Taxi fares to go up 8%

Spook_ie · 22-09-2008 05:15PM

mathie wrote: »

Surely they should be looking to lower their prices amidst all the sales and supermarket wars?

Taxi drivers are NOT allowed to lower their fares, Taxi Drivers may DISCOUNT the fares shown on the meter but the fare structure is set up by the taxi regulator as the maximum fare calculated.

Spook_ie · 22-09-2008 05:16PM

jaycen wrote: »

Fact: Taxi drivers are trying to turn what is really a part time job into a job that pays full time rates.

I don't begrudge anyone a living but they really do take the phiss at times, 2 yers since their last hike, it's been 4 since I got a raise and I'm not alone, pay freezes aren't unusual around the country, my costs have risen too.

So get out and get a license, sure the streets are paved with punters just waiting to be taken home...

jaycen · 22-09-2008 05:20PM

Spook_ie wrote: »

So get out and get a license, sure the streets are paved with punters just waiting to be taken home...

What are you on about? I didn't say I wanted to drive a taxi, I'm fine as I am thank you, I have a full time job.

I thought the taxi drivers complained about there being too many drivers, didn't know I'ds be invited into the ranks (excuse the pun

)

kraggy · 22-09-2008 05:30PM

jaycen wrote: »

Fact: Taxi drivers are trying to turn what is really a part time job into a job that pays full time rates.

I don't begrudge anyone a living but they really do take the phiss at times, 2 yers since their last hike, it's been 4 since I got a raise and I'm not alone, pay freezes aren't unusual around the country, my costs have risen too.

If you're implying that it's a part time job with regard to the hours put in by drivers, then you musn't know many taxi drivers. Any driver will put in at least 11 or 12 hours a shift and usually 6 days a week to make a living. No other choice.

jaycen wrote: »

I won't be paying it, they're overpriced as it is, more plates please mr Ombudsman.

You have no choice unless you want the driver to ring the Gardai and report you. Either that or walk/get a lift.

And more plates has nothing to do with it. The industry has already been deregulated so there is already a surpuls of taxis on the streets. And pricing has nothing to do with number of plates anyway. The prices are set by the Taxi Regulator and the same prices should be used by taxi firms all over Irleland.

KTRIC wrote: »

OK, I'm off to Lagos airport to start handing out free (fake ) Irish taxi plates. A bit of healthy competition will straighten this out

Nothing to do with number of plates. See above.

jaycen wrote: »

I'd really doubt that, they doin't seem to be willing to work different hours, they're all going after the same cherry (weekend night crowd).

Should they work on Monday and Tuesday nights when it's dead and make now money instead of Sat and Sun and try a make a living?

ozzyoh wrote: »

I reckon most taxi's are reasonable enough...but my mate got seriously ripped off in Galway a while back...in a normal hackney, the fare costs €7...but on this day, there were no hackneys and a big line of taxi's so she decided to get that...there was NO traffic, yet the fare was €13!! When questioned, the driver told her that because there was an extra person and 1 bag, he charged extras! Um what?! (he wasn't Irish)

Anyway, apart from the odd pr*ck trying to do ya for all you've got, taxi fares are ok..

There's no charges for bags anymore. The driver was out of order.

And if your friend was on his own, he shouldn't have been been charged for any extra people.

Silenceisbliss wrote: »

yes they are overpriced. rediculously.

I get a taxi here in germany, which will almost always be a brand new mercedes, get it with three others mostly. drive for about a good 5 mins and the MOST weve paid so far is 9euro. normally its around 7 or 8euro.

big differance from limerick. I can go to the lodge with this same number of people. (which is 3 mins drive) and it will cost 12-15euro. and it will be a toyota or something.

ahh, Ruu....and I thought highly of you.... until now that is.

As explained by someone earlier, they are getting mercs for the price we pay for a mondeo or avensis. It's not fare to compare.

I said in another thread before that people need to stop complaining about getting overcharged and learn the extra charges. There's only about 4 items to learn. That way you can keep an eye on the extras section of the meter when the driver is adding them on. You'll not get caught out then.

Spook_ie · 22-09-2008 05:37PM

Anyways it's time you all woke up and smelt the coffee there's a more pressing problem out there than arguing about a merited/unmerited fare increase...

Man lay on floor of taxi in kidnap bid
PROBE: Terrified woman fled to city pub screaming after incident

By Geraldine Gittens

Monday September 22 2008

Gardai are investigating an alleged assault by a taxi driver on a woman in Dublin.

The incident was brought to the attention of the gardai after a woman ran into a pub in Terenure screaming for help last Tuesday morning.

