Nasty bullying taxi drivers

jollygood

As a 34 year old woman, I don't usually burst into tears but last night was an exception. After a long hard week at work and carrying several heavy bags, I got into a taxi at the rank on Dawson Street, Dublin 2 to go 2.2KM to Barrow Street.
As soon as I said where I wanted to go, the driver shouted at me the whole way, because apparently he had been at that rank for some time, and accused me of taking away his livelihood by asking to be taken such a short distance.
It was a nasty threatening atmosphere which ended up with me bursting into tears while he belatedly offered apologies and tissues.
At the same rank three weeks previously, I had tried to make the same journey and a driver refused to take me. I tried the next in line, who also refused. The third in line accepted the fare after much sighing and rolling of the eyes.
I have written to the Taxi Regulator about this matter, but how can some taxi drivers claim to be hard done by while they refuse fares and cherry pick those they deem of sufficient value? Am really annoyed!

SleepDoc

jollygood wrote: »

As a 34 year old woman, I don't usually burst into tears but last night was an exception. After a long hard week at work and carrying several heavy bags, I got into a taxi at the rank on Dawson Street, Dublin 2 to go 2.2KM to Barrow Street.
As soon as I said where I wanted to go, the driver shouted at me the whole way, because apparently he had been at that rank for some time, and accused me of taking away his livelihood by asking to be taken such a short distance.
It was a nasty threatening atmosphere which ended up with me bursting into tears while he belatedly offered apologies and tissues.
At the same rank three weeks previously, I had tried to make the same journey and a driver refused to take me. I tried the next in line, who also refused. The third in line accepted the fare after much sighing and rolling of the eyes.
I have written to the Taxi Regulator about this matter, but how can some taxi drivers claim to be hard done by while they refuse fares and cherry pick those they deem of sufficient value? Am really annoyed!

Sorry to hear that. No excuse for sich behaviour. I have made complaints to the taxi regulator in the past. They do take them seriously and will speak to the driver.

jollygood

It makes me wonder if they are also refusing/shouting at little old ladies and elderly men who am sure make short trips all the time. If someone asked me to do my job, I don't refuse & they should't either.

CIE

I suppose he wanted the €7 to go to someone else then...? Beggars can't be choosers. He'd sure hate working in New York City, where the same cab fare for that distance would work out to about €2.56 (currency conversion rates ATTOW), and no tip forthcoming in response to that kind of treatment.

Awful_Bliss

I've mostly apologise to taxi drivers when I get into a cab if I'm travelling a short distance, not because I feel like I'm wasting their time, but because I'm almost on the defensive almost straight away so I try to calm the mood in case he starts yelling at me. Beggars can't be choosers as the previous poster said.
One doesn't deserve to be yelled at for travelling a short distance. It's the taxi driver's freakin' job.

2qk4u

It is unacceptable. There is a process in place to deal with this and you should use it. Ive said it here before that as long as people let this happen unchallenged it will only get worse. If this happens, just pay the fare and make sure you get a receipt, if you are unhappy with the driver ask him to stop the car, pay the fare and get the receipt, once you have your receipt then contact the National Transport Authority and they will deal with the driver, you may even get a refund.
As for the drivers, it is very hard out there for drivers to earn a living but thats not the passengers fault or problem. If drivers dont like it then done do it.

Ben D Bus

2qk4u wrote: »

it is very hard out there for drivers to earn a living

It is. And treating customers like this won't make things better. The OP may avoid other taxi journeys, including lucrative ones, in future.

n97 mini

A possible workaround is to pick the last cab in the rank. He/she should have nothing to complain about?

Cookie_Monster

Surely short journeys are much better for driver because of the ridiculously high standing charge. €7 x 6 short journeys an hour are better than one long one worth €30, no?

SeanW

n97 mini wrote: »

A possible workaround is to pick the last cab in the rank. He/she should have nothing to complain about?

From my perspective, that's probably what I would do, but a woman tired after a long time at work, or an old man with limited energy/education who doesn't spend his days reading about this kind of thing on boards like we do? If we assume that short journey = take the last cab in the rank, can we expect EVERYONE to be aware of the unwritten rule? I don't think so, hence, it cannot work.

