I love how they refer to themselves as a "trade".
Or have taken it up as a second job.
This was mentioned as an issue by one of the taxi guys this morning. Drivers that have full time jobs and then are going out cherry picking and working the busy nights.
While I don't have much sympathy either, I think your ire is misdirected. There were only 3,000 drivers in Dublin in the 80s and 90s, so most of today's drivers weren't driving back then. In fact, the smart drivers from the 80s and 90s sold their places for £80k in the years running up to deregulation, and left some other sucker with the big loan to pay off.I have no sympathy whatsoever with those "spoiled brat" taxi drivers.
Customers have very very long memories and I for one will never forget queuing for hours on St Stephens Green for taxis in the 80's and 90's. I commend the government ministers who burst up this cosy cartel.
While I don't have much sympathy either, I think your ire is misdirected. There were only 3,000 drivers in Dublin in the 80s and 90s, so most of today's drivers weren't driving back then. In fact, the smart drivers from the 80s and 90s sold their places for £80k in the years running up to deregulation, and left some other sucker with the big loan to pay off.
Taxis should be the same bright colour, have their rooftop lights on/off to show if they are for hire or not, be of minimum size and be in good nick. Too many cabs winging it with one headlight gone. In London any defects like this would have it parked up. A minimum float should be a must.Well as they say in london, they have the "knowledge".The black cab drivers there have to do exams so they have a very good knowledge of all the areas and routes...takes them about 4 years going around in a scooter.
There needs to be some regulation in Dublin etc for taxis. The drivers should have some basic training and testing, cars need to be of a certain standard.
New entrants would still be allowed in but only if they have very good cars.
If there is "huge oversupply" of taxis in Dublin at the moment could you estimate/quantify the level of over supply?There is a huge oversupply at the moment in Dublin. This does cause severe problems for the everybody and not just taxis.
The prices are set by the taxi regulator and do not relate to the normal supply/demand dynamic.Taxis are still very expensive
Provision of adequate ranks would solve this problem.There are severe traffic jams on Friday and Saturday nights
There are a lot of taxis forced to wait illegally outside pubs at night(if they wait at the rank, they won't get any fares)There are a lot of taxis waiting in loading bays during the day
Maybe Im missing something but what problem will these actions address?I would reduce the fares by 30%.
I would reduce the number of taxis.
To reduce the number of taxis, I would bring in a very strict monitoring and points system. They would get special taxi points for illegal parking and massive points for overcharging - effectively a lifetime ban.
Every 6 months, just clear out the 5% with the highest accumulated points.
They would get positive points for special larger vehicles and disabled drivers vehicles.
New entrants would still be allowed in but only if they have very good cars.
Apart from the taxi drivers (and I accept that they are not all boorish louts) what are the problems casused by the supposed "oversupply"?
There would not be space for all the taxis.Provision of adequate ranks would solve this problem.
Maybe Im missing something but what problem will these actions address?
The last thing we need is yet more government intervention.
I think I've more respect for the taxi drivers!+1. A profession usually requires difficult examinations, coupled with defined experience requirements, controlled by an institute/body which also limits entrants, such as the Institute of Chartered Accountants etc
Taxis can and do offer discounts.I think the current price regulated by the regulator should become the max price and all taxis could charge less that this if they wanted. The price per mile should be easily displayed. This means that a taxi with an old car who can't/won't upgrade can charge a lower far to attract the business
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