Seriously Agressive Taxi Driver

Strumms

This happened to me last night....

I work at Dublin airport. I did not bring the car in yesterday as I was meeting a friend after work in one of the airport bars to have a beer before he went on holiday. Long story short and 2 pints later I q'd for a taxi at T1 arrivals. Got into the car said my destination which was in the Glasnevin area. He sighs starts shaking his head and asks the attendant for a pass to get back as it was only a short fare. The conversation went like this..

ME : Sorry have you been waiting long..

HIM : About 90 minutes

ME : Ok sorry, I guess all you needed was a bum like me going localish after that wait.

HIM : Well you are actually the 3rd bum in a row Can you put on your seatbelt as I wont be sparing the horses.

ME : Ok no worries I have a heavy foot myself yer grand.

HIM : What ? thats a bit derogrity what are you trying to say ? BTW I'm going onto the M50 if there is a fare difference to what you normally pay we'll sort it out.

ME : Actually, I usually go the back road of the airport and down Ballymun if thats alright.

HIM : Well I need to go this way to...

ME : No actually I'd prefer to go as I asked if thats alright.

HIM :(getting thick &agressive now) I am trying to get back there in 20 minutes and you are not going to oblige me ? thats great seriously you wont oblige me ? jesus unbelievable.

ME : Sunshine I am the customer I dont need to oblige you, I'd be obliged if you would do your job and go how I asked.

HIM : (shouting) Dont call me sunshine MATE (repeated a few times with crazy hand gestures) and you are right you are bum you said it yourself didnt you are a bum plenty else I could call you too but I'll keep my mouth shut.

ME : Yes I seriously think you should do at this stage.


The conversation ended there with silence maintained for the second half of the journey. It probably doesnt even look all that bad in print but jeez the attitude of this guy was unreal, never had this in a taxi before at all most guys are sound in this city. From word go his attitude just was shocking. I can completly understand the sort of frustration he must have felt and I have every sympathy with his prediciment but to take it out on me was just not on. I thought I lost the reciept but found it just now so I'll be going back to the airport police in the morning and reporting it to the duty seargent.

I'd be keen for other opinions and to see if anyone else had ever had a bad experience simular to this particularly at Dublin AIrport.

stop animal cruelty

Why didn't you leave him go the way he wanted in order for him to get back to the airport quicker? :?

Strumms

As it goes I have have been burned before on that airport rank where guys do that and the fare ends up significantly more expensive going that way. I had no intent of haggling with him at my hall door over the price. Before the mention of how he wanted to go he had already displayed agressivness and a rudness so I wasnt getting into anything with him like that. It my right to expect civility and a level of professionalisim from him. He got nowhere close to providing either that would have been acceptable. I requested to go a certain way which is my right under law as a fare paying passanger.

mikemac1

Was chatting to my local taximan during the week, I have his mobile and use him regularly

I don't realy know Dublin airport but he tells me people who are local to the airport grab a taxi upstairs at departures.

Now I don't know the layout of the airport but it seems to be common and the taximen are just delighted to get a quick fare and the customer is happy too

I'm sure it's not allowed but it goes on anyway

Where To

Do no harm to fill out a complaint form as well as going to the AP.

http://transportforireland.ie/assets/Complaints-Form-NTA-Sep-2011.pdf

Strumms

getting a taxi upstairs was as I understood it is a big no no ? I cant imagine it has changed but I always believed that taxi guys were not allowed pick up from there. Maybe somone in the know can shed some light on that one. It would be better all round but since its not regulated ie rank etc I dont know how that would work plenty of leeway for guys to take advantage of that.

Strumms

Where To wrote: »

Do no harm to fill out a complaint form as well as going to the AP.

http://transportforireland.ie/assets/Complaints-Form-NTA-Sep-2011.pdf

I was in with the AP today, They were in the middle of their shift change so the duty seargent wasnt available and I was on my break so couldnt hang around. I'll be dropping in tomorrow alright.

Wishbone Ash

At least Glasnevin wasn't too bad considering what those who live in the vicinity of the airport have to put up with when getting a taxi.

oisindoyle

Strumms wrote: »

getting a taxi upstairs was as I understood it is a big no no ? I cant imagine it has changed but I always believed that taxi guys were not allowed pick up from there. Maybe somone in the know can shed some light on that one. It would be better all round but since its not regulated ie rank etc I dont know how that would work plenty of leeway for guys to take advantage of that.

You are correct ,taxis are not allowed to pick up fares upstairs .
Secondly ,You were the passenger it is up to you what way you want to go ,going down Ballymun was the way he should have gone .
He was out of order speaking to you like he did ,you were in the right .

Having said all that ,why did you call him "sunshine",,,,,,lol

Strumms

thanks for the clarification on the upstairs pick ups.

