Taxi driver protest

Taxipete29

the_syco wrote: »

What tell-tale signs is there that the taxi is illegal? At the moment, I flag down a taxi with a yellow box on its roof, ensure the picture on the taxi ID looks like the driver, and the date is valid. Is there anything else i should look for?


And how long is that?

The yellow stickers on the front and rear windscreens. They show the vehicle licence number and the date its valid until.

I have to say I was all in favour of the temporary moratorium 6 months ago, but I feel the horse has bolted at this stage so I dont see the neccesity at present. I think if the regulator and the Minister address the other concerns such as enforcement of their own regulations and continuing to increase the minimum standards for new entrants as well as existing operators then problems in the industry will be addressed.

I find it interesting that after almost 10 years of a deregulated industry that it is only now that any meaningful standards are being put into place. If it was done at the start the transition would of been very easy and we would have what everyone wants which is a properly regulated professional taxi industry instead of the mess we have at the moment.

Its simple, enforce the rules, apply higher standards and the cowboys will be driven out.

For other drivers, I have to say that anyone who does not have a radio from a company is totally nuts and really isnt operating their business to its potential.

Terrontress

Spook_ie wrote: »

Or as anafterthought....

You want to pay a ****e price then you'll get a ****e service, you want a quality service then I'll charge you the quality price, which means NO discount in my taxi

But that is great in my opinion. Free market. The management reserve the right to refuse admission. You are providing a service and are not prepared to discount and make your money on that basis.

I would think though that that line of thought is at odds with moratorium or ban on part timers. Under what I think you are getting at, people are all responsible for making their own decisions, not having other people impose restrictions and regulations on them. Make money as you see fit.

Spook_ie

rubadub wrote: »

Maybe you should be campaigning on a ban on doctors driving home or anybody working over 40hrs, this facade is fooling nobody. I know a few self employed workers having to work excessive hours, I know tilers who are under pressure, less work now and an influx of competent tradesmen from east europe, many who are part time workers too, with other PAYE jobs on the side.

As to doctors driving home, yep good idea make them use a compulsary taxi.

As to the tilers etc. I have several selfemployed tradesmen in my car a week the conversation always turns to how business is and it always seems that those people in the building trade who do houses/tiling/plumbing/decorating etc. Now that people aren't moving house but instead revamping/extending etc. they are realy feeling the pressure, they have too much work for themselves but not enough to warrant employing someone to help! Crazy eh?

Spook_ie

Rojomcdojo wrote: »

I get a taxi because I need a lift from A to B and the buses are finished or I'm in a particular rush etc.

A clean car, to not be talked sh1te to and safe driving isn't a 'quality' service, it's bloody expected.

For the prices you ask for I should literally be sitting in a seat that gives you a massage while sipping on a cold/warm drink depending on the weather

Who says that you don't get that in my car? You want a crap service with 20% off go to someone else, open my door and ask for a discount then you'd better close it gently after I tell you No

bangersandmash

Spook_ie wrote: »

open my door and ask for a discount then you'd better close it gently after I tell you No

Or else what exactly? Asking for a discount in many sectors of the Irish economy is par for the course at the moment - something accepted by many builders, solicitors, architects and so on. I'd love to know what could possibly make you believe that it is somehow unacceptable in an over-subscribed unskilled sector.

Reminds me of publicans - refusing to contemplate reducing prices while simultaneously complaining about the lack of customers.

Spook_ie

Spook_ie wrote: »

Who says that you don't get that in my car? You want a crap service with 20% off go to someone else, open my door and ask for a discount then you'd better close it gently after I tell you No

20% off isn't nearly enough. I'd still think it was expensive if current prices were cut in half.

Spook_ie

Terrontress wrote: »

But that is great in my opinion. Free market. The management reserve the right to refuse admission. You are providing a service and are not prepared to discount and make your money on that basis.

I would think though that that line of thought is at odds with moratorium or ban on part timers. Under what I think you are getting at, people are all responsible for making their own decisions, not having other people impose restrictions and regulations on them. Make money as you see fit.

No it's not at odds at all, I provide a service, I provide a clean quality car ( I had to replace the Camry, it broke down :eek: not that the Camry wasn't clean! ) I have until July 2012 to fund replacing it again, under the 9 year rule.