Customer shouldn't have to reflect on the taxi drivers waiting time at the rank in relation to the fare they expect to pay, or ponder any other variables that one would not reasonably expect to have to consider. they should be able to just get a taxi and go, without being abused. No exceptions.

I take a very dim view of the taxi driver in the OPs story.

Sacred_git

SeanW wrote: »

n97 mini wrote: »

A possible workaround is to pick the last cab in the rank. He/she should have nothing to complain about?

From my perspective, that's probably what I would do, but a woman tired after a long time at work, or an old man with limited energy/education who doesn't spend his days reading about this kind of thing on boards like we do? If we assume that short journey = take the last cab in the rank, can we expect EVERYONE to be aware of the unwritten rule? I don't think so, hence, it cannot work.

Customer shouldn't have to reflect on the taxi drivers waiting time at the rank in relation to the fare they expect to pay, or ponder any other variables that one would not reasonably expect to have to consider. they should be able to just get a taxi and go, without being abused. No exceptions.

I take a very dim view of the taxi driver in the OPs story.

Similar scenario happened to me on the quays to the point of where the dude shouted and pointed his fist and said your wasting my time you bleedin dope, i'll burst ya. I proceeded to tell him to pullover ,invited him out to sort it like men(which i shouldnt have!!) and he just called me a dope again, i said it must take one to know one and slammed the door shut! He drove off with me giving the universal **** sign! Particularly vicious person, lucky for me im 6 ft 2 and train almost every day, which he probably realised when i got out pf his car! Forgot to get hus details though!

Next time, Try get a foreigner they are happier peole! I dislike taxi men!

corktina

In the taxi drivers defence (and there is really only VERY slim grounds for defence) his beef is that he has sat for a very long time in the queue on the rank and having got only a very short fare will most likely now have to rejoin the queue at the back and sit there for another very long time. I can understand his frustration but thats life, part of the job. He should definitely be reported.

Alan70

Sacred_git

I dislike taxi men![/QUOTE]

Way to generalize git.

Op you got to get details of said individuals and report them straight away.

Vahevala

Hearing stories like this is what makes me rarely get a taxi and certainly never one from a taxi rank, they seem to think they can treat customers like this.

If they don't want to do the job, get another job. They should be grateful of the fare.

james116

don't go to that rank again just flag one down on the street.

doomed

Sorry to hear that. Never had a problem for a short journey but I am reasonably big so maybe its a bullying thing.

Generally I flag people down when I am taking a short trip.

Drivers need to cop on. Nobody owes them a living. They also need to realise that if people didn't take short trips then everyone would be waiting a hell of a lot longer at the ranks.

tfitzgerald

You were right in the heading of your post op . He is a bully he should be reported .

zagmund

I rarely take taxis, but when I do I normally just flag one down on the street. If nothing else, some of the ranks are so big (and full) that by the time you walk from the bottom to the top of the rank a few empties would have driven by. It's just easier to flag one down on the move. And this way, I get to chose the nice comfy car and not be forced to take the first one on the rank no matter what condition it or the driver is in or risk engaging in a mind game with the drivers to see which how far I have to work my way down the rank before someone will accept the fare.

As far as I remember, I haven't had bad experiences with the approach of flagging down on the street. This seems to be in stark contrast to the stories that you hear of abuse when picking one from the rank.

I know the verbal abuse stories might only account for 1% or 0.5% or 0.05% or whatever of engagements from a rank, but compare that to 0% for flagging down on the street and you can see why I take my approach.

z

mikemac1

I never use ranks to avoid this
Just flag one down, they are delighted to get you and they nearly always round down my fare

About two km from my shopping centre to my flat. There is a rank in the SC car park but I ignore it and just walk to the main road and flag from there if I want a taxi

mickoneill30

I work in a company in Swords. We had 11 guys coming over from France a couple of weeks ago. They asked us to drive up and pick them up because the last time a couple of them were over and got taxis from the airport they got shouted at by the taxi drivers. That was a nice "Cead Mile Failte" for them.

For me, I'd use the airport a fair bit and used to get taxis from it down to Swords. I know I'm taking them from a long wait so I'd tip decently. After a couple of whingebags (who obviously didn't get tipped after the moaning), now I just go out to the bus and pay less than 2 quid and get there without the moaning. The tourists won't know to do that though.

