Had a taxi driver get out of his cab and abuse then spit in my face. Took a photo of his cab and taxi plate. Reported it to his taxi company and have made enquiries with the police and will be going in to make a formal complaint sometime today.
I want to sue this scum of a man that has made me feel filthy dirty and me worried about who knows what diseases he may be carrying. Can I make him have a blood test to ease my mind?
By Justin DiMateo
Getting around in a City that you are not familiar with can be very intimidating if you do not have an idea of how to get to where you are trying to go. It can be very intimidating because you might be afraid of getting lost when you are trying to get somewhere or you might also be afraid that you will run into trouble along the way because you do not know which areas you will be traveling through on your way to your destination. These are just a few reasons why it can be a good idea to have some sort of a guide to get you to where you are trying to go because they will know the area and can get you to your destination safely.
If you are trying to get around in Los Angeles, a very large city with various and diverse neighborhoods there are many benefits to not only taking a taxi to help you through the city but there are also benefits of a bilingual taxi driver in LA. A few benefits first of all in hiring a taxi to get you where you want to go in LA is that if you do not know the city very well, it can be very easy to get lost or to take much longer to get to your destination than you had planned. Another benefit to taking a taxi in Los Angeles is that you do not have to deal with other modes of public transportation like LA’s MTA system that you have to share with many people who may have, possible germs, flu viruses, criminals sitting behind you, and crazy folks you do not know adjacent to your space on public transportation at the same time as you. In addition, the driver will know to take a major boulevard such as Sepulveda, La Brea or Manchester at certain times of the day. When you take a taxi, you can enjoy a private ride while your driver gets you to where you need to go.
When you take a taxi the advantages of a bilingual taxi driver in LA are quite vast. If you are not a native English speaker, it can quickly put you at ease to find out that your taxi driver speaks your native language and that you can communicate with them very easily. Additionally, if you are going to an area of LA where you do not speak the language that many of the people speak but your taxi driver speaks the language, they can easily help you get to your destination without you stressing out about how you are going to be able to communicate with others on you way there. This can also help make sure that you do not get lost because your taxi driver will be able to get you to the destination and you do not have to try and find the place on your own because you do not speak the language
About the Author
Justin suggest if you are looking for a Taxi driver who speaks English and Spanish in Los Angeles and for special rates or discounts, try a Bilingual Taxi Driver at Fiesta Taxi. Schedule a pick-up with a Fiesta Taxi by visiting them online today.
By Rick Chapo
Privyet! Da! Nyet! Dasvidanya! You’ve decided on a trip to Russia and these are the four words you will learn first in preparation – hello, yes, no, goodbye! Understanding how to get around using the infamous Russian taxi system is a bit more complex.
A trip to Russia can be a bit intimidating at first. The culture is very different from what you might be used to at home. For instance, a person walking around smiling very friendly will be met with scowls because to do so is a sign of being a fraudster. Considering how much politicians tend to smile, the Russians might be on to something here.
Regardless, it is vital that you understand, as Dorthy might say, that you are not in Kansas anymore. Your time in Russia will be different. Instead of comparing it to home, try to take it in and enjoy it. I’ve been to Russia a few times and had more than just a good time.
Another element of Russia that can be confusing is the taxi system. In major cities like St. Petersburg or Moscow, it works just the way you are used to. There are cars with “taxi” signs. You wave at them and they ignore you as the pass by. Occasionally, they might suffer the foolish tourist, but only if hard up on money. In short, they act like taxi drivers in any major city.
Once you get out of the major cities, the taxi service becomes all encompassing. In fact, it may be one of the largest forms of business in the country. How so? Well, there are no formal taxis per se. Instead, practically every vehicle is a taxi. You simply stand on the side of the road with your hand out and a meaningful look. If someone is looking for a few rubles to help with gas, they’ll pull over. You then tell them where you want to go and they agree or not.