I refuse to discount fares simply because the custom isn't out there to generate the extra fares needed to recoup the discount and provide the capital requirement in June/July 2012 to replace the car. It's just economics

Spook_ie

bangersandmash wrote: »

Or else what exactly? Asking for a discount in many sectors of the Irish economy is par for the course at the moment - something accepted by many builders, solicitors, architects and so on. I'd love to know what could possibly make you believe that it is somehow unacceptable in an over-subscribed unskilled sector.

Reminds me of publicans - refusing to contemplate reducing prices while simultaneously complaining about the lack of customers.

You don't close my door gently after being told NO and you slam it or kick it or whatever, I'll probably bounce my Maglite off your head. As they say about credit " If a refusal offends you, then don't ask! "

mikemac

Instead of a cap, why not just make all new licences only for Wheelchair accesible cabs?
And give incentives too, maybe no VRT.

Then are more WAT cabs on the road which is excellent.
And if the current drivers are concerned about part-timers, well nobody is going to invest in one of these to use for a few hours.

I'm not getting in the whole part-timer debate, 38 pages of that already

Just throwing it out there.
I've been there trying to book a wheelchair accesible cab, it was done hours in advance and the driver was still late. Probably dictched us for a more lucrative fare!

KoolKid

Spook_ie wrote: »

Who says that you don't get that in my car? You want a crap service with 20% off go to someone else, open my door and ask for a discount then you'd better close it gently after I tell you No

You really have no concept of how to run a business or how to threat a potential customer. Not suprised you are afraid of the competition

Spook_ie wrote: »

I refuse to discount fares simply because the custom isn't out there to generate the extra fares needed to recoup the discount and provide the capital requirement in June/July 2012 to replace the car. It's just economics

You really are not suited to be a self employed buisnessman. You have no regard for the customer. You have no concept of how to generate business & you certinly don't have the attitude for dealing with the public.
If more competition forces this ignorance out of the industry then bring it on!:D

Taxipete29

mikemac wrote: »

Instead of a cap, why not just make all new licences only for Wheelchair accesible cabs?
And give incentives too, maybe no VRT.

Then are more WAT cabs on the road which is excellent.
And if the current drivers are concerned about part-timers, well nobody is going to invest in one of these to use for a few hours.

I'm not getting in the whole part-timer debate, 38 pages of that already

Just throwing it out there.
I've been there trying to book a wheelchair accesible cab, it was done hours in advance and the driver was still late. Probably dictched us for a more lucrative fare!

I think if there is any sort of a cap then this will be how it happens. It has been mentioned several times.
There would have to an incentive though such as reducing or eliminating the VRT on them.

Spook_ie

koolkid wrote: »

You really have no concept of how to run a business or how to threat a potential customer. Not suprised you are afraid of the competition


You really are not suited to be a self employed buisnessman. You have no regard for the customer. You have no concept of how to generate business & you certinly don't have the attitude for dealing with the public.
If more competition forces this ignorance out of the industry then bring it on!:D

Well when you're running a taxi business you can tell me, as you aren't, then you have no idea of the realities involved in the business. Stick to your macro economic principles and let the world collapse

steph1

blahblah06 wrote: »

I've said from the start full time drivers i've no problem with it's Part time taxi drivers are scum. Every full time cab driver would agree with that and that's the end of it. I've wasted enough time on this thread.

Bitching over questions with children over 37 pages is crazy. Looking forward to the outcome of the talks.

Me get banned? Doubt it considering taxi men have been called every name under the sun on this thread.

Good night. Oh and get a life

You speak for yourself mate. And to quote you "Every full time cab driver would agree that part-time taxi drivers are scum."
Well I'm sorry but I am a taxi driver full time and I most certainly do not agree with that statement. There are people who for one reason or another - probably mainly the recessionary times we find ourselves in - who may have had their hours curtailed or lost their jobs and who also may have to mind kids elderly parents etc there are a host of reasons and they work part-time. You cannot come on here with a statement like that. You do not speak on my behalf. Its the likes of you that gets the rest of us a bad name.

rubadub

blahblah06 wrote: »

I've said from the start full time drivers i've no problem with it's Part time taxi drivers are scum. Every full time cab driver would agree with that and that's the end of it.

I doubt they would all agree with that, I expect many posters are embarrassed to have you posting such crap seemingly on their side.

blahblah06 wrote: »

Me get banned? Doubt it considering taxi men have been called every name under the sun on this thread.

