. I dont see what the problem is providing a service just for women.. But only for you I will make an allowance.. If you really want a ride in my Pink cab.. just call....Ill have the hair straightners powered up and ready

You can't refuse to hire someone to drive a taxi just because he's a man. You can only do gender based discrimination for some very specific jobs, like acting, modelling, and some home help type jobs.

Your idea is about as well thought out as Bob Tweedy calling John Street 'the strip'.

Faq

ring hackney cab set price i only ever ring them always 7 euro from where im going from to get home and i have used other taxi costing more

looksee

I've tried ringing but all I get is 'the journey is metered, we can't tell you how much it will be'.

TheHumanOnion

Faq wrote: »

ring hackney cab set price i only ever ring them always 7 euro from where im going from to get home and i have used other taxi costing more

+1

Easily the cheapest in town. Most I've ever been charged to get anywhere in town is €7 Monday-Saturday (€8 on Sundays), and only €10 out to Grannagh (Usually costs around €14 on the meter)

SillyMcCarthy

Out of pure idle curiosity, did this fella happen to be a white irish fellow?

Chochese

lynnyloo wrote: »

No men allowed full stop..

Sorry, darlin'...

Check out the Taxi Regulation website here

Taxi drivers may not unreasonably refuse service for journeys of 30km or less

I'd say being refused service on the basis of having a wang and nadgers would be classed as unreasonable.

Still, it's cute seeing girls try to be all enterprising. Now, back to the kitchen and make me a sammich.

Cheers toots *slap on the arse

lynnyloo

Chochese wrote: »

Sorry, darlin'...

Check out the Taxi Regulation website here



I'd say being refused service on the basis of having a wang and nadgers would be classed as unreasonable.

Still, it's cute seeing girls try to be all enterprising. Now, back to the kitchen and make me a sammich.

Cheers toots *slap on the arse

Never ever underestimate a woman... toots !! Make sure you dont choke on that Sammich... Id hate too see you turn blue :D:D:D:D:D

dayshah

lynnyloo wrote: »

Never ever underestimate a woman... toots !! Make sure you dont choke on that Sammich... Id hate too see you turn blue :D:D:D:D:D

No basically you can't refuse to take a customer on the basis they are a man, and you can't refuse to hire someone on the basis they are a man.

And your friend doesn't seem to be able to look in the window to see who is driving, in case its the one man she doesn't like.

Yeah, this business plan can't fail :rolleyes:

henboy

No basically you can't refuse to take a customer on the basis they are a man, and you can't refuse to hire someone on the basis they are a man

Some ideal world you live in .......

mikeym

I've been in plenty of taxis were the driver didn't have a clue were he was going.

And yes their not Irish.

michellie

Heard about stuff like this happening. It happened my boyfriends mother(overcharging wise).

Happened me one night coming home from town, the taxi had dropped my friend at her house and then went to take a turn to go a totally different and longer direction to my house. I just said "hey your going the wrong way there, what's the story?" and straight away he said " oh yea, sorry about that" he was chancing his arm! I was on my own and was nervous, luckily I was aware of what was going on around me.

Few people I know now are asking for local drivers when they phone.

mrsmiawallace6

i am know i am going to get shouted down but i dont care. i agree wit lynnyloo that it is a problem for girls feeling intimiated when been brought home on their own.

The driver has control of that situation and ur putting ur trust in a stranger, a lot of the times they dont know were they are going and can be very rude.


I dont think the idea could work though as it would not make enough money. But i know plenty of girls who hate getting a late night taxi home by themselves.

lynnyloo

michellie wrote: »

Heard about stuff like this happening. It happened my boyfriends mother(overcharging wise).

Happened me one night coming home from town, the taxi had dropped my friend at her house and then went to take a turn to go a totally different and longer direction to my house. I just said "hey your going the wrong way there, what's the story?" and straight away he said " oh yea, sorry about that" he was chancing his arm! I was on my own and was nervous, luckily I was aware of what was going on around me.

