Taxi drivers take liberties
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Taxi drivers are quite useful sometimes because they get you to and from the pub and are a lot better than standing around in the rain waiting for a bus, that's for sure. However, in my opinion some of them tend to take liberties that they really shouldn't. I know this doesn't apply to EVERY taxi driver out there, but in the town where I live I have become increasingly aware of it. First we have the guy who thinks he's on a race track. These taxi drivers will be moving off just before you shut the door and will usually take you to your destination driving at approximately 50% over the speed limit. These people don't care how pleasant the trip is and they don't care that you are flung around like a sack of potatoes in the back of the cab. They're on a mission to drop you off as quickly as possible so they can head back and get another fare. The chances of a bit of friendly banter from this taxi driver is almost zilch and you get the feeling he either doesn't like the job or would rather be doing something else. Well it's fine not to have a conversation, but please get me home in one piece and there's more chance of that happening if you actually stick to the speed limit! |
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Next we have the taxi driver who is quite obviously at home in his cab. He's got the windows open and the car stereo on full blast so that he can barely understand you when you tell him the destination. He somehow always gets you there though and at least doesn't break the law. However, he's in HIS home and since that is the case then it is obviously alright to smoke there, regardless of the fact that technically a car is an enclosed public place! He's a bit of a cocky jack the lad and will think nothing of organising his personal life en-route either on his mobile or by yelling out the window to people he knows. |
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Finally, let us not forget the taxi driver who knows best. Yes I'm sure some of you DO know the best way to get from A to B and for that I am grateful, but I also know the town in which I live very well, so if you don't mind I would rather you took me home the way I WANT to go instead of deciding for me. By the way, when I said "Somewhere along here will be fine...", I actually meant somewhere along here and not half a mile further down the road! I know you need to pull over somewhere safe, but anywhere along this stretch of deserted road would have been fine! Oh hang on a minute, you needed to make sure it rounded up to the nearest tenner! Maybe I'll take the bus. Oh hang on a minute, I can't, because there aren't any buses after 10.30!! |
Comments from visitors
I not giving up, I just hope someone in authority is reading these posts, with a bit of luck this person will get whats coming to them. I hope that the private plate No.77 is investigated into, I know who it came from and it became passed to him which is too much of a coincidence for sure! These people have progressed from arriving with fairly old bangers of cars to practically brand new cars over a short period of time, have watched the progression to new kitchen, new front doors, holidays abroad etc etc etc., meantime, he has had prang after prang with his taxi, I would put it at 2008 start date, (probably planned) never even went to bed when he came home at 10am after being out since 4am, on the go all day, when did he get his sleep I often wondered, because he certainly was going about at all hours during the day! Not right that, when was he taking a sleep break? Never as far as I could see, I hope they are found out to be the scammers that they are.
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Nice one,. aquire a private plate off a friend after being declared a bankrupt, use it for a while, then have a spate of claims, gives you new kitchen, front doors, holidays, new cars to name but a few all on the back of insurance, no doubt your mortgage was in with it as well, just how many more of you are there out there I have to wonder, your pal who passed on the plate no doubt did the same, I hope it all comes back to haunt you, scammer Private Plate No.77 Aberdeen.
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Makes me sick to think how this guy has duped his insurance company, he should have never been driving a private plate in the first place with a heart condition, he also did school runs would you believe!!! He makes me sick, I have watched his antics and know he is just a scammer, at his age, I estimate him to be about in his late 70s or even later, never even slept when he was going out between 4am and 10am spent the day coughing and spluttering in his house, I should know because I have seen and heard him. When did he sleep? I often wondered because he was going about during the daytime every day!!!
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Further to my post of 9 April 2008, this guy has had more prangs, and was scamming knew exactly how to doit, crash for cash, got his compensation payouts, now got rid of plate and aeriel. Anyone in Aberdeen seen private plate No 77? Never seen it since he got his payouts. Must be rubbing his hands in glee, holidays, new front doors, kitchen but to name a few, just knew how to do it did he, cannot believe insurance people could be so stupid, seen it a mile away what he was up to, using a hand injury and all that, pile of crap, seen him going about using his hand no probs. Wise up insurance companies the likes of him are out there to scam all they can and much more, And get off with it!!!!!
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The worst taxi drivers are the ones who cherry pick their pick-ups by not showing at pick-ups if they have to get through traffic jams to get to them... then they advise their operators that they actually went to the pick-up and were told their taxi was no longer required....bare faced lies !!! Thankfully most drivers have too much integrity for this but be wary of bad eggs.... especially if using radio cars in southampton.... oops, did I say that out loud ?
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disgruntled and let down - 30-Nov-10 16:55
Do what I do - any taxi driver that drives badly, is rude or makes the enclosed environment so unpleasant does not get my fare. I simply say, 'Pull over here, please', and then get out, explaining why he is getting nothing from me.
I have done this on 6 occasions. I would rather be safe and happy.
I have done this on 6 occasions. I would rather be safe and happy.
