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Taxi driver refusing fare?!

  • 20-09-2009 07:43PM
    #1
    galah
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,215 ✭✭✭


    Still seething, need to rant...

    Went out with friends last night, to Kelly's (Living Room). Got a little drunky, wanted to go home - while hubby and his mates were still staying out. Hubby obviously wanted me to go home safely, so put me in a taxi.

    I told the tax i driver where I wanted to go (St. Mary's Road) - and yer man turned around and said that 'this wasn't worth his while'. WTF?

    So I got out of the cab again and ended up walking home, pretty pissed off. Now I was fine walking home - but what if something had happened? I was on my own, on high heels, and slightly drunk - walking around the backroads of Galway. I cannot believe that yer man pretty much refused to take me home.
    While I can understand that he wouldn't want to lose his place in a queue for a fare to, say, CPs (which really is just down the road), St. Mary's is a little further up, and usually cost around 10 Euros. I understand that he is runnign a business and not a charity, but I can't believe that this individuum would, from a moral perspective, leave me to find my own way home.

    Unfortunately I never took down his license number, cause I am very very tempted to complain to anyone in the business who would listen, but I must say that I will never, ever use any of the taxis outside Kelly's again. Ever.

    Not much point telling your kids to stay safe and not walk home in the dark if the f*cking taxi drivers refuse to take ya...Or be surprised if girls end up getting assaulted cause they have no choice but to walk, as they don't live far enough away to make a fare worth the driver's while...

    /rant.

    Edit: Also - how does one get home in these cases? Try every other cab in the queue?Wait forever to get a hackney? Nag hubby out of the pub to bring me home? (and don't get me wrong, he offered, but I thought it would not be necessary...)


«13

Comments

  • #2
    Madame Razz
    Closed Accounts Posts: 13,252 ✭✭✭✭Madame Razz


    They aren't suppose to do that.

    Pity you didn't get his license number and report him; I'd delight in reporting a driver like that. I've never been refused before, regardless of how short a trip I've been making.


  • #3
    Outkast_IRE
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,511 ✭✭✭Outkast_IRE


    They cant refuse and say its not worth his while next time take the number and report it ,


  • #4
    Seloth
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,038 ✭✭✭Seloth


    D'yeah remember how old he was?


  • #5
    thenakedchef
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,543 ✭✭✭thenakedchef


    absolutely disgraceful,and these are the very ones complaining that they cant make a living as there is too many taxis (tough $hit on them) a fare is a fare,
    as the previos guys said,it was a pity you didnt take is number and report him


  • #6
    soundbyte
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 445 ✭✭soundbyte


    Damnit Galah, if only you got his number!

    It's an offence for a taxi driver to refuse a fare. I know a few drivers in Galway have been before the courts for it.

    Had a look on the regulator's website there (www.taxireg.ie), but all I can find is this:
    What is reasonable refusal of a hire?
    Taxi drivers have the right to refuse to carry a passenger requesting to travel in excess of 30km from the point of pick-up. A driver may also refuse a passenger who is disorderly.

    Also, have a look at this old thread elsewhere:
    http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055432298


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  • #7
    dec25532
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 809 ✭✭✭dec25532


    You shouldn't have gone home on your own in the first place and like the other posters, you should have at least got the company name of the taxi concerned. I know you had a few and all that but that ba**ard of a taxi driver needs to be exposed. Trouble is that the taxis which park up outside Kellys or the Living Room vary from night to night.


  • #8
    fend
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 661 ✭✭✭fend


    Galway in general is a pretty small place!
    Regardless of your journey, he should not have refused you!! Letting a woman walk home at night is a No-No. He should have known better, especially during these times.

    Thats like saying if your staying in the Radison hotel and you feel like watching a movie in the Eye Cinema and it finished at 11.30 your expected to walk Lough Atalia at night?


  • #9
    Greenmachine
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,063 ✭✭✭Greenmachine


    I am sure you were upset at being refused to be carried by the taxi. Myabe he though you were too drunk and would spew your guts up all over his taxi. You saying he refused the fare because of the distance whne he said it wasn't worth his while is just conjecture.


