Clueless Taxi Drivers

littlejp

No doubt there are plenty of knowledgeable Taxi Drivers working in Dublin who know what they are doing but lately I've been unlucky enough to end up with some pretty clueless ones.

I got a taxi from Ballsbridge this morning going to Camden St. and rather than turn left towards Leeson St. he decided to go straight down to Merrion Square, across Baggot St. and around the Green by Grafton St. not only bringing me up the far end of Camden St. but having to sit in traffic for way longer than necessary. The fare was nearly €5 more than usual.

A few weeks ago I got in a taxi on College Green and asked to go to Ranelagh and the driver was stumped. I had to guide him the entire way.
I know in the first example I am entitled to choose the route but I shouldn't have to tell the taxi driver each turn to take and often it is only after the fact that you realise he's not going the way you wanted and it would be even worse to have to alter the route. A bit of knowledge of the city would go a long way.

In London, Taxi Drivers have to gain the "knowledge" of the streets and pass an exam before they can work. The majority of taxis I've gotten in London could get you where you are going with no more than a postcode. Some of the drivers in Dublin don't even know where general areas are.
Maybe it's time some kind of test was introduced here.

problemchimp

There is a test and it has thankfully since been made more difficult to stop the clueless getting a license. There has also been a skills developement test carried out by existing drivers. Unfortunately licenses were handed out to any old gobshiite who could drive a car, regardless of whether they could speak English or find their way around a relatively small city like Dublin. If ever you encounter a similar problem, at the end of the journey ask for a PRINTED receipt which has all details of car and journey and call the Taxi regulator. They must give you a printed receipt by law, failure to do this and it's a 250euro fine.

littlejp

Is poor knowledge of the streets a reportable offence?

How comprehensive is the test?

problemchimp

Yes poor knowledge of routes is an offence which also carries up to 250euro fine from the Taxi regulator, to be honest I'm not too sure how comprehensive the test is now, but more difficult on the knowledge bit by all accounts.

2qk4u

Are you sure the Taxi you were in was a Dublin Taxi ? Are you sure it was a Taxi at all ?, there are a lot of illegal Taxis on the road.
As for the test, the new test is quite difficult to pass and the old test could be passed without much geographical knowledge. A lot of foreign drivers never sat the test for Dublin but were handed the licence after claims of racism while working in other counties.
My advice is to contact the regulators office and tell them you are unhappy with the service.

mikemac

Am I going to get flamed for saying that many African drivers all look the same to us?

Very possible the driver passed the test and has all the correct documentation. But no driver works all hours and that could his brother or his friend working a few hours in the car

And yes to the London drivers, they are superb

Losty Dublin

problemchimp wrote: »

There is a test and it has thankfully since been made more difficult to stop the clueless getting a license. There has also been a skills developement test carried out by existing drivers. Unfortunately licenses were handed out to any old gobshiite who could drive a car, regardless of whether they could speak English or find their way around a relatively small city like Dublin. If ever you encounter a similar problem, at the end of the journey ask for a PRINTED receipt which has all details of car and journey and call the Taxi regulator. They must give you a printed receipt by law, failure to do this and it's a 250euro fine.

I refer to the old Taxi test as the "Ignorance" meself such was the "quality" of some fo the drivers who passed it.

That same run OP speaks of was one I must have done 100 times in my time on the road. Camden Street was one of several destinations that I'd ask people which end/side of it that they'd want to go to, simply so I knew what way to approach it from, or even avoid at certain times of day/night, in my mind I felt it was part of the service offered and how best to decide the most expeditious route so to speak.

The fine for no receipt is there but there is but before you follow it it there is one small problem; you will need to know the plate number of the taxi in question otherwise you are chasing shadows and the lads in 35 won't be too helpful for you.

mikemac

Losty Dublin wrote: »

The fine for no receipt is there but there is but before you follow it it there is one small problem; you will need to know the plate number of the taxi in question .

What I do if I think there will be an issue is look at the yellow sticker in the corner of the windscreen.
You can quietly write a text to yourself and save the details on your phone while you are in the taxi

If it's dark and can't read the front one you can turn around and glance at the sticker in the back window. Still easy enough to read

markest

That will only give u the vehicle details. U need the info from the dashboard Photo ID for the driver details.

lost marbles

markest wrote: »

That will only give u the vehicle details. U need the info from the dashboard Photo ID for the driver details.

and if the intending passenger cares to notice .that quite alot of taxis out there have those id cards hidden or "flat on the dash". so my advise is if you dont see the id card or its lying down flat then the driver has something to hide .
dont get in, or travel in that taxi.

Victor

2qk4u wrote: »

A lot of foreign drivers never sat the test for Dublin but were handed the licence after claims of racism while working in other counties.

Other than urban legends and "my cousin's boyfriend's mate's mother told me a story", do you have any evidence of this?