I was just a little bit shocked and put out at his attitude and how he was going on in general so the 'sunshine' bit was just me being a little smart back to him, it did quite the trick. Loose the head you loose the argument. The right whisper or carefully positioned word can be more effective the the loudest yell at times.

Technoprisoner

report him to the garda carrige office

http://www.garda.ie/Controller.aspx?Page=100&Lang=1

Strumms

yup totally, I have the relevant info to do just that, cheers.

Munstermissy

The airport taxi drivers go mental if you are only going local. It's like how dare you hop into my taxi and have the cheek to go local, missus I will end up at the back of queue just take you around the corner. Tough titty says I, they are there to provide a service no matter what mileage.

Last time I had the pleasure of using their services I was only heading to near to the coach mans inn to catch a lift down the country. Driver practically fired me out of his car at the top of the road and I had to lug to heavy bags the rest of the way, no tip for him..

Strumms

Munstermissy wrote: »

The airport taxi drivers go mental if you are only going local. It's like how dare you hop into my taxi and have the cheek to go local, missus I will end up at the back of queue just take you around the corner. Tough titty says I, they are there to provide a service no matter what mileage.

Last time I had the pleasure of using their services I was only heading to near to the coach mans inn to catch a lift down the country. Driver practically fired me out of his car at the top of the road and I had to lug to heavy bags the rest of the way, no tip for him..

Yeah its BS. Although I lost the reciept I wasnt in much mind to go to the hassle of reporting him its not generally my style in these situations but thinking about it today, **** him. They are there to provide a service as you say. I have sympathy it must be difficult out there for those guys but that is because of the system, too many taxi's, the economy etc.. Not to be taken out on customers who are the essence of their doing the job they do and the foundation on which they make a living for themselves.

oisindoyle

Strumms wrote: »

Yeah its BS. Although I lost the reciept I wasnt in much mind to go to the hassle of reporting him its not generally my style in these situations but thinking about it today, **** him. They are there to provide a service as you say. I have sympathy it must be difficult out there for those guys but that is because of the system, too many taxi's, the economy etc.. Not to be taken out on customers who are the essence of their doing the job they do and the foundation on which they make a living for themselves.

Yup as I said he as out of order,As for reportng the incident ,unless you have a printed receipt I fear you will not be able to take it further ,The old NTA are particular like that

Strumms

oisindoyle wrote: »

Yup as I said he as out of order,As for reportng the incident ,unless you have a printed receipt I fear you will not be able to take it further ,The old NTA are particular like that

found the recepit again so alls good.

yabadabado

Had a very similar journey myself a few years back.I was staying with a mate in swords for the night and I had the address but hadnt a clue how to get there.Got into the taxi told the lad the address.First thing he siad was "your only going to swords,I have been waiting here for over an hour" he then called over some fella who was working with the DAA and complained to him about the short journey,DAA fella told him basically to cop on ,take the fare.When he didnt get any rights from him ,he tried to tell me to get a bus.
I was raging at that stage,if I wanted a bus I would have got one.he was a complete dickhead,complained for the ten minute journey or so.I ****ed the head of him when I got to my stop I wouldnt usually do it but this lad was a disgrace.

AhInFairness

Happened to me yesterday morning.

Arrived in Dublin Airport from JFK after having our original flight cancelled. We were absolutely shattered after a pretty tiring few days of hurricane Sandy and then the overnight flight which means no sleep whatsoever. So we go out to the rank, driver is all smiles and puts the bags in the boot and then says "where to?" The conversation went as follows...

Me: Applewood in Swords please.
Him: Well it's lovely to see yis (majorly sarcastic) Why do yis do it to us?
Me: Do what?
Him: Applewood in Swords? I've been here for 3 hours.
Me: If you have a problem with the fare we'll go with someone else.
Him: I'm only joking.
Me: No you're not joking. Its always the same at this rank. If you don't want my money then let me out and I'll give it to someone else. We've been stuck in New York because of a hurricane and not in the humour for sarky comments.
Him: I've been waiting here for 3 hours because of the hurricane.
Me: Not my problem. If you don't want the fare bring us back to the rank and we'll get out.
Him: ...silence...

He attempted ridiculous small talk a few minutes into the trip but got nowhere. I was so angry because I knew it was going to happen. It always does at the airport. What was expecting? Someone to come out and say "Cork please!"

I don't owe anyone a living and I don't have any sympathy for taxi drivers that treat paying customers like crap because they don't feel that they're getting enough out of them.

zenno

Number one rule is to ring taxi firm and then ask how much would it be from say swords to malahide and they will give you an estimate, if your not happy then ring a different taxi firm, think of it as looking for a car/van insurance quote :pac:... These are the day's for haggling so I think it's about time you haggle your fare with the taxi man/woman, and if you are not happy with the deal try again.