Alarmed drinkers in the pub rang the gardai as soon as they saw the woman's distress.

According to sources, the woman had been out on the road hailing a taxi when one pulled up, and the driver asked her to get into the passenger seat.

However, when the women refused, the driver proceeded to open the passenger door and tell the woman to sit in the front, it has been alleged.

When the woman opened the back door to get in the back she found a man lying on the floor waiting for her to get into the front, sources say.

"We're investigating an alleged assault in Harold's Cross and Terenure at 1.30am in the morning of Tuesday September 16," a Garda spokesperson said.

Investigation

Meanwhile, the Taxi Regulator said it is unaware of the incident.

"Anything deemed a criminal offence would be dealt with by the gardai," says Justin Bowers, a spokesman for the organisation.

"The Commission doesn't break down the complaints we receive, we only break them down in relation to fares," he added.

While the Commission says that they deal with drivers conduct, they do not deal with cases such as the alleged attack on Monday night.

"We are constantly advising people on their own personal safety, particularly women," says the Garda spokesperson.

"Any crime would be taken seriously as far as we're concerned."

Taxi drivers are vetted by the gardai before they are awarded their taxi licence and allowed to operate.

In order for an applicant to obtain a taxi license, the Taxi Regulator says that the person must "satisfy An Garda Síochána that he/she is a fit and proper person to hold such a licence".

- Geraldine Gittens

http://www.herald.ie/national-news/city-news/man-lay-on-floor-of-taxi-in-kidnap-bid-1479938.html

I would suggest you all take note of the complaints from drivers about the apparent lack of vetting and enforcement....

jaycen · 22-09-2008 05:38PM

kraggy wrote: »

If you're implying that it's a part time job with regard to the hours put in by drivers, then you musn't know many taxi drivers. Any driver will put in at least 11 or 12 hours a shift and usually 6 days a week to make a living. No other choice.

You have no choice unless you want the driver to ring the Gardai and report you. Either that or walk/get a lift.

That's exactly my point about part-time work, there is only a limited opportunity to earn at the job, you'll find yourself working outrageous hours just to make average wage if you're at it full time, it's time to stop dilluding yourself and realise that it is only a part time job.

There's always choice, it's a free country, I can walk or drive myself home kraggy, no problem but by all means give the gardai a call

Also, everyone should note it's worth getting a price from a driver, haggle, they will discount quite a bit, there's finally a bit of competition out there

Tigger · 22-09-2008 05:48PM

taxi drivers cant have two jobs so what would you like them to do?
seriously guys if you don't like it walk or get the bus

is the bus too scarey ?

kraggy · 22-09-2008 05:51PM

jaycen wrote: »

That's exactly my point about part-time work, there is only a limited opportunity to earn at the job, you'll find yourself working outrageous hours just to make average wage if you're at it full time, it's time to stop dilluding yourself and realise that it is only a part time job.

There's always choice, it's a free country, I can walk or drive myself home kraggy, no problem but by all means give the gardai a call

Also, everyone should note it's worth getting a price from a driver, haggle, they will discount quite a bit, there's finally a bit of competition out there

It's not viable to work as a taxi driver as a part-timer because that level of income wouldn't justify the operating costs necessary to run a taxi. e.g. insurance, buying the plate, meter etc.

Why would I ring the Gardai? I'm not a taxi driver and if you're going to walk anyway...?

gixerfixer · 22-09-2008 06:01PM

Such a load of B.S.. I am good friends with two taxi drivers who i know for a fact work a max of 40 hours a week and after fuel,tax.insurance etc..are still pulling down 700-800 euro a week. Sick of listening to them babble on about hard times etc....get a real job and live in the real world.

arybvtcw0eolkf · 22-09-2008 06:04PM

Tigger wrote: »

taxi drivers cant have two jobs so what would you like them to do?
seriously guys if you don't like it walk or get the bus

is the bus too scarey ?

Once someone is tax complient in this country you can have as many jobs as you wish, or as many hours as you can safely stay awake.

magick · 22-09-2008 06:06PM

u know with all the price hikes i hear about back home ill be surprised if i will be able to afford a taxi with the euro against the dollar, ill probably land at the airport, walkout and take in the air and get back on board, scary stuff !

arybvtcw0eolkf · 22-09-2008 06:11PM

magick wrote: »

u know with all the price hikes i hear about back home ill be surprised if i will be able to afford a taxi with the euro against the dollar, ill probably land at the airport, walkout and take in the air and get back on board, scary stuff !