Mental Mickey

littlejp wrote: »

Is poor knowledge of the streets a reportable offence?

How comprehensive is the test?

No but it's their job to actually be familiar with the city they're driving in.

Victor

littlejp wrote: »

I got a taxi from Ballsbridge this morning going to Camden St. and rather than turn left towards Leeson St. he decided to go straight down to Merrion Square, across Baggot St. and around the Green by Grafton St. not only bringing me up the far end of Camden St. but having to sit in traffic for way longer than necessary. The fare was nearly €5 more than usual.

I'm not sure that this was necessarily a "bad" route - I presume he was trying to avail of hte bus lane. Did you say which end of Camden Street you wanted or which route you wanted? The Canal, Pembroke Road and Lesson Street can be painfully slow at times.

Google suggested route 3.6km http://maps.google.ie/maps?saddr=Merrion+Road,+Ballsbridge,+D4+(Bewleys+Hotel+Ballsbridge)&daddr=Lower+Camden+St&hl=en&ll=53.335512,-6.252809&spn=0.011378,0.038581&sll=53.337587,-6.253624&sspn=0.011377,0.038581&geocode=FSCyLQMdfAWh_yE_8XrVNVKWBw%3BFdbXLQMdFmag_w&vpsrc=6&mra=mrv&t=h&z=15

Route taken 4.3km http://maps.google.ie/maps?saddr=Merrion+Road,+Ballsbridge,+D4+(Bewleys+Hotel+Ballsbridge)&daddr=53.3391628,-6.2503231+to:53.33966,-6.25958+to:Lower+Camden+St&hl=en&ll=53.337587,-6.253624&spn=0.011377,0.038581&sll=53.336972,-6.246586&sspn=0.011378,0.038581&geocode=FSCyLQMdfAWh_yE_8XrVNVKWBw%3BFRrkLQMdraCg_ylFwHEZlw5nSDHhhaH7pscAEw%3BFQzmLQMdhHyg_ykXz0FQmQ5nSDGwDc77pscAEw%3BFdbXLQMdFmag_w&vpsrc=6&mra=dvme&mrsp=1&sz=15&via=1,2&t=h&z=15

A few weeks ago I got in a taxi on College Green and asked to go to Ranelagh and the driver was stumped. I had to guide him the entire way.

Actually, this can be confusing for some people as one has to take a bit of a detour, either via D'Olier Street or George's Street. George's Street-Camden Street can be utter chaos at times.

littlejp

Victor wrote: »

I'm not sure that this was necessarily a "bad" route - I presume he was trying to avail of hte bus lane. Did you say which end of Camden Street you wanted or which route you wanted? The Canal, Pembroke Road and Lesson Street can be painfully slow at times.

Google suggested route 3.6km http://maps.google.ie/maps?saddr=Merrion+Road,+Ballsbridge,+D4+(Bewleys+Hotel+Ballsbridge)&daddr=Lower+Camden+St&hl=en&ll=53.335512,-6.252809&spn=0.011378,0.038581&sll=53.337587,-6.253624&sspn=0.011377,0.038581&geocode=FSCyLQMdfAWh_yE_8XrVNVKWBw%3BFdbXLQMdFmag_w&vpsrc=6&mra=mrv&t=h&z=15

Route taken 4.3km http://maps.google.ie/maps?saddr=Merrion+Road,+Ballsbridge,+D4+(Bewleys+Hotel+Ballsbridge)&daddr=53.3391628,-6.2503231+to:53.33966,-6.25958+to:Lower+Camden+St&hl=en&ll=53.337587,-6.253624&spn=0.011377,0.038581&sll=53.336972,-6.246586&sspn=0.011378,0.038581&geocode=FSCyLQMdfAWh_yE_8XrVNVKWBw%3BFRrkLQMdraCg_ylFwHEZlw5nSDHhhaH7pscAEw%3BFQzmLQMdhHyg_ykXz0FQmQ5nSDGwDc77pscAEw%3BFdbXLQMdFmag_w&vpsrc=6&mra=dvme&mrsp=1&sz=15&via=1,2&t=h&z=15

Actually, this can be confusing for some people as one has to take a bit of a detour, either via D'Olier Street or George's Street. George's Street-Camden Street can be utter chaos at times.

The issue that time wasn't with what route to take. The driver had no idea where Ranelagh was. Dublin isn't that big a city. I wouldn't expect a driver to know streets or housing estates but surely general areas should be common knowledge.

mikemac

You show, I go

OwlsZat

You go out for a few scoops grab a taxi home and end up getting the tour of Dublin. Its happened to me on a couple of ocasisons luckily you are more likely to stand up for yourself post pub.

problemchimp

Mental Mickey wrote: »

No but it's their job to actually be familiar with the city they're driving in.

Actually it is an offence.