  • #10
    galah
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,215 ✭✭✭galah


    on the contrary. That's exactly what he said - it wasn't worth his while, cause it was not far away enough. And I wasn't THAT drunk (I know when to stop, am not a teenager anymore, can handle my drink and myself, and was able to hold a conversation - so no, I wouldn't have thrown up in his cab), but yes, upset enough to get out of the cab, slam his door shut, and walk off in a huff.

    Yer man was abut middle-aged, I'd say, and definitely not from Galway.
    Still kicking myself for not taking down the number...


  • #11
    biko
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 81,060 ✭✭✭✭biko


    http://www.taxireg.ie/consumer/consumer-rights-and-responsibilities/consumer-rights-and-responsibilities.html

    Customer Rights
    As a customer, it is your right to:
    * Not be charged more than the metered fare when travelling by taxi or no more than the agreed fare.
    * Not be charged more than the agreed fare when travelling by hackney or limousine;
    * Be given a printed receipt at the end of a taxi journey, and a written receipt on payment of the fare for a hackney or limousine journey;
    * Not be unreasonably refused service with a 30km radius of the pick up point/point of hire;
    * See driver licence details and fare card clearly displayed;
    * Direct the destination and route taken;
    * Be accompanied by a guide dog/mobility aid at no extra charge;
    * A driver who is courteous and helpful;
    * A driver who is neatly dressed;
    * A driver who knows the major routes and destinations;
    * Be carried in a clean and roadworthy vehicle

    Customer Responsibilities
    It is your responsibility as a customer to:
    * For taxis, pay the fare as calculated on the meter, unless a written agreement is in place
    * For hackneys and limousines, agree the fare before the journey begins
    * Pay the correct fare in full, including booking fees;
    * Give proof of ability to pay fare, or give a deposit, if requested by driver;
    * Behave in a civil and orderly way;
    * Not damage or dirty the vehicle;
    * Not consume food or drink in the vehicle;
    * Comply with any reasonable request by the driver to leave or not enter the vehicle;
    * Not request the driver to exceed the number of passengers permitted to be carried in the vehicle.
    Your customer rights and responsibilities are based on Regulations 52 and 54 of S.I. 191 of 1963 and Regulation 35 of S.I. 136 of 1995 .

    If you are refused for some reason, take number down and ring the taxi company to complain/take it to the taxi regulator.

    No need to walk home Galah, city centre is full of hackney offices that'd be glad for your business.


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  • #12
    shampoosuicide
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 415 ✭✭shampoosuicide


    he was in the wrong, but you could have tried one or two other taxis before walking...you're responsible for yourself.


  • #13
    Tomebagel
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,138 ✭✭✭Tomebagel


    taxi business has gone awful for them these days,
    theres the same amount of taxis' in galway as there is in boston!


  • #14
    Mrs OBumble
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 27,086 ✭✭✭✭Mrs OBumble


    galah wrote: »
    Edit: Also - how does one get home in these cases? Try every other cab in the queue?Wait forever to get a hackney? Nag hubby out of the pub to bring me home? (and don't get me wrong, he offered, but I thought it would not be necessary...)

    You take out your cellphone, and make it very clear that you're taking pictures of his licence and back registration plate. (And if your cellie is an old one that doesn't take pix, then just behave like it does.)

    Then you go to the next cab in the rank, and tell him/her "The guy ahead of you refused to take me to XXX because the fare isn't worth it. Do you want the fare?". Would be very surprised if s/he says no - and if so, that's when you mention the magic words "taxi regulator".

    If it really is a ridiculously short fare, you way want to offer then an incentive, eg "how about E10 to Forster Court?". But St Marys isn't, IMHO.


  • #15
    Sconsey
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,625 ✭✭✭Sconsey


    Tomebagel wrote: »
    taxi business has gone awful for them these days,
    theres the same amount of taxis' in galway as there is in boston!

    Irrelevant, why have so many people bought licenses recently?, if they made a bad business decision it does not give them the right to operate like cowboys.

    When they buy a license and run a taxi they are providing a service which is regulated, they must operate that service as per the guidlines laid down by the regulator. This guy got lucky that the OP didn't take it any further, as someone else said I would have taken out my phone and taken a picture of his license before leaving the car, then send details and formal complaint to the regulator...I'm inclined to think most taxis drivers would never refuse the fare in OP's situation and one less dodgy taxi on the road leaves more business for the legit ones.


