Taxi drivers who expect YOU to drive THEM

John DoeReMi

What is it with taxi drivers who insist on asking you to do their job for them? I recently got a taxi from my house in Inchicore to the airport. I barely had the door of the car closed when the driver asks “which way do you want to go – through town or the M50?” This was at 8.30 in the morning. I don’t drive. How the fu*k am I supposed to know which way is best? “You’re the driver” I said. “How about the quickest way?” But no! This wasn’t good enough for the idiot. He started mumbling some nonsense, the general thrust of which was he STILL expected me to make a decision for him.

Naturally I wasn’t about to tell him I don’t drive as that would have been like handing him my wallet and the keys to my house. Eventually, seeing that I wasn’t going to do his job for him, he took the M50 route. For which I was charged 40 euro. (I’d booked it from a local firm and 5 euro apparently was for “extras” which I assume was the privilege of being able to book in advance).

This happens regularly to me by the way – drivers asking me “which way I want to go”. This was an Irish driver I might add, as opposed to some recent arrival who doesn’t know his way around. How do you deal with these cretins?

amcalester

It’s so you don’t accuse him of ripping you off by taking the long route.

iamwhoiam

I appreciate being asked which way I want to go . Much better than being brought half way around the world and back . I think its a very fair question actually

Allinall

It's perfectly normal to be asked.

Quickest isn't always the cheapest, and visa versa.

the €5 extra was €2 booking fee and €3 M50 toll. He would have told you this had you asked.

Stephen15

It's because the taxis charge extra for using the M50 due to the toll and the fact it is often a longer distance in km despite being a quicker route.

theteal

Not sure the OP knows what it means to "drive".

Fairly standard question, people may have a preferred route, how's he to know you don't drive?

oLoonatic

I avoid taxis like the plague, but that's for a different day. Just tell them to follow google maps and everything will be just dandy.

Wishbone Ash

I'm disappointed in the thread. I was expecting to hear of a taxi driver hopping the passenger seat and reclining it fully back while the OP had to do the driving.

wally1990

I get asked this too but I've no problem at all with it

It's only said from the driver as '' what way do You normally go?

I said X route and he will say , I'll go that way so for ya.

I think it is to avoid the being ripped off argument and I don't blame drivers for doing it. I would probably do the same.

It's obviously in response to being accused for taking a different route than the passenger is used to and being accused so less hassle for them, and meets the passengers expectation and request of the appropriate route.

If the passenger said I don't know, whatever is the fastest then the driver should go that fastest route.

magicbastarder

i don't mind being asked 'which way do you want to go?'
i mind being asked 'where is that?' when i state my destination.

recent case in point, i suggested to a driver, getting into a taxi at the airport, that we go down the side of the runway, instead of the M50. he responded 'i don't know how to get to the side of the runway'.

givyjoe

John DoeReMi wrote: »

What is it with taxi drivers who insist on asking you to do their job for them? I recently got a taxi from my house in Inchicore to the airport. I barely had the door of the car closed when the driver asks “which way do you want to go – through town or the M50?” This was at 8.30 in the morning. I don’t drive. How the fu*k am I supposed to know which way is best? “You’re the driver” I said. “How about the quickest way?” But no! This wasn’t good enough for the idiot. He started mumbling some nonsense, the general thrust of which was he STILL expected me to make a decision for him.

Naturally I wasn’t about to tell him I don’t drive as that would have been like handing him my wallet and the keys to my house. Eventually, seeing that I wasn’t going to do his job for him, he took the M50 route. For which I was charged 40 euro. (I’d booked it from a local firm and 5 euro apparently was for “extras” which I assume was the privilege of being able to book in advance).

This happens regularly to me by the way – drivers asking me “which way I want to go”. This was an Irish driver I might add, as opposed to some recent arrival who doesn’t know his way around. How do you deal with these cretins?

A bit rich to be honest.

