surly black cab drivers ! (not taking fares to ED)

[spark67]

On friday my partner and i approached a black cab parked up near waterloo with his light on and asked if he was for hire to which he said yes, and asked where we wanted to go, we said East Dulwich , underhill road, he then waved his hand in my partners face and said aggressively "leave it out" and drove off quickly, my other half just barely got his head out of the window in time. We then managed to get another one who said yes, we got to just passed moxons when he got agitated and asked in a not very friendly way if we were nearly there yet and kept sighing, when we got to our flat he kept the meter running while parked up and in the short time between him asking for ?27.50 and us getting out and going to his window to pay it went up to ?28.20. we will stick to pre booked cabs and mini cab offices in future as they at least give you a fixed price and don't seem to give any attitude like the tools we unfortunately encountered.

[seanmlow]

I have had the same experience. The ususal response is 'not south of the river'.

[Peckhamgatecrasher]

Get in the cab and then announce your destination - they legally cannot refuse to take you.

[SeanMacGabhann]

I generally find no problem with black cabs - but it has happened once or twice where they are blatant. Of course thanks to Ken they aren't allowed to say no, so I usually make a point of having a camera ready and point it at their driver info

It doesn't result in me getting that cab, but it makes that driver very nervous for a while after I'd wager

[R&A]

I once came out of a work event at 3am (sober) from the Grosvernor House Hotel in west london. I was in a black tie dress and high heeled shoes. One of the porters waved me a cab and i got in. The black cab driver drove for approximately 3 mins away from the hotel, pulled up and said 'get out, i'm not going south of the river'.

i had to get out and walk back to the hotel and ask for a further cab from the same porter. i had his details (no. plate, driver ID (found on back of his chair) and a description of him. Being able to get all his details was one advantage of being sober. The porter was very angry too and told me to report him.

As this experience was not a one off for me, i wrote to Harriet Harman, Ken Livingston and the public carriage office, noting their 'DO YOU KONW WHAT YOU'RE GETTING INTO CAMPAIGN' which at the time targetted young woman getting into mini cabs.

Harriet was the only one to write back and the driver was given 'one strike'. A second strike would cause him to lose his license.

She said if anythign like this happens again I should definitely report it to the public carriage office.

Black cab drivers hvae a monopoloy in london; they are effectively a SERVICE

They HAVE to drive you if they have a light on and it's within 12 miles (i think) of where you're picked up.

If they refuse or abuse you, take their ID and call up the next day

i personally just use private hire firms now after the nightmares i've had with black cabs... grrrrr makes me really angry

[TillieTrotter]

I can honestly say that I've never had this experience and have lived South of the River all my life. It's shocking to hear this and they certainly should be reported, the twats.(td)

[Maurice]

Oh the mere mention of Camberwell used to ensure no cab, much less if you say close to Peckham.

In more recent times, I find saying 'Kennington area' never fails and when you get close, you just have them hang a left on Camberwell New Road and it's 'just a bit farther'.

[woofmarkthedog]

SeanMacGabhann Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> I generally find no problem with black cabs - but

> it has happened once or twice where they are

> blatant. Of course thanks to Ken they aren't

> allowed to say no, so I usually make a point of

> having a camera ready and point it at their driver

> info

>

> It doesn't result in me getting that cab, but it

> makes that driver very nervous for a while after

> I'd wager

-----------------------------------------

What a brilliant mental picture......

I laughed my socks off when I read this!

[Peckwich]

I don't tend to take black cabs but on the occasions that I have done they haven't had a problem with going to Peckham, although I do normally state my destination before getting in. In the past, it was quite possible to hail a black cab from Old Kent Road which we used to live within reasonable walking distance from. I do still see them on that road but not as much.

I once got one back from Chelsea (posh work Xmas do). The driver got lost and I had to direct him from Kennington. Also gave him directions to get onto Old Kent Road (his face lit up in recognition at it's mention) as that was the easiest route back north of the river.

[Peckwich]

Oh, and what is up with writing 'no tip' on the receipt? I only got it once but some colleagues have had it a few times as they have to taxis for work. Why do they expect a tip for a 10 minute ride it's so expensive already?

[indiepanda]

I have to say I have never had a problem finding a cab to come south of the river. I do always state my destination before getting in but never found anyone objected.

[matthew123]

Few years back got a taxi in the early hours in Maida Vale and there were 3 of us and before I could open my mouth - the other two said Deptford and Peckham, 'sorry lads just finishing for the night'.. waited another 30 minutes, this time I said 'East Dulwich - goose green end' then when safely on our way told the cabbie 'via Deptford and Peckham'.. haha he did not like the sudden detour!

[Ladymuck]

Spark57,

Unfortunately, this has been going on for years (worse still if you happen to be black...as then they usually don't even bother to stop)...however, assuming they DO stop, the best advice is that given by Peckhamgatecrasher...and if they object, you just quote them the law and the fact that you'll have to take their number...they soon change their mind with some waffle so as not to appear to lose face. And you get a nice quiet ride with no smalltalk!