Victor

zagmund wrote: »

And this way, I get to chose the nice comfy car and not be forced to take the first one on the rank no matter what condition it or the driver is in or risk engaging in a mind game with the drivers to see which how far I have to work my way down the rank before someone will accept the fare.

The customer can pick any taxi they want in the queue.

Dingatron

mickoneill30 wrote: »

I work in a company in Swords. We had 11 guys coming over from France a couple of weeks ago. They asked us to drive up and pick them up because the last time a couple of them were over and got taxis from the airport they got shouted at by the taxi drivers. That was a nice "Cead Mile Failte" for them.

Pity it wasn't reported to the Airport Authority as they do take this very seriously for the reasons you point out. Also the drivers can get a short trip ticket allowing them to skip the queue if they are back to the airport within 20 minutes. They'd no reason to be treated like that by the drivers.

Motorist

Taxi drivers know nothing about professionalism. I've experienced that kind of behaviour also from taxi drivers on Camden Street - a 9 euro fare wasn't far enough.

I heard the wife of a taxi driver complaining recently about a certain type people that dont leave tips. They should not expect tips at all, they shouldnt complain about how bad business is, they shouldn't waffle on about everything when the customer doesn't want to talk, they should take the shortest and/or quickest route, and they should know how to get to major destinations.

Sponge Bob

Verminous Dublin Taxi drivers are as old as Marmite.

Vahevala

Victor wrote: »

The customer can pick any taxi they want in the queue.

I wouldn't fancy doing that at some of the nastier ranks like O'Connell Street, you would get lynched! :eek:

lost marbles

Motorist wrote: »

someTaxi drivers know nothing about professionalism. I've experienced that kind of behaviour also from taxi drivers on Camden Street - a 9 euro fare wasn't far enough.

I heard the wife of a taxi driver complaining recently about a certain type people that dont leave tips. They should not expect tips at all, they shouldnt complain about how bad business is, they shouldn't waffle on about everything when the customer doesn't want to talk, they should take the shortest and/or quickest route, and they should know how to get to major destinations.

fixed that for you .

Barely Hedged

Motorist wrote: »

Taxi drivers know nothing about professionalism. I've experienced that kind of behaviour also from taxi drivers on Camden Street - a 9 euro fare wasn't far enough.

I heard the wife of a taxi driver complaining recently about a certain type people that dont leave tips. They should not expect tips at all, they shouldnt complain about how bad business is, they shouldn't waffle on about everything when the customer doesn't want to talk, they should take the shortest and/or quickest route, and they should know how to get to major destinations.

I've never given a taxi driver a tip in my life (28 y.o.) and lived in Dublin 26 years. I never knew it was common practice. Am I just being naieve or just applying common sense?

Victor

Barely Hedged wrote: »

I've never given a taxi driver a tip in my life (28 y.o.) and lived in Dublin 26 years. I never knew it was common practice. Am I just being naieve or just applying common sense?

Some people will round it off to the nearest euro.

Otherwise, it would only be if, for example they helped you with your bags or otherwise went out of their way.

Terrontress

I am not sure why but I always leave a couple of Euro. Maybe round it up and add one. Journey is 12.40 so I tell them to take 14. What's interesting is when you take this approach and give them 15, they'll start to make a big fuss for the €1 coin and you begin to feel petty waiting for it.

Even when the taxi drivers were previously raking the cash in I always tipped like this. I am not sure why I do it, it's just convention. I'd also tip a waitress or barman but nobody self-employed like a taxi driver.

I once had a driver who told me that my fare was whatever value plus tip. He did NOT get a tip.

mikemac1

Barely Hedged wrote: »

I've never given a taxi driver a tip in my life (28 y.o.) and lived in Dublin 26 years. I never knew it was common practice. Am I just being naieve or just applying common sense?

It works itself out realy
If you round up to the nearest euro you'll get a driver later on who'll round down for you
So some sort of balance in the taxi universe

Drivers at ranks almost never round down but if you flag one down they nearly always will in my experience, they love to get flagged down and are happy for the fare

wexford12

Cookie_Monster wrote: »

Surely short journeys are much better for driver because of the ridiculously high standing charge. €7 x 6 short journeys an hour are better than one long one worth €30, no?

