Outstanding and cheap limo service in SYD

[crazydave98]

I highly recommend this company
Towncars, Sydney Limo Taxi Price

They advertise as being "a limo at taxi rates". Very close on the rates (it cost me $54 all up to get from SYD T2 to home where a taxi normally costs me about $39) and definitely nice limos. The real beauty of it is no queuing for taxis which is painful at SYD at peak times, and having a driver who is pleasant, presentable and knows where they are going.

I actually had a conversation on Wednesday with the CEO of the company - very interesting business model (for example they use the same dispatch equipment as Toll Fast the courier company rather than regular taxi systems) which I am sure will be very successful. Unfortunately Sydney only at this stage but will go national quickly. Certainly won me as a henceforth regular client.

cheers

CrazyDave98

 

[simongr]

I just recycled an article about this that I read back in May. My only issue with these guys is that they are I think using fairly falcons rather than a Caprice or equivalent (sorry I don't know what the equivalent of a Caprice is in the Ford world - I don't drive Oz cars).

Obviously that is total snobbery on my part.

I really do advocate using a car service rather than a taxi - my driver is always there waiting for me in MEL (sometimes a five min wait in SYD due to QF's inability to arrive at the scheduled time) and I can often after a long day feel comfortable falling asleep in the car on the drive home (about 45 mins).

I also use a car service for personal trips for me into the city for functions or for mrssimongr if she is going out with the girls.

A good relationship with a good driver is really worth some investment.

As an FYI I pay a fixed $110 for my car ride home in SYD vs. about $100minimum in a standard cab - I pay no fees for delays in bad traffic either. I can also rely on them to be outside the house at 5:30AM for the pick up without fail.i

 

[crazydave98]

I just recycled an article about this that I read back in May. My only issue with these guys is that they are I think using falcons rather than a Caprice or equivalent

You are right - they use the G6E Falcon. Actually didn't notice this until you pointed it out as it seemed much more spacious than the older Falcons used by taxis (and nice quality leather in the seats). IIFC Ford no longer produce the Fairlane? I have seen a few hire cars using Commodores (with upmarket interiors). Anyway, no complaints on the vehicle from me.

 

[markis10]

The G6E is the Fairlane replacement on a shorter wheel base (I have one), from a drivers perspective it s a very nice car and a lot easier to park than the Fairlane, similar boot space but better economy.

 

[Skyring]

The G6E is the Fairlane replacement on a shorter wheel base (I have one), from a drivers perspective it s a very nice car and a lot easier to park than the Fairlane, similar boot space but better economy.

The Fairmont replacement, actually. Fairmont and Fairlane shared similar equipment levels, but the Fairlane was built on an extended wheelbase, giving more back seat and boot room.

Alas, the Fairlane is no longer built. Now I'm driving "Betsy" the Statesman (with a Caprice front). Very nice, with lots of buttons to push, but high levels of transmission noise, very thick vision-obscuring A-pillars, and leather seats that aren't quite so butter-soft as the Fairlanes.

As a driver, I'm happy to drive people to the airport, but I've really got to be nailed down by the base to pick up a passenger there, unless it's someone I already have a link with.

 

[mosaicality]

Hi!
Anyone with recent experience with Towncars? I'm looking to book with them but there's not a lot of feedback about their service.
thks

 

[DeKa]

I've got a question to add to this one. Do Town Cars bill as a taxi company on your credit card statement? By policy (since GFC.. hope it is changed soon) I can only expense taxis, and not hire cars. If it is billed as "Town Cars Chauffer Service" or something like that, my expense claim won't be reimbursed.

I called the booking number but they didn't know which is a bit odd. My guess, if they accept Cabcharge, is it will be charged by Cabcharge in which case all is OK.

 

[DeKa]

No one replied so I tried them twice this week. I was very happy with the service. The cars are good, the drivers conversational if you want, and the price (for me) is 10-15% less than a cab.

They charge using Taxi epay so it looks like you caught a cab.

 

[koonyaflyer]

This is a great tip...and I will try them next week.

Since the introduction of the additional set of lights coming into Sydney Airport, I have found the traffic getting into the airport is banked back a long way along O'Riordan Street. The cabbies are all whinging about it. Last night at 4.30 my cab from the city cost $60 (no tolls), compared to the usual $35...all due to traffic.

Time to find someone like this who will do it as Point to Point, with no additional time costs like taxis!

 

[Sprucegoose]

When my bloke picks me up at 0530 it compensates for the same time in the evening on a fixed priced schedule.

A trick with taxis is to keep the meter tuning at tariff 2 orthe higher one for those early morning pickups after 5am!

 

[koonyaflyer]

Hi

An update from my experience with TownCars.... and it is all good!

Traffic was awful in Sydney yesterday morning, and to compound this my flight was nearly 30 minutes late.

Driver sent me a txt with his contact details, waited through the delay and then we travelled into northern end of Sydney CBD for a total price less than the usual taxi cost. No additional charge for Tolls!

Have now booked them for Thursday's trip to the airport from home, and their quote is 18% cheaper than my usual cab fare!

Thanks Crazy Dave!

 

[mosaicality]

Also an update on my experience with Towncars. I booked a car for a return airport-eastern suburbs trip last week. No problems at all. My flight coming in was an hour late, the driver was patiently waiting when I came out. All booked easily via email.

 

[DeKa]

I used Towncars to get from home to SYD airport yesterday. When I arrived in Melbourne, I caught the Skybus, but Towncars sent me an SMS saying they've just started in Melbourne this week (2 cars only at this stage) and would I like a return journey to Tullarmarine on Friday.

I was quite impressed with their thinking (they are picking me up at SYD airport on Friday afternoon so they knew I was returning on Friday). Rate is the same as other drivers I've used before, so I went ahead with it.

The drivers normally SMS me too. Have any of you seen their Toll courier PDA device? Have a look at the screen... it has your name and pickup details, and "package type" of "PSG". I asked what PSG is and they said passenger, as opposed to a box, satchel or pallet.

 

[moa999]

Since the introduction of the additional set of lights coming into Sydney Airport, I have found the traffic getting into the airport is banked back a long way along O'Riordan Street. !

Also causing issues on Joyce Drive coming from the City/ ED.

Will definitely be instructing cabbies to use Ross Smith Ave (past Maccas) in the future - particularly given they are given their own left turn light cycle.

--

Is the $49.50 minimum ($54.45 with credit card) new?
My usual trips Home-Airport and CBD-Airport seem to run $35-40.

 

[DeKa]

Not such a good introduction to Towncars Melbourne. They forgot to pick me up .. said the driver didn't look at his PDA.

To make up for it they're giving me a free trip home in Sydney when I arrive back this afternoon, so I can't really complain. I guess everyone makes mistakes and that driver won't forget to check his PDA every 10 mins now!

 

[Crowne11]

Can anyone recommend a car service from Brisbane airport traveling to the sunshine coast region?

 

[somebol]

Another happy user of towncars... used them to and from Airport over the holidays. Efficient, on time overall a hassle free experience.

 

[Moopere]

I cant find any mention of a MEL operation for Towncars - are they still just trialling this service? How does one book in MEL? Call the SYD office?

 

[koonyaflyer]

They have moved from trial to full service but their website does not seem to reflect this si I have just used [email protected].

I would be interested to hear feedback on other members thoughts on the Melbourne pricing. I find Sydney to be excellent but have found Melbourne to be expensive. Provided that feedback when made my last enquiry, but no response.

 

[M@rcoPolo]

Do they charge 10% over and above their website quotes when using credit cards?