Alf Veedersane

magicbastarder wrote: »

i don't mind being asked 'which way do you want to go?'
i mind being asked 'where is that?' when i state my destination.

recent case in point, i suggested to a driver, getting into a taxi at the airport, that we go down the side of the runway, instead of the M50. he responded 'i don't know how to get to the side of the runway'.

Follow the plane, ffs.

coylemj

Mr.S wrote: »

It's a valid question, what's the issue? M50 -> quicker but more expensive. Town -> slower, and (usually) slightly cheaper.

+1 I live on the southside and expect to be asked this question every time. And if he doesn't ask, I will tell him which route to take.

OP, you're losing this one. Taxi drivers are wary of taking people down the M50 in case they get reported for taking the 'scenic route' but at certain times of the day, it's a better option. So they generally ask if you want to go via town or the M50 to cover themselves.

Sleeper12

John DoeReMi wrote:

What is it with taxi drivers who insist on asking you to do their job for them? I recently got a taxi from my house in Inchicore to the airport. I barely had the door of the car closed when the driver asks “which way do you want to go – through town or the M50?†This was at 8.30 in the morning. I don’t drive. How the fu*k am I supposed to know which way is best? “You’re the driver†I said. “How about the quickest way?†But no! This wasn’t good enough for the idiot. He started mumbling some nonsense, the general thrust of which was he STILL expected me to make a decision for him.

He did you a favour by asking you. The M50 is much quicker butterflies can add 10 to 20 euros a journey because its twice as many miles that way.

It would be a chancer of a taxi driver that wouldn't let you make the choice.

I know 8:30am we're all still sleepy but you need to chill out a little. He wasn't trying to wind you up

Hurrache

I prefer it. Being local I'd usually know the roads and traffic conditions better than he would at specific times of the day, they'd usually stick with the 'main' route otherwise.

hullaballoo

I often wonder what it is people expect to happen when starting threads like this.

Sleeper12

Allinall wrote:

the €5 extra was €2 booking fee and €3 M50 toll. He would have told you this had you asked.

Taxi driver pays for the tolls and can't charge you for them

wench

I get the same question when I get a taxi in Cork - go through the city or take the tunnel?
Tunnel is usually a couple of quid more, but a bit quicker at some times of day.

amcalester

hullaballoo wrote: »

I often wonder what it is people expect to happen when starting threads like this.

I don't know, but don't ask the OP.

Allinall

Sleeper12 wrote: »

Taxi driver pays for the tolls and can't charge you for them

Of course they can charge you.

https://www.nationaltransport.ie/taxi-and-bus-licensing/taxi/operating-an-spsv/taxi-fares/road-tolls/

somefeen

Its to cover his own arse in case you complain about him taking the longer route.
He probably should have explained what the difference was but it wasn't some conspiracy to annoy you, he was just trying to offer a good service.

Wishbone Ash

Sleeper12 wrote: »

...The M50 is much quicker butterflies can add 10 to 20 euros a journey....

Butterflies are making journeys on the M50 more expensive?

SusieBlue

Not being able to drive is irrelevant
I don't drive but would be aware of traffic congested areas in the locality from using public transport, walking, and being a passenger in other people's cars.
I'd have a preferred route for most places I commute to and if getting a taxi, I'd mention it if not asked (though most do ask).

"You're the driver" is a very hostile response to what I'd consider to be a very courteous & considerate question. You were given a route option, chose not to take it, yet are still moaning about the cost of the fare.
Clearly there's no pleasing some people.

StupidLikeAFox

Reminds me of those pesky barbers who always start with "what'll it be today". Just shut up and cut my hair, I'm not the barber buddy

John DoeReMi

So apparently I'm the bad guy here for expecting the driver to take the shortest and least expensive route without me having to tell him which route that is. Maybe I should move to London where drivers have to take The Knowledge and are expected to take the best route in the first place.