Losty Dublin

Victor, if this guy had have gone via Merrion Sq and then Baggot Street, he'd have come out onto the Green at Leeson St/Earlsford Place. The distance alone from here via Grafton Street would almost have had him in Camden Town, let alone Camden Street Even taking the Mercer Street short cut behind the RCSI would have been an awful long detour

Victor wrote: »

I'm not sure that this was necessarily a "bad" route - I presume he was trying to avail of hte bus lane. Did you say which end of Camden Street you wanted or which route you wanted? The Canal, Pembroke Road and Lesson Street can be painfully slow at times.

Google suggested route 3.6km http://maps.google.ie/maps?saddr=Merrion+Road,+Ballsbridge,+D4+(Bewleys+Hotel+Ballsbridge)&daddr=Lower+Camden+St&hl=en&ll=53.335512,-6.252809&spn=0.011378,0.038581&sll=53.337587,-6.253624&sspn=0.011377,0.038581&geocode=FSCyLQMdfAWh_yE_8XrVNVKWBw%3BFdbXLQMdFmag_w&vpsrc=6&mra=mrv&t=h&z=15

Route taken 4.3km http://maps.google.ie/maps?saddr=Merrion+Road,+Ballsbridge,+D4+(Bewleys+Hotel+Ballsbridge)&daddr=53.3391628,-6.2503231+to:53.33966,-6.25958+to:Lower+Camden+St&hl=en&ll=53.337587,-6.253624&spn=0.011377,0.038581&sll=53.336972,-6.246586&sspn=0.011378,0.038581&geocode=FSCyLQMdfAWh_yE_8XrVNVKWBw%3BFRrkLQMdraCg_ylFwHEZlw5nSDHhhaH7pscAEw%3BFQzmLQMdhHyg_ykXz0FQmQ5nSDGwDc77pscAEw%3BFdbXLQMdFmag_w&vpsrc=6&mra=dvme&mrsp=1&sz=15&via=1,2&t=h&z=15

Actually, this can be confusing for some people as one has to take a bit of a detour, either via D'Olier Street or George's Street. George's Street-Camden Street can be utter chaos at times.

Triangla

He got an extra fiver off of you so maybe not so clueless.

Don't be afraid to give them directions, better than stumping up cash for a wasteful tour of Dublin.

mikemac

Every taximan calls Ballyfermot Ballyer

I like it

the_syco

Question: if the reciept machine was "broken", could you refuse to pay until you got a receipt, and/or until the Gardai came?

problemchimp

the_syco wrote: »

Question: if the reciept machine was "broken", could you refuse to pay until you got a receipt, and/or until the Gardai came?

Yes, you would still have to pay. But you need to take the details of driver and car and report him/her.

lost marbles

the_syco wrote: »

Question: if the reciept machine was "broken", could you refuse to pay until you got a receipt, and/or until the Gardai came?

its the law that the taxi MUST be able to supply a PRINTED receipt .personally id refuse to pay till the guards came .but if the receipt is given and there is a dispute about the fare the passenger is obliged to pay the amount and then take it up with the regulator .

Losty Dublin

lost marbles wrote: »

its the law that the taxi MUST be able to supply a PRINTED receipt .personally id refuse to pay till the guards came .but if the receipt is given and there is a dispute about the fare the passenger is obliged to pay the amount and then take it up with the regulator .

A friend of mine had this trick tried on him a few weeks back when his meter jammed on him mid print; the punter refused to cough up as the receipt wasn't available for him to claim off work so my mate called the cops. They showed up quick enough and proceeded read the riot act to the passenger for wasting my mates time and they made her cough up, plus time for waiting.

Moral of the story? Pay yer bills on time, it's the law

lost marbles

Losty Dublin wrote: »

lost marbles wrote: »

its the law that the taxi MUST be able to supply a PRINTED receipt .personally id refuse to pay till the guards came .but if the receipt is given and there is a dispute about the fare the passenger is obliged to pay the amount and then take it up with the regulator .

A friend of mine had this trick tried on him a few weeks back when his meter jammed on him mid print; the punter refused to cough up as the receipt wasn't available for him to claim off work so my mate called the cops. They showed up quick enough and proceeded read the riot act to the passenger for wasting my mates time and they made her cough up, plus time for waiting.

Moral of the story? Pay yer bills on time, it's the law

just quoting what the regulator states as the law and what the guards see as wasteing their time

Andrew33

Losty Dublin wrote: »

A friend of mine had this trick tried on him a few weeks back when his meter jammed on him mid print; the punter refused to cough up as the receipt wasn't available for him to claim off work so my mate called the cops. They showed up quick enough and proceeded read the riot act to the passenger for wasting my mates time and they made her cough up, plus time for waiting.

Moral of the story? Pay yer bills on time, it's the law

Must be a Hale printer, they jam all the bloody time. Can take a minute or two to clear it and re feed the roll but no longer than that.