Sort the charge out before the taxi moves (important). It cost my uncle 17.50 to get a taxi from swords to malahide today, seems a bit dear but everyone forgets about haggle. Haggle is your friend so use him or her accordingly.

PS. For all the taxi drivers reading this thread....Stop ripping everyone off and be a good lad and set the price according to reality ? good lads. If not, then there will be no business for you...simple really.

areyawell

My usual conversation with a taxi driver

Me: Drop me home will ya ya
Taxi: Where ya live
Me: xxxxxx
Taxi: No Bother
Me: Busy 2nite
Taxi: No, brought some yoke ones home there skirts up to there belly button, would give me my left nut to be 30 years younger and get on top of em. Young lads these including yourself use;ess. what age are ya?
Me: 24
Taxi: Your fuc**N youselss these days. Back in the day they used to wear clothes up to there eyeballs, wouldn't even get a look at there t*ts or anthin. They were twice as hard to get with . Me and my mates wouldn't leave aer a young one walk home straight. They get rodgered till the sun comes up and walk home sideways. Anymore yoke lads I may just lob out my knob, uually they just a sniff and they'll suck till the cows need milking

Legend of a taxi driver

marketty

areyawell wrote: »

My usual conversation with a taxi driver

Me: Drop me home will ya ya
Taxi: Where ya live
Me: xxxxxx
Taxi: No Bother
Me: Busy 2nite
Taxi: No, brought some yoke ones home there skirts up to there belly button, would give me my left nut to be 30 years younger and get on top of em. Young lads these including yourself use;ess. what age are ya?
Me: 24
Taxi: Your fuc**N youselss these days. Back in the day they used to wear clothes up to there eyeballs, wouldn't even get a look at there t*ts or anthin. They were twice as hard to get with . Me and my mates wouldn't leave aer a young one walk home straight. They get rodgered till the sun comes up and walk home sideways. Anymore yoke lads I may just lob out my knob, uually they just a sniff and they'll suck till the cows need milking

Legend of a taxi driver

wat

yabadabado

zenno wrote: »

Number one rule is to ring taxi firm and then ask how much would it be from say swords to malahide and they will give you an estimate, if your not happy then ring a different taxi firm, think of it as looking for a car/van insurance quote :pac:... These are the day's for haggling so I think it's about time you haggle your fare with the taxi man/woman, and if you are not happy with the deal try again.

Sort the charge out before the taxi moves (important). It cost my uncle 17.50 to get a taxi from swords to malahide today, seems a bit dear but everyone forgets about haggle. Haggle is your friend so use him or her accordingly.

PS. For all the taxi drivers reading this thread....Stop ripping everyone off and be a good lad and set the price according to reality ? good lads. If not, then there will be no business for you...simple really.

I think your missing the point, it's not about the price charged, it's been treated like **** by a taxi driver because you are only going a short distance.it's a disgrace the crap that goes on at the airport. DAA or whoever s in charge need to sort it out .

username123

Ive had the opposite problem. What? Tallaght? I dont want to go all the way there, Im finishing up in half an hour.

Last time it happened I said 'Fine, take me to the nearest Garda station, I wish to report you for breaking the law and allowing me into your taxi with the light on at a rank then refusing to go where I wish to go.'

Cue, heaps of verbal abuse, a quick trip to the local cop shop, the taxi man tripping over himself to get into the cop shop first and when I walk in he is screaming at the guard that Im threatening him etc...

I make my report, the guard acts like he doesnt know what to do. He gets me to write down my name and address, and then goes into the back, the taxi man grabs the sheet of paper and begins to recite my name and address to me menacingly and tells me 'he wont let this go'. The guard comes back and I ask 'are you just going to let him behave like this?'.

I continue to make my complaint. The taxi man leaves. I ask the garda to give me the name of a local taxi company, call another taxi, leave. Make a separate report to the carriage office and tell them I went to the cop shop (they had told me years before to do this) and how I was treated both by the garda who hadnt a clue and the taxi man who was ever more aggressive.

A month later I was awoken from my slumber one sunday morning by a guard on the phone, from the carriage office, to tell me said taxi man had been reprimanded and black mark on record (3 strikes and out type thing) and said garda station informed on how to handle complaints from members of public on taxi men.

I was glad I followed through tbh.

Orim

I've only gotten taxis from the airport a couple of times and terrible attitude each time.

So I stopped using the service and won't use regardless of where I'm going now. I wouldn't be a massively regular traveller but I doubt I'm the only one that just won't use them.

Now it mightn't make a massive difference but did they ever consider that the wait might not be as bad if they didn't keep chasing people off that would like to use the service?

MMAGirl

Got a taxi from the Airport a couple of weeks ago.

Me: Can I go to Santry Please.
Him : A for fcuk sake. I've been here for 3 hours waiting and I get a sh!t fare like you.
Him to DAA guy : Ahh for fcuk sake ......
Nothing doing with the DAA guy.

