Taxi Driver Online

By quoting OTT fixed prices and not using the meter.
Going by the scenic route.
Adding extras to the meter which should not be added.
Switching on the meter before arriving at the pick up point.
Using the wrong tariff (e.g. it's fare+a half for 5 or more passengers here.)

There are many ways for the unscrupulous to rip off the public.

_________________

http://wingsoverscotland.com/ http://www.newsnetscotland.com/

Before I ask further questions, I need to get my head around this one more completely. Apparently not all cabs in the UK run meters? Are we talking the difference betweens HC's and PHV's here or other variants? Is it not a requirement to run a meter?

To explain the basis of why I ask a little. We basically have two options. Limo or Taxi. For a host of regulated reasons a Limo can't operate as a taxi although they can and (if the drivers isn't lynched immediately) sometimes do "filch" the odd fare here or there. They run no meter and may cross regulated boundaries to "pick up". Conversely, a Taxi has a meter which is "fare" programed to that area, calibrated to the car, sealed, checked by the regulators twice yearly or add hoc as they choose, may not "pick up" out of area (will be lynched by vigilant cabbies if they try for the most part).

Or................are you saying they have meters but don't use them and simply "sell" (or force upon the unsuspecting) ubeaut deals?

There is no legislation that says a taxi must have a meter, only laws dictating what must happen if taxis do.

_________________
IDFIMH

Very similar to the way the taxi and PH systems work here.

But here taxis can pick up radio work out of area, as can PH.

I would say 99% of taxis have meters, and 50% of PH have them.

_________________
IDFIMH

It usually says in the local bylaws if they must have a meter attached



It certainly isn't 50% here, although some data heads already have a meter fitted within them but those type of data head are only used by one company here.

Apart from the legislation the main difference here between taxis and private hire is taxis can ply their trade on the streets and private hire most certainly can't. Private hire must be pre booked and there is no exception to this. Taxis however can be flagged down on the street or cover pre booked work. As for the vehicles used for taxis they vary from area to area

_________________
Note to self: Just because it pops into my head does NOT mean it should come out of my mouth!!

Not 100%

Thanks for the comments (everyone). What I am gleaning (please correct me if I am wrong) is the scope of your regulations (in general) is flexible enough that a driver can use a meter, not use a meter, use meter correctly, not use a meter correctly, do a deal, whatever they basically choose, providing the pax agrees with the bottom line being "caveat emptor"?

If a meter is fitted they must use a meter although if the taxi is going out of it's area they can agree the fare prior to the trip, but, they must still have the meter on at all times when they have a passenger. A taxi cannot charge over the metered rate but they can discount the metered rate if they wish. The rates for the meters are set by the council for taxis. For private hire that work a circuit the rate is set by the company and it's up to the driver if they have a meter fitted. For one man bands that are private hire it's up to them what they charge.

If a taxi does not use the meter correctly they are at risk of being reported to the council by the passenger. I'm not so sure it's a case of "caveat emptor" but there are some unscrupuleous drivers out there on both sides of the trade and it pays to be aware of what trips should cost so as not to become a victim of these drivers

_________________
Note to self: Just because it pops into my head does NOT mean it should come out of my mouth!!

OK, so we have some examples of what "bad" cabbies are or what good cabbies "are not" which is helpful and for the most part I don't see much difference across the oceans.................unfortunately, sigh.

What about service? Bags in the boot? Mrs Jones (She's 86 in the shade mind you) grocery bags? What about mother and 3 kids and armfuls of whatever? What about when we arrive at desto, collect the cash and wait for them to getthehellout of here? These sorts of things.........................what makes a good cabbie, a really great one?

Most by-laws/conditions of license include a provision that drivers should offer reasonable assistance.

Some do, some offer more, some offer less.

But most will offer a high level of assistance, if for no other reason that the quicker you get rid of your existing customers the quicker you can get some more in.

_________________
IDFIMH

Really?

Yes really Apparently our couterparts in Sidney Australia don't fare quite so well in the league tables as the cabbies in London

From other thread in news section:-

_________________
Note to self: Just because it pops into my head does NOT mean it should come out of my mouth!!

Examples?

I think that's accurate.

WTF Ms Toots??

First it's french on another thread, now it's Latin on this one; have you had braised International Dictionary & chips for dinner??

_________________
Kind regards,

Brummie Cabbie.

Type a message, post your news,
Disagree with other members' views;
But please, do have some decorum,
When debating on the TDO Forum.

too much sausage

CC

_________________
Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin