Taxi standards Q?.

watna · 28-11-2007 05:06PM

I just think they should have to pass some kind of test/exam on the areas in the city they're working in. I don't expect them to know my street name, but if i give my general vacinity, they should know it. In my recent experience, they don't. it should be like in London where they have to have "The Knowledge" and be tested on the geography of London. Like in London, it should be hard to pass so when you get in a taxi the driver is not going to stare blankly at you when you name where you live.

Zzippy · 28-11-2007 06:06PM

Mairt wrote: »

E. Set and enforce a dress code. No more tracksuits and baseball caps.

He must be dressed in a chauffeur uniform. Hat height dependent on type of vehicle i.e. roof clearance.

F. Apart from the ID card on the dash a driver should also wear badge on his left breast pocket with matching info.

As long as his name is James. "Home James, and don't spare the Volvo!"

Actually, complimentary strawberries would be nice. Mmmm, strawberries... /drools

Trojan911 · 28-11-2007 06:39PM

Mairt wrote: »

A. A clean licence of five year's (or more) and a checkable and clean criminal record.

This is mandatory now. You won't get a spsv without being vetted & that includes if you have lived in other countries.

Mairt wrote: »

B. Be an Irish citizen for a minimum of 5 years, and be over 25 years of age.

Agree.

Mairt wrote: »

C. More licence inspectors checking cabs on the street & ranks.

Agree.

Mairt wrote: »

D. Set an industry standard for taxi companies.

Agree.

Mairt wrote: »

E. Set and enforce a dress code. No more tracksuits and baseball caps.

Difficult as it would put 3/4's of the cabbies out of business. I wear a shirt & jumper clean jeans & shoes and I also take the time to meet/greet my customers and hold the door for them on entry/exit. This ensures minimum €60+ in tips alone by the end of the night.

Mairt wrote: »

F. Apart from the ID card on the dash a driver should also wear badge on his left breast pocket with matching info.

That's mandatory as well...

Mairt wrote: »

Any more?.

Yes, educate the public on THEIR responsibilities when they get into a cab.

Hobbes · 28-11-2007 06:59PM

EU citizen should be enough. If anything they have stricter driving laws then here.

As we are talking about imaginary rules. They should have all Taxis set up with a GPS and the ability to print out the route taken if there is a dispute.

28-11-2007 07:52PM

I have no problem with what the taxi driver looks like as long the taxi itself is kept in a good condition. Some of the ones I got in Long Island were dreadful, a lot of them should have been taken off the road years ago.

Apparently in Holland all/most of the taxis are fitted with GPS.

Capt'n Midnight · 28-11-2007 08:26PM

Existing taxi drivers will have until 2012 to get a car 9 years old or less. New licensees will soon have to drive a car 9 years old or less. So a 1998 Corolla is judged to be a suitable vehicle. What's the market value of them ???

OPENROAD · 28-11-2007 09:18PM

I would rule A out, doesn't matter where driver is from as long as he knows his way around.

Uniform not too relevant either.

1.Personally I would like to see a standardised car. Dublin taxis are miles away from London taxis which are large, plenty of leg room and are absolutely spotless. Dublin taxis are often cramped for passanger particularly in the back.

2. Wish taxi drivers would keep quiet, if I want to chat I will start up a conversation, sorry but dont want to listen to you.

3. Eliminate the minority of racist drivers.

ojewriej · 28-11-2007 09:25PM

Mairt wrote: »

A. Only Irish citizens with a clean licence of five year's (or more) and a checkable and clean criminal record.

B. Be an Irish citizen for a minimum of 5 years, and be over 25 years of age.

Why would it have to be an Irish citizen? Not looking for a fight or anything, i'm genuinely interested why.

arybvtcw0eolkf · 28-11-2007 09:26PM

There's a couple of problems with a standardised taxi vehicle, ie Government VRT!.

The government won't even drop the VRT for wheelchair accessable car's.

The other problem is earnings. Yup, contrary to popular believe taxi driver's aren't rich and the guys are now working in an open market, which in their opinion is flooded now.

So should the VRT be dropped on wheelchair accessable vehicles and 'standardised' vehicles?.

arybvtcw0eolkf · 28-11-2007 09:30PM

ojewriej wrote: »

Why would it have to be an Irish citizen? Not looking for a fight or anything, i'm genuinely interested why.