You are repeatedly baiting posters, hoping for a retaliatory response, and then you can hit your little report post button over and over asking for them to be banned. Everybody sees your little game and are not playing.

blahblah06 wrote: »

Good night. Oh and get a life

Get a new job.

Taxipete29 wrote: »

You are quite wrong. The halt of new licences is not the main thing being called for. The idea that it is all about licences is what has been portrayed in the press. Primarily I believe because they have no interest in the facts of the situation and its the easiet thing to report and requires little research.

Reading that it does seem that reducing numbers would solve a lot of these "problems", it seems they want numbers reduced and then afterwards came up with all sorts of ideas they could tag onto it too. I can fully understand why the media is only focusing on the numbers, it is of interest to most customers and by far the one they would object to most, though I would have issues with several other points.

Spook_ie wrote: »

As to doctors driving home, yep good idea make them use a compulsary taxi.

More legally enforced business for you! I am talking of anybody working over this 40hrs that is mentioned, most would probably have to find work close to home if legally obliged to get taxis to & from work or other public transport. So should taxi drivers be forced to drive only 40hrs a week? On that submission page it said.

New entrants will be making a significant investment in the industry and therefore should be available to service the public requirement on a full time basis to gain the maximum return for their investment. We know that this requirement needs to be at least forty hours per week and the public interest is best served by a full time professional service

Should be at most 40hrs, if it really is so dangerous.

Drivers should be able to achieve the average industrial wage for a reasonable working week (45 to 50 hours). Fare increments should reflect this and be regularly reviewed, compared to market conditions and be linked to inflation

I would think the average industrial wage for 45hrs work in a low skilled job is a very high and unreasonable expectation to have.

steph1

Taxipete29 wrote: »

For other drivers, I have to say that anyone who does not have a radio from a company is totally nuts and really isnt operating their business to its potential.

Hi Taxipete just to say that not all taxis operate in Dublin's fair city. I work in a rural area and we dont have radio companies here. We work from our mobiles or sit on the rank when we can get on it. There is no way that I would ever contemplate joining a radio company. I work my own hours when I need to work and to cover the busy weekend periods when the demand is there for my taxi and I have a good few regular customers who get me when I am working.

KoolKid

Spook_ie wrote: »

Well when you're running a taxi business you can tell me, as you aren't, then you have no idea of the realities involved in the business. Stick to your macro economic principles and let the world collapse

Running one business is pretty much the same as another. I have been doing it sucessfully for many years now.
First rule is the customer comes first. (You havn't even got that right yet)
I am running a very successfull business , so I do have a very good idea of the realities involved . As for economics, the basic rule there is supply & demand. Something you need to concentrate more on. There is no demand for ignorant taxi drives with a chip on their shoulder so I suggest you take a good look at your business practices or find a job that suits you better. Perhaps taxi driving to too high skilled a job for you.

bangersandmash

Spook_ie wrote: »

You don't close my door gently after being told NO and you slam it or kick it or whatever, I'll probably bounce my Maglite off your head.

Charming. Slamming or kicking doors is petty and childish. But comments such as the above only serve to further alienate your customers and reinforce stereotypes about the taxi industry.

Taxipete29

steph1 wrote: »

Hi Taxipete just to say that not all taxis operate in Dublin's fair city. I work in a rural area and we dont have radio companies here. We work from our mobiles or sit on the rank when we can get on it. There is no way that I would ever contemplate joining a radio company. I work my own hours when I need to work and to cover the busy weekend periods when the demand is there for my taxi and I have a good few regular customers who get me when I am working.

Obviously I was speaking about Dublin and I undrstand rural areas are totally different and I would imagine much harder to make a living out of.

Just to clarify. I work my own hours too. Radio companies dont dictate hours.

Spook_ie

koolkid wrote: »

Running one business is pretty much the same as another. I have been doing it sucessfully for many years now.
First rule is the customer comes first. (You havn't even got that right yet)
I am running a very successfull business , so I do have a very good idea of the realities involved . As for economics, the basic rule there is supply & demand. Something you need to concentrate more on. There is no demand for ignorant taxi drives with a chip on their shoulder so I suggest you take a good look at your business practices or find a job that suits you better. Perhaps taxi driving to too high skilled a job for you.

