Taxi Driver

Tha Gopher · 23-10-2008 11:46PM

Honestly, some people :rolleyes:

Think of it this way- how many times per year do you think your average Joe Soap takes a taxi during the daytime on a weekday? Very few, I would imagine. 20,000 cars vying for maybe 100,000 daily weekday journeys, I know not all the cars are on the road at the same time but it is still alot of competition. As meathstevie says, if you dont like the taxis, dont use them, simple as.

Maybe capping it at 10,000 would help the older guys out. But one thing that should be done is to get rid of any bloody foreigner's who cannot speak English or navigate the streets. That should help ease things for the older guys also. I got in a taxi on the quays a couple of months ago and told the driver Blanchardstown S.C. which is practically a straight run up the Navan Road.He did not have a notion where Blanchardstown even was and I had to direct him to hole way there and then had to pay for it ! What is right about that ?

They will call you a racist around here for that talk. Personally I reckon they oughta shove it up their hole. Obviously alot of the new foreign drivers are coming from places where the regulator would have trouble getting a criminal record check done. Surely there should be a cooling off period like 8 years crime free residency before getting a licence?

Also, Ive personally more often seen dodgy driving from bus drivers than taxi drivers for some reason. tbh I cant think of one occasion Ive been in a taxi and was concerned about the driving.

Fine by me, that'll be 44 euro from O'Connell street to the airport in evening peak traffic so. Have you not understood yet that taxi's are allowed to use bus lanes because it's form of public transport and it's better value for the passenger

Of course he doesnt understand. I checked out Spook_ie's taxi forum, there is so much ****e said about the industry here they have a special message board highlighting it. There is alot more to moan about Dublin Bus and its drivers (cant be arsed driving the last bus on the route, making up their own route if they dont fancy the regular, etc etc etc) than there is about Dublin taxis. Generally speaking, act sociable with them and they wont try to rip you off or be a prick. Personally if I was a driver and some of you got in my car I would take great joy in ripping you off given your attitudes.

DonJose · 24-10-2008 12:29AM

Boo fukking hoo

LightningBolt · 24-10-2008 12:44AM

Darragh29 wrote: »

I wish I worked in an industry where at the stroke of a pen, my customers pay me 8% more

I know I can say this for my father and two others that are taxi drivers that they are seriously pissed at the proposed hike and that they've complained to the regulator. Think it's due to kick in Nov/start of Dec. They're of the opinion that this will cause less people to use a taxi as a method of transport. Consensus amongst them is not having the meter redone ie. new fare structure updated(which costs him the guts of €200) and just telling people they're charging the older prices.

In resposnse to drivers not knowing where they are going I really think there should be a number for people to ring up and report said drivers. Not knowing a housing estate in the back arse of nowhere is one thing but Blanch S.C, ffs. Any more than 3 major complaints and the driver should be hauled in off the road and tested on the spot. If they fail revoke the license. You won't have 1/4 of the jokers on the road anymore. This applies to Irish drivers too mind, I once got in a taxi in Leopardstown and asked to be brought to Clondalkin. Driver in his 40's hadn't a notion how to get there:rolleyes:

Darragh29 · 24-10-2008 12:50AM

One point I agree with though, with the economy lying on it's back with it's t*ts in the air, is that there is an increase of people looking at the taxi industry as an income. These folks should be brought into a program that will teach them a new skill.

Boggles · 24-10-2008 01:01AM

Can Taxi drivers claim the VAT back on petrol?

Alot of Taxi drivers during the week brought all those ould ones to the marches for free. Just thought I'd mention a good thing, since they are getting battered on here.

Now off with their Heads!

LightningBolt · 24-10-2008 01:14AM

No, they can't claim back vat on petrol. They obviously can claim it as a motor expense.

ziggy · 24-10-2008 01:15AM

This post has been deleted.

admiralofthefleet · 24-10-2008 01:24AM

petrochemical wrote: »

. Then the cops arrested him for being a dublin scumbag with a dublin accent.

you had me believing you til you came out with that

The_B_Man · 24-10-2008 01:29AM

I can rent a car here in sydney for 22 dollars a day. that works out at like 15 euro.

