Taxi drivers. Best and worst. ?

[Deleted member]

What is it with (SYD in this instance) taxi drivers who think by pumping the accelerator pedal constantly makes for a comfortable ride!

 

[lovestotravel]

Not sure why anyone would catch a Taxi when you have Uber or a private hire car option

 

[JohnK]

Uber or private hire car are too expensive if the money is coming out of your own pocket.

I hate taxi drivers in Australia. That business seems to attract the type of drivers who have no regard for Australian road rules.

Oh and I don't think it's very curteous to conduct a conversation with someone at home in another language. Do it in your own time. Not mine.

 

[lovestotravel]

Uber or private hire car are too expensive if the money is coming out of your own pocket.

I hate taxi drivers in Australia. That business seems to attract the type of drivers who have no regard for Australian road rules.

Oh and I don't think it's very curteous to conduct a conversation with someone at home in another language. Do it in your own time. Not mine.

Too expensive... Right....

Uber X is cheaper than a cab by 20-40%
A private hire car is about the same as a cab for a longer trip
Uber Black is about 30% more than a cab

 

[kelvedon]

Whilst I know it does operate I was under the impression that uber was illegal in nsw

 

[maninblack]

Melbourne taxi drivers are pretty terrible but thankfully the speed cameras everywhere at least keep that element under control.

 

[Denali]

Im trying to remember the last time I took an taxi in Australia. I gave up on Sydney taxi drivers about 15yrs ago and use a driver service, before Uber existed.

 

[dragonman]

My problem with Melbourne cabs is the constant attempts to rip you off, CBD to Tullamarine via the West Gate bridge is one experience that comes to mind. Have given up on them.

Melbourne taxi drivers are pretty terrible but thankfully the speed cameras everywhere at least keep that element under control.

 

[clazman]

Uber lets get into a strangers car, that is operating illegally, hasn't done the advanced driver course that is required by Taxi driver

Taxi drivers lets get into a older car, get charged more than uber and learn a foreign language

Hmmm thank god for family running me to the airport

 

[Revolio]

Best: Cairns. Worst: Sydney

 

[stoneman]

Best: mmm, hard one... Caloundra!
Worst: Most definitely PERTH, not only for all the 'usual' reasons but down right dangerous for women :evil:

 

[drron]

Most fun ride.Definitely NYC.
December.Our son had just got engaged.We were to meet the prospective inlaws at their"club".
Couldn't be late.Raining cats and dogs.Long lines for cabs.Finally got one.But had less than 20 minutes to get ~ 20 blocks.Told the driver to step on it.
Now he was from an African country that spoke French.Everything was lost in translation except for rapide.
Well the pedal was to the metal,sidewalks were in play,the horn was used continuously,red lights a mere distraction.
But we got were we were going with 10 minutes to spare.But boy did we need those 10 minutes!

 

[Sprucegoose]

Re: load check QF128 HKG to SYD 10th FEB

Uber lets get into a strangers car, that is operating illegally, hasn't done the advanced driver course that is required by Taxi driver

Taxi drivers lets get into a older car, get charged more than uber and learn a foreign language

Hmmm thank god for family running me to the airport

Uber operates within the law in Victoria. Not sure where you are but I do know the taxi Union is too strong in CBR so they won't see Uber for some time.

Some taxi drivers have interesting backgrounds and in some cases will be highly educated and well travelled people. Books and their covers.

I don't agree with your strangers analogy with Uber. You will know their name, registration and phone number BEFORE you enter their car. That is more than you do when you jump into a taxi or even entering a shop or even jumping on a plane for that matter !

You will also be asked to rate the driver after the trip. Good system.

All my experiences with Uber have been positive. I will continue to use them. My app also worked well in Dallas just before Christmas.

If you have family willing to drop you off, hang onto them. That too will come to pass..........

 

[robd]

Best was the driver from San Jose to San Francisco. He was a young african american (is that P.C.?) who just chatted with us the entire 70 odd minutes. He drove really well and stuck to the speed limits on the freeway. After he had unloaded our bags, I was preparing to pay him US$180 (which was the fare of $150 plus $30 tip) and he said not to worry about the tip, just to give him the $150. It doesn't get much better than that!

The worst is a toss up between a driver in Europe who fancied himself as Mark Webber driving in a grand prix, weaving through the traffic at 160km/h or the driver in Bangkok who was driving stupidly fast and stupidly close to the cars in front and then decided to create his own lane from the emergency lane.

 

[JohnK]

Hating Bangkok taxi drivers more and more each day.

Could not get a taxi to accept a meter ride to airport today from Sukhumvit Soi 11. Asked about 10-12 taxis. I had enough and started walking to BTS Nana to get to Ekkamai or somewhere nearby and get taxi from there to airport. After a 10 or so minute walk to Sukhumvit Road near BTS Nana my fiancee asked another taxi passing by and he wanted 500 baht. In the end we had choice of 400 baht including tollway or 300 baht and we pay the 75 baht tolls.

We drove straight past the 10's of taxis that were still parked on Sukhumvit Soi 11.

I could use 100 words or so that are in my mind right now but better not. He turned the meter on part way through the trip and showed up around 110 baht when we got to airport. I wonder why?

I am going to have a new rule about trips to Thailand. No more taxis from Bangkok city to airport. I am going to overnight somewhere else.

 

[NFF]

I prefer they speak in a language I don't understand so I don't have to listen in.

 

[RB]

We had fantastic owner drivers in Granada

 

[trippin_the_rift]

I am going to have a new rule about trips to Thailand. No more taxis from Bangkok city to airport. I am going to overnight somewhere else.

I've paid the white tax more times than I can recall. Fortunately uber taxi cuts right through this where Uberx isn't available

 

[JohnK]

I've paid the white tax more times than I can recall. Fortunately uber taxi cuts right through this where Uberx isn't available

This wasn't a white tax. I was inside Holiday Inn Express and Thai fiancee out on street trying to get taxi.

 

[OzEire]

What is it with (SYD in this instance) taxi drivers who think by pumping the accelerator pedal constantly makes for a comfortable ride!

The accelerator pumping is just plain bad driving. I have felt ill from a Sydney CBD to airport ride. Just cannot understand why so many taxi drivers do it ?!?