More tips

Twice last night I had female passengers relating stories of recent problems with cabbies. In both cases my passengers were manipulated due to their being unaware of their rights, and the driver's obligations.

Additionally, I heard the boss of the Taxi Council appeared on yesterday morning’s Today Show defending cabbies. The professional ones that is.

In commenting yesterday on Rank Whinging, I made mention of a passenger tip for finding a cab during the 3am/pm changeover. All of which got me thinking - it’s time for some more passenger tips...

The first report from last night’s passenger involved her being thrown out of the cab before a wheel was turned. Because she intended to use a credit card for payment !! ‘My EFTPOS terminal is broken’, the driver stated, ‘get out !’. Charming. Little did she know the vehicle should be carrying a manually operated swipe-machine, the predecessor to electronic processing.

That he didn’t offer to use the swipe-machine suggests to me the driver was either unauthorised or disqualified. Plus he may not hold an Aust. Business Number nor be registered with the Taxation Dept. for GST. As such he is unable to lodge EFTPOS slips for reimbursement and is restricted to cash work only. Otherwise, he plain didn’t want to take the fare as the destination didn’t suit him.

In the second report, my passengers work colleague was thrown out of the cab, at night, halfway through the trip. The driver insisted he couldn't take her any further. This passenger, a woman, felt too intimidated to resist and being unaware of her rights hopped out. And the driver made her pay the meter ! Sheesh.

Both of these examples involve a basic rule pertaining to taxis - if the roof Vacant light is on, the driver must take the passenger to their destination. Sure, there are times when the driver can refuse a fare. Namely drunkenness, offensive behaviour, dishevelled attire, eating, smoking, drinking etc. However in the above cases, it seems the drivers were simply doing as they pleased, irrespective of regulations.

There is a paradox for drivers which has us classed as small businesses, yet operating public transport. And rogue drivers seem to operate on the basis of the former, to the exclusion of the latter.

I advised the above passengers each time a cab trip is commenced, they should establish whether the driver’s Taxi Authority Card bearing a photo image, is on display. If not, they are jeopardising their insurance cover, let alone other implications.

If they feel uncomfortable or intimidated by the driver’s behaviour, then they should immediately record the vehicle’s number. Abort the trip if possible, pay the fare and ask for a receipt.

Even if a fare is disputed, a passenger is still obliged to pay at the time, then take up the dispute with the network later. If called, the police will not adjudicate on the dispute. Sure it sucks, but a charge of fare evasion will be avoided .

Finally, here’s some previous passenger tips...

Comments

[bourbonbird]

adrian, i am back! follow the link to find my final resting place... heh.

this, including the tips, as a regular taxi passenger, has got to be the best post ever. i really didn't think we had many rights as passengers -- we just tell the cabbie where we want to go, he takes us, we pay, end of story.

thanks for the info!

[adrian]

Aw thanks Rinna, I wondered if they were of any use to anyone. It continually surprises me when I hear of such tales from passengers.

I'll adjust your Blogroll link soon as. Hope you're happy in the new abode.

[Benn]

Here's another tip from a often frustrated passenger. If the light is on, get in the cab first. Don't let the cabbie ask you where you are going through the window. Jump in the back seat, strap yourself in and ask away.