You're successfully running your own business, well good for you. Now get a taxi and try pasting your business model onto it. I'd wager you'd be broke in a month. I don't have a chip on my shoulder but I do take exception to this constant barrage of so called successfull business men thinking they know one iota of what's required in actuality to run a taxi business, unless you have ran a taxi you wouldn't know or understand, it's rather akin to a chiropodist telling an oncologist how to treat a cancer.

Oh and if you want an argument leave the derisory comments to the playground

Spook_ie

bangersandmash wrote: »

Charming. Slamming or kicking doors is petty and childish. But comments such as the above only serve to further alienate your customers and reinforce stereotypes about the taxi industry.

Don't slam the door then, or better still accept the fact that not all taxi drivers are that destitute or desperate that they will stoop to running at a loss but instead will tell you to "Feck Off" when you swarmily try to get a discount

Spook_ie

rubadub wrote: »

I

More legally enforced business for you! I am talking of anybody working over this 40hrs that is mentioned, most would probably have to find work close to home if legally obliged to get taxis to & from work or other public transport. So should taxi drivers be forced to drive only 40hrs a week? On that submission page it said.

Should be at most 40hrs, if it really is so dangerous.

I would think the average industrial wage for 45hrs work in a low skilled job is a very high and unreasonable expectation to have.

€389.25 for a 45 hour week as a taxable pay ( based on minimum wage rather than industrial average ), I could live with that. I'm lucky some weeks to get that after 75 hours

Just remember though that I'm saying that's after deducting the required expenditure to carry out the job, and providing for holidays/sickness benefit etc. which those on minimum wage as PAYE are entitled to.

Spook_ie

steph1 wrote: »

You speak for yourself mate. And to quote you "Every full time cab driver would agree that part-time taxi drivers are scum."
Well I'm sorry but I am a taxi driver full time and I most certainly do not agree with that statement. There are people who for one reason or another - probably mainly the recessionary times we find ourselves in - who may have had their hours curtailed or lost their jobs and who also may have to mind kids elderly parents etc there are a host of reasons and they work part-time. You cannot come on here with a statement like that. You do not speak on my behalf. Its the likes of you that gets the rest of us a bad name.

Steph is that opinion confined to "part time" workers or do you not mind the PAYE double jobbers who work "part time" on Fri/Sat nights?

kajo

steph1 wrote: »

You speak for yourself mate. And to quote you "Every full time cab driver would agree that part-time taxi drivers are scum."
Well I'm sorry but I am a taxi driver full time and I most certainly do not agree with that statement. There are people who for one reason or another - probably mainly the recessionary times we find ourselves in - who may have had their hours curtailed or lost their jobs and who also may have to mind kids elderly parents etc there are a host of reasons and they work part-time. You cannot come on here with a statement like that. You do not speak on my behalf. Its the likes of you that gets the rest of us a bad name.

You would have a vested interest as a multi licence holder and did i read someplace that you use your taxi licence while you work as a limo?
I am in full agreement with one colour for all taxis and a fixed roofsign and a county crest on the car for all to see.
I am betting you would not agree to any of that on your car so the public can see what you are and what service you offer.

blahblah06

Spook_ie wrote: »

Steph is that opinion confined to "part time" workers or do you not mind the PAYE double jobbers who work "part time" on Fri/Sat nights?

Spook that's who I was also referring to

kajo

koolkid wrote: »

Running one business is pretty much the same as another. I have been doing it sucessfully for many years now.
First rule is the customer comes first. (You havn't even got that right yet)
I am running a very successfull business , so I do have a very good idea of the realities involved . As for economics, the basic rule there is supply & demand. Something you need to concentrate more on. There is no demand for ignorant taxi drives with a chip on their shoulder so I suggest you take a good look at your business practices or find a job that suits you better. Perhaps taxi driving to too high skilled a job for you.

Most customers could not tell you what colour the car was they jumped into don't mind if driver is ignorant or not.
Its rare that you get the same customer more than one time so who would know if the driver was ignorant. Its all just bull**** you need to drive a taxi to understand this business and you dont.
There is no demand at the moment we are in a recession right? when there is a little biz around the part time piranhas grab it.
You need to stop talking about a business you know nothing about and stick to what you do know and let us work on sorting out ours.
How come none of you foreseen the recession??? yeh rite!

steph1

Spook_ie wrote: »

Steph is that opinion confined to "part time" workers or do you not mind the PAYE double jobbers who work "part time" on Fri/Sat nights?