John DoeReMi

SusieBlue wrote: »

Not being able to drive is irrelevant
I don't drive but would be aware of traffic congested areas in the locality from using public transport, walking, and being a passenger in other people's cars.
I'd have a preferred route for most places I commute to and if getting a taxi, I'd mention it if not asked (though most do ask).

"You're the driver" is a very hostile response to what I'd consider to be a very courteous & considerate question. You were given a route option, chose not to take it, yet are still moaning about the cost of the fare.
Clearly there's no pleasing some people.

How is my not being able to drive irrelevant? This man drives FOR A LIVING. How am I supposed to know what traffic congestion is going to be like for two different routes at 8.30 in the morning? He's being paid to know this. I'm not.

amcalester

John DoeReMi wrote: »

So apparently I'm the bad guy here for expecting the driver to take the shortest and least expensive route without me having to tell him which route that is. Maybe I should move to London where drivers have to take The Knowledge and are expected to take the best route in the first place.

And charge a significant premium.

bobbyss

Yeah I appreciate it when asked. If not I tell them which way to go. I think the OP should become more aware of the geography of his or her surrounds. Just get with it. Take control of your journey.

amcalester

StupidLikeAFox wrote: »

Reminds me of those pesky barbers who always start with "what'll it be today". Just shut up and cut my hair, I'm not the barber buddy

I went to a restaurant recently and the gave me a folder with about 20 different choices. How am I supposed to know what I want to eat.

Westernyelp

John DoeReMi wrote:

So apparently I'm the bad guy here for expecting the driver to take the shortest and least expensive route without me having to tell him which route that is. Maybe I should move to London where drivers have to take The Knowledge and are expected to take the best route in the first place.

Not everyone wants the shortest in terms of Mileage. They may want the shortest in terms of time. Not always the same thing. You are way off the Mark on this one OP.

I'd have gone round by Navan with you

yosser hughes

Sleeper12 wrote: »

Taxi driver pays for the tolls and can't charge you for them

Nope

Alf Veedersane

John DoeReMi wrote: »

So apparently I'm the bad guy here for expecting the driver to take the shortest and least expensive route without me having to tell him which route that is. Maybe I should move to London where drivers have to take The Knowledge and are expected to take the best route in the first place.

Its pre-empting the complaint that they took a more expensive route. The shortest route and the least expensive route won't always be the same. In many cases they're asking you to give the go ahead to a route that may be more expensive but will be quicker.

He offered you two options. He knew where he was going.

Stephen15

John DoeReMi wrote: »

So apparently I'm the bad guy here for expecting the driver to take the shortest and least expensive route without me having to tell him which route that is. Maybe I should move to London where drivers have to take The Knowledge and are expected to take the best route in the first place.

Not when the shortest route is the more expensive and the longer route is cheaper. The taxi man is basically asking do you want me to take the shorter route that's going to be more expensive or the longer route that's cheaper. It's hardly a huge inconvenience being asked a simple question he hardly asking to guide him to the airport just a simple question.

coylemj

John DoeReMi wrote: »

So apparently I'm the bad guy here for expecting the driver to take the shortest and least expensive route without me having to tell him which route that is.

What people are trying to tell you is that the shortest route and the cheapest route are seldom the same thing. If you take the shortest route via town but spend ages standing in traffic jams, the M50 option can suddenly seem like the better option. Or if you go down the M50 at 5 p.m. and it's jammed all the way to the Bray interchange, Gardner St. and the Merrion Road may not seem like a bad option.

John DoeReMi wrote: »

Maybe I should move to London where drivers have to take The Knowledge and are expected to take the best route in the first place.

What you call the 'best route' which might get you a pass on the 'knowledge' test isn't always the most efficient route, it depends on the time of day.

ironclaw

I had a taxi driver in Bray ask me the same question at 5:30 in the morning when I was going to the airport.