For the protection of both the driver and passengers.

If a foreign born national is here more than five year's with a clean criminal record and a clean driver's licence then racists have less excuse to point the finger about 'coming here and robbing our jobs'. Plus alot of times a taxi driver has a lot of responsiblity to his passengers safety.

A person here more than five year's will most likely have solid ties to Ireland and less likely to commit a crime and do a runner.

So I believe its in both the driver's and the publics interest.

OPENROAD · 28-11-2007 09:31PM

Mairt wrote: »

There's a couple of problems with a standardised taxi vehicle, ie Government VRT!.

The government won't even drop the VRT for wheelchair accessable car's.

The other problem is earnings. Yup, contrary to popular believe taxi driver's aren't rich and the guys are now working in an open market, which in their opinion is flooded now.

So should the VRT be dropped on wheelchair accessable vehicles and 'standardised' vehicles?.

Have to say standard of Dublin taxis are still relatively poor, though from taxi drivers point of view, fully accept and understand the cost implications,don't know the economics of the whole thing, but yes if possible govt should consider vrt option.

Trojan911 · 28-11-2007 09:37PM

Mairt wrote: »

Plus alot of times a taxi driver has a lot of responsiblity to his passengers safety.

Cabbie has a responsibility all the time to his passenger safety once they step into the vehicle & until they exit it. The customer hires the cab but the driver has overall say during the journey.

ojewriej · 28-11-2007 09:39PM

Mairt wrote: »

For the protection of both the driver and passengers.

If a foreign born national is here more than five year's with a clean criminal record and a clean driver's licence then racists have less excuse to point the finger about 'coming here and robbing our jobs'. Plus alot of times a taxi driver has a lot of responsiblity to his passengers safety.

I'm here 6 years now and i don't have an Irish citizenship. You can only apply after 5 years and the process takes about 2 years. Plus in a lot of countries it's illegal to have dual citizenship, and some people would not want to renounce their original one.

The argument about racists moaning about robbing jobs - i don't think so. They will moan no matter how long we are here.

Mairt wrote: »

A person here more than five year's will most likely have solid ties to Ireland and less likely to commit a crime and do a runner.

So I believe its in both the driver's and the publics interest.

Seriously? What kind of crime? Overcharge a passenger?

If someone wants to commit a crime and do a runner, they will hardly go through the trouble and cost of getting a taxi licence, don't you think? On the other hand the ones who want to earn honest living would.

angelsfire · 28-11-2007 10:11PM

I think as long as they have a good knowledge of the city and the villiages surrounding the city and no B.O. then more power to em. Oh and I don't like a lot of idle chatter. Wish sometimes they would mind their own damn business. Oh and one more thing...LOL...quit gawking at the women in the rear view mirror!:eek:

arybvtcw0eolkf · 28-11-2007 10:23PM

angelsfire wrote: »

I think as long as they have a good knowledge of the city and the villiages surrounding the city and no B.O. then more power to em. Oh and I don't like a lot of idle chatter. Wish sometimes they would mind their own damn business. Oh and one more thing...LOL...quit gawking at the women in the rear view mirror!:eek:

Funny, coming from someone using an internet discussion forum!. Oh, and listing MSN and Yahoo IM's too, lol... (Sorry couldn't ignore that one).

Back to the discussion re. improving the stardard of taxi's in Ireland.

How about making it compulsary to operate a Hybrid only car (give drivers a time line to comply). This would make sense since taxi's drive more kilometer's per year than almost everyone else on the road.

Spook_ie · 29-11-2007 01:40AM

Thanks for the compliment Mairt, I try my best.

Anyway to topic...

A. EU citizenship should be ample, at a push a legit work permit, however, they should be compelled to surrender thier national/EU license for an Irish one ( A Legal Requirement anyawy if you are "resident" in this country ) so they are not immune to traffic law prosecutions.

B. A minimum age is a definate, as should be the factor that they have driven in Ireland for a set period, Irish roads are ( to a fair extent ) unique as are the roads in other countries, I wouldn't feel happy driving on the wrong side of the road for about 12 months.

C. Agreed, but as the TRs office is funded primarily (AFAIK) by the license fees and renewals it would be better for the Gards to actively enforce traffic legislation. If a taxi is not properly legit ( licensed etc. ) then they are driving with invalid insurance, a factor that the Garda seem unaware of. Since I started taxi driving I have NEVER been asked for any proof that I am a legit taxi/driver.

