Taxi drivers protest 5th March -free parking!

OldmanMondeo · 06-03-2009 01:58PM

McSpud wrote: »

Taxi driver slargely work in a cash only industry where receipts are only printed on request. If you buy a paper in the shop they have to issue a receipt by law. I would guess taxi drivers are declaring income around the minimum wage level but that is not all they earn. If a 10 minute journey costs E10 how could they possibly be earning less than that per hour?

That reminded me of a story a friend told me about a Taxi driver. My friend worked in a bank and a Taxi driver came in looking for a "Large" mortgage yet claimed earnings of less than €10k per year. The guy had a new car for the taxi, needless to say he didn't get the loan.

bcmf · 06-03-2009 02:52PM

"I would guess taxi drivers are declaring income around the minimum wage level but that is not all they earn. If a 10 minute journey costs E10 how could they possibly be earning less than that per hour?"

Because they arent getting a €10 per hour run.If you get a run that you get €30 for then more than likely (or is the case most of the time FACT) you will have done nothing for the previous 3 hrs and probably sod all for the next 3hrs.

Regards Receipts: They are printing automatically from the meter,just like the shop, you just mightnt see or hear the printer but its there and you should ask/take it.

jamesO · 06-03-2009 02:54PM

McSpud wrote: »

+1.

If the Regulator was to restrict the number of new plates that would require new legislation & I think the Dail have more important matters these days. Imagine a government stopping people working when we have 350k employed! :eek:

Taxi driver slargely work in a cash only industry where receipts are only printed on request. If you buy a paper in the shop they have to issue a receipt by law. I would guess taxi drivers are declaring income around the minimum wage level but that is not all they earn. If a 10 minute journey costs E10 how could they possibly be earning less than that per hour?
[/ quote]

9 times out of 10 on less its at the busy periods on a Friday and Saturday
I mean the rest of the week it will take another hour to get a fare!!!

DonJose wrote: »

The reason why so many people are getting into the taxi business is because there are no standards here in Ireland, you can get a license for €6,500 and drive a bog standard 10 year old filthy piece of crap. In Germany all the taxis I've seen are luxury cars and spotless inside. Don't get me started on Irish taxis.

Your 100% right thats because in Germany taxi's are properly regulated!!!

furtzy wrote: »

You can't have a cap on the numbers of people in a certain business. Just say you decide to leave the taxi business and say want to start a shoe shop only to be told that you can't because the maximum number of shoe shops has been reached....its nonsense.

Depends on the business me auld mucker,

(Quote - From the Irish Independent Tuesday January 8th 2008
Bus Eireann has announced plans to lay off 300 workers as part of a cost-cutting programme.
The state-owned company says it also plans to take 150 vehicles off the road, cut back on services and axe some unspecified routes. un Quote)

This is obvisiously a cost cutting measure by the state which doesn't compromise on the quality and safety of the vehicles and services to the public. So why compromise with taxis? Is it because they are all self employed so its their responsibility? Is this passing the book? So why call it a public service?

My question is where is the public money gone from the sale of new licenses its over 10 million euros bank pay off's may be? I don't see it going back into the industery just look at the balls of scrap that are been used as taxis these days. I've just got an idea me is goin to put a taxi plate on my tractor bus lanes here I come!!!!

bcmf wrote: »

That is why the guys yesterday were at pains to point out that they were not there in a reprensatative as a union.they were there as a collection as individuals.They all know that the unions are as big a part of this mess as anyone in power.

Tommy whats is name was on the radio yesterday and said the union could not support them as their was anti competitive law issues but they were quietly supporting them.

jO-)

Fighting Irish · 06-03-2009 02:58PM

The taxi industry has been ****ed up big time by the gov so i say let them do what they want to

quenching wrote: »

Driving home yesterday I noticed most of the parking around Merrion Square and Fitzwilliam Square was occupied by Taxis, none of which had a pay and display ticket. So, I asked a Garda who was picking up traffic cones what the story was, he tells me all the spaces had been kept for the Taxi drivers to avoid traffic problems, and none of them had to pay parking charges either.

