Taxi drivers and fares that are not lucrative

Fuinseog

I have recently had the experience that some taxi drivers start bitching if your chosen destination amounts to a fare of less than 15 euro.
given the saturation of the market is it wise to be this rude? I have noticed they will turn up the rudeness if dealing with a foreign national.

as a customer we can choose our taxi, but what is the position when you sit into the cab and realise you have chose another?

I should point out that I have had some pleasant experiences with taxi drivers, which is all the shocking when you encounter one who is offensive.

Boom_Bap

Try getting a taxi from the airport to Beaumont or Santry. It's only then that you can truely experience the wrath of a taxi driver.

L1011

Boom_Bap wrote: »

Try getting a taxi from the airport to Beaumont or Santry. It's only then that you can truely experience the wrath of a taxi driver.

Or the Premier Inn!

Fuinseog

Boom_Bap wrote: »

Try getting a taxi from the airport to Beaumont or Santry. It's only then that you can truely experience the wrath of a taxi driver.

it was around midnight last night and not much stirring at Dublin airport. I would have thought they would be glad of the business. the fare came to 15 euro which in my view is not bad, but the guy bitched from start to finish. its no way to treat customers.
maybe they should have two ranks at Dublin airport, one for shorter journeys and one for places like Bray or Wicklow town.

-Chris-

Once you sit into the taxi, are they not obliged to take you to your destination (all other things being equal)?

seamus

I was under the impression that taxi drivers loved shorter trips because the minimum fare ensures they get "more" for it, and they can fit more trips in. Maybe there's a certain distance where it's just long enough to not be lucrative, but not long enough to recoup your costs.

I suppose if a trip from the airport to Santry costs a tenner (for example), but is a 40-minute round trip, this is a poor fare compared to an hour's round-trip for a €40 fare from the airport to Tallaght.

But them's the breaks, like all businesses you need the small and the big jobs to earn your crust. If a taxi driver started bitching at me about the distance, I'd get out of the cab and tell him to go jump for his fare.

-Chris-

At the airport I think it's more to do with them having to queue for 2 hours to hit the front of the rank and then getting a fare that's only €15.

Fuinseog

MYOB wrote: »

Or the Premier Inn!

in some countries its not unusual to take a taxi to cross the road. its something Americans do not understand. in my view a taxi driver who gets pissed off easily with foreigners or anyone else for that matter should steer clear of Dublin airport.

as I said a 15 euro fare should not be treated with contempt. the area where i live does not have a bus service and a girl walking dark deserted streets at night is not the best thing to do.

Fuinseog

-Chris- wrote: »

At the airport I think it's more to do with them having to queue for 2 hours to hit the front of the rank and then getting a fare that's only €15.

in the course of his wailing and bad temper he said he had been in the queue for half an hour, which is not really my friends fault. you have to take the good with the bad. Unfortunately not everyone is going very far. maybe tourists should be warned of this on Trip advisor. In New York certain taxis will refuse to bring you to certain places.

schemingbohemia

I presume the first thing you did before coming on here was to make a complaint to the taxi regulator?

http://taxiregulation.nationaltransport.ie/for-users/taxi-compliments-and-complaints/#making-a-complaint

Fuinseog

schemingbohemia wrote: »

I presume the first thing you did before coming on here was to make a complaint to the taxi regulator?

http://taxiregulation.nationaltransport.ie/for-users/taxi-compliments-and-complaints/#making-a-complaint

thats a handy link. My friend did not get his details as she is not the type to make an issue of these things and its not a great start to an ireland holiday. I on the other hand believe in addressing these matters and if she had I certainly would have. unfortunately I was not wise to the situation when the taxi pulled up outside my house.


whats the legal position when you sit into a taxi, state your destination and he reacts as if your business is a major inconvenience? are you obliged to pay the minimum of 4.40? if the taxi has not yet moved off?

therecklessone

My experience of airport taxi drivers is so universally bad I now call my local company to collect me. If I call as I pass passport control I'm usually only waiting a coule of minutes.