Few people I know now are asking for local drivers when they phone.

When we were heading out last night I rang my local taxi and also requested a local driver and when going home I also choose the car I was getting into even though it was 3rd in the line.. The driver said I had a right to pick whichever car I wanted and basically I should ignore any reaction I get from other drivers..

Either way I cant win with my idea and it was only a suggestion.. But hey.. when I win Euro millions, ill have pink cabs scattered all over the place.. just to annoy every chauvinistic man in the city hehehehe !!!!;)

Flyin Irishman

lynnyloo wrote: »

When we were heading out last night I rang my local taxi and also requested a local driver and when going home I also choose the car I was getting into even though it was 3rd in the line.. The driver said I had a right to pick whichever car I wanted and basically I should ignore any reaction I get from other drivers..

Either way I cant win with my idea and it was only a suggestion.. But hey.. when I win Euro millions, ill have pink cabs scattered all over the place.. just to annoy every chauvinistic man in the city hehehehe !!!!;)

I think youre still missing the point: it's not about chauvinism, what youre suggesting would be illegal, and incredibly sexist! Nobody should be discriminated against because of their gender, "equality" doesnt just apply to women.....

To address the issue youre friend encountered, I would suggest she has a good look at the driver of any taxi she might be getting in future, and if she doesnt want to get in the car with the person behind the wheel, dont. - Get another taxi.

ocli64

I think there is a lot to be said for the OPs idea. I think a lot of men, through no fault of their own, really have no idea how much harder it can be to get home if you are a woman. I would never get a taxi home alone after a night out and wouldn't ever consider walking home. I know that men can be assaulted too but the sad fact is that it is way more likely for a woman to be assaulted or intimidated by a male taxi driver than by a female one.

Providing a taxi service for females run by females, in my view, isn't sexist or discriminatory. The reason being that the situation is totally different for a woman travelling home in a taxi than it is for a man and so there is a need to provide a different service to suit the needs of the customer.

I personally know three different women who experienced varying degrees of assault/intimidation in taxis and, while it would be ideal to take the drivers name and number, in a traumatic situation this is far less likely to happen.

TheHumanOnion

A lot of taxi companies have female drivers (I know for a fact that Hackney and Rapid Cabs both have them), and if you request a female driver they are always happy to send one.

You might be waiting a few minutes longer if the driver is already on a job, but surely having a female driver would overcome the "intimidation" issue.

Unfortunately I'm not sure if Hackney always has one on late every night, but Rapid have always had one on any time any of my mates ring asking for one

dayshah

ocli64 wrote: »

I know that men can be assaulted too but the sad fact is that it is way more likely for a woman to be assaulted or intimidated by a male taxi driver than by a female one.

If its intimidating for female passengers, is it any less intimidating for female drivers? Drunk women are just as likely (probably more likely) to puke all over the car, and can be just as violent. Maybe there is a reason most night time taxi drivers are men.

There have been a few issues raised about problems with a minority of taxi drivers. There is a taxi ombudsman (or ombudswoman) for a reason. If you have complaints you can direct them towards her office.

There is zero reason to start discriminating against people, when we already have all the necessary safeguards in place.

ocli64

dayshah wrote: »

There is zero reason to start discriminating against people, when we already have all the necessary safeguards in place.

I would agree with this statement were the necessary safeguards in place. However the fact is that without specific information relating to a taxi driver very little can be done should they behave inappropriately.

When getting a taxi home after a night out it can be near impossible to get a woman taxi driver, not because they dont work nights due to being intimidated, but because there are hardly any to begin with!

If you phone a taxi company at that hour of the night to request a particular driver most of them will suggest you walking to a less crowded location to avoid drunks hopping in when they've come specifically to collect you. However a woman waiting around far from the crowds also isn't ideal.

I use a particular small taxi company that I trust but with the bigger companies it can be very hard to make a complaint go through.

dayshah

ocli64 wrote: »

However the fact is that without specific information relating to a taxi driver very little can be done should they behave inappropriately.