So, apart from me having to take a detour from my normal route home, Dublin City Council lose a days parking charge from these spaces, essentially costing me money in extra tax somewhere along the line. And the extra Garda needed to manage their "protest".

Oh, and I also had to listen to these morons honking their horns all day as the drove around town. Are they deliberately trying to piss people off or are they really as thick and selfish as it appears?

dublinbay · 06-03-2009 03:01PM

furtzy wrote: »

Its a free market. Its unfortunate if people aren't making a decent wage at it but surely the laws of supply and demand will cause the number to decrease such like any other business.

Not correct furtzy. In a free market when supply outstrips demand prices fall, when demand outstrips supply prices rise. Not so with taxis.
Issuing licences is akin to a company employing extra workers to service existing work and dividing the existing salary bill with the extra workers and extending the hours worked to achieve the previous standard 40 hr week salary.Not on a one off basis, but by 300 new workers every month. Free market or no?

kajo · 06-03-2009 03:06PM

I think the NTDU are doing a fine job on keeping its members under control.
The lads in the unions are showing good leadership of their men and know that is the best way forward.

Wild cat taxi driver protesters think they are getting something done but the truth is they are not - the unons are.

I see a bunch of scabs trying to get in and close the shop just for them and not thinking of anybody else.

They should hand their own licences back and let the real taxi drivers have their business back.

I feel sorry for the guys who were in the business before deregulation they are the real drivers and the ones who lost everything.

I think because of the way the economy is now all those who came into the taxi business after deregulation should have their licences removed.

The first ones should be the ones who blocked the city and i have good video of all those licence numbers.

All the protesters who blocked the city are ex hacks and greedy people who jumped into the industry on a free ride when they seen cheap chance to get something on the backs of the real taxi drivers.

I say lock them up and i am sure the goodbody report will be good for the union members well done to the unions.

dublinbay · 06-03-2009 03:09PM

furtzy wrote: »

You can't have a cap on the numbers of people in a certain business. Just say you decide to leave the taxi business and say want to start a shoe shop only to be told that you can't because the maximum number of shoe shops has been reached....its nonsense.

Again, not true furtzy. To open a retail premises you need the premises to begin with, then change of use permission. Guy in Baggot St applied for pub licence on his converted premises to the Circuit Court and was refused because the local pubs objected. This is a state issued licence same as taxi licence, High Court ruled the minister did not have the right to restrict issuing state issued licences(taxis) ,the Circuit Court rules that there are enough pub licences (state issued). One is right, one is wrong.

bcmf · 06-03-2009 03:11PM

And you are complaining about €26.......

http://www.herald.ie/national-news/courts/judge-shocked-by-836452-taxi-fare-clears-revellers-1662156.html

furtzy · 06-03-2009 03:20PM

dublinbay wrote: »

Not correct furtzy. In a free market when supply outstrips demand prices fall, when demand outstrips supply prices rise. Not so with taxis.

My local taxi firm have offered 15% off fares because of a new firm operating in the area so it seems the supply/demand rule is working here. Other posters have mentioned similar offers.

Still can't understand why so many new people are entering such a claimed loss making business

McSpud · 06-03-2009 03:36PM

The taxi Industry is regulated by maximum fares - afaik there is nothing stopping a taxi driver offering less than the meter amount.

As I said above it is currently illegal to stop the addition of new plates.

If there is no work during the week on 9-5 hours why do taxis work those hours? That is like a bar owner saying he has no business in those hours but closing at the weekend. Just like bars the busiest hours are the unsocial ones.

Gumbo · 06-03-2009 03:37PM

McSpud wrote: »

+1.