Do people actually ask to be brought via town to save a few euros?

mfceiling

Try getting into a taxi in Ranelagh and asking to go to Terenure and the driver not having a clue. Had to talk him up the road and show him the road I lived on (fairly well known road to be fair).

Stephen15

ironclaw wrote: »

I had a taxi driver in Bray ask me the same question at 5:30 in the morning when I was going to the airport.

Do people actually ask to be brought via town to save a few euros?

At that hour there wouldn't be a huge time difference between the two although coming from a place like Bray there might be a bit of a difference. I live in South Dublin near Stillorgan and find at that hour there wouldn't be a huge difference in time town vs M50.

Sleeper12

ironclaw wrote:

I had a taxi driver in Bray ask me the same question at 5:30 in the morning when I was going to the airport.

ironclaw wrote:

Do people actually ask to be brought via town to save a few euros?

At that time of the morning there won't be much difference in time but you can add at least €20 to the fair by taking the M50.

Marcusm

John DoeReMi wrote: »

So apparently I'm the bad guy here for expecting the driver to take the shortest and least expensive route without me having to tell him which route that is. Maybe I should move to London where drivers have to take The Knowledge and are expected to take the best route in the first place.

That’s a fatuous comparison as there are plenty of similar discussions in London taxis about routes etc.

veryangryman

Allinall wrote: »

€3 M50 toll. He would have told you this had you asked.

Any taxi that pays the full toll is a moron. As a regular user, he would clearly have a tag thats 2.10 a pop.

Spook_ie

veryangryman wrote: »

Any taxi that pays the full toll is a moron. As a regular user, he would clearly have a tag thats 2.10 a pop.

I don't have a tag, I have a video account which costs €2.60 and that suits me fine.

Besides I wouldn't be worrying over the €0.90 you think he was robbing but the €20-€30 that the M50 might be costing you extra

Del2005

ironclaw wrote: »

I had a taxi driver in Bray ask me the same question at 5:30 in the morning when I was going to the airport.

Do people actually ask to be brought via town to save a few euros?

I was in Dealz and a person asked me if a cable would work on their iPhone, it wasn't listed, I was about to say for €1.50 it's worth the risk. They said they would go home and check. So yes people are worried about a few Euro.

Mr.Frame

Sleeper12 wrote: »

Taxi driver pays for the tolls and can't charge you for them

Wrong.
Its added to the fare and is perfectly legal to do so

Mr.Frame

John DoeReMi wrote: »

So apparently I'm the bad guy here for expecting the driver to take the shortest and least expensive route without me having to tell him which route that is. Maybe I should move to London where drivers have to take The Knowledge and are expected to take the best route in the first place.

Perhaps you just came on to troll who knows, but it is perfectly right and proper for a driver to ask the passenger,which way does he/she want to go.
As others have said on here, by doing so, there is no argument at the end of the journey.
It seems you want an argument before the journey begins.

FYI All drivers have to do a knowledge test here as well

mdebets

Mr.Frame wrote: »

Perhaps you just came on to troll who knows, but it is perfectly right and proper for a driver to ask the passenger,which way does he/she want to go.
As others have said on here, by doing so, there is no argument at the end of the journey.

But doesn't the driver then at least to tell them which way is shorter and which way is cheaper or any other reason for the choice?
Otherwise, a driver could tell a tourist at the airport do you want to go to the city centre through Drumcondra or Dún Laoghaire and then refuse a complaint about the later, because the passenger told him so.

Mr.Frame

mdebets wrote: »

But doesn't the driver then at least to tell them which way is shorter and which way is cheaper or any other reason for the choice?
Otherwise, a driver could tell a tourist at the airport do you want to go to the city centre through Drumcondra or Dún Laoghaire and then refuse a complaint about the later, because the passenger told him so.

No, why would he or should?

The passenger usually a local will know themselves which way they want to go.
As for your tourist comment, how on Gods earth would a driver ask someone who just arrived into a country as to which way they want to go.
C'mon be sensible now