I'd rather pay the €2 callout charge than listen to the other fookers incessant whining.

p.s. I live in Swords

schemingbohemia

Fuinseog wrote: »

thats a handy link. My friend did not get his details as she is not the type to make an issue of these things and its not a great start to an ireland holiday. I on the other hand believe in addressing these matters and if she had I certainly would have. unfortunately I was not wise to the situation when the taxi pulled up outside my house.


whats the legal position when you sit into a taxi, state your destination and he reacts as if your business is a major inconvenience? are you obliged to pay the minimum of 4.40? if the taxi has not yet moved off?

I don't know to be honest, I would think if the car hasn't moved from the rank that you wouldn't have to pay anything - to be honest I would think that's what the driver is angling for - to get you out so s/he can get a more lucrative fare.

The driver is legally obliged to take the fare, you could remind them of that and you'd probably have the bonus of a quiet journey!

AlekSmart

-Chris- wrote: »

Once you sit into the taxi, are they not obliged to take you to your destination (all other things being equal)?

Under the old Garda Carriage Office regime,that would be correct.

FWIR once the stated destination was within the Dublin Taximeter Zone then the Driver was bound to carry you,subject to the passenger being fit to travel.

This is the reason for the much vaunted "Taxi Test" or in London terms "The Knowledge".

I'm constantly amazed at the number of people who will negotiate with a driver on these occasions.

It.s a Taxi...end of.

foggy_lad

-Chris- wrote: »

At the airport I think it's more to do with them having to queue for 2 hours to hit the front of the rank and then getting a fare that's only €15.

Screw them and their whinging, they are always bitching and moaning about something, time to man up and either take the work and be glad or get out of the business!

schemingbohemia wrote: »

The driver is legally obliged to take the fare, you could remind them of that and you'd probably have the bonus of a quiet journey!

Tell him if he wants to complain you will get out and get the next car and he can leave the rank as he is refusing a fare by his incessant bitching. Nobody should have to endure the moaning about how tough their chosen profession is.

Fuinseog

you can actually get taxi rants on youtube


Michael O' Leary, Taxi Man Rant
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CeW0mE_TlNE&feature=related

juan.kerr

I live in north Dublin and can usually expense the taxi fare from the airport since most travel of my travel is for work. Most drivers are fine with EUR 20/25, you can see the others not too happy but none has ever actually complained. The latter are the ones who go the long way round for an extra few euros. I don't mind too much since I'm expensing it but don't expect me to tip you for it. I'm not stupid.

murphaph

juan.kerr wrote: »

I live in north Dublin and can usually expense the taxi fare from the airport since most travel of my travel is for work. Most drivers are fine with EUR 20/25, you can see the others not too happy but none has ever actually complained. The latter are the ones who go the long way round for an extra few euros. I don't mind too much since I'm expensing it but don't expect me to tip you for it. I'm not stupid.

To be honest even if it's my company's money, I'd take great offence at a taxi driver taking the long way round (ripping me/my company off) and would make an issue of it.

Your company is not there to subsidise rogue taxi drivers tbh.

juan.kerr

murphaph wrote: »

To be honest even if it's my company's money, I'd take great offence at a taxi driver taking the long way round (ripping me/my company off) and would make an issue of it.

Your company is not there to subsidise rogue taxi drivers tbh.

We're talking 2 or 3 euros, that I probably would have tipped him anyway (and expensed).

2qk4u

The problem here is more about the customer, I drive a Taxi and have never let a passenger know if I was unhappy with something, its unprofessional.
The customer needs to get used to the regulations and if all is not well pay the fare, get the reciept and make the complaint.
If passengers allow the drivers behave in this manner the problem will not go away.
Trust me drivers have genuinely got plenty to complain about but thats not your problem.

n97 mini

Taxis at the airport have to queue through two massive staging areas before they get into the (comparatively) tiny queue that the customers see. It can take as long as 3 hours to get from the back to the front of the queue.

It really is quite a shítty system.

In other places the airports run a system whereby if you're going a short distance the driver gets a "shortie" ticket which allows him to slot in towards the front of the queue upon his return to the airport.

foggy_lad

n97 mini wrote: »

Taxis at the airport have to queue through two massive staging areas before they get into the (comparatively) tiny queue that the customers see. It can take as long as 3 hours to get from the back to the front of the queue.