In the case mentioned in the OP all the person needed to do was look in the window.

I'm a man, but I'm not too worried about my girlfriend/sisters/mother taking a taxi. All legitimate taxis have the identification of the driver. I'd be far far more worried about some random person bundling them into the back of a car. You could say the same about allowing a plumber you don't know into your home, or going to a doctor you don't know.

The best thing is for a woman to have a list of numbers of drivers they trust. You said something about them being booked out, but this could happen just as easily to lady cabs (with the exception that lady cabs would of course be totally illegal).

Monty Burnz

lynnyloo wrote: »

just to annoy every chauvinistic man in the city hehehehe !!!!;)

Are the 'chauvinistic men' the ones here who are objecting to your sexist plan?

Doublethink is real.

ocli64

dayshah wrote: »

In the case mentioned in the OP all the person needed to do was look in the window.

I'm a man, but I'm not too worried about my girlfriend/sisters/mother taking a taxi. All legitimate taxis have the identification of the driver. I'd be far far more worried about some random person bundling them into the back of a car. You could say the same about allowing a plumber you don't know into your home, or going to a doctor you don't know.

The best thing is for a woman to have a list of numbers of drivers they trust. You said something about them being booked out, but this could happen just as easily to lady cabs (with the exception that lady cabs would of course be totally illegal).

I never mentioned the taxi being booked out. What I was referring to was the fact that unless you want to wait around after a night out the only option is to get a taxi from the rank.

Also, until you have gotten into a taxi it can be very difficult to tell if a taxi is legitimate. Primetime exposed the amount of unlicensed taxis driving around so unless it's come to the stage where people ask the driver for identification before getting into the taxi this argument has no bearing on the reality of the situation.

With regards to the legality of the situation, I think a company that is promoted as female friendly without excluding males would be the way to go. Obviously if I were travelling home with a man it would be ridiculous to expect him to get a different taxi and the same goes for if the taxi is waiting on a rank it would be ridiculous to turn away a male customer. However I think a taxi company that takes the needs of women seriously and also complaints by women against drivers seriously, is long overdue. At the moment unless a woman wants to go through legal proceedings very little can be done.

Comparing the confines of a taxi to a doctor's surgery or a person's own house is clutching at straws in my view. While I would certainly be uncomfortable with letting anyone I dont know into my house, most doctor's surgeries would have more than one other person in the building. Also, it is a lot easier to get access to a female doctor than a female taxi driver.

seanybiker

ocli64 wrote: »

I think a company that is promoted as female friendly without excluding males would be the way to go.

So basically you would like the way it is now except it pretends to be for women only, well only advertises for women. Dont get me wrong Im not having a go at ya.
I suppose Im luky in the fact Im only living in hillview so I never really got into taking taxi's as its only a 15-20 minute walk for me after going out in town.

I totally agree with you that it might be scary for a woman to get in a taxi, so I do think if there was a lady only taxi they probably would take off a bit. wouldnt make crazy money but I can see it being sustainable.


Most of us know taxi drivers anyways and have their personal mobile number to ring anytime we want taxi's. Fair enough I did wreck togo's head once or twice ringing at stupid o clock looking for a lift to a session but sure feck it.

zhaoj23

I don't think waterford is big enough for a female only taxi service.

Master and commander

I think this would be a non-runner anywhere in ireland and especially in waterford as its so small. the market just isn't there for it. Surely the OP realises that this plan will have eliminated exactly half of the passenger market from the outset. Try getting a business loan or investors for that!!!, you'd be laughed out of the bank.

It's not only the male portion of the market lost, you will also lose many women, picture this situation -

scenario 1:a group of guys and girls going for a night out in town call a taxi but taxi says " no I will only carry the girls, boys cant get in, you get a different taxi" Sure they would all just get a regular taxi from the outset, less hassle.

Scenario 2: couple want a lift to airport/trainstation/whatever, call taxi, driver says "I'll only bring you(girl), your boyfriend cant come, he'll have to find his own way" -yeah right, again they would just call a regualr taxi from then on and avoid the hassle.