This informal taxi process really has no limits other than what the driver is willing to do. After imbibing in a few adult beverages [vodka] one evening, I and a friend were able to negotiate a $50 fee with a driver to take us to the next city beyond the one we were in. I did not realize that the next city was 14 hours away. A few more adult beverages and it really didn’t matter. Regardless, this was all accomplished by renting a ride off the side of the road.
If you get outside of a major city in Russia, don’t bother hunting for a taxi. Throw out your hand, give them the “I need a ride” look and the world is your oyster. Okay, Russia is your oyster, but you get my drift.
About the Author
Rick Chapo writes about travel destinations for NomadJournals.com – makers of the top travel journals with cases on the market.
by Mick Piercey
We all read, see and hear awful stories the public’s experiences with taxi journeys and when you look into the facts in detail most occur in unlicensed minicabs.You hear comments like, it was cheaper or it was the only taxi available, but at the end of the day it is their safety and well being that they are risking.This is the reason you should only use licensed taxis even if it might cost you a little more or you have a longer wait is a safe journey home!
So what is the difference between and unlicensed and a licensed or an authorised taxi apart from your safe journey home.Well all local authorities or councils are responsible for licensing taxis; they have a department that issues licenses for both the taxi and its driver. Every licensing officer works from the same guidelines so throughout the UK with the exception of a few slight differences all applicable taxi regulations are pretty much the same.
Firstly looking at the vehicle itself the taxi must be fit for purpose and in good repair. It must have a full road safety or mot certificate and most council will require a separate taxi test.Quite often this extra test is required every six months. Because of the high mileage a taxi drives in a year often more than a thousand miles per week, this is an extra safeguard on the taxis road worthy ness. Enabling the local licensing authority to make sure taxis operating in its area keep to the required standard above all safe for the driver and its passengers.
They also require copies of the insurance policy for each taxi and that it provides sufficient cover.Not only for the taxi vehicle but also has adequate public liability cover so in the event of an accident you are covered.Most standard car insurance policies do not cover for hire and reward with taxi insurance this is included. So if you take the chance with and un licensed cab or taxi its unlikely the vehicle even if it is insured will not be covered as a taxi and you will not be insured! The vehicle is therefore operating outside the law.
Once the local council licensing authority is satisfied the taxi has meet all its requirements it receives a numbered plate this shows the details of that authority the vehicle make model and number plate, some also show the colour.It also shows the permitted maximum number of passengers the taxi is allowed to carry at any one time and the license expiry.Please never ask a taxi driver to take more than his maximum number of passengers as they will risk losing his job and the vehicle will not be covered by insurance for that trip.
In addition to the taxi the driver is also licensed by the local licensing authority.This requires the applicant driver to have a full medical check up on a regular basis.Also required is an enhanced criminal records or police check to ensure the taxi driver is a fit and proper person to hold a license.These details and medical are usually checked every three years.
Anyone with a police criminal record for anything the licensing authority considers improper conduct will not be granted or will have his license removed should anything convictions be found between checks.This again protects the public travelling in taxis.
Before a taxi driver is granted his or her license they also has to take a separate driving test designed for taxi drivers, that is in addition to having a full uk driving license.After all this the Taxi Driver is then tested on this local area knowledge.This is known in the taxi trade as the knowledge.Once the driver has satisfied all the requirements of the local authority they will be granted a license given a taxi drivers photo identity badge with their details on.This should be clearly displayed for passengers to see.
So next time you intend to take a taxi journey please take a few extra seconds to check both the taxi vehicle has a current plate and the Driver has his photo ID badge.Both should be issued by the authority of the area in which you are hiring and up to date.
If you are in any doubt wait for the next taxi it is always better to be safe than sorry.
Mick Piercey ceo of a long established licensed uk taxi company based in camberley surrey for more details visit thier website at: http://www.aceexecutivecars.com or for more Taxi related information visit: http://www.thetaxidirectory.co.uk/
by Ann Brown
As the days get warmer and longer, my mind starts to turn to thoughts of holidays and relaxing in the sun. So, why not get my holiday off to the good start by choosing the best possible way to get to airport.