D. AFAIK TR is in the process of this, from a certain date companies will require to be licensed, more regulation is on the way, in particular about booking taxis in advance

E. Up to a point, but it should be a minimal code, Sweater/Shirt/Trousers but track suits look so knackery anyway that I wouldn't wear one

F. If the Garda were to enforce the current regulation of having the driver ID displayed "correctly" on the dash there would be little need for the extra badge, I did suggest to the TR that the IDs should be color coded for where the license holder is allowed to work, blue for Dublin, green for Waterford or whatever..

G. It wasn't part of the 1st round of regulations, but was suggested, that Taxis should be a uniform color, like the Beige Taxis in Germany, A better solution ( Again, also aimed at stopping people working areas they shouldn't ) would be for the County Crest to be emblazoned on the doors or bonnet.

We're still waiting to hear from the TRs office about driver training and how they are proposing to take over the issue of driver SPSV licenses from the Garda, I did query them about a site taking prebookings for a Taxi Drivers Course and the reply is posted on www.dublintaxi.net under the topic of "you can be first" I'm not sure if I'm looking forward to it or not, probably not

Still time will tell,

As for the suggestions of color coding taxis and semi standardising the fleet, a lot of the reaction to drivers about that is ( of course ) the expense, the VRT is a killer on any car, but even more so if your livelihood is dependant on buying a newcar every 6 years as some people want.

andyl222 · 29-11-2007 09:05AM

Well since they brought in the mandatory use of the Metre for any journey i'm pretty happy with the taxi service. It keeps the unscrupulous bastards in check I've found, and well the honest ones are just the same

SimpleSam06 · 29-11-2007 09:26AM

humbert wrote: »

I also think giving receipts should be mandatory and the should include exactly where you were picked up and left off and the distance travelled.

Giving receipts is mandatory. I'm fairly sure they also include the distance travelled / time spent as well.

Mairt wrote: »

Are you working for a taxi company?.. Do you get paid the full meter price on account work, or is your company ripping you off?. An industry standard will protect drivers too!.

Will you always get the next/closest job or will one of 'the lads' get it because they're in the clique?.

Taxi companies can't afford to indulge in that sort of behaviour on a wide scale, and most of them can't do it technologically. They depend on the income from their drivers to pay for the office, staff, radios, etc, as well as advertising. Once the initial deposit / membership or whatever is paid off, they get a good lump sum, but it doesn't last that long. Taxi companies that gyp their drivers don't last that long either.

Also most companies work on a GPS based system anyway, jobs are given to cars closest to the area, automatically, once the dispatcher enters the info into the system.

Mairt wrote: »

For the protection of both the driver and passengers.

Yeah. Unfortunately the current thinking is that its better to have unemployable foreign nationals doing something, earning a living somehow, rather than sitting on the dole. So they'll push them through regardless. I'm neither for nor against that by the way, its just how it is.

Oho yes, the requirement to "know the area" has been waived for foreign nationals taking the exam.

Spook_ie · 29-11-2007 09:41AM

SimpleSam06 wrote: »

Giving receipts is mandatory. I'm fairly sure they also include the distance travelled / time spent as well.

Taxi companies can't afford to indulge in that sort of behaviour on a wide scale, and most of them can't do it technologically. They depend on the income from their drivers to pay for the office, staff, radios, etc, as well as advertising. Once the initial deposit / membership or whatever is paid off, they get a good lump sum, but it doesn't last that long. Taxi companies that gyp their drivers don't last that long either.

Also most companies work on a GPS based system anyway, jobs are given to cars closest to the area, automatically, once the dispatcher enters the info into the system.

Yeah. Unfortunately the current thinking is that its better to have unemployable foreign nationals doing something, earning a living somehow, rather than sitting on the dole. So they'll push them through regardless. I'm neither for nor against that by the way, its just how it is.

Oho yes, the requirement to "know the area" has been waived for foreign nationals taking the exam.