And also, we need the option of taxi's. Otherwise we would have to rely on buses/LUAS. So basically they are cover for public transport, when they're too full, after hours, or if the bus doesnt cover the area. For this reason alone, ie to keep the option there, the job should pay enough to keep taxi drivers doing the job. But as to why it should be a job which pays more than another job, which someone has dedicated their adult life to training for, is beyond me.

I've no problem with taxi drivers making a living, but to expect to be paid very very comfortably, when you've just fallen into a job with no real qualification to do so, or no real skill, other than being able to drive is just silly! If you want to be paid that much, change career! Imagine if McDonalds workers start complaining that they want 60k a year! For what?!?! Its the same with any other job that doesnt make people millionaires! IF you want it, then work for it, and get qualified for it. Dont just expect it to be handed to you.

Spook_ie · 24-10-2008 07:08AM

juvenal wrote: »

The problem is that taxi drivers should never have been granted licences ad infinitum by the issuing body. A licence should be valid for one year, with the option to renew at the end of 12 months.

Given that years of cock-ups and b/s on both sides of the fence have left us with too many cars on the roads and not a good enough calibre of driver, vast and decisive change is needed by a body that is willing to fully manage and take responsibility for the industry.

On top of that, licencees asking for €6,000 for a licence that in some cases cost as little as €100 is totally taking the proverbial. I appreciate that not all people paid as little as that for their licence, but I certainly wouldn't pat €6k per licence to revert ownership to the public service. If anything, the value of a taxi licence has depreciated in the past few years, and I think that the deregulated price of a licence would be a more than fair offer to taxi licence holders now.

The deregulated price of a license is actualy €6300, unless you're refering to WCA licenses which are €125

http://www.taxireg.ie/files/Guide_G1_New_SPSV_Licence_November-2007.pdf

There are Facts and there are After Hours Facts only half of them are true

Spook_ie · 24-10-2008 07:16AM

Darragh29 wrote: »

Me boll*x mate. I wish I worked in an industry where at the stroke of a pen, my customers pay me 8% more. I'd love to be able to get 5 Euro of my customers before I moved an inch. The reason a lot of people won't go out to a pub these days is because of the stupid money to get a taxi out and home. If I want to go out with my mates, I'm looking at 40 Euro before I even see the barman.

Best thing that could be done with your industry is properly deregulate it and let prices look after themselves, like the rest of us have to do.

Yeah a stroke of the pen that'll cost taxi drivers around €150 to implement.
Yeah a stroke of the pen that'll go someway to covering increased costs since 2006
Yeah a stroke of the pen, that my base company is increasing their radio fee by 11%
Yeah ( BTW it's €3.80 or €4.10 not €5 until 1/11/2008 ) considering it covers the 1st 1Km

In answer to the last one drink in your local...

In answer to the deregulated trade, I'd love it, charge you double when there's no taxis around and half price when the streets are full of empty taxis

Spook_ie · 24-10-2008 07:57AM

shenanigans1982 wrote: »

Then stick to the f*cking bus lane and stop dicing in and out of traffic and nearly causing accidents each time.

You sir and your attitude are a credit to taxi drivers everywhere....or the reason people have a problem with them...I'm not sure.

Oh yeah, see the boardsies posts now " Robbing taxi driver charges me more because he stops behind the buses in the bus stops instead of overtaking them "

As to the go to Malahide and catch a train, I have to agree, if you want to come down to Swords and drink from Bettystown then you should cost up the alternative transports home, if they're too expensive or unavailable because you've spent so long in Wright's then stay up in Meath, you won't be missed that much

AnonoBoy · 24-10-2008 08:29AM

Taxi drivers are to blame for the recession. Everyone know this.

Oh wait - it may be foreigners.

Or the gays.