Six journeys an hour lol where I did 7 the whole of Saturday night. I agree that no driver should be rude or shout about what the fare is but its not easy sitting in line for an hour or so with money wories and getting a €5 fare.
I know that's life and that's the job we picked etc etc. I have found myself not been able to talk to a customer because of the last one pissed me of so much sometimes its best to sit and say nothing lol

Zulu

Victor wrote: »

The customer can pick any taxi they want in the queue.

Technically, yes. But it doesn't really happen in practice.

I've always taken the first taxi, but a friend of mine was accused of being a racist because they didn't take the first car and the driver happened to be a foreign national. Who wants to be publicly accused of being a racist? Also, who wants to get into a "thing" with the first driver. Personally I find it's just a whole lot easier to hop into the first car - even if it is a crock of shit.

That said, i really should make a point of selecting nicer cars...

Also, at the airport, you are told which car to take.

Zulu

wexford12 wrote: »

I agree that no driver should be rude or shout about what the fare is but its not easy sitting in line for an hour or so with money wories and getting a €5 fare.

Well, we all have money worries. And sadly for you, the more drivers that grumble about low fares, the less inclined the public will be to get into a taxi.

Zascar

Something similar happened to me a while ago – I came home from holiday with my girlfriend and we were going to her house from the Airport.. We went outside and a taxi was there the man politely took our bags and asked where we were going. She told him XXX Road, Swords. We got into the taxi and he pulled off – and then said “Sorry, where did you say you were going” I replied: XXX Road, swords. He nearly crashed. He went bananas ranting and raving. Saying he was 3 hours at the rank and it would only be a 12 euro fair. He said I should have said it to him and he would have sent me to the back of the queue. I had no idea I usually get the air bus and I had no noticed a big queue of taxi’s at all. I would have happily got a different taxi (at the departures level even – get one dropping someone else off) – but the fact is we told him where we were going and it was his fault he did not listen properly.

Long story short because of his hugely inappropriate behaviour, and the way I was trying to handle the situation to calm it down, it caused a fight between myself and my girlfriend which almost never happens. She was absolutely infuriated by the situation and upset her for the rest of the evening. He p1ssed me off no end.

They should either have some sign there or just clearly tell the taxi drivers to check before letting anyone else into their cab. And any driver making a woman burst into tears should be reprimanded.

I know its crappy for the taxi drivers these days but I have little sympathy for them. Like many, I remember the many years of the late 90’s and early 2000’s when there were almost no taxi’s in Dublin. You’d spend hours walking the streets looking for a taxi, you’d eventually flag one down – they would ask you where you were going – and if it was far away they would drive off - as they made more money short journeys. So 10 years later the tables have turned, and few people really care. I really have a dislike for them as a whole, there is a very disproportionate amount of real w@ankers working that job. And don’t even get me started on their blatant disregard for the rules of the road...

zagmund

Victor wrote: »

The customer can pick any taxi they want in the queue.

I know this is the theory. There are enough posts here on boards.ie to indicate that some of the drivers don't quite get this concept though and 'inisist' that you go to the top.

I think most people couldn't be arsed debating the finer points of the relevant pieces of legislation with the drivers and will (like me and others who have posted here) just avoid the rank entirely and flag someone down.

z

EricPraline

Victor wrote: »

The customer can pick any taxi they want in the queue.

n97 mini wrote: »

A possible workaround is to pick the last cab in the rank. He/she should have nothing to complain about?

This is nice in theory. But as others pointed out, good luck trying that in practice. I have been verbally abused before for not taking the first taxi in the rank - simply because the first driver was too busy on his phone to notice a potential customer. I have also seen women verbally abused at taxi ranks by aggressive drivers.

As others have suggested, it's best to avoid ranks where possible and hail on the street.

Incidentally this idea of treating potential customers badly simply because business is bad doesn't just relate to taxis - it seems rife in many industries in Ireland. But as far as taxis are concerned, it's the personal safety issue that's particularly worrying. Nobody wants to be treated like the OP where she/he is stuck in a confined space with an angry, aggressive individual (and paying for the privilege of it).

Losty Dublin

zagmund wrote: »

I know this is the theory. There are enough posts here on boards.ie to indicate that some of the drivers don't quite get this concept though and 'inisist' that you go to the top.