Regarding leaving the meter on after reaching the destination, unless you are going home (or the cashpoint) to GET some cash, then just ask them what you owe them immediately BEFORE disembarking...as they will normally switch their meters off at that point. Too late I know for your latest experience, but try it for next time...never fails me!

All the best,

LM

[Goodsie]

I always make a point of using Addion Lee - they are cheaper, turn up when they are supposed to, more comfortable and very happy to come sarf of the river

[spark67]

I was basically really annoyed by the aggressive rudeness, which was totally uncalled for, fine say you don't want to take me to ED but don't give me grief with it like i have asked you to do something offensive, it makes me laugh when black cab drivers moan and protest when their monopoly is challenged ,the recent case of allowing Addison lee to have a booth at heathrow, which now heathrow has backed down from due to threats from black cab drivers to blockade the airport comes to mind, i would be happy to know another firm is operating from there that will actually agree to take me home (ps my rant isn't aimed at all black cab drivers as there are a majority of decent ones, just the odd bad apple who i have come across)

[Annasfield]

I've experienced this several times now and it really pisses me off. I've been on my own in the City and hailed a cab and have been refused. I find it quite disgusting that a cabbie can leave a girl on her own late at night.

I report them now. Apparently if they get enough complaints about the drivers they get a disciplinary.

[flapjackdavey]

spark67 Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> "leave it out"

> and drove off quickly, my other half just barely

> got his head out of the window in time. We then

> managed to get another one who said yes, we got to

> just passed moxons when he got agitated and asked

> in a not very friendly way if we were nearly there

> yet and kept sighing,

w*nkers

[sb]

.

[????]

It's absolutely disgraceful when black cabs do this I agree. BUT this and has happened to me TWICE in 24 years in Camberwell and/or East Dulwich,,,I was very pissed off on both occasions and agree its a liberty etc etc but does it really happen that often? I'm a pretty frequent black cab user, am not the smartest of dressers and was often paralytic in my out in town at all hours times.

[Annasfield]

Has happened to me about 4 times in the 28 months I've lived in ED.

[paulie134]

I get a couple of cabs a week from the city to ED and this used to happen ro me regularly (weekly). This has declined since the recession as many of the cabbies are happy for any work. I guess its a sign of improving times if they are beginning to turn down work again.

I would take the advice "get in the cab first" and be specific about the destination, as when you say ED cabbies think ED station, which is on the furthest north end of ED. I live on the Rye side of ED and so say take me to Rye.

Disheartned to think they are turning down women and pregnant women at that, disgusting. Get yourself the number of a trustworthy mini cab and use them as much as possible.

[????]

Fair enough- maybe it's connected to location and or time but i've rarely had a problem

[Lee B]

Had the same at Drury Lane the other week, with my 7 months pregnant wife. I agree with the advice of getting in the cab first if you can (Not always possible though!)

Addison Lee are, in my experience, terrific.

[MrBen]

According to my accounts I've spent best part of two grand on black cab fares in past few years- mostly back to SE22 from all round town. So I now know the patterns pretty well and always give them a bit of stick about this when it comes up in cab banter. They know the score.

A lot is down to your attitude - state firmly ED, look them in the eye then quickly go to open the door. Whilst I like Seany Macs hold em up at camera-point plan - in truth its unlikely to go down that well!

Their basic gripe is that they don't get a fare back into town after a drop in ED compared to say Camden or Clapham but that's a short term view. Financial averages mostly work out over time. Most cabbies agree that the job is about taking the rough with the smooth.

I've been refused at the rank at London Bridge and they are then obliged to leave quickly. Then the cabbie behind me accepts, asks why I was refused and usually calls the guy in front a few choice names as it gives the decent guys a bad rep. But these drivers do still exist so give as good as you get Gordon Ramsey style if they say no and start to drive off.

Timing is also relevant - try getting a fare from Soho at about 4pm on a Wednesday and you'll get a few moans as its taking them out the west end at peak pick up time. Its an equation in their head as to the perfect revenue generating day - but it's daft thinking as they cant fully control the variables.

Overall its way better than even 4 years ago (as gentrification HAS meant more black cab fares back, especially from the city). ED is now firmly on the black cab map. And like the quidster says, I honestly rarely get any problems now.

There are several cabbies living in ED (Bawdale and Whately road) but I never seem to get them on their last ride home!

[ShinyShiny]

The Cabwise text service is pretty good to find a more reasonably priced licenced cab. I had a terrible experience with Addisson Lee and would never use them again. The driver turned up over an hour late, he couldn't speak english and I doubt he even had a driving licence. He drove me down the road on the wrong side, through the red lights and down a one way street, we ended up at a dead end under under a railway arch and I thought that was it for me. Thankfully he was genuinely lost and I finally got home after 45 minutes of fannying about and got out without paying. The only good thing was he couldn't argue back!