Travelling by train is undoubtedly the most scenic way to travel but I remember a really bad experience with train from my last holiday break. It was scheduled to leave at 07:24 in the morning. It was 07:24, but no train to be seen … and no announcement, nothing. At 07:45 the train arrived. Of course, trains never compensate for their delay once they’re on the track, so I didn’t catch the connecting train. Instead I had to take the regional train (much slower). That ‘s what people face while travelling by train.
Coach is a great cheaper alternative to travelling by train. But of course tickets are often cheaper the further in advance you book them. From my experience I can say that coach travelling has never been more uncomfortable, with not enough personal space. In fact, on a recent journey, a seatmate turned to me and asked, “My dear, are the seats getting smaller and a smaller, or we are just getting bigger?” Yes, there is nothing better than a cramped, noisy coach ride.
So, is there really nothing left except from expensive taxis?
Yes, taking a cab can be the fastest and most convenient way of travelling from an airport to your accommodation, or for taking you home safely at night. A taxi driver is to meet you at the agreed pick up point. It’s like having a friend meet you at the airport. He is there even if your plane is delayed, knows where you are going to and takes you there.
I always use taxi transfers because arriving in a foreign airport is disorienting enough; it’s nice to know you can get to your hotel without a hassle. But what about the cost of having such a comfort? I can assure that there is a wide variety of taxi services offering a low price airport transfers for example to http://www.fairfare.co.uk actually invites you to submit your own price.
Why does to http://www.fairfare.co.uk allow me to determine the price of my airport transfer? Research has shown that many customers have a good idea of current taxi prices between cities and major airports. Other have a good idea of how much they wish to pay or indeed can afford to pay before considering other means of transport. With to http://www.fairfare.co.uk you may simply enter your price expectation and see if any taxi operator accepts it. If an operator is looking to sell an otherwise unused journey leg, you may hit on a real bargain. Have a go!
About the author
Aged 26, professional, interested in many areas of life like history, online shopping, travelling, leading an eco friendly life style. Currently may favourite website http://www.fairfare.co.uk
by Justin Burch
Aruba is an island of paradox. Despite the presence of numerous luxury resorts and gourmet restaurants, much of Aruba remains uninhabited. For the tourist, this simply means there is more to explore. For example, nearly 20% of the island is devoted to the sprawling Arikok National Park. Inside and outside the park, you will find gorgeous views, unique historical landmarks and ecological wonders. The roads winding through Aruba’s distinctive desert landscape offer visitors a chance to enjoy the hidden Caribbean without the crowds. Jeep rentals and taxi tours are the most popular ways to explore this island’s outer reaches and each have their benefits. This article should help you decide which method of travel is right for you.
Like anywhere else, you can certainly rent a car during your vacation in Aruba. Yet, an average car rental won’t allow you to traverse many of Aruba’s most interesting and scenic paths. Throughout the interior of the island and along the northern coast, you will be able to navigate dirt roads providing excellent views and wonderful wildlife watching opportunities. Furthermore, you won’t be bothered by many other travelers in these less-populated areas. Jeep rentals are typically affordable, too – usually between $55 and $70 per day with discounts available for 3-day and 1-week rentals.
If you intend to go it alone with a jeep rental, keep in mind that most roads will be dusty, unpaved and unmarked. However, this shouldn’t discourage you. Start with a good map of the island’s roads and enjoy your time away from the hustle and bustle. But if you do get lost, sometimes that can be almost as much fun.
If you are concerned about driving around Aruba on your own, it is also possible to travel with a jeep safari where you will drive amongst several other vehicles and a guide. If you think you need help finding certain attractions or don’t feel entirely confident with your off-road driving skills, this might be a good option. Yet, keep in mind that such jeep groups require you to move with a crowd, something that many visitors and jeep enthusiasts hope to avoid. If you decide to rent a jeep or travel with a jeep safari, consider making reservations beforehand to ensure you get your 4×4 of choice.