I think most people couldn't be arsed debating the finer points of the relevant pieces of legislation with the drivers and will (like me and others who have posted here) just avoid the rank entirely and flag someone down.

z

Just to make a small clarification on this, Zagamund.

When the idea of choosing a car at a rank is in many ways a good call, The drivers were not informed of this in advance. The only notification being a small paragraph hidden in a column of a quarterly sent out to drivers and plate owners so it was easily missed by most people. Add to it how it as good as erases the principle of a queue (first come first served), it is easy to see how it serves to annoy and bemuse some people, even if well meant.

Mrs OBumble

wexford12 wrote: »

I have found myself not been able to talk to a customer because of the last one pissed me of so much sometimes its best to sit and say nothing lol

I'm glad you're getting frequent fares.

And if you pick me up, I really appreciate it when you zip up the lip, and don't make me listen to your views of politics, sport or whatever else is on your mind. Just focus on driving safely and quickly, and I'll be a happy customer. And if it's a ridiculously short ride (E6 or less) I'll throw you and extra euro or two.

Capt'n Midnight

a driver in a rank isn't burning petrol , so while income is down, so are expenses
IIRC Taxi drivers have to pay to use Dublin airport, but can claim back off the passenger ?

just had at this http://taxiregulation.nationaltransport.ie/for-users/tax-fare-calculator/

doesn't mention M50 toll or extra charge from Dublin Airport
which I assume the customer pays extra for ?

CIE

Zascar wrote: »

Something similar happened to me a while ago – I came home from holiday with my girlfriend and we were going to her house from the Airport.. We went outside and a taxi was there the man politely took our bags and asked where we were going. She told him XXX Road, Swords. We got into the taxi and he pulled off – and then said “Sorry, where did you say you were going” I replied: XXX Road, swords. He nearly crashed. He went bananas ranting and raving. Saying he was 3 hours at the rank and it would only be a 12 euro fair. He said I should have said it to him and he would have sent me to the back of the queue. I had no idea I usually get the air bus and I had no noticed a big queue of taxi’s at all. I would have happily got a different taxi (at the departures level even – get one dropping someone else off) – but the fact is we told him where we were going and it was his fault he did not listen properly.

Long story short because of his hugely inappropriate behaviour, and the way I was trying to handle the situation to calm it down, it caused a fight between myself and my girlfriend which almost never happens. She was absolutely infuriated by the situation and upset her for the rest of the evening. He p1ssed me off no end.

They should either have some sign there or just clearly tell the taxi drivers to check before letting anyone else into their cab. And any driver making a woman burst into tears should be reprimanded.

I know its crappy for the taxi drivers these days but I have little sympathy for them. Like many, I remember the many years of the late 90’s and early 2000’s when there were almost no taxi’s in Dublin. You’d spend hours walking the streets looking for a taxi, you’d eventually flag one down – they would ask you where you were going – and if it was far away they would drive off - as they made more money short journeys. So 10 years later the tables have turned, and few people really care. I really have a dislike for them as a whole, there is a very disproportionate amount of real w@ankers working that job. And don’t even get me started on their blatant disregard for the rules of the road...

Now just imagine how bad things would be for them if Dublin Bus suddenly instituted 24-hour bus service...

n97 mini

Zulu wrote: »

I've always taken the first taxi, but a friend of mine was accused of being a racist because they didn't take the first car

By whom? The guy in the first car? What does it matter, not like you're going to see him again!

Zulu

Yea, the driver of the first car.

What does it matter? It doesn't if you're accustomed to being shouted at in public; it doesn't if you don't mind being abused in public.

Most people prefer to avoid such situations, but good for you that you don't.

wexford12

Capt'n Midnight wrote: »

a driver in a rank isn't burning petrol , so while income is down, so are expenses
IIRC Taxi drivers have to pay to use Dublin airport, but can claim back off the passenger ?

just had at this http://taxiregulation.nationaltransport.ie/for-users/tax-fare-calculator/

doesn't mention M50 toll or extra charge from Dublin Airport
which I assume the customer pays extra for ?