I realy hope thats not the case, if so then it makes a total mockery about race equality

SimpleSam06 · 29-11-2007 09:44AM

Spook_ie wrote: »

I realy hope thats not the case, if so then it makes a total mockery about race equality

Well I don't have an official source for that, but it does seem to be the case. I have also heard about financial assistance being given when getting the taxi as well, and lowered requirements to pass the exam. From the point of view of Revenue, its an overall win. If someone with official contacts would like to step up and correct what I have heard, by all means do so.

ojewriej · 29-11-2007 09:53AM

SimpleSam06 wrote: »

Well I don't have an official source for that, but it does seem to be the case. I have also heard about financial assistance being given when getting the taxi as well, and lowered requirements to pass the exam. From the point of view of Revenue, its an overall win. If someone with official contacts would like to step up and correct what I have heard, by all means do so.

Where did you hear that?

My mate who is polish got his licence in last few months. He had to pass the same exam as an irish person would, he didn't get any financial assistance either. It's possible that he didn't know that it's available, but i wouldn't imagine so.

Saint_Mel · 29-11-2007 09:54AM

I was in a taxi in Dublin a few weeks ago and the driver, a Dub, was chatting
away about all the foreigners around. Giving out particularily about Polish and
Nigerian.

He was saying that "the bleedin government are giving Polish and Nigerians
cars and taxi licences ... all for free so they can set up thier own businesses!"

Dunno how true it was cos I was trying to ignore most of his ramblings.

Funny memory of a few years ago when I lived in Dublin I was trying to
flag down a taxi after a night out. Was having no luck until a cab with
no light on pulled up. I hopped in and there was a foreign lad driving.
I told him my destination and he said that was fine, but the meter was
broken so he asked what is the regular fare. Think I told him it was a fiver
or something (well below what it should have been) but I got home safe and sound.

Next morning read in the paper that a taxi had been robbed and a lad was driving around town collecting fares!

Edit: Wasnt giving out about foreigners in that, was just a flashback I had a minute ago!

Alun · 29-11-2007 10:04AM

Spook_ie wrote: »

A. EU citizenship should be ample, at a push a legit work permit, however, they should be compelled to surrender thier national/EU license for an Irish one ( A Legal Requirement anyawy if you are "resident" in this country ) so they are not immune to traffic law prosecutions.

Rubbish. An EU licence is valid in this country until it expires, full stop. The requirement to exchange after one year was done away with ages ago. You can exchange it at any time, if you want to, but you're not obliged to any more.

Spook_ie · 29-11-2007 11:02AM

Alun wrote: »

Rubbish. An EU licence is valid in this country until it expires, full stop. The requirement to exchange after one year was done away with ages ago. You can exchange it at any time, if you want to, but you're not obliged to any more.

Then the law should be changed, what is the point of having someone driving an SPSV on a EU license that allows them to commit as many traffic violations as they like without the threat of having their license suspended or revoked.

Simple enough law to invoke , No Irish driving license, no SPSV license

arybvtcw0eolkf · 29-11-2007 11:38AM

SimpleSam06 wrote: »

Giving receipts is mandatory. I'm fairly sure they also include the distance travelled / time spent as well..

Time, Distance travelled, start & finish time of the journey. Car reg & roofsign numbers. Plus extra's like toll charges & tips. Maybe it should include the regulators number too.

SimpleSam06 wrote: »

Taxi companies can't afford to indulge in that sort of behaviour on a wide scale, and most of them can't do it technologically. They depend on the income from their drivers to pay for the office, staff, radios, etc, as well as advertising. Once the initial deposit / membership or whatever is paid off, they get a good lump sum, but it doesn't last that long. Taxi companies that gyp their drivers don't last that long either...

Some still do. I know 'Blue Cabs' don't apply the pick charge charge for the Mater and Beaumont hospitals, plus the company don't pay the metered fare on these accounts.

Plus 'City cabs' run the same system with RTE.

SimpleSam06 wrote: »

Also most companies work on a GPS based system anyway, jobs are given to cars closest to the area, automatically, once the dispatcher enters the info into the system..

Thats all very well once the dispatcher enter's the details into the system instead of throwing the nice jobs out to they're buddies, they all do this.

Taxi driver unions don't represent their members with desputes with the cab companies so regulating the companies would at least give the driver's a legal footing to protest again this. Instead what you have now is driver's stuck with the companies because there's no money on the streets anymore.

SimpleSam06 wrote: »

Oho yes, the requirement to "know the area" has been waived for foreign nationals taking the exam.