You'd be mad to take a taxi from the airport. Take a bus, there's plenty of 'em and dirt cheap too.

marknoonan1974 · 22-09-2008 06:11PM

a mate of mine is a taxi driver and he's making a fortune. started off with 1 car and now he rents out 5, he's cleaning up.

inforfun · 22-09-2008 06:28PM

kraggy wrote: »

As explained by someone earlier, they are getting mercs for the price we pay for a mondeo or avensis. It's not fare to compare.

You are probably right with that.
But i think Toyota Corollas from the 90's in Ireland are a hell of a lot cheaper than new Mercs in Germany.

gurramok · 22-09-2008 06:33PM

All those '08 taxi's cost a fair bit. I spotted a Lexus taxi pulling out onto the navan rd last week, must be hard for them.

kraggy · 22-09-2008 06:49PM

gixerfixer wrote: »

Such a load of B.S.. I am good friends with two taxi drivers who i know for a fact work a max of 40 hours a week and after fuel,tax.insurance etc..are still pulling down 700-800 euro a week. Sick of listening to them babble on about hard times etc....get a real job and live in the real world.

Well then they're not paying any tax. Or else they're bull****ing you.

There's no way you could earn enough to cover costs and come out with that sort of wage on a 40 hour week. No way.

kraggy · 22-09-2008 06:51PM

gurramok wrote: »

All those '08 taxi's cost a fair bit. I spotted a Lexus taxi pulling out onto the navan rd last week, must be hard for them.

I hint sarcasm in your tone.

People forget that most taxi drivers today were not around before deregulation. The drivers pre-deregulation had it very good. They thus have their mortgages, plates, licenses etc paid off already so whatever they are earning now is pure profit, aside from day to day running costs.

However, most drivers are post deregulation beginners. They are competing with, in the case of Dublin, 7 times more taxis. So I doubt that Lexus was being driven by a new-school taxi driver.

22-09-2008 07:08PM

You'd be mad to take a taxi from the airport. Take a bus, there's plenty of 'em and dirt cheap too.

Not always an option. When I take early morning flights I have to get a taxi as there's no way I'm walking into town and standing around on my own waiting for the Aircoach at 3 or 4 a.m. Last time I went to London, the taxi to the airport cost more than my flights.

Spook_ie · 22-09-2008 07:53PM

inforfun wrote: »

You are probably right with that.
But i think Toyota Corollas from the 90's in Ireland are a hell of a lot cheaper than new Mercs in Germany.

You're probably right, but is that the taxi drivers fault that they are allowed to use them, instaed of complaining here maybe you should take it up with the taxi regulator and their inaction over imposing the stricter guidelines over such a long timeframe...

the 9 year age doesn't take effect until 1st jan 2009 and could easily have been brought forward to 1 Jan 2008.

Maybe you should also ask her to impose even tighter restrictions on cars that are rented out, the majority of the bangers would seem to be rented out

Spook_ie · 22-09-2008 08:00PM

gixerfixer wrote: »

Such a load of B.S.. I am good friends with two taxi drivers who i know for a fact work a max of 40 hours a week and after fuel,tax.insurance etc..are still pulling down 700-800 euro a week. Sick of listening to them babble on about hard times etc....get a real job and live in the real world.

I am a taxi driver and I would find it hard if not improssible/improbable to pull those figures on a 40 hour week, perhaps you'd like to ask your friends to post when and where they work so that we can all avail of this goldmine..

truecrippler · 22-09-2008 09:36PM

Morlar wrote: »

Thats to balance out the decades of monopoly they held onto with an iron grip while commuters literally had to queue for 3 hours+ or walk home from town at the end of the evening.

Taxis in Ireland are among the most expensive I have ever taken anywhere be it europe america or australia or the middle east. Though I am sure they will come up with a study to say 'no no actually we are the cheapest when you account for x,y,z etc'

Taxi's in Holland, specifically Amsterdam and also in Southern Denmark can be really expensive.

jaycen · 23-09-2008 10:08AM

kraggy wrote: »

It's not viable to work as a taxi driver as a part-timer because that level of income wouldn't justify the operating costs necessary to run a taxi. e.g. insurance, buying the plate, meter etc.

Why would I ring the Gardai? I'm not a taxi driver and if you're going to walk anyway...?

Why threaten to call the guards on me for not paying then?:rolleyes:

Sorry Kraggy but you're wrong there, there are 2 in my family that drive on a part time basis, as said already they were both working over 60 hours per week to get by when f/t, TBH neither one has complained about the cost of running a taxi part-time, once the initial investment is made it doesn't take very long to recoup costs (even in today's climate).

norrie rugger · 23-09-2008 12:06PM

jaycen wrote: »

Why threaten to call the guards on me for not paying then?:rolleyes:

Sorry Kraggy but you're wrong there, there are 2 in my family that drive on a part time basis, as said already they were both working over 60 hours per week to get by when f/t, TBH neither one has complained about the cost of running a taxi part-time, once the initial investment is made it doesn't take very long to recoup costs (even in today's climate).