Spook my point that I made is in relation to part-time workers. And I think this is where we need to make the distinction. Part-time working is just that. Part-time. And a lot of people have no choice. I take people in my taxi who have two and three jobs and they are all part-time trying to make ends meet, pay bills etc. and sure we all have those things. Double jobbing is a different thing altogether. However if a person is a legitimate driver has the licence and most importantly from the passenger's viewpoint has valid insurance to drive a public service vehicle thats fine. I dont think there is any law in this country that says that a person cannot have two jobs. There may be restrictions in certain employments that state that a second job must not interfere with a person's main occupation.

blahblah06

steph1 wrote: »

Spook my point that I made is in relation to part-time workers. And I think this is where we need to make the distinction. Part-time working is just that. Part-time. And a lot of people have no choice. I take people in my taxi who have two and three jobs and they are all part-time trying to make ends meet, pay bills etc. and sure we all have those things. Double jobbing is a different thing altogether. However if a person is a legitimate driver has the licence and most importantly from the passenger's viewpoint has valid insurance to drive a public service vehicle thats fine. I dont think there is any law in this country that says that a person cannot have two jobs. There may be restrictions in certain employments that state that a second job must not interfere with a person's main occupation.

Well steph can you explain what double jobbing is.
I wonder would Dublin bus appreciate there drivers driving cabs taking business from the buses themselves. I suppose that's why they all put l plates over there yellow daisys when in Dublin bus depots. What are they afraid off?

steph1

Well blahblah if they are working at night they are not really taking jobs away from the buses apart from the nightlink and they dont run all night do they?
Anyway where I operate from we dont have the luxury of nightlink or luas so people do depend on taxis to bring them home.
Double jobbing would be if a person has e.g. a full-time job 9-5 or similar hours and then takes up another job in the evenings or at night. Loads of people do it or have done it. And the way things are going in this country at the minute a lot more may think about doing it.

blahblah06

I suppose it may be different for u not being in Dublin.
But you are saying bus drivers are double jobbers?

It's a big if as bus drivers don't all work nights in the cars so there classed as what?

Don't understand the logic really you say your ok with people having 2 - 3 jobs then drive a cab either at days nights weekends is ok but people with 1 job work weekends or nights your not ok with? It's all tthe same Thing really. How do u think other limo drivers would react of they knew about you doing that part time. I suppose that's why you wouldn't agree to a fixed roof sign on your car?
Do you have a limo licence for your cab in guessing not. So your working in your cab illegally right. Do you have limo insurance. Also while I'm at it how do you feel about part time or double jobbers coming to your town to work if they have no licence for your area.
Would you class yourself as a double jobber by working taxi full time and bit of limo work on weekends with cab work?
Sorry about sp but writing this in a rush on the phone waiting on a call

ps what i can't understand is why would a part timer double jobber pay 5k for a plate then the meter etc, nct, insurance depreciation on car bother there arse. How many weekends or nights are they going to have to work before they make profit. I'd say at least 6-12 months I'd rather spend the time with my family

steph1

How can I be working my cab illegally? My cab is a public service vehicle. It just happens to be a merc and anything I do e.g a wedding is done for people that I know e.g my regulars who like the car and book me for the couple of hours that it takes to do a wedding. They hire me for the few hours the price is agreed there is nothing illegal in that. I have proper insurance The people who use my car are fully covered in the unfortunate event of an accident.
I am sure there are a lot of people out there who have classic cars and who do weddings for their friends/family and get a few bobs are they fully covered for hire and reward in the event of an unfortunate accident?

The people that I know that have two and three jobs have two days here, two days there one day some other place. Thats the way it is. They can be bar persons, bouncers. waitresses etc. Any job they can get. They do what they have to do to make a living. Pay their rent, mortgage or whatever. The county I operate in has been devastated by unemployment. The last summer here there were very few tourists, people are staying at home. etc. Taxi businesses in rural areas has been decimated by the recession. The fear of being bagged on the way to work has stopped a lot of people going out midweek. And its too expensive. The increase in the taxi fares was brought in at the wrong time by the regulator.

blahblah06

Maybe I'm wrong but I didn't think u could limo in a taxi? So u offer discounts to all your customers because of the increase?

I take it you don't have a silver daisy?