(Oh I'm so confused)

Spook_ie · 24-10-2008 08:45AM

OPENROAD wrote: »

It is pretty much spot on

Have to have a quiet chuckle to myself when I recall posters saying how much cheaper taxis are in different countries like Germany
Estimated Fare using meter at 20:16
Berlin

Distance: 20.73 km. | Duration: 19 min.

jump in the taxi 3.00 €
7.0 km. x 1.58 € per km 11.06 €
13.73 km. x 1.20 € per km 21.71 €
waiting in traffic (~6 min.) 2.73 €
Total 38.50 €

Estimated Fare using meter at 20:16
Dublin

Distance: 19.43 km. | Duration: 26 min.

first kilometer 4.10 €
14.0 km. x 1.25 € per km (tariff A) 17.50 €
5.43 km. x 1.45 € per km (tariff 7.88 €
waiting in traffic (~9 min.) 4.14 €
Total 33.62 €

Maybe someone could mess around with different destinations to come up with an even closer distance to compare...

Logical conclusion, the majority of AH posters would complain about anything, anyway, anytime....

Spook_ie · 24-10-2008 08:49AM

And then people complain about a standard €2 pick up charge, be thankfull you're not in Barcelona

Weekend nights have a surplus of 2.10 €.
Each piece of luggage will mean a charge of 1 €.
If you are getting a taxi by phone, you can expect the taxicab to come with the taximeter already running. That amount cannot, however, exceed 3.22 € during the day, 3.99 € night, or 6.50 € on Fridays, Saturdays or holidays at night. Motorway tolls are paid separately by the passenger.
Taxi drivers are only required to carry change for payment up to 20 €.

not yet · 24-10-2008 09:11AM

Lets all put our hands together and have a big fu*k off round of applause for our wonderful taxi drivers................whats that? cant hear anything....

Well fu8ck me that a surprise.

SuperGrover · 24-10-2008 09:56AM

I can sympathise with someone who is finding their livelihood being squeezed. People have families and mortgages.

However, the Taxi unions wanted to keep the old 2,000 taxis cap at the expense of the general public and seemed to have no sympathy for us queueing in the pissing rain.

Basically, tough shyte lads. Your own collective attitude in the past is what has lead to this f u attitude from the public.

(One time I couldn't get to work (bus from Dame St.) because of a taxi strike blocking the streets. I asked a couple of drivers was it really fair to mess up my day for their gripe. I was informed that I was in danger of getting the shyte kicked out of me just for approaching them and asking. Up yours, collectively, as it were).

nice1franko · 24-10-2008 11:13AM

Also, other low-skill jobs should be regulated by the government.

Why should anyone be cleaning tables for minimum wage? Table cleaning licenses should be dished out and table cleaners guaranteed 1200 a week.

nice1franko · 24-10-2008 11:22AM

ha. this reminds of that episode of the simpsons where homer gets the truck drivers easy number busted and they all have to move onto the next easy thing... furbies or pokemon or something i think it was

evolve or die!

DonJose · 24-10-2008 11:52AM

nice1franko wrote: »

Also, other low no-skill jobs should be regulated by the government.

Fixed that for you. I wish I could get paid €50k+ a year for sitting on my arse and speaking sh!te all day

Puddleduck · 24-10-2008 11:53AM

DonJose wrote: »

Fixed that for you. I wish I could get paid €50k+ a year for sitting on my arse and speaking sh!te all day

You can.Work for the government :pac:

lost marbles · 24-10-2008 12:17PM

DonJose wrote: »

Fixed that for you. I wish I could get paid €50k+ a year for sitting on my arse and speaking sh!te all day

nothing stopping you getting a taxi licence
tell you what ... while im off sunning myself in my villa ,managing my off shore account ,you can rent out my taxi
lets say 150e a day ,
sure you,ll make that back in the first hour .
its coming to that time of the year where i take my three weeks off .
before the christmas rush .
then i go again for the new year ,just for some well earned R+R
plus to take a few thou off shore

nudge ,nudge, wink wink

keen · 24-10-2008 12:44PM

There's a lot of new fast food shops opening up, should we put a cap on the amount of them so the owners profits who opened up first remain high?

asdasd · 24-10-2008 12:52PM

There's a lot of new fast food shops opening up, should we put a cap on the amount of them so the owners profits who opened up first remain high?