If the Regulator was to restrict the number of new plates that would require new legislation & I think the Dail have more important matters these days. Imagine a government stopping people working when we have 350k employed! :eek:

Taxi driver slargely work in a cash only industry where receipts are only printed on request. If you buy a paper in the shop they have to issue a receipt by law. I would guess taxi drivers are declaring income around the minimum wage level but that is not all they earn. If a 10 minute journey costs E10 how could they possibly be earning less than that per hour?

not true!
all meters print the receipts automatically and its against the law not to issue a receipt. the customer has the right to refuse the receipt but the receipt will be printer automatically.

most meters now will only work for 10 fares if there is no paper in it, so you cant get away with the "ohh sorry, i didnt realise there was no paper in it" remark!

greatdane · 06-03-2009 03:38PM

i have two stories from taxis

1) me and a buddy were waiting for about 45mins in late night taxi rank/shop . Finally got our taxi told the driver where we were going. My house then his house, about 4 miles apart. About 30 seconds after this the driver starts to freak saying he will not take a split fare so we have to get out of the cab.... we refused so he puts on central locking and zooms around the city like a lunatic until he spots 2 gardai.... Crosses to the opposite side of the road to the gardai and says we are refusing to get out of cab. We tried to explain but were told to get out of cab by gardai who then told us to F%& off home.

So we complain naturally, to the psv office, taxi base, no satisfaction.

2) Was in a mini bus one night , picked up at a taxi rank with a 3 other people who i did not know...mini bus asked if we were all going north so all got in.

1st guy gets to his destination asks how much and the driver says 15 euro, was only 10 mins. The guy refuses to pay so the driver starts to pull away saying that he is going to police. Guy says he will pay.
I say thats a bit harsh isnt it ??? Driver throws us all out of the mini bus...

complained - no result...

bcmf · 06-03-2009 03:40PM

kajo wrote: »

I think the NTDU are doing a fine job on keeping its members under control.
The lads in the unions are showing good leadership of their men and know that is the best way forward.

Wild cat taxi driver protesters think they are getting something done but the truth is they are not - the unons are.

I see a bunch of scabs trying to get in and close the shop just for them and not thinking of anybody else.
They should hand their own licences back and let the real taxi drivers have their business back.

I feel sorry for the guys who were in the business before deregulation they are the real drivers and the ones who lost everything.

I think because of the way the economy is now all those who came into the taxi business after deregulation should have their licences removed.

The first ones should be the ones who blocked the city and i have good video of all those licence numbers.

All the protesters who blocked the city are ex hacks and greedy people who jumped into the industry on a free ride when they seen cheap chance to get something on the backs of the real taxi drivers.

I say lock them up and i am sure the goodbody report will be good for the union members well done to the unions.

Strange from a previous thread:
"I say stop flooding the market..."

ArphaRima · 06-03-2009 03:58PM

I say let the market decide. We have limited regulation. I.e separate licencing and vehicle standards. That's enough for me.

Supply and demand. If people need jobs, and are willing, why not let them drive their car for a living, performing a public service?

These people are a collection of individuals. The market was opened because the NTDU was taking the p1ss for years, and I regularly had to walk 2 hours home from the city centre because nobody would stop.
Competition sorted that. More competition only means a better service for the public.
Taxi driver is an unskilled job. They are subject to the normal fluctuations of the unskilled job market.

dublinbay · 06-03-2009 04:30PM

furtzy wrote: »

My local taxi firm have offered 15% off fares because of a new firm operating in the area so it seems the supply/demand rule is working here. Other posters have mentioned similar offers.

Still can't understand why so many new people are entering such a claimed loss making business

So furtzy, when its a high demand night, by your reckoning taxis should be able to ask higher fares??? Supply/demand is a double edged sword in a free market. Not so in the taxi business. Therefore free market theory cannot be applied to a business that can ONLY offer discount as the MAXIMUM fare is fixed.

dublinbay · 06-03-2009 04:34PM

fluffer wrote: »

I say let the market decide. We have limited regulation. I.e separate licencing and vehicle standards. That's enough for me.

Supply and demand. If people need jobs, and are willing, why not let them drive their car for a living, performing a public service?

These people are a collection of individuals. The market was opened because the NTDU was taking the p1ss for years, and I regularly had to walk 2 hours home from the city centre because nobody would stop.
Competition sorted that. More competition only means a better service for the public.
Taxi driver is an unskilled job. They are subject to the normal fluctuations of the unskilled job market.