To the OP should see that you are not just excuding men, the hassle and inconvenience of it will also exclude a lot of women when they need to travel with a guy. Now you are cutting your market by well over half, probably 60-70%. Plus it would also gain a bad name for this reasons of being awkward and causing hassle for girls with boyfriends.

with such a small market, i guess it would only function on nights out, and to staty afloat would have to charge even higher rates because its a premium service, thus turning away even more punters.

Remeber this is all before you consider legal issues such as disrimination and sexism, a legal minefield methinks.

No-one would invest in this idea, especially in waterford as there is no market. Sure waterford is not dangerous anyway, scumbags are few and far between. I';ve walked home(got lost along the way), pissed drunk and never had any trouble or been attacked. This isn't friggin west belfast or beirut. And how exactly have you deduced that you cannot be ripped of by a woman? a woman is incapable of wrong it seems??? thats crap, i know women who have ripped people off for 40,000. Sure they can be opportunists and robbers just as well.

Another thing is; no doubt the staff and drivers of such a company would be going around in a oestrogen fuelled power trip, and be raging around complaining and bashing all men for being baztards and what not.

thats all we need, more half baked ideas

Master and commander

Might i add, girls are not the pious angels that the OP seems to be implying. Reme,ber a few years ago the taxis were not bringing girls because lots of them were pissing in the car on purpose or out of sheer laziness and not paying damages.

If a girl is being over charged by the taxi, she should stick up for herself and refuse to pay over the odds instead of whinging about it to everyone else, Equality includes having a spine and manageing yer own problems.

I know a neighbour who was up in court on "rape" charges cos a little so and so didn't bring money to pay her fare and then she starts crying rape when she doesn't get her own way. Thats a disgrace, too many bleeding hearts out there for the poor girls. Many of them are quite happy to cry rape when they don't get their own way and then sue for compo.

deiselack

I'm off the beaten track a bit..but where the hell did the name of John Street Village come from?!?!?! Its around a while now..its stoooopid IMO..I'm a blah born n bred, n proud of it. Its John Street full stop! ..phew..rant over hehe

dayshah

deiselack wrote: »

I'm off the beaten track a bit..but where the hell did the name of John Street Village come from?!?!?! Its around a while now..its stoooopid IMO..I'm a blah born n bred, n proud of it. Its John Street full stop! ..phew..rant over hehe

Oh, don't get me started on that!!!

I mean, we have plenty of nice names for the area, like the Apple Market, or John Street. We already have Johnstown.

They thought it would be cool to rip off Greenwich Village in New York, but that actually was a village. The only place that is entitled to be called The Village within the city boundaries is Ballygunner.

Its just naff marketing

deiselack

HERE HERE!!

Monty Burnz

Master and commander wrote: »

I know a neighbour who was up in court on "rape" charges cos a little so and so didn't bring money to pay her fare and then she starts crying rape when she doesn't get her own way.

Yikes. Fake rape claims are devastating; to the accused, who will never recover their reputation; to real rape victims, whose suffering is mocked; and future rape victims, who face an additional problem in securing justice in proving that theirs is not 'another one of those fake claims'.

Women who do that are total scum.

henboy

Master and commander wrote: »

Might i add, girls are not the pious angels that the OP seems to be implying. Reme,ber a few years ago the taxis were not bringing girls because lots of them were pissing in the car on purpose or out of sheer laziness and not paying damages.

If a girl is being over charged by the taxi, she should stick up for herself and refuse to pay over the odds instead of whinging about it to everyone else, Equality includes having a spine and manageing yer own problems.

I know a neighbour who was up in court on "rape" charges cos a little so and so didn't bring money to pay her fare and then she starts crying rape when she doesn't get her own way. Thats a disgrace, too many bleeding hearts out there for the poor girls. Many of them are quite happy to cry rape when they don't get their own way and then sue for compo.

Equality includes having a spine and manageing yer own problems ...........Your mother must be so proud of you ----feckin dope