Because they are doing it to earn a bit of cash on the side.

It is a full time business for many.
You can not say that it is a part time job only. If that is the case then we will all get taxis on Fri/Sat nights only.

Your 2 in the family are only going out during the "golden" hours of Fri/Sat, prob??

Fpr the Taxi guy who works weekdays to cover costs, these were the nights that he was able to turn a profit (this is a business that these guys run and deserve to think in terms of profit)

You now have guys how do NOT give a fawk about servicing the public during the week and are taking advantage of the unlimited plate numbers to make money only on the weekend, leaving average joe maxi to scrape through during the week.
If this is competition then we are in for a very bad landing. It will mean that average joe will decide to do something else during the week and work "Part time" at the weekends. God help ya when you try to get a cab during the week then.

I think that new licences should come with a proviso that a certain number of hours must be clocked up during the slower hours during the week days. That is competition then.

amtaxi · 23-09-2008 12:51PM

Don't think the fare increase will help save my business. nothing to do with price - just too many plates! And those of you that think competition is great think about this - government giving grants of €12,000 to €16,000 (plus retention of social welfare, rent allowance etc for 4 years) to foreign nationals to start their own business. So much for cut backs! If this was happening in any other industry in the country there would be outcry but because it's the taxi industry no-one cares. I am working so many hours a week I cant count and this is only to keep up repayments in bank - sick and tired of people thinking we make a fortune - I don't and to be honest would give it up in the morning if I could!!

toiletduck · 23-09-2008 01:15PM

Tigger wrote: »

seriously guys if you don't like it walk or get the bus

is the bus too scarey ?

Not really an option for me anyways. Only get a taxi after finishing my part-time job in a pub on weekends. The walk is through undesirable areas, but often I'm forced to since after a certain time the taxis will buzz straight on through the area I work (due to lack of nightclubs) and go for the club crowd. Doesn't help that it's just myself, often see taxis drive by and pick up a crowd up the road. Even though it's only two nights a week, I've had so many bad experiences with them that it makes me forget sometimes that most of the drivers are decent.

Spook_ie · 23-09-2008 01:30PM

toiletduck wrote: »

Not really an option for me anyways. Only get a taxi after finishing my part-time job in a pub on weekends. The walk is through undesirable areas, but often I'm forced to since after a certain time the taxis will buzz straight on through the area I work (due to lack of nightclubs) and go for the club crowd. Doesn't help that it's just myself, often see taxis drive by and pick up a crowd up the road. Even though it's only two nights a week, I've had so many bad experiences with them that it makes me forget sometimes that most of the drivers are decent.

Touch of the contradictions there, maybe you should see a specialist about it

toiletduck · 23-09-2008 01:34PM

Spook_ie wrote: »

Touch of the contradictions there, maybe you should see a specialist about it

Not really, I said "after a certain time". And the bad experiences range from the light (rounding up the fare hoping you won't look, generally trying to skank) to the aggressive and so on. Where's the contradiction?

Spook_ie · 23-09-2008 01:43PM

Because in one sentence you say you have a difficult time getting a taxi and in the next you say you've had so many bad experiences...is that not a contradiction? or at the very least a mutualy exclusive argument?

Spook_ie · 23-09-2008 01:47PM

amtaxi wrote: »

Don't think the fare increase will help save my business. nothing to do with price - just too many plates! And those of you that think competition is great think about this - government giving grants of €12,000 to €16,000 (plus retention of social welfare, rent allowance etc for 4 years) to foreign nationals to start their own business. So much for cut backs! If this was happening in any other industry in the country there would be outcry but because it's the taxi industry no-one cares. I am working so many hours a week I cant count and this is only to keep up repayments in bank - sick and tired of people thinking we make a fortune - I don't and to be honest would give it up in the morning if I could!!

Just a small correction to that, they give the BTWA ( back to work allowance ) to anyone who qualifies not just foreign nationals. It's all just to massage the figures though the more people driving taxis on BWTA the less people on the live register

toiletduck · 23-09-2008 01:47PM

Spook_ie wrote: »

Because in one sentence you say you have a difficult time getting a taxi and in the next you say you've had so many bad experiences...is that not a contradiction? or at the very least a mutualy exclusive argument?

No. Isn't empty taxis going past a bad experience? And regardless, I said "often", not always nor the majority, and "after a certain time" (for the third time...).

Taxi fares to go up 8%

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