As fun as a jeep rental might sound, taxis certainly have their benefits in Aruba. All taxi fares are flat rate in Aruba, so you will never have to worry about the meter or having to haggle with your driver. Most cab drivers are well versed in local history and certainly know their way around the island. In fact, all cab drivers have participated in the government’s tourism awareness program.
Drivers are always flexible and can offer you private tours of the island, based on your sightseeing suggestions. Such tours can last anywhere from a few hours to all day. Taxis also operate throughout the night in Aruba to get you home safely from any bar, casino or nightclub. Fares are between $10-20 between the airport and most resorts on the island, with set rates comparable to jeep rentals for driving tours. All drivers own their own taxis and you can find any size vehicle for your family, from luxury cars to large vans. If you plan on taking a taxi tour, prepare yourself for a strong dose of friendly Caribbean attitude and some fascinating stories.
It has been claimed in numerous guide books that all of Aruba can be explored in half a day. For a true explorer, that certainly won’t be the case. Try to spend some time at each site, enjoy the view and the privacy. Once you get outside Aruba’s Hotel Zone and the capital city, you will certainly realize there is plenty to see.
If you have the time, experience the best of both worlds – take a guided tour and then spend more time exploring sites of interest on your own. However you decide to explore Aruba, you won’t be disappointed.
Justin Burch writes articles about Aruba tourism and Caribbean travel for the Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino.
Taxi services around the world range from the very good to the hopelessly corrupt and downright dangerous – if you’ve just landed at a foreign airport, taxi trouble is the last thing you want. You’re tired, weighed down with luggage, and you just want to get to your hotel without any hassle. The bad news for travellers is that at the airport taxi drivers are most likely to try and rip you off – they know you are tired, they know you are new to the country and they know that they have the chance to trick or pressure you into paying more than you should. But forewarned is forearmed: here are five cities that are renowned for having some of the worst taxis in the world…
Cairo
Cairo is infamous as being one of the most infuriating places to catch a cab. Whether you catch a cab on the street or at the airport, taxi drivers in Cairo have a nasty tendency to be rude, aggressive and consistently overcharge. Even if you’ve agreed on a price before you start the trip, Cairo taxi drivers will invariably ask for much more when it is time to pay. Cairo veterans claim the best tactic is just to give them what you think is fair and walk away without getting into an argument – it might just be worth getting a pre-booked airport taxi and saving yourself the hassle!
Caracas
The standard white cabs of Caracas are of a good enough quality, but there is a fleet of pirate cabs (usually nothing more than unmarked cars with a paper taxi sign stuck in the window) who are notoriously unreliable. When you arrive at the airport, your taxi should be pre-booked through an airport shuttle service, or you are liable to get more than you bargained for on a ride through the Venezuelan capital.
Moscow
In Moscow, there is a “gypsy cab” culture – if you stand by the road with your thumb out, pretty much anyone will pull over and give you a lift, looking to earn a little money as they drive through the city. However, this service is completely unregulated, and can lead to arguments over fares. Unless your Russian is up to scratch, it’s best to stick to the official taxis!
Mexico City
Sometimes taxi fares feel like daylight robbery, but in Mexico this is no exaggeration! The taxi fleet in Mexico City is made up of white and green VW Beetles – they may look cute, but don’t be fooled. There have been persistent reports of passengers being driven to an ATM and forced to withdraw large sums of money. Using airport transfer services and only taking taxis that you have contacted in advance are the best ways to avoid the problem.
Lagos
The taxi drivers in this Nigerian city aren’t the problem – it’s the thousand and one petty officials who will flag your cab down looking for a bribe. “Official” checkpoints pepper the roads, and travel through the city can rapidly become very tiresome, so catch a cab in the street at your own risk!
By far the best way to avoid taxi trouble when you’ve just arrived in a country is to get an airport transfer. In many countries, the actual licensed cabs tend to be reliable and honest – it’s the unlicensed ones who are most likely to try and scam you. It may be tempting to jump in the car of the first cab who offers to pick you up, but it is well worth sticking with the big licensed taxi companies and airport shuttle services when it comes to finding your way around an unfamiliar city.
by Bruno Calzaverini
Bruno Calzaverini is the Managing Director of Shuttle Direct. Providing pre-booked airport taxis all over Europe, the company can make sure that you don’t miss your car on your holiday abroad.
by Rick Chapo
Athens is a huge, congested city and the local taxis are your main means of getting around. The average Athens tax ride is inexpensive, just bring your helmet.