Child labour is unskilled work. Children forced by circumstance to work long hours for miniscule wage. So taxis can work long hours or get out. I`ve no problem with that but lets apply the same criteria to ALL employment.

roy123456789 · 06-03-2009 04:37PM

voxpop wrote: »

Have you tried getting a taxi after midnight - you either queue for an hour or start walking and hope to flag a car down.

You obviously haven't been out after midnight in the past five years, maybe ... just maybe .....if there's a Rugby international on, you might have to wait 20 minutes (after 3am) otherwise we're queuing up waiting for you.

ArphaRima · 06-03-2009 04:50PM

lets apply the same criteria to ALL employment

Eh what? How would we do that? Why would we?
Taxi drivers are unskilled workers operating a ubiquitous vehicle for their personal gain under a public service contract.
The only prerequisite is a suitable vehicle, and the appropriate licence. I dont see why anybody who holds these should be stopped from doing the job. Its a public service. More taxis = happier consumer, i.e happier voters. Why would the government propose higher fares, or restricted numbers of plates?
How will they explain to the Irish people (esp. in Dublin) why we should do that?

jamesO · 06-03-2009 04:52PM

dublinbay wrote: »

Child labour is unskilled work. Children forced by circumstance to work long hours for miniscule wage. So taxis can work long hours or get out. I`ve no problem with that but lets apply the same criteria to ALL employment.

Ya know your dead right we'll get some of them over here to drive the taxi's!!!!!! Not sure if they could afford to maintain them though...........

So don't complain when your in an accident in a taxi that has no insurance defective brakes, tyres etc. And the driver turns around and says I couldn't afford them!!!

Ya know it took all those poor girls to be killed unnecessary in a bus crash in Kentstown for the government to put seat belts and test busses properly, god I hope they wake up before it happens in a taxi!

jO-)

ArphaRima · 06-03-2009 04:59PM

Ya know it took all those poor girls to be killed unnecessary in a bus crash in Kentstown for the government to put seat belts and test busses properly, god I hope they wake up before it happens in a taxi!

Gross negligence is the difference. We changed legislation to get seatbelts. There is already all kinds of legislations governing cars, motoring, serviceability of motors and drivers liability. That bus driver was innocent of blame afaik. A taxi driver will not be. It would be wilfull neglect, gross negligence, etc. etc. etc.

Get your argument straight. We should stop new taxis or else the old ones wont service their cars?!?

jamesO · 06-03-2009 05:05PM

fluffer wrote: »

Gross negligence is the difference. We changed legislation to get seatbelts. There is already all kinds of legislations governing cars, motoring, serviceability of motors and drivers liability. That bus driver was innocent of blame afaik. A taxi driver will not be. It would be wilfull neglect, gross negligence, etc. etc. etc.

Get your argument straight. We should stop new taxis or else the old ones wont service their cars?!?

A driver may not be responsible if he's driving an operators car!!!!!!!

Spook_ie · 06-03-2009 05:11PM

Jaysoose wrote: »

How the fluck does an increase in taxis justify an increase in prices? it should be the OPPOSITE. If there are more providers then the prices should come down under basic laws of supply and demand..

Do you know how many threads I read and all have the same comments....

Supply and Demand......Free Market Economy......Find It's Own Level

And as I say to them all, IF it was a genuine free market/supply and demand etc. it would sort itself out, but it isn't so it won't.

The driver who has a 2006 BMW 7 series should be able to charge you more than the driver of a 15 year old Toyota, the driver who is working at peak demand should be able to charge you more, if you get a taxi and theres a glut of them ( non peak time ) you should be able to haggle them

Thats free market economy and YOU and ME just don't have it.....

jamesO · 06-03-2009 05:17PM

Spook_ie wrote: »

Do you know how many threads I read and all have the same comments....

Supply and Demand......Free Market Economy......Find It's Own Level

And as I say to them all, IF it was a genuine free market/supply and demand etc. it would sort itself out, but it isn't so it won't.