It really is quite a shítty system.

In other places the airports run a system whereby if you're going a short distance the driver gets a "shortie" ticket which allows him to slot in towards the front of the queue upon his return to the airport.

All this has nothing to do with the customer who just wants a taxi and has no idea how long the driver has been hanging around the airport waiting for a fare!

Taxi drivers only go to the airport and Heuston and Connolly station for the richer pickings from business passengers who may give larger expensed tips and may not mind what the fare is because they are not paying it, but they should not get pissed when someone gets in wanting to go down the road because that is the chance they take going to these ranks.

If the drivers went to other ranks they would be waiting less and doing more shorter runs which would get them more money but imho many of them just want the handy business fares!

Paulzx

n97 mini wrote: »

Taxis at the airport have to queue through two massive staging areas before they get into the (comparatively) tiny queue that the customers see. It can take as long as 3 hours to get from the back to the front of the queue.

It really is quite a shítty system.

In other places the airports run a system whereby if you're going a short distance the driver gets a "shortie" ticket which allows him to slot in towards the front of the queue upon his return to the airport.

In fairness, the drivers know exactly what the system is before they enter the airport. If they don't like it they shouldn't ply their trade at the airport.

Bitching about it to a customer, who has no control over or responsability for the situation is just plain bad manners and extremely unprofessional.

n97 mini

It's no excuse for drivers complaining to customers.

But, just so you know, as well as the drivers, the other parts of the problem are the DAA and complete deregulation. Some drivers have to ply their trade at the airport as it's a small pond with over 25,000 fish in it.

foggy_lad

n97 mini wrote: »

It's no excuse for drivers complaining to customers.

But, just so you know, as well as the drivers, the other parts of the problem are the DAA and complete deregulation. Some drivers have to ply their trade at the airport as it's a small pond with over 25,000 fish in it.

Blame all except driver greed? Then tell us that the drivers MUST ply their trade at the airport? is there no other ranks or streets around the city they can look for work?

n97 mini

foggy_lad wrote: »

Blame all except driver greed? Then tell us that the drivers MUST ply their trade at the airport? is there no other ranks or streets around the city they can look for work?

Just for you, I would be delighted if every driver decided not to work the airport.

I think you're getting a little carried away there chappy.

mikemac1

Fuinseog wrote: »

I have recently had the experience that some taxi drivers start bitching if your chosen destination amounts to a fare of less than 15 euro.
given the saturation of the market is it wise to be this rude?

I've never had this issue
Well not since I used the rank in Eyre Sq

Since then I flag them down, hardly ever use ranks
When they are flagged down they're happy for anything they can get

parsi

n97 mini wrote: »

It's no excuse for drivers complaining to customers.

But, just so you know, as well as the drivers, the other parts of the problem are the DAA and complete deregulation. Some drivers have to ply their trade at the airport as it's a small pond with over 25,000 fish in it.

The drivers have chosen to accept that system - I haven't seen any armed DAA staff forcing drivers off the airport road to go fill the taxi pens - do if they've a problem they should go to the DAA or their representative group.

What they shouldn't do is moan at their customer for the duration of their journey.

Then again it would seem that taxi'ing is an area where one doesn't even need to submit a CV detailing ones obnoxious prick abilities as one can just go get a license.



Edit: replaced you with one.

Cicero

I've often gone to the back of the taxi queue if taking a short journey (5. Euro)...Taxi guy always sends me to top of queue so I've given up trying to help out Taxis stuck with short journeys...most taxi drivers are fine with short journeys but some are damn moody...then again, I reckon they'd be moody over anything if they're like that...it's not the customers fault..there's just too many taxis out there...Customers are still taking the journeys they always took

therecklessone

n97 mini wrote: »

It's no excuse for drivers complaining to customers.

But, just so you know, as well as the drivers, the other parts of the problem are the DAA and complete deregulation. Some drivers have to ply their trade at the airport as it's a small pond with over 25,000 fish in it.