  • #16
    darrenh
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 685 ✭✭✭darrenh


    Thats a real scumbag thing to do. They should also have a duty of care. I take it when you said he was definitely not from Galway that he wasn't from Ireland either. One time I got a driver and my fare came to €9 and I gave him €10. He said he had no change to give me. I said not my problem. He said tough ****. I demanded a receipt then he locked the doors of the car and drove off not letting me out. He went to the nearest shop to get change and then told me to get out there. I refused. He drove me to my house. I demanded a receipt again and said I was reporting him. He got out of the car and leaned back in and punched me in the face. I got out, then queue me, running around the car after him and him running to other side hiding. Another taxi driver arrived just in time, who I actually knew, and stopped all kicking off. I never reported it as the guy I knew asked me not too, but if I ever saw that idiot again.

    Another driver tried to rip me off with all sorts of charges, so I paid him and then asked for a receipt to explain his charges. He wouldn't give me one. I refused to leave until he gave me one. Eventually I called back his driver number to him and got out of the car. He got out and followed me to my front door threatening me and shouting abuse. I reported him and the Gardai rand back saying he wanted to ring me in person and apologise. I accepted his apology from the cops and left it at that. I really cant stand them. The amount that overcharge is ridiculously high compared to other businesses.
    I know its kind of off topic but I needed to vent that after reading what the OP had to say.


  • #17
    biko
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 81,060 ✭✭✭✭biko


    GC -> Taxi forum


  • #18
    Mossy Monk
    Closed Accounts Posts: 28,128 ✭✭✭✭Mossy Monk


    fend wrote: »
    Letting a woman walk home at night is a No-No.

    Letting anyone walk home at night should be a no no.


  • #19
    blahblah06
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,305 ✭✭✭blahblah06


    darrenh wrote: »
    He got out of the car and leaned back in and punched me in the face. I got out, then queue me, running around the car after him and him running to other side hiding. Another taxi driver arrived just in time, who I actually knew, and stopped all kicking off. I never reported it as the guy I knew asked me not too, but if I ever saw that idiot again.

    Absolute Bull****

    You didnt report someone supposedly punching you in the face because someone told you not to?

    You sound like a right **** to me. He obviously didnt have the 1 euro change as he went to the shop which prob cost him more than the 1 euro to do that. Why didnt you just say grand hold onto it instead of been an awkward ****

    Looks like you were been as awkward as possible.


  • #20
    Mimikyu
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 19,050 ✭✭✭✭Mimikyu


    This post has been deleted.


  • #21
    General Zod
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,661 ✭✭✭General Zod


    blahblah06 wrote: »
    Absolute Bull****

    You didnt report someone supposedly punching you in the face because someone told you not to?

    You sound like a right **** to me. He obviously didnt have the 1 euro change as he went to the shop which prob cost him more than the 1 euro to do that. Why didnt you just say grand hold onto it instead of been an awkward ****


    The price in 9 euro. If he only had a 20 should he have given him the 11 euro?

    Why didn't the taxi driver go into the shop and get the change?


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  • #22
    thee glitz
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,294 ✭✭✭thee glitz


    The Living Room - St.Mary's Rd. is maybe 1/2 mile if I'm not (and I
    may very well be) mistaken. Maybe yer man was queued up for ages and
    after he picks up his 4quid, he's at the back of the rank again :/

    He shoulda done it though.


    Hurray for me - I'm off to galway to welcome the students back :)


  • #23
    blahblah06
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,305 ✭✭✭blahblah06


    Captain Morgan wrote: »
    This post has been deleted.

    He could have gotten a 50 note before hand ya wouldnt know. Taxi drivers dont carry loads of change these days in case they get robbed.

    In all seriousness though. would any of you bothered to cause all this agro over 1 euro.

    I think this is one of them urban taxi myths made up by said poster


  • #24
    blahblah06
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,305 ✭✭✭blahblah06


    General Zod wrote: »
    The price in 9 euro. If he only had a 20 should he have given him the 11 euro?

    Why didn't the taxi driver go into the shop and get the change?

    Taxi driver did go in and get change for him. read his post again. Got the change gave him the change and asked him to get out at the shop. He obviously only asked this because this guy was been a right arse about 1 euro


  • #25
    galah
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,215 ✭✭✭galah


    thee glitz wrote: »
    The Living Room - St.Mary's Rd. is maybe 1/2 mile if I'm not (and I
    may very well be) mistaken. Maybe yer man was queued up for ages and
    after he picks up his 4quid, he's at the back of the rank again :/

    He shoulda done it though.