I suppose you can't argue at all about double jobbers or part timers cause they don't really effect one of there own, have u ever used your taxi plate in your "limo" to avail of the bus lanes because you know limos can't use them right

micks

Isn't it just as well all these partimers and double jobbers dont go full time at the taxi-ing they'd ruin it for ye honest taxi folk!

Terrontress

It seems to me like Steph is showing initiative by offering a limo service. I dare say her customers are happy too in not having to pay a fortune for a garish pink stretch American pile of junk to travel 100 miles to get to her. They can get a nice Merc that they know already. Steph makes an extra quid and doesn't moan like the others.

You can describe her as part time but she is not getting sick leave, pension scheme, health insurance etc. What is the difference between her part time and full time work. If someone sells both apples and oranges are they part time in their apple sales?

And there have been times when every taxi driver collects above the MAXIMUM taxi fare. The meter shows €18 and the customer says "take €20". That makes you illegal. So stop getting in to technicalities of what being part time or illegal means.

This whole row seems to be getting taxi drivers turning on each other, which surely will make the drivers' position weaker.

Spook_ie

Terrontress wrote: »

It seems to me like Steph is showing initiative by offering a limo service. I dare say her customers are happy too in not having to pay a fortune for a garish pink stretch American pile of junk to travel 100 miles to get to her. They can get a nice Merc that they know already. Steph makes an extra quid and doesn't moan like the others.

You can describe her as part time but she is not getting sick leave, pension scheme, health insurance etc. What is the difference between her part time and full time work. If someone sells both apples and oranges are they part time in their apple sales?

And there have been times when every taxi driver collects above the MAXIMUM taxi fare. The meter shows €18 and the customer says "take €20". That makes you illegal. So stop getting in to technicalities of what being part time or illegal means.

This whole row seems to be getting taxi drivers turning on each other, which surely will make the drivers' position weaker.

The argument here seems to be along the lines of you are not supposed to use a plated taxi as a limo, if it's a taxi it's a taxi, if it's a limo it's a limo, they are subject to different rules and regulations. That being the case then Steph would indeed be operating illegaly if she took people to weddings etc. using the taxi as a limo ( no roof sign ) The illegality would however be easily overcome by the use of a pre booked waiver BUT that wouldn't allow you to not have the roof sign on. There were discussions hinted at by the TR to allow the removal of the taxi sign for "ceremonial" work but AFAIK this wasn't an option that made it into law.

As to the deiver collecting above the maximum fare, really! As long as the driver doesn't ask for any figure above the price shown on the meter it isn't illegal, it's classified as a tip and that kind of statement would normaly herald the issuing of an immediate TROLL alert!

Spook_ie

micks wrote: »

Isn't it just as well all these partimers and double jobbers dont go full time at the taxi-ing they'd ruin it for ye honest taxi folk!

I actualy wish they would, at least then I could be assured of competing on the same playing field, maybe then we might get some sembalance of order into the taxi industry

Terrontress

Spook_ie wrote: »

The argument here seems to be along the lines of you are not supposed to use a plated taxi as a limo, if it's a taxi it's a taxi, if it's a limo it's a limo, they are subject to different rules and regulations. That being the case then Steph would indeed be operating illegaly if she took people to weddings etc. using the taxi as a limo ( no roof sign ) The illegality would however be easily overcome by the use of a pre booked waiver BUT that wouldn't allow you to not have the roof sign on. There were discussions hinted at by the TR to allow the removal of the taxi sign for "ceremonial" work but AFAIK this wasn't an option that made it into law.

As to the deiver collecting above the maximum fare, really! As long as the driver doesn't ask for any figure above the price shown on the meter it isn't illegal, it's classified as a tip and that kind of statement would normaly herald the issuing of an immediate TROLL alert!

Don't call me a troll!

All my point was that if a customer thinks he has got good service and gives a tip above the metered fare then he has paid above the maximum amount for that journey.

As for knowing that a clean Merc will show up at a certain time, driven by a well presented driver, hang around all day and not break down then what better service can you expect? So what is the issue of paying greater than a metered fare for that?

And as for roof sign for bus lanes, do they have bus lanes in the Wild West?

I believe that taxi drivers have legitimate grievances due to shoddy regulation but members of the public and other hard working taxi drivers who show initiative are not the people to take it out on.

blahblah06

Ye spook that was my point. It's shows how easy it actually is to operate wrongly in the psv system.

I was simply asking steph weather she offered discounts because she said the hike came in the wrong time but if I'm right she doesn't offer discounts at all from herself or her other drivers. So making a comment like that is just a contradiction.

