Taxi !!!

[Estreeter]

I hate taxi's

I think here in Melbourne we have amongst the worst Taxi service there is

I only ever use them now and then, like today, went to pick up one of our cars that was at the dealer getting serviced. Now and then also when we've been to the casino and had a few too many to drink

We got this new thing here now called Uber or something like that, it's where private citizens use their own cars as a taxi, I think ya need an iphone app to use the service and it's sort of illegal also. The licensed taxi service hate Uber as it's gaining popularity for excellent service and providing competition.

Gettin' a cab here is a nightmare on a Friday or Saturday.

Today's experience blew my mind,
Some 16 years ago, I drive up to Melbourne and met a few mates and we all went out for a night of drinking. I planned to stay at a mates place up here, leave the car in the city and pick it up the next day.

The next day, I called a cab and asked him to drive me to the city,
He turned around, asked me if I could afford the fare. I looked at him puzzled and told him if I couldn't afford the fare I wouldn't be asking him. So, he took off and shut my eyes for a small snooze as trip would take about half an hour. After some time, with my eyes closed I had this feeling the cab never seemed to be stopping and the trip taking quite some time.

I opened my eyes, looked around and we were way out in the sticks on a highway I asked his where the fuck he was going, so he replied, Sydney.

I put 2 and 2 together, He confused City with Sydney ( they can sound similar ), and that's why he asked me if I could afford the fare I made him stop the meter, I paid him to that point, $160 and made him take me to the city from there without charge.

My point being this knucklehead could barely speak English,
Today, I had that same cab driver show up, I couldn't believe it, he didn't remember me, but all I said was I changed my mind and didn't need a cab, much to his anger 16 years later he still couldn't speak English properly. I waited 20 minutes and called another taxi, took over an hour to arrive

Has anyone used this Uber thing, I think it originated in Europe
I think I'll be using that from now.

[Greenman]

British taxi drivers are the BEST in the world, even New York cabbies agree, because they spend two years learning The Knowledge, where they have to know every place in London, even new ones and streets, roads etc. You don't get the coveted green licence badge without passing, and it's not easy. I know that the black cabbies do not like this Uber thing.

Here is a story for you. When I went to Australia in 1993, I got lost after losing two friends in Perth town centre and wandered off to find a cab. Nearly an hour later I realised I wasn't going to be able to walk back to this friends' house (he lived way outside in a place called Yangebup) so I thought sod it, hail a taxi, I've got money. I did just that and a rather smart car turned up, nothing like a yellow or black cab and I said where I wanted to go. You travel thousands of miles around the world and would you believe the one taxi driver I get comes from MANCHESTER - strewth! We had a nice chat at least, especially football of course.

[djangoed]

Not all British taxi drivers are the full ticket, some who work for mini cab co's leave a lot to be desired. I remember being in Cambridge one evening and having to give the driver directions to get to the train station, one might have been forgiven for thinking they might actually know where one of the most important destinations in the city actually was.

[Estreeter]

Originally Posted by Greenman

because they spend two years learning

2 years

I think some of ours should spend 2 years cleaning their cabs

I kid ya not, We've apart from the yellow cabs, also have a higher end silver cab service. The silver service have better and more comfortable cars, these are also booked cabs and not just hailed off the street and very clean. But there is a premium to pay, last summer we went out in the city one night, so we booked one of those to take us in. A nice Ford G6E, that's the highest end Ford sold here, it was clean and comfortable, But it stunk like the driver was eatin' McDonalds in there all day I felt like throwin' up. Driver stunk of BO also

[djangoed]

Originally Posted by Estreeter

2 years
But it stunk like the driver was eatin' McDonalds in there all day I felt like throwin' up. Driver stunk of BO also

I've had the misfortune of being in a similar cab, not very pleasant at all with a hangover.

[Estreeter]

Originally Posted by djangoed

I've had the misfortune of being in a similar cab, not very pleasant at all with a hangover.