Living on the Edge
I had just arrived in Athens with a couple who’ll remain nameless. [He’s now a respectable doctor and married to someone else.] My buddy, “John”, had a Greek friend who lived in town named Stavos. We were going to stay with him and explore Athens before heading to the islands.
Stavos had gone to college with us in California and more or less been raised there. After experiencing the finer points of higher education [fraternity parties, etc.], he and his brother had started a snowboard company in Athens. Who could possibly be buying snowboards in Greece? It turned out Stavos and his brother were selling them throughout Europe, not in Greece.
Anyway, Stavos collected us in a friend’s car and took us to his small studio. We decided to catch some winks and then head out for a night on the town. Thus, we would experience an Athens taxi ride for the first time.
Taxi driving is a competitive sport. I am convinced there is a World Cup of taxi driving and drivers practice on the streets of their location. San Francisco and New York taxi drivers are an elite group, while taking a taxi in France is a good way to see the Eiffel Tower while going the wrong way down a one-way street. In Athens, it was all about speed.
Being an idiot, I yelled out “shotgun” as the taxi pulled to the curb. I should’ve guessed my triumph wasn’t a good thing when Stavos just smiled. In we went and Stavos gave the driver our destination. For the next fifteen minutes, I feared for life itself. Mine and others.
Our driver was apparently convinced he would get a bonus if he beat a certain time. We peeled out at the curb and the race was on. Through the tight, winding streets of Athens we went. As is the nature of chaotic Athens, the roads are packed with cars, buses, people and very brave cyclist. Considering this an obstacle course, a driver whipped through the throngs at over 80 miles per hour. Most of the time was spent in the SLOW lane, where less cars were. I still have nightmares about the faces of cyclist staring at me as we passed them with maybe 5 inches to spare. Frozen pictures of terror. Throw in cars starting to pull out in the road and you have the white knuckle event of the year.
When we finally pulled up to the club, I started breathing again. As I pulled my hand off the handle on the door, I left impressions. Standing outside of the cab, Stavos asked me if I wanted to sit in the front on the way home and started laughing.
It took two drinks to calm my nerves. Come hell or high water, I was walking home.
Rick Chapo is with http://www.nomadjournals.com – makers of writing journals. Travel journals are great travel accessories and travel gifts for him or her. Visit http://www.nomadjournaltrips.com for more travel articles, travelogues and travel stories.
by Jennifer Jordan
Taxi cab etiquette may not seem of the utmost importance – you don’t need it to get through dinner with the new in-laws, for example – but for those who travel frequently, knowing what and what not to do in a taxi cab is essential. From knowing how much to tip to knowing what to do if you have a complaint, riding in taxi cabs can involve walking a fine line between getting from point A to point B or getting asked to get out and walk. The following offers tips on how to behave as a backseat driver.
Get an Idea of the Cost: Different cab companies can charge different rates, particularly in different cities. A cab in Boulder, Colorado may be relatively cheap while one in New York City may almost require you to put your first born child down as a payment. For these reasons, it’s a good idea to know what you are getting into before you get into it. Instead of just flagging down a cab and giving the driver the address of your destination, ask them how much it will be. They won’t likely be able to give you an exact number – unless they have flat rates – but they can easily give you a ballpark figure. This will help you to determine if you want to take a cab or if you would rather find some other means of transportation.
Ask for an Hourly Rate: If you find yourself in a situation where you need your cab driver to take you to a variety of places – perhaps from the airport to your hotel and onto a convention center – ask about an hourly rate. Not only may an hourly rate be cheaper, but it will also free you of the stress that comes from keeping the meter running. If you need the cab to wait for you while you run into your hotel and change, an hourly rate will allow you to be less in a hurry and less likely to forget something as you run out the door.
