Passenger tips

Don’t get in !! Nah, just joking...

How many times have I heard from passengers, ‘ The driver wouldn’t take me/got lost/was aggressive/ripped me off. But what could I do ?’. The common thread of passengers complaints is a feeling of helplessness. This is especially so for women travelling alone at night.

Here’s some tips for passengers confronted by a difficult driver...

Firstly, it would be ideal to preface this post by stating 99% of drivers are competent and honest. Of course it ain’t so, but the majority are. Therefore, you won’t find them in the following scenarios, which deal with problem drivers.

Secondly, communication problems and misunderstandings predominate in disputes. At the outset of any contract, one should be in agreement of the terms. To wit, which route will be taken. If the driver can’t nominate a familiar route, you either direct him or get out. It is unacceptable to demand, ‘ The quickest way, mate’, without nominating your preferred route. By doing so, the passenger forfeits the right of complaint. If you’re a visitor or unsure of the trip route and costs, ask around, or ring the cab company.

Thirdly, alcohol changes everything, especially logic, orientation, and common sense. Generally, the cold light of next day, will have you reassessing the dispute.
SPECIAL NOTE : Men in Suits on Friday Nights. In order to impress the bimbo/mates you have in tow, do not dump on the driver. He is not only sober, but has heard it all before. Invariably, you will end up looking like the idiots you truly are.

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As I understand it, a passenger gets in my cab on a basic goods for service arrangement. They offer me a contract to take them from A-B, or as otherwise specified. I accept the contract on the condition they pay me the metered fare, plus charges. My taxi license stipulates certain regulations, applying to both driver and passengers, which must be adhered to in fulfilling the contract. Roughly speaking.

Problem 1
Before you even board the taxi, you should be aware, if the roof light is on, then the driver is legally obliged to take you wherever you want. If my roof light is off, I may stop anyway, to see if you’re going my way. But if my light is on, then I must take you. People who live way out, know this and are very assertive. They first get in the cab, close the door, buckle up, then jauntily announce, ‘South Bumfuck thanks driver !’ I groan, but I do it.

Problem 2
If the driver is unhappy about this job, it may lead to him attempting a land-speed record, in order to get back to a busy City. You have a driver who is speeding, driving recklessly, or generally causing you concern and discomfort.

The first thing a passenger should establish, is whether the driver has his Taxi Authority Card on display. Is the driver registered and legal ? In New South Wales, an Authority is issued by the Department of Transport. The Authority is a plasticised card 10cm by 10cm showing the drivers license number and a photo ID. If this is not on display, then most likely you are being driven by an de-registered driver or a moonlighter. If need be, either direct or request he take you to the nearest police station, or get out.

The quickest way to regain control, over your safety in a cab, is to tell the driver,

– ‘driver - I feel sick, please slow down’,
– ‘I’ve just been in hospital to have my haemorrhoids removed and I can feel the stitches stretching on each corner. Do you have a towel I can sit on ?’

For a taxi driver, the fear of an accident in his workplace, involving someone else’s bodily fluids, is possibly greater than the fear of assault.

Problem 3
You have a dispute over the fare. Say you’re in Perth and some sleazy rip-off driver charges you $40 for a 20 minute trip to the airport. You know you’ve been ripped when the next driver shows you a docket for a comparable trip - 7.30pm/March 22/Airport-South Perth/$18.60.

First up, if you get hit by an obvious rip-off, does the driver have his Authority on display ? If not, maybe you’re a thrill seeker and decide to take your chances. On arriving at your destination, ask to see his Authority. If it is not produced and, you’re unhappy with the charge, give him a fair and reasonable amount, then leave. If the driver persists, ask him to take you to the nearest police station where it can be sorted out.

However, if the driver has his Authority on display, and the dispute ends up at the police station, then failure to pay a metered fare, will result in police laying a charge of ‘fare evasion’. This forces the passenger to clear their name in court and have the judicial process resolve the dispute. To avoid this, the law requires passengers pay the disputed fare first, then to seek redress, via appeal, to the appropriate regulatory bodies.

One is advised to not only record the plate number (displayed inside NSW’s cabs on a yellow sticker), but also a brief description of the driver. Be mindful, if you have an illegal driver, he may become aggressive if challenged. All disputes are best conducted in a well-lit area, preferably with other people around. If you feel threatened and have a phone, call for support to meet you at your destination. If you feel self-conscious about using the phone, ask the driver to turn some music on.

If I make one decent point, it is this. Most disputes need not be confrontational, aggressive or intimidating. Simply gather the facts, then walk away. You will get your opportunity later. There is a complaint process available through numerous regulatory bodies, to do the shouting and compensating for you. You will be required to lodge a written account of your version of events. The authorities should do the rest.

Immediate resolutions are best conducted either inside or outside a police station. If the driver won’t take you to the police station, then use your phone, ‘Hello, Strathfield Police ? My name is Habib Howard. I’m in taxi number 1234, travelling west on Parramatta road. The driver is speeding (or whatever). What is your address and how do we get there ?’

Finally, if you resent a system which forces you to use cabs, seeing it as an unfair impost, don’t punish the driver. It is the system which should be attacked, rather than lowly-paid workers. Plus, you want the driver on your side, when you (inevitably) leave your keys, wallet, phone or laptop in his cab.

Comments

[Yobbo]

Airport-South Perth for $18.50 is still a little on the low side. However, South Perth is actually pretty close to Perth Airport, and not really very close to "Perth". It's on the other side of the river.

I live in Scarborough, it's about $40 from the airport to there.

[adrian]

Fair enough Yobbo, you're somewhat further away.
I understand your frustration paying $40 each way.