Long before deregulation drivers at the airport had an awful reputation.

oisindoyle

foggy_lad wrote: »

All this has nothing to do with the customer who just wants a taxi and has no idea how long the driver has been hanging around the airport waiting for a fare!

@ FOGGYLAD
True ,but you are quite evidently tarring ALL drivers with the same brush AGAIN..The word you are chooseing to omit is SOME.Yes SOME drivers complain about short trips after queing for 3 hours in the airport,most just grin and bear it .

[/QUOTE]Taxi drivers only go to the airport and Heuston and Connolly station for the richer pickings from business passengers who may give larger expensed tips and may not mind what the fare is because they are not paying it.[/QUOTE]

I actually laughed out loud after reading this .You are an armchair critic of the taxi business and have NO CLUE about it .Victor Meldrew hasnt a patch on you

[/QUOTE]If the drivers went to other ranks they would be waiting less and doing more shorter runs which would get them more money but imho many of them just want the handy business fares![/QUOTE]

Again NOT TRUE it clearly shows again that you have NO CLUE about the taxi business

mikemac1

mmcn90 wrote: »

Thats because thats not the back of the queue. Taxi drivers queue up in a huge holding area beside the radisson. Any taxi driver at the back of the queue at the airport rank has probably been waiting the same amount of time as someone at the front.

Where did Cicero refer to Dublin or the airport?

This isn't the Dublin forum

Fuinseog

mikemac1 wrote: »

I've never had this issue
Well not since I used the rank in Eyre Sq

Since then I flag them down, hardly ever use ranks
When they are flagged down they're happy for anything they can get

whats the difference?
is the rank a hierarchical thing?

Fuinseog

mikemac1 wrote: »

Where did Cicero refer to Dublin or the airport?

This isn't the Dublin forum

no its not, but the original incident I described at the beginning of my post happened in Dublin. I have taken taxis in Galway and they never seemed to bitch about a journey of 8 euro, though there are other problems with taxis in Galway.
I used to fly to Galway airport and could never understand that there was no taxi rank or bus service there. maybe things have changed since.

Fuinseog

therecklessone wrote: »

Long before deregulation drivers at the airport had an awful reputation.

its not just taxi drivers but Dublin Bus as well. some of the bus drivers can be very rude and ignorant. I mean tourists arrive here and do not realise the bus will neither give change nor accept notes. its not written or advertised anywhere. Where in the world is there such a complicated system?

taxi drivers are among the first Irish people tourists will encounter .A dour taxi driver is a poor advertisement for a country which sells itself as a friendly nation. maybe Failte ireland should send them a few mystery customers and report back.

mikemac1

Ask a driver to take you from Eyre Sq to the Huntsman and a fair chance you'd get shouted at
Happened me twice, I know a few others it happened to

As for the Airport, there was a rank and Big O controlled it

But so quiet out there drivers were not always waiting but if you wanted a taxi, Big O were the company advertised to use it

If you wanted a hackney like ProCabs to save some money you called them up and just crossed the road and the cab would meet you there

tinofapples

-Chris- wrote: »

At the airport I think it's more to do with them having to queue for 2 hours to hit the front of the rank and then getting a fare that's only €15.

That is their issue, back to the rear of the queue for another hour or two !!

Mr Simpson

mikemac1 wrote: »

mmcn90 wrote: »

Thats because thats not the back of the queue. Taxi drivers queue up in a huge holding area beside the radisson. Any taxi driver at the back of the queue at the airport rank has probably been waiting the same amount of time as someone at the front.

Where did Cicero refer to Dublin or the airport?

This isn't the Dublin forum

Sorry, Ive deleted my post as I looked back and realised how little sense it made, my bad. I managed to confuse myself by reading some of the posts about the airport!! I'll blame it on a late one last night

johns123

Had the same experience coming in on new years day. mentioned i was going to drumcondra and the driver replied " would you not be better off getting the bus next to the rank"

surprised given that he works the airport he should really know that the 747 express is an express because it doesnt stop in drumcondra. Lost the rag with him because i get this all the time from the Irish drivers in particular. It is completely unprofessional. its not my fault how long they queue. If i want to get a taxi that is my right. The luck of the draw and that is it.