Don’t Grow Impatient: A cab stuck in traffic is frustrating, but it’s not the cab drivers fault. Getting angry, frustrated, or huffing and puffing in the backseat isn’t going to take care of the jam that is blocking traffic. Along these lines, asking the driver if they can go any faster – when the cars surrounding them are barely moving – won’t succeed in anything, other than making you come across as condescending. Instead of growing inpatient with the cab driver over circumstances beyond their control, control your own circumstances: give yourself plenty of time to get to your destination.
Don’t Forget to Tip: Taxi drivers probably aren’t in it for the money; they aren’t rolling, nor driving, in the doe. For this reason, it’s important to give them a decent tip; what they make in tips may account for a good portion of their overall salary. Usually, it’s best to tip a cab driver what you would tip a waiter or a waitress: between 15 and 20 percent of the overall bill. If the cab driver was exceptionally good – if he took a short cut to get you to an urgent meeting, for example – then tip him more. If he was rude or made a point of going ridiculously slow when there was no traffic, then don’t feel too guilty when you tip him less.
Write Down Information: Whenever you get inside a cab, it’s a good idea to write down relative information: the cab driver’s name, the cab’s number, the time, date, and destination of your route. This not only helps you in the instance you want to complain about service, but it also helps you get items returned if you happen to leave something in the backseat. Calling the cab company and saying that all you know is that the cab was yellow will probably get you nowhere.
Jennifer Jordan is a senior editor for http://turbocellcharge.com. A professional business traveler, she aims to make business trips feel less like work. She also has a healthy collection of hotel shampoos….and a shower cap or two.
by Johnnie Kazija
The love for traveling is perhaps one of the things a lot of people have in common. Well, since touring around the world is the usual dream of each and every human being walking on the planet, let’s take traveling seriously.
Anyway, have you heard about Ryan Air? They’ve been around for sometime and are considered as Ireland’s favorite. Anyway, news says that connections from Dublin to Zadar were opened last March 2008 making travel to Croatia so much easier since you longer have to get a connecting flight. Anyway, RyanAir also has packages for tourists so you might want to check them out when you start planning your itinerary.
Whether you are traveling as far as Croatia, or just a short trip, you first need to make sure that everything you will need is all ready. This is the perfect time to exercise your foresight. Make sure that a few hours before your trip you have had already prepared all the things you need to bring, like your clothes, a medical kit, your communication kit, and of course, your travel documents. When you pack your clothes, make sure you have enough for a day trip, and possibly a dress for a nice party. Make sure too, that you pack comfortable shoes for sightseeing and another one for when you go dancing. Don’t pack too much as I’m pretty sure you’ll probably buy a lot of souvenirs for your family and friends and you’ll want to have enough space in your suitcase for that.
Next, you have to confirm your hotel accommodations since you’ll want to rest immediately when you get there. Aside from this, you need to arrange for an airport taxi for when you get to Croatia , especially if this is your first time. With airport taxi service Zadar, you can travel with ease and get an instant tour guide too! Book taxi Croatia, because airport transfers are not easy to find especially during peak seasons such as summer. When you travel to another territory, it is always advisable to book for car rentals with driver beforehand, unless you plan to go backpacking. At Taxi Zadar, you don’t need to worry whether you are being driven to the right place because all their employees are locals of the place.
Before leaving, you have to make sure you have arranged for someone to look after your house especially when you are living alone or if you are going on a family vacation. Aside from this, make sure to finish all you backlogs or else you will end up with more when you get home. You and I both know that relaxing despite the fact that you have a pile of job to do is not really what you call as recreation, it’s more of slacking and it could really hurt your career.
Being prepared is the key to getting the most out of your vacation. So remember, before you go, you have to make sure everything is set up and ready. Then, all you need to think about is how to enjoy being in a place as marvelous as Croatia.
About The Author:
Johnnie Kazija is an airport taxi service provider in Zadar, Croatia. Find more information about Croatian Taxi Transfers at www.taxi-zadar.com
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