The driver who has a 2006 BMW 7 series should be able to charge you more than the driver of a 15 year old Toyota, the driver who is working at peak demand should be able to charge you more, if you get a taxi and theres a glut of them ( non peak time ) you should be able to haggle them

Thats free market economy and YOU and ME just don't have it.....

Thats why taxis should be standardised like those in London they all the same.........

Spook_ie · 06-03-2009 05:25PM

McSpud wrote: »

+1.

If the Regulator was to restrict the number of new plates that would require new legislation & I think the Dail have more important matters these days. Imagine a government stopping people working when we have 350k employed! :eek:

Taxi driver slargely work in a cash only industry where receipts are only printed on request. If you buy a paper in the shop they have to issue a receipt by law. I would guess taxi drivers are declaring income around the minimum wage level but that is not all they earn. If a 10 minute journey costs E10 how could they possibly be earning less than that per hour?

Because if you only get 1 job in 2 hours you automaticly divide by 2, also it is a legal requirement to print a receipt in a taxi since 2002 ( I think ) just ask for it....

arybvtcw0eolkf · 06-03-2009 05:30PM

bcmf wrote: »

Before I go I wanna leave you with this thought.
A large majority of cabs out on the week-end are guys who have worked 40hrs plus already with their day job.So when you get into a cab at 3am/4am chances are that the driver is probably close to working and God given number of hours and is probaly likely to fall asleep at any moment (it may also apply to Full Time Drvers as well with the amount of hrs needed to work).But remember most of the part-timers workers are prob Postie's/Teachers/Gadai etc.

I wont even go into Pension Tax/Levy and them declaring their part-time income as Taxi Drivers.Who said Cake and eating it.........

The problem with that statement is we hear taxi driver's and their representitives at various protests tell us that taxi drivers are driving 12 hours every day plus weekend nights just to pay ends meet.

More than one driver said they were working upwards ot 100hrs per week - does that not equate to the same thing?.

Spook_ie · 06-03-2009 06:04PM

Mairt wrote: »

The problem with that statement is we hear taxi driver's and their representitives at various protests tell us that taxi drivers are driving 12 hours every day plus weekend nights just to pay ends meet.

More than one driver said they were working upwards ot 100hrs per week - does that not equate to the same thing?.

It does and it shouldn't, the answer is a back to the beginning stratagy.

Temporary moritorium on plates, a full ranging ( nothing off limits for discussion ) reform of the industry with the aim of giving those who want to work in the indusrty the ability/skills and financial reward to be able to do so.
If that means out lawing double jobbers ( as in France ) and a tachometer in the car to prevent greedy drivers still doing 80 hours....then so be it...

but it's not going to move foreward one iota until the government, TR and Public actualy sit up and listen rather than just sit up and hear

Anan1 · 06-03-2009 06:06PM

Spook_ie wrote: »

It does and it shouldn't, the answer is a back to the beginning stratagy.

Temporary moritorium on plates, a full ranging ( nothing off limits for discussion ) reform of the industry with the aim of giving those who want to work in the indusrty the ability/skills and financial reward to be able to do so.
If that means out lawing double jobbers ( as in France ) and a tachometer in the car to prevent greedy drivers still doing 80 hours....then so be it...

but it's not going to move foreward one iota until the government, TR and Public actualy sit up and listen rather than just sit up and hear

You're looking at this backwards. Taxis are there to facilitate the public, not to provide a livelihood for taxi drivers. If the figures don't add up, do something else.

jamesO · 06-03-2009 06:17PM

Anan1 wrote: »

You're looking at this backwards. Taxis are there to facilitate the public, not to provide a livelihood for taxi drivers. If the figures don't add up, do something else.

I have to say thats a shocking statment, do you expect them to do it for free? This says a lot about the mentality of people who want it all and pay nothing, thank god not all the people on boards are like you...............

Anan1 · 06-03-2009 06:19PM

jamesO wrote: »

I have to say thats a shocking statment, do you expect them to do it for free? This says a lot about the mentality of people who want it all and pay nothing, thank god not all the people on boards are not like you...............