Him : @#!'' #@!''# - all the way to the til he got to ALSAA.
Me : OK, thats it. Let me out here at the bus stop.
Him : @#!#@ I thought you were going to Santry.
Me : I am, but not in this car. Let me out and I'll get a bus.
Him : #"!@ @#@!!#

Me : Have a nice day. And remember not to moan when the next person gets into your taxi in 3 hours time.

Then as luck would have it, a 41C came as he was leaving.

I'm going to start recording on my phone before I get into a taxi in the airport from now on. I dont know whether i'll send the recordings to the gardai or Youtube. But I can guarantee that at least 2 out of 3 times i get a taxi in Dublin airport I get the same sh!t from the driver.

Solair

I'd a similar experience at Heuston Station the other day.
The taxi hadn't been queuing as he'd just pulled up and the rank was nearly empty.
I was going to an address in Stoneybatter and he huffed said would you not have f#####ing walked?

It was raining and I'd a big load of luggage and it's a pretty dodgy walk at that hour of night.

I just ignored him and paid the exact meter fare. I hate being made feel bad for giving someone business.

I had driver in Cork tell me to get out of the car when I asked to go a similar distance too.

Next driver in the queue took his taxi number down and was saying it's lads like that who are giving the industry a bad name.

A_Sober_Paddy

Just reading this thread has brought back a few taxi memories...

Now my bad experiences are more about terrible manners...

Often got into taxi's where the driver is talking on his phone(hands free), its very rode and they don't make any effort to get off the phone, last time it happened I rang the rank and his not driving for them anymore.

oisindoyle

zenno wrote: »

Number one rule is to ring taxi firm and then ask how much would it be from say swords to malahide and they will give you an estimate, if your not happy then ring a different taxi firm, think of it as looking for a car/van insurance quote :pac:... These are the day's for haggling so I think it's about time you haggle your fare with the taxi man/woman, and if you are not happy with the deal try again.

Sort the charge out before the taxi moves (important). It cost my uncle 17.50 to get a taxi from swords to malahide today, seems a bit dear but everyone forgets about haggle. Haggle is your friend so use him or her accordingly.

PS. For all the taxi drivers reading this thread....Stop ripping everyone off and be a good lad and set the price according to reality ? good lads. If not, then there will be no business for you...simple really.

I presume you haggle with yer barman when he wants to charge you 5,40 for a pint ,I presume you haggle with the nightclub owwner when he wants to charge you a tenner into his club?

juan.kerr

stop animal cruelty wrote: »

Why didn't you leave him go the way he wanted in order for him to get back to the airport quicker? :?

I don't really understand this point. OP wanted to get somewhere and pay the least amount. The driver wanted to go an alternative route that it seems would cost more. Given that he started acting the p***k I certainly wouldn't have obliged him.

It's not the OPs problem that the taxi driver had 3 'bums' in a row.

I don't turn a taxi down because it's a 10 year heap of s***e, no reason he should be able to turn down a passenger because he lives locally.

repsol

Most,not all ,most taxi drivers are scumbags.You only have to look at the way they behaved in the past at protests.They roughed up Charlie Bird,they threw objects at Gardai who could not retaliate because the cowards had their wives and kids with them.They object to any suggestion of improving car standards etc and then can't figure out why there are too many taxis! There are too many because a)it is dirt cheap to start up b)any moron can drive a taxi and c)there are no standards to meet.I suggest Primetime or someone does a hidden camera job on the scrotes in the Airport.Can you imagine a tourist going to a local hotel in Swords meeting one of these toerags? Welcome to Ireland,don't come back ever!

acousticguy

To be honest I've had nothing but good experiences and as a rule of thumb I always tell them where I am going before I sit in. Usually works for me. These experiences are pretty mental I'm glad I've never had this. The closest I had was a dangerous taxi driver who was a slug of a man. He drove like he was falling asleep every couple of minutes and cars were passing us out, even other taxi's. Eventually he put full throttle on for a couple of minutes before wavering towards the ditch. I was mortified, he also chain smoked which made me regret sitting in the passenger seat and at one point swerved towards another car when he dropped his cigg on his jumper. Pretty much all my experiences over the year have been great though. Sound drivers, good chat and because of that they usually knock off a couple of euro for yah.

Orim

juan.kerr wrote: »

I don't really understand this point. OP wanted to get somewhere and pay the least amount. The driver wanted to go an alternative route that it seems would cost more. Given that he started acting the p***k I certainly wouldn't have obliged him.

It's not the OPs problem that the taxi driver had 3 'bums' in a row.

I don't turn a taxi down because it's a 10 year heap of s***e, no reason he should be able to turn down a passenger because he lives locally.

In fairness the driver advised that he wanted to go that way and would settle up for whatever the OP usually pays.