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Black taxis take the pee they break every rule in the highway code and get away with it WHY?
They do u turns in the middle of busy roads,they stop at traffic lights when on green to pick up a poor sucker, they stop on red lines,they stop on double yellow lines,they cut you up, they block roads by parking each side of the road,they pull out without giving a signal. I saw a car beeping at a cab cause he pulled out without signalling and the cabbie done the finger jesture then the next thing I saw another 2 cabs block this poor guy in so he couldnt move as they were so close to him I reported the numbers to the hackney company but nothing got done these cabs think they own the roads I HATE BLACK CAB DRIVERS
They do u turns in the middle of busy roads,they stop at traffic lights when on green to pick up a poor sucker, they stop on red lines,they stop on double yellow lines,they cut you up, they block roads by parking each side of the road,they pull out without giving a signal. I saw a car beeping at a cab cause he pulled out without signalling and the cabbie done the finger jesture then the next thing I saw another 2 cabs block this poor guy in so he couldnt move as they were so close to him I reported the numbers to the hackney company but nothing got done these cabs think they own the roads I HATE BLACK CAB DRIVERS
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what happenned to that friendly bus company im milton keynes transit group
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rogue leader - 30-Apr-10 04:13
S432GEC - taxi - red Nissan Primera SI
This taxi driver came speeding along Blackpool Road, Preston as he passed the traffic lights at the junction with the A6 trying to barge into traffic where two lanes merge the other side almost going into a Mini.
Later at the traffic lights by Deepdale he overtook me when I stopped at the lights and then went through a red light.
This happened at 08:40 on 30/01/10.
This taxi driver came speeding along Blackpool Road, Preston as he passed the traffic lights at the junction with the A6 trying to barge into traffic where two lanes merge the other side almost going into a Mini.
Later at the traffic lights by Deepdale he overtook me when I stopped at the lights and then went through a red light.
This happened at 08:40 on 30/01/10.
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Mike, you're right on that one. I've met so many taxi drivers that are the bottom of the food chain; can't get a proper job no doubt. Personally won't take a taxi unless I really, really have to.
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I really loved the taxi driver I got from Manchester Airport at 2 in the morning. No choice as public transport had finished hours before and the plane was delayed. Called the taxi co., booked it and when the guy arrived half an hour later he said, 'Oh, I was hoping you'd have left. It's really late for me'. (Well, I thought, I'm hardly doing this for fun myself...)
Good start. He then drove like a madman down the motorway, complaining all the way, charged me 65 pounds and when I didn't have enough money left to give him much of a tip, he raced off with my suitcases in the back. I had to run after him and wave my arms to get them back. Nice one. Still, it gave the neighbours a laugh.
Good start. He then drove like a madman down the motorway, complaining all the way, charged me 65 pounds and when I didn't have enough money left to give him much of a tip, he raced off with my suitcases in the back. I had to run after him and wave my arms to get them back. Nice one. Still, it gave the neighbours a laugh.
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Will stay in airport hotel nex - 18-Aug-09 22:20
Taxi drivers are at the bottom of the food chain with regards to professional drivers. Taxi drivers in provincial towns are the worst. They are usually fat, ugly, pig-thick retards that have their bluetooth headsets on all the time, probably even wear them to bed. They usually drive crap cars as well(Fiat doblos and any Peugeot made after 2001).
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Why do taxi drivers beep there horns outside of peoples homes at all hours of the day? If they just got out of the car and walked to the door they may get some exercise instead of sitting down all day. It drives me mad when they wake up my children. Its lazy and against the law in built up areas from eleven pm til seven am.
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I just wouldn't get a taxi even if I was desperate. They are a complete rip off if you're travelling on your own. The other week I walked home from my local train station which was 5 miles in the rain, along a main road with no pavement and then a section through a wet muddy field - rather than paying £10 for a taxi.
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My boss lost his mobile. We'd just got out of a cab where he was sat in the front and he had it before getting in as he was using it.
He phoned the company within minutes of getting out of the taxi. They got on the radio and the driver claimed it wasn't in his cab, so we assumed it had been dropped getting in or out of it.
He phoned the company and stopped the phone, all within about 10 minutes.
When he received his itemised phone bill the next month he showed me it - 4 calls to Pakistan minutes after the time we got out of that cab. I told him he should have got a receipt. This is a true story.
He phoned the company within minutes of getting out of the taxi. They got on the radio and the driver claimed it wasn't in his cab, so we assumed it had been dropped getting in or out of it.
He phoned the company and stopped the phone, all within about 10 minutes.
When he received his itemised phone bill the next month he showed me it - 4 calls to Pakistan minutes after the time we got out of that cab. I told him he should have got a receipt. This is a true story.
