Should the meter go on;
So far this year the regulator has secured 28 convictions against drivers for ofences including;
Things are starting to get a bit tough out there for Irish Taxi drivers, the numbers are swelling and there is a lot of discontent in the air, it's getting near impossible to even get onto a rank with other drivers parking illegally awaiting a free space, unless you follow suit you simply don't get on.
Things aren't so bad for me, my wage is the secondary income in this household, thankfully, as I'm not sure it could sustain us on it's own.
I don't see the point of buying a new car, as the takings simply don't warrant it, yet the regulator has the ambition of every Taxi eventually being six years old or less, therefore you'd need a four year old car if you wanted to get two years from it .............with zero resale value!
I guess the future for the industry is that of a low wage and as a result poorer quality vehicles, as the wage will not be able to maintain the high standards the regulator has in mind.... something will have to give.
I know people complain because of the lack of Taxis for an hour each weekend night and maybe for a bit longer during an "event" weekend such as a Rugby international.
In Dublin the business is at a crisis point. Is it time the regulator called a halt to the issuing of new licenses?
What's the situation like where you are?
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I had the misfortune to come across this post on the Politics.ie forum.
It starts off with the old "some Taxi drivers are OK" routine.
That's similar to the, "some of my best friends are ...", prior to a racist remark.
He then goes on to describe us as foul mouthed, smelly, rip off merchants.
It's followed up thankfully by one or two generous remark, but mostly more of the same, including the age old "they don't pay tax" and tales of getting ripped off.
That's probably why Ashamed acted as he did?
It can be viewed here.
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I arrived on the rank at St Stephens Green tonight and I had to park illegally on the median lines while awaiting a free space on the secondary queue, there were 19 cars ahead of me on the rank so I decided I'd keep a blow by blow account of the nights work..... to show just how bad things were getting.
Five minutes later I was the first car on the secondary queue You may need to read, "St Stephens Green Rank Explained" and a trio got into the car, one going to Sutton Cross, then on to Lusk and finishing off in Balbriggan, all for a fare of €75.00, the rest of the night wasn't too bad either.
Brutal ........... the stuff life throws at you.
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Excerpt from wikipedia;
Taxi to the Dark Side is an acadamy award winning documentary directed by filmmaker Alex Gibney
The film focuses around the controversial death in custody of an Afgan taxi driver named Dilawar, Dilawar was beaten to death by American soldiers while being held in extrajudicial detention at the Bagram Air base .
Taxi to the Dark Side also goes on to examine America's policy on Torture in general, specifically the CIA's and their research into sensory deprivation . There is description of the opposition to the use of torture from its political and military opponents, as well as the defence of such methods; the attempts by Congress to uphold the standards of the Geneva convention forbidding torture; and the now popular of the use of torture techniques in shows such as 24 .
The film is said to be the first film to contain images taken within Bagram Air Base
2:I've mentioned this before but why do some Taxi drivers insist on breaking the rules of the road when they have passengers on board?, making illegal right turns, heading off down contra flow bus lanes, and speeding. What do they gain? Why risk a fine and penalty points? Why make the rest of us look bad when we refuse to follow suit?
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This is my interview with Jonathon and Clare on Spin 103.8, I guess if you can't laugh at yourself, life is harder?;
When I mentioned this to my 15 year old son, he said; "But that's a good station, I listen to that!"
My 20 year old daughters reaction was similar.
She said ;"With Clare and Jonathon", to which I nodded, she said; "PLEASE NO! All my friends listen to that". "Cool", I thought, "I can perform my fatherly duties and embarrass them both."
You can listen to Spin here, (I'm supposed to be on around 2pm Irish time)
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(Click picture to view full size)I had a Taxi driver in the cab last night, he does very well, works a 60 hour week and is delighted with his earnings.
He told me about his lovely four year old car and how he detests drivers with older cabs as they let down the trade.
I said I'd look out for his Taxi as we entered his estate but he said I wouldn't see it.
He takes the roof-sign off about two miles from his house, he continued to say that he has one of those meters that is incorporated into the rear view mirror and that no-one in the estate knows he drives a Taxi. They think he still works for Eircom.
"Why is that I asked"
"I'm ashamed of being a Taxi driver" he said.
"Snobby fecker", I thought!
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The Scottish are coming over this weekend you won't be able to get a Taxi for love nor money!
Over and over I'll be asked the same question;
"Why did 50 Taxis drive past me, Empty and with the Roofsign light off?"
Let's get the Roofsign bit out of the way; The reason the light stays off is because people would be even more frustrated if we drove past with it on!
Now I realise on the night you'll be pissed but for now try empathise with the Taxi Driver, try put yourself behind the wheel.
First thing you should realise is, we want to stop, that's how we earn a living! So why don't we?