From the account it seems like it was only after this issue that the driver started getting rude. For short trips it makes a big difference if the driver can make it back quick as he can skip the holding pen if he's back quick enough (20 minutes?).

The OP originally used the word bum and that start reads more like banter but of course it's difficult to ascertain from text.

Myrddin

Didn't you know, the world owes Taxi drivers a living

Strumms

Orim wrote: »

In fairness the driver advised that he wanted to go that way and would settle up for whatever the OP usually pays.

From the account it seems like it was only after this issue that the driver started getting rude. For short trips it makes a big difference if the driver can make it back quick as he can skip the holding pen if he's back quick enough (20 minutes?).

The OP originally used the word bum and that start reads more like banter but of course it's difficult to ascertain from text.

There was an issue with him, his demeanour and his attitude from the moment I mentioned the word 'Glasnevin'. The fact it makes a big difference to him getting back to his holding pen is not my problem. I wasn't going to oblige anyone with an attitude like that in any regard. There was no banter just rudeness and an aggression that wasn't acceptable and it is being dealt with at present. It seems that I am not alone in having these issues when taking a taxi from the airport rank so hopefully something will get done and I would encourage others to go down a similar road and complain if they have to receive 'service'.

For any taxi drivers reading the thread .. I believe by my experiences in Dublin over the years that the vast majority of taxi drivers provide a good service to the public and that this individual and his kind are in the minority. However going by comments on here and some others from felow airport staff there could be an issue with a cross section of drivers who operate from the airport so be warned and don't take any crap.

oisindoyle

EnterNow wrote: »

Didn't you know, the world owes Taxi drivers a living

The world owes no one a living .It is rather unusual for a moderator to make a sarcastic comment ,which has only one aim and that is to incite some more anti taxi driver comments .

juan.kerr

Orim wrote: »

From the account it seems like it was only after this issue that the driver started getting rude

You're kidding, right?

Orim wrote: »

In fairness the driver advised that he wanted to go that way and would settle up for whatever the OP usually pays.

And you believe him?

Orim wrote: »

The OP originally used the word bum and that start reads more like banter but of course it's difficult to ascertain from text.

Maybe it's just me but I expect civility from any service provider. This is hardly civil:

What ? thats a bit derogrity what are you trying to say

oisindoyle

repsol wrote: »

Most,not all ,most taxi drivers are scumbags.!

Well no Most are not scumbags .There are SOME bad apples in the taxi business but the vast majority of drivers are decent and honest

repsol wrote: »

You only have to look at the way they behaved in the past at protests.They roughed up Charlie Bird,they threw objects at Gardai who could not retaliate because the cowards had their wives and kids with them..!

Were you there ?

Rather than make inaccurate comments about an incident from the comfort of your armchair ,perhaps it would be far better if you knew the FACTS,before you made up stories.
There was a march at the time of deregulation and Charlie Bird was reporting from it .
His wallet was stolen NOT by any taxi driver but by some teenage louts who joined the protest.One of the "robbers" was caught by some taxi drivers and handed over to the GARDS,,,,FACT
NO objects were ever thrown at the GARDS at this protest or any protest ,again you are incorrect .
A garda motorcycle was pushed over ,this wasnt done by any Taxi driver .At the march members of a socialist group for reasons best known to themselves joined the protest (as they do with every protest /march in the city) and it was some of their members who got agressive ,,,,FACT

repsol wrote: »

They object to any suggestion of improving car standards etc and then can't figure out why there are too many taxis! !

Really do they ? Three years ago there were numerous marches by Taxi drivers asking for MORE regulation and BETTER STANDARDS,so again the comfort of your armchair and inaccurate comments are shineing through[/QUOTE]

repsol

I take it by your response that you are a taxi driver yourself Oisin.No, I was not present at the demos but I know a couple of Gardai who were on duty and I am repeating what they told me.It is obvious from reading the above posts and from the opinion expressed by most people that there are only a few good apples in the business.Every time there is a "strike",lots of drivers who are not union members are intimidated into staying at home despite the fact that they are self employed and entitled to work.The rank at the Gresham is a notorious no go area for most drivers as it has a stranglehold on it by a collective of toerags who think they have a divine right to it.Then there is the well documented racism in the business.Primetime did an hour long programme on the business a few months ago and barely scratched the surface.The majority of cars used are nothing short of embarressing.They may pass an NCT (which is not above suspicion) but they are mainly dirty and old.I am afraid most peoples idea of an average taxi driver in Dublin is a rude ,aggressive,poorly educated,tracksuit wearing,Sun newspaper reading,racist ,****heap driving ,gob****e who will try and rip off anyone he can and thinks the world owes him a living.