Terrontress

I think that if we had the 'shortie' system, it would be open to widespread abuse and cause more trouble than it is worth.

I have been told in the past that if I was getting a taxi in Heathrow to tell the guy I am going to Hounslow and I will get a token. Give this to the taxi driver and he can skip the queue when he gets back out. Regardless of where I am going!

In Dublin, every local would say Santry, get the token, hand it over and then head to Tallaght or wherever.

foggy_lad

Terrontress wrote: »

I think that if we had the 'shortie' system, it would be open to widespread abuse and cause more trouble than it is worth.

I have been told in the past that if I was getting a taxi in Heathrow to tell the guy I am going to Hounslow and I will get a token. Give this to the taxi driver and he can skip the queue when he gets back out. Regardless of where I am going!

In Dublin, every local would say Santry, get the token, hand it over and then head to Tallaght or wherever.

What Dublin needs is a concierge of sorts to call forward a taxi from the rank as people present for one and if the driver gives any moody comments etc let him be barred from the airport for 48 hours. Also let people walk along the rank to pick a taxi of their choice and if any taxi refuses the fare hit them with a 48 hour ban.

Gumbo

foggy_lad wrote: »

Also let people walk along the rank to pick a taxi of their choice

You can already do this.

n97 mini

foggy_lad wrote: »

Also let people walk along the rank to pick a taxi of their choice

All of it, or just the tiny bit that you can see? The full rank fills two car parks and more.

Losty Dublin

foggy_lad wrote: »

What Dublin needs is a concierge of sorts to call forward a taxi from the rank as people present for one and if the driver gives any moody comments etc let him be barred from the airport for 48 hours. Also let people walk along the rank to pick a taxi of their choice and if any taxi refuses the fare hit them with a 48 hour ban.

There is one already in place directing people to cars and cars to the rank, as well as advising people that certain hotel trips can be made via courtesy bus. The marshall's job is to keep the rank moving and to clear the airport of passengers, holding it up arguing with people or drivers is the very least of his worries, let alone issuing suspensions or allowing passengers to be car picking on what is already a tight rank to squeeze through.

But if had you ever used the rank there before then you'd have noticed some of this :rolleyes:

Motorist

Imagine if you went into your dentist and were told "Ah flucks sake, you've been looking after your teeth too well, no fillings for you today. Only a check-up fee for me, what a waste of one of my appointments"

Alot of taxi drivers have a long way to come in the professionalism stakes.

oisindoyle

foggy_lad wrote: »

What Dublin needs is a concierge of sorts to call forward a taxi from the rank as people present for one and if the driver gives any moody comments etc let him be barred from the airport for 48 hours. Also let people walk along the rank to pick a taxi of their choice and if any taxi refuses the fare hit them with a 48 hour ban.

Again Foggy lad,you have no clue about the taxi business...All of the above happens at Dublin airport ..NO driver is allowed to refuse a job no matter how short.It must be nice in that armchair of yours all the same .
Allowing people walk along the rank shouldnt and seldom happens as its unfair on the number 1 driver at rank ,
If a person was queing in the supermarket or bank and someone skips the que ,you would be rightly peeved off.

Motorist

oisindoyle wrote: »

Again Foggy lad,you have no clue about the taxi business...All of the above happens at Dublin airport ..NO driver is allowed to refuse a job no matter how short.It must be nice in that armchair of yours all the same .
Allowing people walk along the rank shouldnt and seldom happens as its unfair on the number 1 driver at rank ,
If a person was queing in the supermarket or bank and someone skips the que ,you would be rightly peeved off.

I think a taxi driver is allowed to refuse a journey of greater than 30km though. Probably protects them if they are exhausted and planning on going home before one last job.

Jaysoose

oisindoyle wrote: »

Allowing people walk along the rank shouldnt and seldom happens as its unfair on the number 1 driver at rank ,
If a person was queing in the supermarket or bank and someone skips the que ,you would be rightly peeved off.

Its not unfair at all and your analogy about skipping the queue in the bank or supermarket applies to the paying customer so it doesnt make sense in the context of a taxi rank.