I offer 20% off all the time weather i'm booked or flagged down as my car is advertised like that. I know people are suffering and am prepared to drop prices


I've no prob with steph or anyone charging more for a limo service as it's of the meter. But if your a taxi your only allowed carry taxi passengers and so on that's the licence we carry

taxi drivers can show as much initiative as they want as long as the rules are followed. I even mailed the tr to ask was advertising allowed on the cab before I did it.

KoolKid

kajo wrote: »

Most customers could not tell you what colour the car was they jumped into don't mind if driver is ignorant or not.
Its rare that you get the same customer more than one time so who would know if the driver was ignorant.

If you have any business sense you will be able to answer this question.
Name one line of business that won't benefit from repeat business?
Ofcourse people will remember an ignorant driver.
Heres a basic tip for you. people will remember bad service a lot quicker than good service.

kajo wrote: »

Its all just bull**** you need to drive a taxi to understand this business and you dont.

Please explain why this industry is so special?
Why does normal rules of business not apply to you?
And again i ask Why should the taxi industry be protected from competition over any other industry?

kajo wrote: »

There is no demand at the moment we are in a recession right? when there is a little biz around the part time piranhas grab it.

Ahh theres no demand. There is a market there for taxis. If there is no demand why are more people still getting into the business.
If the part timers are able to grap this business doing half the hours you are then who do you think is the one doing it wrong???:D

kajo wrote: »

let us work on sorting out ours.

But ye are not sorting it out. You want someone else to sort it for you.

kajo wrote: »

How come none of you foreseen the recession??? yeh rite!

LOL even the dogs on the street forseen the recession.

population

This whole suspension (temporary or otherwise) of licenses thing is just not realistic! Imagine me saying "Right that's it now, no more electricians"

MOH

kajo wrote: »

The fact is most people who complain about taxis don't use them or don't use them very often.
The people who use them support us 100% and i have never had anybody in my car say otherwise.

I use taxis often, but there's no way I support the nonsense that went on again last week.

Spook_ie wrote: »

I would suggest though that the answer is partly with the public. When you get a taxi make sure it's legit, check the drivers ID, check the meter is sealed and hasn't been tampered with and above all STOP taking the taxis that are illegaly ranked at places like the bottom of Grafton St, stand by them and flag a passing taxi down or cross the road and use the legal rank. You ( the lazy customer who would aid and abet some taxi drivers to break the law ) are the ones causing some of the problems..

Yeah, that's right, it's all the customers fault.

mikemac wrote: »

Just throwing it out there.
I've been there trying to book a wheelchair accesible cab, it was done hours in advance and the driver was still late. Probably dictched us for a more lucrative fare!

I booked one a day in advance, it didn't turn up, when I rang they said it was stuck halfway across the city, would a regular one do?

steph1

blahblah06 wrote: »

Maybe I'm wrong but I didn't think u could limo in a taxi? So u offer discounts to all your customers because of the increase?

I take it you don't have a silver daisy?

I suppose you can't argue at all about double jobbers or part timers cause they don't really effect one of there own, have u ever used your taxi plate in your "limo" to avail of the bus lanes because you know limos can't use them right

Hi blahblah if you look at my details you will see that I operate in the West of Ireland. We dont have bus lanes here we only have bus eireann expressways and they are few and far between plus some other small private bus operators I dont go to Dublin to work or go into any other county to work save when I am bringing a passenger into the next county or as I was lucky enough last year to get to bring a fare to Dublin Airport.

KoolKid

Spook_ie wrote: »

I actualy wish they would, at least then I could be assured of competing on the same playing field, maybe then we might get some sembalance of order into the taxi industry

So then, if all the part timers gave up thier other job & worked driving a taxi 70 hours a weeks, competing with you even more, you would be happy?
Can you please explain to me how these part timers are able to make money working less hours than the full timers who can't make a living??

I rekon you should be looking at what the partimers are doing right & what you are doing wrong?

blahblah06

steph1 wrote: »

Hi blahblah if you look at my details you will see that I operate in the West of Ireland. We dont have bus lanes here we only have bus eireann expressways and they are few and far between plus some other small private bus operators I dont go to Dublin to work or go into any other county to work save when I am bringing a passenger into the next county or as I was lucky enough last year to get to bring a fare to Dublin Airport.