Orim

Strumms wrote: »

There was an issue with him, his demeanour and his attitude from the moment I mentioned the word 'Glasnevin'. The fact it makes a big difference to him getting back to his holding pen is not my problem. I wasn't going to oblige anyone with an attitude like that in any regard. There was no banter just rudeness and an aggression that wasn't acceptable and it is being dealt with at present. It seems that I am not alone in having these issues when taking a taxi from the airport rank so hopefully something will get done and I would encourage others to go down a similar road and complain if they have to receive 'service'.

For any taxi drivers reading the thread .. I believe by my experiences in Dublin over the years that the vast majority of taxi drivers provide a good service to the public and that this individual and his kind are in the minority. However going by comments on here and some others from felow airport staff there could be an issue with a cross section of drivers who operate from the airport so be warned and don't take any crap.

I was just playing devil's advocate based on my reading of the post. This comes especially from the fact that a) your initial responses read like banter and b) there is a point that you state that the driver started was getting thick and aggresive.

As I have commented I refuse to get a taxi from the airport because of this attitude so I'm not against you. However there is a touch of ambiguity based on the OP which I was pointing out. You have cleared that up now.

I believe the major issue with taxis in Dublin, not just limited to airport, is that they a lot of them don't treat it as a service industry. It's just driving to them.

juan.kerr wrote: »

You're kidding, right?

No and I've explained my rationale above.

juan.kerr wrote: »

And you believe him?

Do I have any reason not to?

Depending on the journey I've settled up with drivers both above and below the metered price.

juan.kerr wrote: »

Maybe it's just me but I expect civility from any service provider. This is hardly civil:

I agree.

StankyStevie

Sounds like every taxi driver here in London, misarable gits, you've probably learnt a lesson not to be so polite andd apologise to the driver, sod 'em.
It's all swings and roundabouts in the taxi field, some you win - some you lose...

Strumms

In fairness I think you might be alone in interpreting my original post and subsequent comments on that experience that at any time myself and the driver were involved in any type of banter. I usually like having the craic with taxi guys talking about the football, politics general stuff and have had some very insightful conversations and good experiences mostly.

I have a friend who up to 2 years ago was a taxi driver, I spoke with him this morning and he verified some stories regarding the airport rank and the one opposite the Gresham and some of the characters and the goings on there. To be honest for the number of people in the business you can probably expect that there will be a minority who will be like that and who see the world and everyone in it being owing them a living rather than taking any pride in the industry and seeing themselves as service providers with required standards rather than just drivers.

oisindoyle

repsol wrote: »

.No, I was not present at the demos .

So you have no right to comment on something you know nothing about,you werent there.I told you what happened,who was involved gave you FACTS and the outcome .NO taxi driver was involved .

repsol wrote: »

.It is obvious from reading the above posts and from the opinion expressed by most people that there are only a few good apples in the business..

Well no it is not obvious .As I said there are a few bad apples in every walk of life and the taxi business is no exception .You will only ever hear people complain about drivers and never hear anything good.Some people just have an "inbuilt" distain for drivers ,for whatever reason .I could mention a number of names of here for example .
If you get 10 taxis over a period of time and have ONE bad experience ,that's the only one you/people are going to remember.

repsol wrote: »

.Every time there is a "strike",lots of drivers who are not union members are intimidated into staying at home despite the fact that they are self employed and entitled to work..

Taxis drivers dont go on "strike" they withdraw their services
Many many drivers who withdrew their services are not members of any organisation.As for your "intimidation" comment ,what proof have you that they were told to stay home ?

repsol wrote: »

.The rank at the Gresham is a notorious no go area for most drivers as it has a stranglehold on it by a collective of toerags who think they have a divine right to it...

And you have proof of this or is it from reading forum comments from people who only make assumptions about things

repsol wrote: »

.Then there is the well documented racism in the business....

What "well documented racism" is that then ?

repsol wrote: »

.Primetime did an hour long programme on the business a few months ago and barely scratched the surface.....

The Primetime programme was instigated at the behest of TAXI DRIVERS who were and are fed up with the lack of regulation in the business .The programme highlighted dodgy dealings with some people working in the NCT ,It also highlighted an africian driver who doubled jobbed (worked on Dub Bus ) and then drove a taxi .It also highlighted another africian driver who "hired" out less than roadworthy cars and didnt look for proper documents from the person looking to hire the car .

repsol wrote: »

.The majority of cars used are nothing short of embarressing.They may pass an NCT (which is not above suspicion) but they are mainly dirty and old......

Again you are talking utter nonsense.All cars are not dirty and old.Every taxi has to get an NCT test and pass and also another SGS taxi test and pass .If the car/s are not roadworthy or meet the standars requried then thye are not passed out .So I would suggest you stop making wild idiotic comments and If you have proof of irregularities within the NCT I suggest you report it to the GARDS IMMEDICATELY

repsol wrote: »

.I am afraid most peoples idea of an average taxi driver in Dublin is a rude ,aggressive,poorly educated,tracksuit wearing,Sun newspaper reading,racist ,****heap driving ,gob****e who will try and rip off anyone he can and thinks the world owes him a living.