Where did you get the idea that I wanted taxis to be free? What I do want is an adequate supply of taxis. By adequate I mean adequate for the public, not the taxi drivers.

Voodoomelon · 06-03-2009 07:23PM

Taxi man in Dundalk told me lat weekend that before this handing out of licences started, he was on €1700 a week! Now hes on €700 a week, due to the amount of... well, I can't repeat anything he said after that...

Heroditas · 06-03-2009 07:36PM

Voodoomelon wrote: »

Taxi man in Dundalk told me lat weekend that before this handing out of licences started, he was on €1700 a week! Now hes on €700 a week, due to the amount of... well, I can't repeat anything he said after that...

I hope you told him to shut up

McSpud · 06-03-2009 09:07PM

While I believe the market should remain deregulated I also feel there should be minimum standard of vehicle etc... I have not heard the taxi unions asking for minimum standards of vehicles when they drive their clapped out Fiat Ducato Vans (oooohhh i hate them) as taxis.

ArphaRima · 06-03-2009 09:09PM

Very basic calculation. 52x1700=88400. 52x700=36400.

Very basic calculation I know, and probably not accurate. But considering the tax rate taxi drivers pay, dont you think their pay (if anything like above) isnt exactly subsistence living. Especially for an unskilled job.

Thats what I keep coming back to. How much does a driver of a car deserve to be paid? Is it a special skill?

out lawing double jobbers ( as in France )

Why? They provide extra capacity at peak times. It reduces the 3am queues. A public service remember?
France arent exactly champions of fair practice! How about international norms?

the aim of giving those who want to work in the indusrty the ability/skills and financial reward to be able to do so.

Bullsh1t. It's protectionism.

Anan1 · 06-03-2009 09:21PM

McSpud wrote: »

While I believe the market should remain deregulated I also feel there should be minimum standard of vehicle etc... I have not heard the taxi unions asking for minimum standards of vehicles when they drive their clapped out Fiat Ducato Vans (one i hate them) as taxis.

+1. The Ducatos are particularly bad when you've had a couple of drinks.

james116 · 06-03-2009 09:53PM

OldmanMondeo wrote: »

The protest was about the number new plates issued. The drivers don't want anymore.

Well I think the is enough people doing the same job as me, so lets stop teaching the kids in school so me and the others in my line of work can keep all the money to ourselves.

sure u can come out and drive a taxi part time like a lot of people in ur line of work do and then u can do it on training days and mid term and during the summer etc etc etc

james116 · 06-03-2009 09:58PM

McSpud wrote: »

While I believe the market should remain deregulated I also feel there should be minimum standard of vehicle etc... I have not heard the taxi unions asking for minimum standards of vehicles when they drive their clapped out Fiat Ducato Vans (oooohhh i hate them) as taxis.

i have a 08 van i pay 600 a month for the next four years but i am thinking of getting rid of it and getting a 01 junker cos i would make the same money and not have the same overheads it that what u want cos i can't keep paying that out if i am not makeing any money

dublinbay · 07-03-2009 12:53AM

fluffer wrote: »

Very basic calculation. 52x1700=88400. 52x700=36400.

Very basic calculation I know, and probably not accurate. But considering the tax rate taxi drivers pay, dont you think their pay (if anything like above) isnt exactly subsistence living. Especially for an unskilled job.

Thats what I keep coming back to. How much does a driver of a car deserve to be paid? Is it a special skill?

Why? They provide extra capacity at peak times. It reduces the 3am queues. A public service remember?
France arent exactly champions of fair practice! How about international norms?

Bullsh1t. It's protectionism.