Ever been in one where someone might have thowin' up in in the previous few hours Lovely

[pharoahegypt]

Here in Birmingham, England we have a mixed bunch.......

Most black cabbies are with it and know the roads, though their exorbitant prices make this something you only use if you have to, or are feeling flush.

The 'private hire' mob vary; some actually knowing where they are, and where you're going, while others who often work for these newer 'all areas' type firms can often come from other parts of the city, and have no idea where their going. Had one a few months back, heading out to the outskirts for a party where I wasn't going to be driving home, and not only did I have to walk to find him as he couldn't find the correct car park (of two) in the pub from which I'd rang for a taxi, but when told he was in wrong one he didn't want to move until I was in the car. Then even though he had a sat-nav I still had to coach him for the whole of the eight mile journey to my destination, and then he had the nerve to try and scam me on the fare! (I'd asked for a 'guaranteed' price on calling for the car initially) he'd added four quid to try and make an eleven quid fare into fifteen..!! I slated him for not being in any way competent, and gave him a tenner; telling him that if he had a problem then to get his company to call me back... where I'd tell them about their driver, his lack of English and driving skills, and his fare scamming.... funny how I never got that call back?? I called another company for the trip back; one who sent a driver who knew the way, was friendly, spoke good English, and didn't try to scam me.

We also had a problem on Broad Street for a while; one of the main clubbing areas; where 'fake' private hire cars would either pick up punters and cheat genuine ones out their fares, or even worse, a series of girls got sexually abused by them, and now the police and cctv cameras watch the street and all cars like a hawk... cut it out mostly though from what i read in the papers.

[Greenman]

Originally Posted by Estreeter

2 years

I think some of ours should spend 2 years cleaning their cabs

I kid ya not, We've apart from the yellow cabs, also have a higher end silver cab service. The silver service have better and more comfortable cars, these are also booked cabs and not just hailed off the street and very clean. But there is a premium to pay, last summer we went out in the city one night, so we booked one of those to take us in. A nice Ford G6E, that's the highest end Ford sold here, it was clean and comfortable, But it stunk like the driver was eatin' McDonalds in there all day I felt like throwin' up. Driver stunk of BO also

Absolutely 2 years. It is a tough test. You are expected to know everything, hence The Knowledge. Most candidates go around London on a motor scooter/moped etc with a clipboard attached and note all the streets, roads, buildings famous and otherwise and also have to learn their location so when someone asks for a particular place they get taken straight there. It used to be a bit of a joke that some cabbies didn't go "sarf of the river" but nowadays they all over London. London black cab drivers also do a run to France with underprivileged kids for charity. They are as I say the BEST in the world. I have several family members(on my Dad's side) who were black cab drivers. The cabs ain't cheap either anything up to £15,000 and in the 90s they were changed to accomodate wheelchairs...Right where to guv? Cor lummy! you'll never guess who I 'ad in the back of me cab last week..."

[djangoed]

I don't think anyone is disputing the black cab drivers and 'the knowledge', I have never had a bad experience with one, it's just a great pity that they aren't all like that. Still, that would be dreaming.

[tamsmith]

A lot of bogus Taxi drivers out there. I agree.

But there are a hell of a lot more drunken idiots out there that will just get into any passing car.

My son worked in a Casino. The only way he could get home on Sunday morning at 4am was if someone gave him a lift. First train on Sunday was 8am.

I drove in to pick him up and while I was waiting women and men would just open the door and enter the car thinking I was a Taxi. (Beaten up old banger. Suppose it looked like one). After the third night I locked the door. One night a guy went "mental" banging on the car wanting in. Luckily the Casino stewards helped me.

If I had been interested the women were so brazen. One even showed me ( from outside the car ) that she was not wearing underwear.

Don't blame all the Taxi drivers as they seem to get a very hard time when the pubs are out. Blame the Tossers that get drunk after a couple of Shandies.