Given the level of nonsense and inaccurate "knowledge" you have about the business ,the above comment doesnt even warrant a response .

repsol

oisindoyle wrote: »

So you have no right to comment on something you know nothing about,you werent there.I told you what happened,who was involved gave you FACTS and the outcome .NO taxi driver was involved .

"Well no it is not obvious .As I said there are a few bad apples in every walk of life and the taxi business is no exception .You will only ever hear people complain about drivers and never hear anything good.Some people just have an "inbuilt" distain for drivers ,for whatever reason .I could mention a number of names of here for example .
If you get 10 taxis over a period of time and have ONE bad experience ,that's the only one you/people are going to remember.

They just hate them for no reason?

"Taxis drivers dont go on "strike" they withdraw their services
Many many drivers who withdrew their services are not members of any organisation.As for your "intimidation" comment ,what proof have you that they were told to stay home ?"

My missus is a copper and several taxi drivers had cars damaged because they were accused by other drivers of not as you call it "withdrawing their service"

"And you have proof of this or is it from reading forum comments from people who only make assumptions about things"

Proof?This is a forum.It is not a court and you are not a barrister (if your spelling is anything to go by).I am entitled to give my opinion and if you don't like it I suggest you go and sit in the Kesh for 3 hours for NOTHING!

"What "well documented racism" is that then ?"

It has been widely reported on the TV and in the broadsheet newspapers (they are the ones on the shelf beside The Sun,lots of big words and no page 3 girls).I have personally been asked by 2 taxi drivers to pass black drivers on the rank and take the first white driver, once in Navan and once on Dame St.

"The Primetime programme was instigated at the behest of TAXI DRIVERS who were and are fed up with the lack of regulation in the business .The programme highlighted dodgy dealings with some people working in the NCT ,It also highlighted an africian driver who doubled jobbed (worked on Dub Bus ) and then drove a taxi .It also highlighted another africian driver who "hired" out less than roadworthy cars and didnt look for proper documents from the person looking to hire the car ."

Why did you mention the word African twice?Are African taxi drivers not taxi drivers? As for the "double jobbing " argument, there is no limit on the number of hours drivers do as taxis do not have a tachograph.A driver doing 40 hours in a bus and 20 hours in a taxi per week is no more dangerous than a "full time taxi driver"(love those stickers:D) doing 60 hours in his taxi.It is still 60 hours driving in total.

"Again you are talking utter nonsense.All cars are not dirty and old.Every taxi has to get an NCT test and pass and also another SGS taxi test and pass .If the car/s are not roadworthy or meet the standars requried then thye are not passed out .So I would suggest you stop making wild idiotic comments and If you have proof of irregularities within the NCT I suggest you report it to the GARDS IMMEDICATELY"

I didn't say "all" taxis were dirty.With regard to my NCT comment I refer back to Primetime.The defective car which was hired to the reporter had a valid NCT.Seriously do a class or get the kids to spell check for you

"Given the level of nonsense and inaccurate "knowledge" you have about the business ,the above comment doesnt even warrant a response .

"
So you give me a response anyway.:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D

HydeRoad

The minister responsible for this shambles, Noel Dempsey, fecked off into the sunset with his obscene pension when he couldn't bear the mortification of having his ass handed back to him on a plate at the last election.

This man had every opportunity to straighten out the taxi industry, raise standards across the board, and leave some kind of legacy for himself as having contributed at least something of worth during his inept and under-achieving career. Instead, in the best Fianna Fáil tradition, he managed to make a sow's ear of everything, and do everything the exact opposite way it should have been done, and against all the best advice he was being given at the time.

Little different might have been expected of him, and sure enough, when his goose was finally cooked in 2010, he slinked off, with his wallet full, and a pension out of all proportion to his achievements, and out of all proportion to what this country could afford after Fianna Fáil had ravaged it. Needless to say, he hasn't been heard of since. I hope the driveway to his house is still getting priority treatment from the gritters every winter.

I greatly fear that the present FG ministerial incumbent, Leo Varadkar, would look rather vacant if asked what might be done to straighten out the taxi industry. He never quite manages to look ontop of his brief at the best of times. In fact, it is hard to comprehend what he actually does in office, as he is hardly ever heard from, on transport matters.

Is it any wonder it is the law of the jungle out there?

Wishbone Ash

Is a passenger obliged to pay a fare if they haven't been taken to their destination through no fault of their own?

The reason I ask is that my wife took a taxi at the airport one morning after coming in on the overnight New York flight. The driver made a few grumbles about waiting for a few hours and they getting only a short journey. She is fairly assertive and said that she wasn't interested in how long he was waiting - it was his choice to enter the airport queue.