I have been at ranks and refused to take the first car on a number of occassions as they were much older and less safe vehicles. Why should the customer be forced to get in a car that is inferior to others at the rank because the driver arrived before the next guy.

MrDerp

Meh. 'tisn't a limo service. I'd object to being refused service, but I'd get on with it. I get the odd gripe travelling from Dublin airport to Dublin 5 but I don't mind the complaining. They're not giving out to me, they're frustrated with the situation, and I recognise that.

I don't expect any more professionalism from a taxi driver than I do from someone serving me chips at 2am. Taxi drivers please don't take that the wrong way, I applaud your service and I always tip, especially when you're working the hours that everyone else wants to sleep and revel during. It's just that I see taxis as a casual service arrangement, and a bit of banter is part of that.

In fact, depending on my mood I actually enjoy it. I always sit in the front when travelling alone, and when I detect a 'character', I'll push all the guys buttons with some leading questions. They enjoy the rant, I get some entertainment. Win-win. Other drivers just exchange pleasant small-talk, and some offer fierce debate and/or education on a subject, some just serve as a vox-pop on various topical issues which I find interesting.

I will, however, relate one story of a small smelly man in a dirty cab that immediately got complaining about the 3 hour wait and the short (ish) journey. He did offer that it wasn't my fault, but he then got into a massive racist diatribe against foreign drivers, many of whom he described as 'Dirt and ****e'. I eventually got the conversation round to GAA for a bit of relief.

It's the only time I've ever felt like complaining, but what can that do to change a bitter old man's ideas. I was tired after 14 hours of travelling so I didn't even bother looking at his plate.

Losty Dublin

Jaysoose wrote: »

Its not unfair at all and your analogy about skipping the queue in the bank or supermarket applies to the paying customer so it doesnt make sense in the context of a taxi rank. I have been at ranks and refused to take the first car on a number of occassions as they were much older and less safe vehicles. Why should the customer be forced to get in a car that is inferior to others at the rank because the driver arrived before the next guy.

He is referring to the fact that a driver behind him, who is incidentally also a paying customer of the DAA by virtue of the airport pass, is skipping him for a fare in what is meant to be a managed queue. It's ok if it's a multi seater cab or a car with an obscene boot or something special but it's disheartening at best when you see it happen to the average cab behind of you.


I take the point of a better car FTR; I got fares over other cabs on that basis alone.

foggy_lad

kceire wrote: »

You can already do this.

Yes but many drivers farther along the que will refuse to take you and should be removed from the rank if they do.

n97 mini wrote: »

All of it, or just the tiny bit that you can see? The full rank fills two car parks and more.

If there are a selection of old knackered corrollas etc at the start of the rank I would refuse to get in them and would exercise my right under the regulations and law to pick a taxi that I was happy to travel in!

Losty Dublin wrote: »

He is referring to the fact that a driver behind him, who is incidentally also a paying customer of the DAA by virtue of the airport pass, is skipping him for a fare in what is meant to be a managed queue. It's ok if it's a multi seater cab or a car with an obscene boot or something special but it's disheartening at best when you see it happen to the average cab behind of you.


I take the point of a better car FTR; I got fares over other cabs on that basis alone.

Agree about picking a better car or one with more legroom or luggage space etc but passengers have the right to pick any taxi they want off the rank and anyone that refuses a fare within the taximeter area must leave the rank! We are paying customers of the taxis and the taxi drivers relationship with the DAA or any other group they may pay for access to certain lucrative areas is not the passengers concern!


http://www.dublinairport.com/gns/to-from-the-airport/by-taxi.aspx

From Dublin Airport

Taxis are available from the forecourts directly outside Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. Passengers should follow Taxi signage to the designated taxi ranks. A taxi dispatcher is available at either taxi rank if you require any further information or assistance.

Taxi Passenger Entitlements

As a passenger in a taxi you are entitled to:
Engage a taxi for journeys up to 30km
Have all fares calculated on the taxi meter
A receipt printed by the taximeter printed on payment
A clean vehicle and a pleasant journey.

According to the DAA website the rank in the airport is NOT a managed rank or they would be telling the public that we must take the first taxi off the rank!