Protectionism???? OK , open up the country to anyone who wants to come here to work. Stop moaning about Dell and their ilk moving to cheaper labour/tax economies.Let anyone do any job regardless of training and let the market decide who`s best.
I know a taxi driver with over 1 million miles done driving in Dublin and he`s never had a crash! Lucky Or skilled? With the way Irish drive,I`m inclined to say skilled.(Average mileage 1,000 per week).
Anyway, it wont affect you financially how many taxis are issued. It may affect someone who gets hurt or otherwise by the low IQ drivers that you think populate the taxi business in droves. Your attitude is akin to racism. If you substituted African/Traveller/Pakistani instead of taxi driver, your comments would be seen as vitriolic !!!!

jimmycrackcorm · 07-03-2009 04:05AM

Why have pubs not been deregulated or is it because there are no Fianna Failers availaing for their teaching/taxi/td salary difference?

Spook_ie · 07-03-2009 07:38AM

OldmanMondeo wrote: »

The protest was about the number new plates issued. The drivers don't want anymore.

Well I think the is enough people doing the same job as me, so lets stop teaching the kids in school so me and the others in my line of work can keep all the money to ourselves.

An then all your mates with the plates can do the same as during the school holidays and go out taxiing....:rolleyes:

Spook_ie · 07-03-2009 08:07AM

fluffer wrote: »

Very basic calculation. 52x1700=88400. 52x700=36400.

Very basic calculation I know, and probably not accurate. But considering the tax rate taxi drivers pay, dont you think their pay (if anything like above) isnt exactly subsistence living. Especially for an unskilled job.

Thats what I keep coming back to. How much does a driver of a car deserve to be paid? Is it a special skill?

Why? They provide extra capacity at peak times. It reduces the 3am queues. A public service remember?
France arent exactly champions of fair practice! How about international norms?

Bullsh1t. It's protectionism.

Your very basic calculation errors on one major thing....that's a turnover your estimating not a wage, also the tax rate that taxi drivers pay is exactly the same tax rate that anyone else pays as is the self employed PRSI rate ( which is the same for all other self employed people ) As to the skill element how much skill do you require to deliver letters through letterboxes or how much skill do you require to be an unskilled operative ( as per the CSO )

http://www.cso.ie/statistics/av_earningshours.htm ( unskilled operatives )
http://www.cso.ie/statistics/earnings_dist_business.htm (post and telecoms)

The extra capacity at peak times will be taken up by the cars that are sitting/driving empty at peak times at the moment, and don't give me any speil about "can't get a taxi at 3.00am on a Saturday, it just doesn't wash anymore, same as the excuse people used to use on the phone for coming home late to the other half " I couldn't get a taxi !" If you can't get a taxi on a normal Saturday night in Dublin at 3.00am you are either paralytic drunk, real scumbag looking or not even in Dublin.. I think you'll find that international norms are no double jobbers as it contravenes the EC working time directives of which ( AFAIK ) only the UK and Ireland allowed self employed people to exempt out of, which is why people who have worked 8Hours plus in a PAYE job can still get into a taxi and drive for another 11 hours.....

As to the bullsh1t quote, again another one who hears but doesn't listen....

kajo · 07-03-2009 11:45AM

yes we have a flood of taxis and they should stop giving them out and protect the jobs but @ the same time they should remove all the new handbag drivers that came in after deregulation.

The handbags that came after dereg are the problem and they are the ones protesting.
You have to stand back and see the funny side when yo see some of the comments they make on another forum linked by spook.

Comments
By johnF (I’m fed up with people hijacking our protests) headcase.

Ask any of the taxi drivers posting here where they were before dereg and what did they work at and you will get a clear picture of what they are.

Almost all of the drivers that are complaing are new to the business and want something for nothing (including spook).

I am all for a halt to more taxis but i would like to see the new breed of protesting scum removed.

The answer is stop and drop -Stop all new licences and Drop the ones after dereg = problem sorted.

With that comes half price taxis yepeeeeeee a good service in a new clean car yepeeeeeee and no robbing bastards trying to make a weeks wages in a weekend yepeeeeeeeeeee.

Its all so simple to fix the system just give it a wash.

bcmf · 07-03-2009 02:28PM

kajo wrote: »

yes we have a flood of taxis and they should stop giving them out and protect the jobs but @ the same time they should remove all the new handbag drivers that came in after deregulation.
ANd then we are back to the position we were before hand.Not enough Taxi's
The handbags that came after dereg are the problem and they are the ones protesting.
Becsuase the one Pre-Derg Didnt Protest?