And the discounts do u offer them. U also skipped the part about the silver daisy and operating a limo illlegallly

Calhoun

koolkid wrote: »

So then, if all the part timers gave up thier other job & worked driving a taxi 70 hours a weeks, competing with you even more, you would be happy?
Can you please explain to me how these part timers are able to make money working less hours than the full timers who can't make a living??

I rekon you should be looking at what the partimers are doing right & what you are doing wrong?

The current business model seems to be Phase 1: get taxi, Phase 2: ? Phase 3: Profit.

blahblah06

koolkid wrote: »

So then, if all the part timers gave up thier other job & worked driving a taxi 70 hours a weeks, competing with you even more, you would be happy?
Can you please explain to me how these part timers are able to make money working less hours than the full timers who can't make a living??

I rekon you should be looking at what the partimers are doing right & what you are doing wrong?

first it would free up jobs for cab drivers to take. Secondly there not making money by working weekends. On a good fri sat night 8 hour shift they would get 150 per night so that's 300 without any expenses taken out. U may say 150 is low people earn more. Average that's what they would earn. So they Need to work 6 months to pay for there plate. That's without fuel insurance and depreciation taken into factor tax then paid and yearly nct etc. then minus the time they lose with there family on weekends
by staying in bed after there shift

Zulu

Calhoun wrote: »

The current business model seems to be Phase 1: get taxi, Phase 2: ? Phase 3: Profit.

Ah now in fairness - it's a little more complex. For example it has:
Phase 3 contingency 3.1: Hold city to ransom until profit is increased.

steph1

blahblah06 wrote: »

And the discounts do u offer them. U also skipped the part about the silver daisy and operating a limo illlegallly

The only discount I give and this is to my regular punters is that I dont charge them the 2 euro call out charge. Some people are looking for discounts for unrealistic amounts. Had a punter a few weeks ago who wanted me to take him out to the next village for a fiver. The fare on the meter came to 17 euro. I charged him 15. Some people have a cheek. These are the same people who sat in the pub all night drinking away and then expect us to take them home for next to nothing :mad:
If I agree to do a wedding that is an agreement between me and the customer so I suppose you could call that a private hire arrangement. No I dont have silver daisies. The car is a taxi its not a limo its a public service vehicle. I am a fully legal psv driver.

blahblah06

ok so why dont you like other people are saying offer discounts all the time since you say the increase was brought in at the wrong time?

We both know that you have said you wont give discounts at all in other places and that you refuse to let your other drivers give discounts and you had trouble with them giving discounts because you were loosing out

even if you say a private hire its still double jobbing the people you dislike?

im not trying to knock you down but people are right if we want to get business we need to offer customers something special.

steph1

The problems I had with my other driver was that they were not putting on the meter and people were being given unrealistic discounts all over the place and sometimes the drivers were giving credit to people who had no money and saying they would pay next day or next week and in some cases next day or next week never came as these so called 'regulars' then went off and used other drivers and did the same 'craic' with them. I am a solo operater now. We have serious problems here in the west where I operate with drivers who are operating unrealistic discounts who are undercutting the rest of us. I do discounts and the way I do it is bar the call out charge say a fare comes to 16 or 17 euros I will ask the punter for 15. Most people respect that and then in some cases those people become regulars. They get a nice car and a nice driver and all they want is reliability and a safe journey home.
There are just some cheeky members of the public out there who having spent all night sittin on a high stool - wonder did the barperson discount the pints - then have the cheek to try and get into a taxi wanting unrealistic discounts or who have no money at all and want to be taken home and believe me this happens a lot here. The reason that I say some of these people have a cheek is how do they think I keep my vehicle on the road with the cost of insurance which is a hell of a lot higher than a private car, keeping it serviced, keeping it clean, putting fuel in it. Its an expensive business - yes I am making a living from it but our customers are dwindling as nobody goes out now during the week as they are out of work or on reduced hours, the fear of being bagged on the way to work has stopped a lot of people going out mid-week as people cannot be without their cars in a rural area. And people are socialising more at home now with the takeaway and the few beers. Regularly I get calls to pick up takeaways and beers. Suppose now you will tell me that I should not be doing that either

blahblah06

jaysus double jobbing now takin the jobs from the delivery drivers. lol. just kidding. Na i understand steph must be harder for you. but hey im in galway this weekend so might give you a shout if i see you ha