Well thats rubbish sitting on a rank starting your engine 20 odd times to get to the top of a rank kills your car and starter motor and this can be done for maybe 10 sittings for 10 fares.
So many cars are in bits from this pratice I leave my engine running if for nothing more than heat in the car or air con

bensweeney

Only had it once, going from Airport to Swords. wish I complained.

oisindoyle

Capt'n Midnight wrote: »

a driver in a rank isn't burning petrol , so while income is down, so are expenses
IIRC Taxi drivers have to pay to use Dublin airport, but can claim back off the passenger ?

just had at this http://taxiregulation.nationaltransport.ie/for-users/tax-fare-calculator/

doesn't mention M50 toll or extra charge from Dublin Airport
which I assume the customer pays extra for ?

If you read the information correctly you would have seen that it mentions the toll charge ....
What exactly are you talking about re "extra charge" from Dublin Airport??????...
Just to enlighten you and to help you stop spreading misinformation ,,,there is NO "extra charge" from Dublin Airport!

oisindoyle

Well the usual bash taxi drivers posters are alive and kicking,isn't that a surprise!
The word that many are omitting is SOME .In other words not all taxi drivers are as someone politely said "wa*kers"
I think you will find many a taxi driver has to put up with wa*kers,rude obnoxious smelly opinionated passengers on a daily basis ,,,so it works both ways !
To the OP ,your driver was in the wrong and it was a terrible experience for you .

If you (or any passenger) gets into a taxi he has to take you be that journey short or long.
Report a driver if you must ,but to be honest reporting an incident to the taxi regulator can be full of red tape, its long and winded and time consumeing .Ive yet to hear of anyone getting a satisfactory outcome from them ,,but thats another days work.

It's also interesting and amusing to see people state that drivers getting 6 fares in an hour ,how misguided you are .
Many a driver is on a rank for 2hrs before they get a fare..
At the airport its usually 3 hrs before a driver gets away ..
The is no need for rudeness from any driver ,and the vast majority are well behaved and mannerly ,something that people are choosing to ignore!

Sultan of Bling

wexford12 wrote: »

Well thats rubbish sitting on a rank starting your engine 20 odd times to get to the top of a rank kills your car and starter motor and this can be done for maybe 10 sittings for 10 fares.
So many cars are in bits from this pratice I leave my engine running if for nothing more than heat in the car or air con

Why don't you take the handbrake off and push the car up the rank?

Zulu

oisindoyle wrote: »

...and the vast majority are well behaved and mannerly ,something that people are choosing to ignore!

I must have missed the post that stated all taxi drivers are.., & in the absence of that, I was working off the principle that we were only discussing certain taxi drivers.

JCDUB

I live in Santry and have gotten attitude numerous times coming from the airport.

However I make it clear that I am as entitled as the next person to take their taxi and it's just a matter of luck, and never entertain their ranting. I sometimes just ask them to be quiet.

The ones who don't complain always get a tip too. The ones who do, that's a different story.

Having said that, I usually just go upstairs to departures now and get a taxi, the drivers dropping fares off are only too happy to take you.

oisindoyle

JCDUB wrote: »

I live in Santry and have gotten attitude numerous times coming from the airport.

However I make it clear that I am as entitled as the next person to take their taxi and it's just a matter of luck, and never entertain their ranting. I sometimes just ask them to be quiet.

The ones who don't complain always get a tip too. The ones who do, that's a different story.

Having said that, I usually just go upstairs to departures now and get a taxi, the drivers dropping fares off are only too happy to take you.

and those drivers at departures are doing so illegally .Drivers are not permitted to take fares at departures

foggy_lad

oisindoyle wrote: »

If you (or any passenger) gets into a taxi he has to take you be that journey short or long.
Report a driver if you must ,but to be honest reporting an incident to the taxi regulator can be full of red tape, its long and winded and time consumeing .Ive yet to hear of anyone getting a satisfactory outcome from them ,,but thats another days work.

So in one breath you are saying to complain to the regulator but in the next you give reasons why any complaint will be fruitless, It would be more helpful to say to people report and give as much detail as you can! the regulator will investigate and contact the driver involved and take action if required!

It's also interesting and amusing to see people state that drivers getting 6 fares in an hour ,how misguided you are .
Many a driver is on a rank for 2hrs before they get a fare..
At the airport its usually 3 hrs before a driver gets away ..
The is no need for rudeness from any driver ,and the vast majority are well behaved and mannerly ,something that people are choosing to ignore!

That has nothing to do with any passenger! It is the drivers choice to sit at any rank just as it is the drivers choice to get into the business.