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Your post only skims the surface of taxi drivers taking advantage. I live in Manchester and some of the people who drive taxis are probably committing extortion many many times a day. All taxis are metered, yet some of them claim they can make up their own fares as "set fees". Yeah right. Being a little drunk and getting a taxi can cost a fortune - there's a particular company about whom I hear the same story again and again. When getting into the cab they ask for a £20 fair upfront. Okay, a deposit to secure against someone being sick maybe. A receipt? No. Legal? Probably not. At the end of the journey they ask for the fare hoping the hapless victim has forgotten they've already paid over the odds!
Both the invention of set fares and the disgusting abuse of the fact the someone is drunk are very very common.
Also speeding and going through red lights is so common. I travelled from Spain on a plane not being concerned for my safety once. On the taxi journey home the driver answered his phone twice, actually dialled out once and went through three red lights. I made sure I got a receipt - proof of my journey for when I complained!
Both the invention of set fares and the disgusting abuse of the fact the someone is drunk are very very common.
Also speeding and going through red lights is so common. I travelled from Spain on a plane not being concerned for my safety once. On the taxi journey home the driver answered his phone twice, actually dialled out once and went through three red lights. I made sure I got a receipt - proof of my journey for when I complained!
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Well done Peter, you should've been nicked for wasting police time. Some poor person was probably being mugged whilst you were arguing over £2. I would've just given him the money minus the £2 and walked away.
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Griping To55er - 9-Dec-08 09:57
Brighton & Hove Taxis:
Well I used to be a cabby in Brighton for many years. Got into IT about 9 years ago, but I have noticed a large influx of Arabic cabbies in Brighton. I have had a couple of bad experiences with these chaps. They can barely speak English, how they get through the Brighton & Hove knowledge exam, no body knows. One took me right round the houses when I got in his cab at Brighton station and asked to go to Patcham. We eventually arrived, £2 more than it should be, I refused to pay the extra fair as I said to him, I used to this job and I know my home town without a cabby driving me round the houses. Anyway we sat there wasting his time as he would not back down, to be honest he wasn't exactly the sharpest tool in the shed. I offered to pay the fair at the correct price, but he wouldn't have it. I got on my mobile phone and called Brighton police, they eventually turned up. They listened to both stories, as I said previously, I know my routes through Brighton & Hove and I know if a cabby has gone the wrong way. Even the police officer could barley understand the cabby. Anyway in the end, as I sated previously, I know exactly, give or take how much the fair should be, so in the end the police offer agreed that I should pay the fair that I usually pay. The cabby now having wasted all that time, when he could have been ripping other customers off.
Well I used to be a cabby in Brighton for many years. Got into IT about 9 years ago, but I have noticed a large influx of Arabic cabbies in Brighton. I have had a couple of bad experiences with these chaps. They can barely speak English, how they get through the Brighton & Hove knowledge exam, no body knows. One took me right round the houses when I got in his cab at Brighton station and asked to go to Patcham. We eventually arrived, £2 more than it should be, I refused to pay the extra fair as I said to him, I used to this job and I know my home town without a cabby driving me round the houses. Anyway we sat there wasting his time as he would not back down, to be honest he wasn't exactly the sharpest tool in the shed. I offered to pay the fair at the correct price, but he wouldn't have it. I got on my mobile phone and called Brighton police, they eventually turned up. They listened to both stories, as I said previously, I know my routes through Brighton & Hove and I know if a cabby has gone the wrong way. Even the police officer could barley understand the cabby. Anyway in the end, as I sated previously, I know exactly, give or take how much the fair should be, so in the end the police offer agreed that I should pay the fair that I usually pay. The cabby now having wasted all that time, when he could have been ripping other customers off.
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The majority of taxi drivers I've seen driving or have been desperate enough to use are lazy and pretty shocking drivers. They also charge way too much which is why I'd rather walk for an hour in the rain than get a taxi.
Lazy = some don't even get out of the car to ring the door bell or open the boot, now that new cars have the opening mechanism inside the car. They also can't find the energy to use indicators or change gear very often.
Shocking drivers = they will either be 1 of 2 kinds - the really fast kind who just wants to get you there as fast as possible so they can think about their next robbery, sorry, job, without much regard for your safety. Or the really slow kind who just drive at the most fuel efficient speed possible despite the road conditions. And lets not mention the other driving antics, impatience, abusive etc.
I know there are good taxi drivers out there but they are still my least preferred travel option behind train, car, bus, bicycle, walking, rickshaw, camel & donkey.
Lazy = some don't even get out of the car to ring the door bell or open the boot, now that new cars have the opening mechanism inside the car. They also can't find the energy to use indicators or change gear very often.
Shocking drivers = they will either be 1 of 2 kinds - the really fast kind who just wants to get you there as fast as possible so they can think about their next robbery, sorry, job, without much regard for your safety. Or the really slow kind who just drive at the most fuel efficient speed possible despite the road conditions. And lets not mention the other driving antics, impatience, abusive etc.
I know there are good taxi drivers out there but they are still my least preferred travel option behind train, car, bus, bicycle, walking, rickshaw, camel & donkey.
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good idea take the bus if you can get one you wingy pants
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