Cruiser Elite
Enthusiast
- Joined
- Oct 31, 2010
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Some information for those AFF grown ups out there who like me find Uber abhorrent – you know like you are repulsed how this multinational behemoth rides into Australia then proceeds to conduct a business whilst completely ignoring existing laws of a sovereign country – or how they gouge 25% off total revenue leaving their drivers with about $11/hr to try to survive on – or how you are forced to accept any little shi* box that the driver turns up – I think you get the drift – Uber lovers move on – nothing for you to see here.
Courtesy of my niece who works for Harold Mitchell’s outfit I have come across a fabulous taxi operator / taxi service in MEL. Guys name is Jimmy – he owns 2 Holden Caprice taxis as does his cousin – so 4 Caprice taxis between the 2 of them. They are part of a 150 member Silver Service group but are bookable direct without going through Silver Service thus saving the fees. Taxis are immaculate and drivers extremely professional – attired in black pants and white shirts.
If you call Jimmy direct and make a booking you pay standard taxi rates for Silver Service cab – 90% of time you will be accommodated in one of Jimmy’s or his cousins cabs – but if they are too busy they will just handball you to another of his Silver Service buddies. I used him to / from MEL last Thu / Fr – just perfect. Pick up was easy – pre-booked for 06:00 from Parkdale to MEL – taxi waiting 05:55 with Jimmy himself as driver – had a great chat during 60min drive to MEL.
Prior to return to MEL I sent SMS to Jimmy advising flt no. – that is all he needs – upon exiting VA terminal another SMS to Jimmy saying I am walking to entrance to Parkroyal Hotel and rcvd SMS reply stating taxi no. 692 will collect me in 1 min which it did. This time Jimmy’s arvo driver – just as professional and just as good. By being collected at Parkroyal you also avoid the fees levied by MEL Airport on cabs – Jimmy guarantees if this procedure is followed each time def no longer than 2 min wait ant time any day of week.
Couple interesting pts that came up during our discussions on way out to Airport:
1. Has Uber affected your business? Yes greatly in terms of underlying goodwill value but not a dime first 4 mths this year in revenue terms – in fact revenue up on last year.
2. Have you lost drivers to Uber? Yes very much so last year – in fact the 150 strong Silver Service group many times last year pre XMAS saw cabs sitting idle because we could not get quality drivers – but since Xmas the drift of quality drivers is back to cabs – they just will not accept $10 - $15 / hr driving for Uber
3. What is quality control of Silver Service cabs? Whilst this group is not totally controlled there are regular random inspections of cabs and drivers – many times at airports themselves totally unannounced
4. If taxi not booked through Silver Service and a problem experienced what redress does pax have? Simply call Victorian Taxi Directorate with taxi number and they will assist you. VTD are now very active.
5. Taxi operating hours – Jimmy starts himself every morning at whatever time is first pick up – that was 03:30 Thursday morn and drives til about 13:00 when his afternoon driver takes over 23:00 each day usually finish time – they never drive the drunks around early hours of morn – in fact Fri / Sat nts past 23:00 they will only service pre-booked functions / weddings etc – no street pick ups.
Jimmy’s phone number is 0426 267 900 and you can SMS him anytime – he has already arranged a maxi cab I require for Thursday night to take 4 pax and 6 big bags to MEL. I hope and trust above info will prove of benefit to some fellow AFFers.
Courtesy of my niece who works for Harold Mitchell’s outfit I have come across a fabulous taxi operator / taxi service in MEL. Guys name is Jimmy – he owns 2 Holden Caprice taxis as does his cousin – so 4 Caprice taxis between the 2 of them. They are part of a 150 member Silver Service group but are bookable direct without going through Silver Service thus saving the fees. Taxis are immaculate and drivers extremely professional – attired in black pants and white shirts.
If you call Jimmy direct and make a booking you pay standard taxi rates for Silver Service cab – 90% of time you will be accommodated in one of Jimmy’s or his cousins cabs – but if they are too busy they will just handball you to another of his Silver Service buddies. I used him to / from MEL last Thu / Fr – just perfect. Pick up was easy – pre-booked for 06:00 from Parkdale to MEL – taxi waiting 05:55 with Jimmy himself as driver – had a great chat during 60min drive to MEL.
Prior to return to MEL I sent SMS to Jimmy advising flt no. – that is all he needs – upon exiting VA terminal another SMS to Jimmy saying I am walking to entrance to Parkroyal Hotel and rcvd SMS reply stating taxi no. 692 will collect me in 1 min which it did. This time Jimmy’s arvo driver – just as professional and just as good. By being collected at Parkroyal you also avoid the fees levied by MEL Airport on cabs – Jimmy guarantees if this procedure is followed each time def no longer than 2 min wait ant time any day of week.
Couple interesting pts that came up during our discussions on way out to Airport:
1. Has Uber affected your business? Yes greatly in terms of underlying goodwill value but not a dime first 4 mths this year in revenue terms – in fact revenue up on last year.
2. Have you lost drivers to Uber? Yes very much so last year – in fact the 150 strong Silver Service group many times last year pre XMAS saw cabs sitting idle because we could not get quality drivers – but since Xmas the drift of quality drivers is back to cabs – they just will not accept $10 - $15 / hr driving for Uber
3. What is quality control of Silver Service cabs? Whilst this group is not totally controlled there are regular random inspections of cabs and drivers – many times at airports themselves totally unannounced
4. If taxi not booked through Silver Service and a problem experienced what redress does pax have? Simply call Victorian Taxi Directorate with taxi number and they will assist you. VTD are now very active.
5. Taxi operating hours – Jimmy starts himself every morning at whatever time is first pick up – that was 03:30 Thursday morn and drives til about 13:00 when his afternoon driver takes over 23:00 each day usually finish time – they never drive the drunks around early hours of morn – in fact Fri / Sat nts past 23:00 they will only service pre-booked functions / weddings etc – no street pick ups.
Jimmy’s phone number is 0426 267 900 and you can SMS him anytime – he has already arranged a maxi cab I require for Thursday night to take 4 pax and 6 big bags to MEL. I hope and trust above info will prove of benefit to some fellow AFFers.
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