Anyway a few kms away he got a puncture on the M1 heading north. He told her he didn't have a spare and that she would have to get out and walk up to junction 4 and flag/call another one. (It was dark and wet and she had luggage). He also requested the fare on the meter. She stated in no uncertain terms that she was not getting out, that he was obliged to arrange another taxi to complete the journey and that she wouldn't be paying the fare. He responded that he was calling Swords Gardai. Please do she responded.

He got out and made a a couple of calls and told her that the Gardai would be there shortly to deal with the fare evasion issue. Great she said. They will also be impressed that you were prepared to dump a female out on the side of a motorway on a dark wet morning at 6am and that you don't have a spare wheel which you are legally obliged to have in a SPSV.

He obviously thought about it a bit more because he got out again and made another call and a second taxi arrived. He demanded the fare again but she told him to stuff it.

Was he legally obliged to demand the displayed fare in those circumstances? He didn't pursue it anyway. (The second taxi driver was a gent and was shocked about what he heard).

Hootanany

No the contract she entered and him were to get from A to B He did not fulfill his side.

Hootanany

repsol wrote: »

I take it by your response that you are a taxi driver yourself Oisin.No, I was not present at the demos but I know a couple of Gardai who were on duty and I am repeating what they told me.It is obvious from reading the above posts and from the opinion expressed by most people that there are only a few good apples in the business.Every time there is a "strike",lots of drivers who are not union members are intimidated into staying at home despite the fact that they are self employed and entitled to work.The rank at the Gresham is a notorious no go area for most drivers as it has a stranglehold on it by a collective of toerags who think they have a divine right to it.Then there is the well documented racism in the business.Primetime did an hour long programme on the business a few months ago and barely scratched the surface.The majority of cars used are nothing short of embarressing.They may pass an NCT (which is not above suspicion) but they are mainly dirty and old.I am afraid most peoples idea of an average taxi driver in Dublin is a rude ,aggressive,poorly educated,tracksuit wearing,Sun newspaper reading,racist ,****heap driving ,gob****e who will try and rip off anyone he can and thinks the world owes him a living.

Super post nail on the head.

oisindoyle

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

The reason I ask is that my wife took a taxi at the airport one morning after coming in on the overnight New York flight. The driver made a few grumbles about waiting for a few hours and they getting only a short journey. She is fairly assertive and said that she wasn't interested in how long he was waiting - it was his choice to enter the airport queue.).

As said before SOME drivers grumble ,but most take it on the chin.He should have (like most)just bitten his lip take the journey and that be it .

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

that he was obliged to arrange another taxi to complete the journey and that she wouldn't be paying the fare. He responded that he was calling Swords Gardai. Please do she responded.

The driver is under no obgligation or law to arrange another taxi .If he was on a radio he could have called in to see if another car was in the area.

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

He obviously thought about it a bit more because he got out again and made another call and a second taxi arrived. He demanded the fare again but she told him to stuff it.).

Again it could have been handled a little better,but your wife is obliged and should have paid the fare.Most drivers would come to some sort of an arragement ,maybe reduce the fare a little or and some passengers would offer something .Your wifes attitude wasnt exactly polite either regardless of the situation saying things like "she told him to stuff it."

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

Was he legally obliged to demand the displayed fare in those circumstances? He didn't pursue it anyway. (The second taxi driver was a gent and was shocked about what he heard).

As above .

yabadabado

oisindoyle wrote: »

Again it could have been handled a little better,but your wife is obliged and should have paid the fare.Most drivers would come to some sort of an arragement ,maybe reduce the fare a little.

The driver wasn't able to provide the service required ,bring passenger from A to B as agreed.By law are you still obliged to pay for that service ?

Wishbone Ash

If the driver has no legal obligation to call another taxi would it not be in their trade's interest to have a code of conduct for this type of thing, since we regularly hear taxi drivers referring to their "profession".

Would she have been entitled to be taken back to the airport as he didn't fulfill his part of the "contract"?

Can he legally ask a pedestrian to get out and walk on a motorway with luggage in the dark and rain?

Why was he keen that the Gardai didn't arrive on the scene? Surely if he was entitled to his fare he should have really called them instead of pretending to.

I notice you evaded the spare wheel part! He was therefore operating with a vehicle not fit for purpose. Can he legally demand a fare in those circumstances?

acousticguy

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

Anyway a few kms away he got a puncture on the M1 heading north..

Isn't walking on the Motorway Illegal? Who would be at fault is she had to walk I wonder. Herself or the taxi driver by forcing her/tricking her into commiting an illegal act.


http://www.rsa.ie/Documents/Road%20Safety/Leaflets/Leaf_booklets/motorway_driving.pdf

"You must not enter a motorway
IF you are walking, cycling or moving animals"