As you drive along almost everybody is trying to flag you down, some are in large groups outside pubs and clubs, some are standing on blind bends, others are out on the road itself, yet more are leaning against poles or are being held up by friends.
Would you stop for any of the above?
Taxi drivers are operating on instinct and experience and mostly try stop where it's safe to do so and where they feel the prospective customer looks a reasonable bet (not because she's blond and has big ......)
A quick note about ranks;
They are designed for Taxis to queue for customers not the other way around, queue there if you want but it's not always the best idea!
You might also like to read;
How to get a Taxi in Dublin between 2 and 5 am on a Saturday Morning
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June in Florida reminded me of a real pet hate of mine;
The guy or girl that gets into a Taxi and says that they need to be in the Airport in ten minutes or else they'll miss their flight, or maybe its that they are running late for an interview or an important meeting.
I generally say this to them;
"You know how we can sort this out for you?"
They normally ask; "How?"
Then I say "leave twenty minutes ago!" which doesn't go down too well but it makes me feel good.
These journeys are always tense, no matter which route is taken another would have had less traffic, quicker lights and be better serviced by the Bus lanes.
Really, if you want to get to the Airport in ten minutes, hire a feckin' Helicopter!
While I'm at it let's discuss the "follow that Taxi the guy in the passenger seat has the address of the party" trick;
If that Taxi goes through a junction and the lights go red, I'm going to stop, I'm not Clint Eastwood and this ain't Dirty Harry!
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I hear about a lot of Taxi scams in the cab, the most ridiculous of which was the lad who was going to Milltown from a club in Dublin city, he fell asleep and woke up 200km away, heading to Milltown in Cork....pure bullshit, I reckon!
Lots of friends of customers who were visiting from abroad ended up paying 2 ,3, maybe 4 times the normal fare home.
The lads at the Airport get tarred with a lot of accusations as they encounter the most tourists.
I guess some basic rules should apply;
This is a question I get asked from time to time, now I'm sure it's just another stereotype and they're not all grumpy, but I'll try to justify their mood if I can.
First of all let me explain, I don't operate out of Dublin Airport, they have a permit system, so if you don't have a permit you can't accept fares there and with me being a good Southsider and the Airport being located in the deepest darkest Northside, I've ever bothered to apply for one.
When you come out of the arrivals hall and see the three lines of Taxis waiting to take you to your destination, they didn't just appear there, first they had to go into a holding area called "The Kesh" it's called "The Kesh" after Long Kesh, the Northern Irish prison that housed the infamous H-blocks, home for many years to both Republican and Unionist inmates.
You see, once they enter the holding area they cannot escape until they are let out, which could be quite a while judging by the size of it and the amount of Taxis queuing!
They also have to pay 70c, (I think, it may be more now?) for the privilege of using this "facility". When they are eventually let out, they then join the queue you see at arrivals, which can be another long wait.
So their mood is generally bad to begin with as you get in, it's your job to cheer them up!
Telling them your just back from the Maldives may not be the way to go!
To begin with you should be going a fair distance, so even if you're going to the nearest town; Swords, why not go via the city centre? tell the driver you want to go sight seeing.
Don't talk about yourself or your holiday! ask him how he's feeling and if he's having a good day, sympathise with his problems.
On the other hand, he might be a She! if that's the case.............. god love you, cause she'll probably be bursting for a wee as well!.
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It begins:
Now this is what I call easy to service!
See this and more fantastic pictures taken in and around the "real" NYC
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For those that aren't aware the Gardai are the Irish police force.
I wish there was a little more consistency in the policing of the unofficial ranks such as those outside night clubs and those who ply for hire at non-appointed stands such as the bottom of Grafton Street and the odd busy pub.
Either it should be a free for all, which seems to be the case most of the time, with Garda cars and patrols paying no attention whatsoever, or a complete clampdown with tickets being issued on the spot.
That way we'd know where we stand, sometimes it feels like we're providing a service clearing the streets outside Copper Face Jacks, the next night we're being moved along as though we're criminals.(which was the case last night)
Just make up your mind one way or the other, then both the customer and the Taxi driver will know the deal.
It's not fair on the Taxi driver who wants to operate legally if the law enforcers allow others to ply for hire right where the work is, we've all got to make a living so it's either a case of joining in or going under.
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Have you got what it takes?
Answer yes to ALL the following questions and you might just make the grade;
Sit back into the plush 80% polyester seat and cuddle up to the grooooviest smoooochiest songs ever written.
I've lined up the following playlist on the MP3 player for tonights customers:
I think I'd better leave right now : Will Smith
I'm not in love :10cc
What becomes of the broken hearted : Joe Cocker
Must have been love (but it's over now) :Roxette
If I could turn back time :Cher
All by myself : Celine Dion
Any other suggestions?
That should get the love juices flowing?
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Irish Taxi