There is a fair amount of economic illiteracy in this thread. There are natural barriers to entry for shops etc. - the location. The reason why taxi driver wages are falling is because taxi drivers are competing with immigrant ( and other) labour in a fashion in which most graduates do not have to - certainly not Doctors, Pharmacists et al. In a global world most high salaries are due to cartels.

One thing that you may not want to happen here is the law of unintended consequences - a natural barrier to entry for immigrants would be lack of knowedge of the city, lack of knowledge about local streets, bot enough English etc.. Without any barriers at all all wages - in an era with (seemingly) unrestricted migration, and global pressures from China and India - tend towards the minimum wage at best. And the service will suffer.

And after the taxi drivers, you.

Fiend-Foe · 24-10-2008 01:23PM

Only ever had one problem myself,

A few years back Myself and one of my mates were getting a taxi back from town one night, and the guy just went on a racist rant. We weren't even talking to him or prompting him whatsoever, he just kept on speeling out sh1te.

Anyways my mate was skint and I was paying for the taxi, when we got where we were going I hopped out first and just strolled away. My mate copped on and ran out after me. The driver shouted after us and said he was going to the gards etc, I just shouted back "Fair enough, ya racist pr1ck, see ya later". Off we went down the lane that leads to my mate's estate.

I would never do this normally and I had plenty of money to pay him, but I just didn't feel like it after being subjected to his hate speech.

Other than that one incident I have had no problems at all.

Spook_ie · 24-10-2008 01:27PM

DonJose wrote: »

Fixed that for you. I wish I could get paid €50k+ a year for sitting on my arse and speaking sh!te all day

As a taxi driver, I wish I had a job that paid that to, care to tell me what job it is because it sure as hell ain't taxi driving!

Spook_ie · 24-10-2008 01:37PM

Fiend-Foe wrote: »

Only ever had one problem myself,

A few years back Myself and one of my mates were getting a taxi back from town one night, and the guy just went on a racist rant. We weren't even talking to him or prompting him whatsoever, he just kept on speeling out sh1te.

Anyways my mate was skint and I was paying for the taxi, when we got where we were going I hopped out first and just strolled away. My mate copped on and ran out after me. The driver shouted after us and said he was going to the gards etc, I just shouted back "Fair enough, ya racist pr1ck, see ya later". Off we went down the lane that leads to my mate's estate.

I would never do this normally and I had plenty of money to pay him, but I just didn't feel like it after being subjected to his hate speech.

Other than that one incident I have had no problems at all.

Regardless of his racist spiel, what right did you have to ROB someone, if you were in the pub and someone on the next table was being racist, went to the loo and left their wallet on the table, would you STEAL that as well.
I was going to launch into a tyrade about calling you scum, filth, worse than dog**** on a shoe but then thought that you aren't even worth that, I just hope that some day karma takes a hand and you get mugged..

Spook_ie · 24-10-2008 01:39PM

keen wrote: »

There's a lot of new fast food shops opening up, should we put a cap on the amount of them so the owners profits who opened up first remain high?

There's already a cap on fastfood outlets, it's called planning permission...

Fiend-Foe · 24-10-2008 01:42PM

Spook_ie wrote: »

Regardless of his racist spiel, what right did you have to ROB someone, if you were in the pub and someone on the next table was being racist, went to the loo and left their wallet on the table, would you STEAL that as well.
I was going to launch into a tyrade about calling you scum, filth, worse than dog**** on a shoe but then thought that you aren't even worth that, I just hope that some day karma takes a hand and you get mugged..

I did not rob him,

I refused to pay for his services as they were unsatisfactory and he very was very offensive, used vulgar language and racial slurs throughout the whole maybe 10 minute journey.

hopalong85 · 24-10-2008 01:48PM

Fiend-Foe wrote: »

I did not rob him,

I refused to pay for his services as they were unsatisfactory and he very was very offensive, used vulgar language and racial slurs throughout the whole maybe 10 minute journey.

fair play to you man.

Taxi Driver

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