I've heard this on more that one occassion. I don't know if its true or not and so I never repeat it.

Although experience has shown me that its probably true. But aren't we all equal in this country, or are some more equal than others?.

ojewriej · 29-11-2007 11:47AM

Just spoke to a mate who got his licence 2 months ago.

Foreigners have to pass the same test the irish do.

There is no financial help for foreigners who want to be taxi drivers. My mate paid for the course and the licence with his own money.

You have to have an irish licence - if you already have one from the other country, you don't have to pass the exam, you can just change it, but it has to be done.

Also, i'm still waiting to hear what kind of crimes foreigners with the Taxi Licences would commit.

Spook_ie · 29-11-2007 11:56AM

One of the problems with the tests for SPSV licenses is the great variation from region to region, in Mayo it's sufficent to pass the vetting process, no need to answer any route questions, in Dublin you sit a short written exam, about landmarks, hotels, routes and regulations. The problem with the Dublin one is that you can go on a course with some companies who have collected the answers to the pool of questions that the Garda use to set the exam. So in theory ( and probably does happen ) , you can arrive in the country with an EU license, enroll on the course, learn as many answers parrot fashion as you can, submit a license application, answer the questions and receive an SPSV license without ever sitting behind the wheel on Dublin roads :eek:... Not what I would describe as an ideal situation.

ojewriej · 29-11-2007 11:59AM

Spook_ie wrote: »

One of the problems with the tests for SPSV licenses is the great variation from region to region, in Mayo it's sufficent to pass the vetting process, no need to answer any route questions, in Dublin you sit a short written exam, about landmarks, hotels, routes and regulations. The problem with the Dublin one is that you can go on a course with some companies who have collected the answers to the pool of questions that the Garda use to set the exam. So in theory ( and probably does happen ) , you can arrive in the country with an EU license, enroll on the course, learn as many answers parrot fashion as you can, submit a license application, answer the questions and receive an SPSV license without ever sitting behind the wheel on Dublin roads :eek:... Not what I would describe as an ideal situation.

That's fair enough, but then the problem is not only with the foreign people, but for instance people from Galway who want to be Taxi Drivers in Dublin>

arybvtcw0eolkf · 29-11-2007 12:01PM

ojewriej wrote: »

Also, i'm still waiting to hear what kind of crimes foreigners with the Taxi Licences would commit.

Listen Pal, just keep pushing the right buttons.

Lets not pretend your all lilly white buddy, because I also believe far tougher regulation should be brought in for all kinds of foreign nationals working here.

But I'll just speak from experience.

Eastern EU bouncer's in clubs and bar's. And remember this is coming from personal experience.

In over fifteen year's working in bar's and clubs I don't ever remember ONE, not a single incident of an Irish member of security robbing a customer. But I've witness countless incidents of Eastern EU bouncers taking (mostly young girls) passports from them, telling them its a false passport and asking the girl to come back to the club ''tomorrow'' to have it collected - result -passport and bouncer are never to be seen again.

But more common is assaults on punters. Almost 100% of the time the bouncer flee's, the bar or club can't trace him and if they do he's been living with mates who (of course) haven't a clue where he's living now!.

I have NEVER seen this happen with Irish security staff, so pal don't try to kid me that there's no need for stringent regulations for foreign nationals working in certain industries.

I'll just finish by saying that in my experience there's also as many very fine Non-Irish citizens living and working here. Contributing very positively to our economy, but don't try for a moment pretend that its everyone and that we shouldn't have measures to protect everyone from the bad one's.

Spook_ie · 29-11-2007 12:10PM

Mairt wrote: »

<snip>

But more common is assaults on punters. Almost 100% of the time the bouncer flee's, the bar or club can't trace him and if they do he's been living with mates who (of course) haven't a clue where he's living now!.

I have NEVER seen this happen with Irish security staff, so pal don't try to kid me that there's no need for stringent regulations for foreign nationals working in certain industries.

I'll just finish by saying that in my experience there's also as many very fine Non-Irish citizens living and working here. Contributing very positively to our economy, but don't try for a moment pretend that its everyone and that we shouldn't have measures to protect everyone from the bad one's.

Going slightly off topic here, but isn't it supposed to be licensed now ( the bouncer trade ) ?

Taxi standards Q?.

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