You have to stand back and see the funny side when yo see some of the comments they make on another forum linked by spook.
Screwy,is that you?
Comments
By johnF (I’m fed up with people hijacking our protests) headcase.
Ask any of the taxi drivers posting here where they were before dereg and what did they work at and you will get a clear picture of what they are.

Almost all of the drivers that are complaing are new to the business and want something for nothing (including spook).
Er I paid for mine like everyone else.

I am all for a halt to more taxis but i would like to see the new breed of protesting scum removed.
Class.

The answer is stop and drop -Stop all new licences and Drop the ones after dereg = problem sorted.
No problem.If the Regulator will refund my lincence fee plus the money I spent on meters,roofy and calicration plus a percentage for the car I started with ya can count me in.

With that comes half price taxis yepeeeeeee a good service in a new clean car yepeeeeeee and no robbing bastards trying to make a weeks wages in a weekend yepeeeeeeeeeee.No as I said you will end up exactly where you were many years ago.No CAbs

Its all so simple to fix the system just give it a wash.

.....

peasant · 07-03-2009 02:32PM

bcmf wrote: »

.....

If you've got nothing to say, you might just consider shutting up altogether

bcmf · 07-03-2009 03:06PM

I put my remarks into the qoute box.The boards system then would not let me post coming up with the message "Text too short" or something. So I put in the ........ in order to be able to submit my post.

peasant · 07-03-2009 03:12PM

In that case ...learn how to quote

Volvoboy · 07-03-2009 03:14PM

Dem bleadin' taxi drivers!!!:pac:

bcmf · 07-03-2009 03:18PM

No prob as long as you direct that comment at every body else who chooses to qoute that way.

bcmf · 07-03-2009 03:26PM

kajo wrote: »

yes we have a flood of taxis and they should stop giving them out and protect the jobs but @ the same time they should remove all the new handbag drivers that came in after deregulation.

The handbags that came after dereg are the problem and they are the ones protesting.
You have to stand back and see the funny side when yo see some of the comments they make on another forum linked by spook.

Comments
By johnF (I’m fed up with people hijacking our protests) headcase.

Ask any of the taxi drivers posting here where they were before dereg and what did they work at and you will get a clear picture of what they are.

Almost all of the drivers that are complaing are new to the business and want something for nothing (including spook).

I am all for a halt to more taxis but i would like to see the new breed of protesting scum removed.

The answer is stop and drop -Stop all new licences and Drop the ones after dereg = problem sorted.

With that comes half price taxis yepeeeeeee a good service in a new clean car yepeeeeeee and no robbing bastards trying to make a weeks wages in a weekend yepeeeeeeeeeee.

Its all so simple to fix the system just give it a wash.

Seen as I got a warning on Page 2 for personal abuse I presume the same standard applies here.

peasant · 07-03-2009 03:36PM

bcmf wrote: »

Seen as I got a warning on Page 2 for personal abuse I presume the same standard applies here.

If you think that I'm going to read and censor 7 pages of unbearable bitchin' and moanin', then you've got another thing coming

This thread is heading for closure very soon.

Meanwhile, have yourself a nice little warning for backseat modding

Vim Fuego · 07-03-2009 03:47PM

I try to avoid getting taxis wherever possible. There's no standards at all and as far as I am concerned, it's a job that any able-bodied human is capable of doing. The protesting drivers can go and swing for it if they think they're entitled to the entire market.

My old company used a specific taxi-firm so I used to get the same driver every now and again. Every single time I got in the cab over about 6 months, he'd obviously not remember me and launch into the exact same story which was 'Can't make a f**kin' livin' at this, might as well be f**kin' babysittin''.

Taxi driving is the same level as street sweeping in my book. A fine profession for those too lazy or unambitious to not have any real skills. If you're in that position, shut up or else go and do something else. No-one in Ireland owes you a living.

(And yes, I do occasionally get a nice taxi driver. I tip well because it's a rare event).