    Hurray for me - I'm off to galway to welcome the students back :)

    yes, but that's beside the point, and it's usually around a tenner for the fare, and I don't care if he's been sitting there all night (it was reasonably early, too - well before the pubs closed - so he had the whole night ahead of him). Apart from that, the way the taxi queueing works in Galway is obviously not my problem.

    Still wish I took the license numbers (and should have gotten into the cab second in line), but I was too furious...Anyhoo, I learnt my lesson, will not take taxi home again ever. I shall curtail hubby's pub experiences from now on instead - so he can walk me home. muahaha ;-)


  • #26
    thee glitz
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,294 ✭✭✭thee glitz


    galah wrote: »
    yes, but that's beside the point, and it's usually around a tenner for the fare, and I don't care if he's been sitting there all night (it was reasonably early, too - well before the pubs closed - so he had the whole night ahead of him). Apart from that, the way the taxi queueing works in Galway is obviously not my problem.

    Still wish I took the license numbers (and should have gotten into the cab second in line), but I was too furious...Anyhoo, I learnt my lesson, will not take taxi home again ever. I shall curtail hubby's pub experiences from now on instead - so he can walk me home. muahaha ;-)

    You should definitely take the number of whoever charges you a 10r.

    As for hubby's pub trips
    father-ted-careful-now.jpg


  • #27
    General Zod
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,661 ✭✭✭General Zod


    blahblah06 wrote: »
    Taxi driver did go in and get change for him. read his post again. Got the change gave him the change and asked him to get out at the shop. He obviously only asked this because this guy was been a right arse about 1 euro


    Why should he be forced to get out at the shops? He didn't pay the taxi driver to go to the shops, he paid him to take him home.

    And he was entitled to a reciept.


  • #28
    blahblah06
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,305 ✭✭✭blahblah06


    Nobody forced him to get out at the shops? Taxi driver was prob pissed of because of a euro. I have never met anyone to be that awkward over 1 euro sure generally if it comes to 9 euro which it certainly could not have either it was 9.05 and up in 20 cent or below in same amount.

    I know I would say ah hold onto it.

    Of course he is entitled to a receipt and its his own fault for not getting one.

    If it was you or me I think we would both know to get the receipt and apparently if we were punched in the head would you just walk away cause another taxi driver told you to?

    Taxi driver took him home he didnt have 1 euro change for what ever reason. All of us have been left short change wether it be a petrol station or anywere else. I have never met anyone to be as tight as this guy lol.

    God only knows what else went on in the cab before hand.

    Come on this guy was just been a ****


  • #29
    the_syco
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 37,310 ✭✭✭✭the_syco


    blahblah06 wrote: »
    Taxi driver did go in and get change for him. read his post again. Got the change gave him the change and asked him to get out at the shop. He obviously only asked this because this guy was been a right arse about 1 euro
    If I get a taxi to goto X place, I'll expect to get change is change is due. I don't expect to be brought to Y place, and told to get out. The nearest shop to my area that'd be open at that hour of the night would be twice the distance in the opposite direction. Luckily, every single taxi driver has change in his coin holder/pocket/wallet for me, but some made not be as lucky.


  • #30
    thee glitz
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,294 ✭✭✭thee glitz


    This seems a good place for my little rant.

    I was getting the bus eireann from maynooth down home - 6 or 8 quid.
    The (hired-in tbf) bus pulls in, first stop, and I'm the only one there.
    'That'll be 6 or 8 quid lad' so I hand him a 10r. Then 'Do you have any change?' :eek:
    He'd no change at all so I agreed to get it getting off the bus but he wouldn't agree
    and wouldn't let me on. da fecker. I assume the same thing happened to others at
    the next stop.


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  • #31
    javaboy
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 15,094 ✭✭✭✭javaboy


    blahblah06 wrote: »
    Absolute Bull****

    You didnt report someone supposedly punching you in the face because someone told you not to?

    You sound like a right **** to me. He obviously didnt have the 1 euro change as he went to the shop which prob cost him more than the 1 euro to do that. Why didnt you just say grand hold onto it instead of been an awkward ****

    Looks like you were been as awkward as possible.

    Banned for personal abuse.


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