Stunned at lack of help from Wirral taxi drivers

11:50am Monday 31st December 2012 in Letters

I HAVE in the last week damaged my muscle and ligaments in my left leg, although normally I am active and fit at 65 years old.

Unable to drive at the moment and still in some pain moving my leg, I have had to get taxis on five separate occasions this week. I have been "stunned" at the unhelpfulness of drivers.

I have told the operator in advance that I will be slow getting in and out of the car and walking to it.

Each driver has stayed sitting in his seat; hardly looked at me and four of them just moaned about their jobs.

Nobody opened the door for me and one man "tutted" as I struggled to get my leg in to the car with minimum pain.

I stupidly gave them a tip  although now I am sorry I did.

It seems to be a habit to give drivers a tip for taking us somewhere rather than for the service they give.

I feel sorry for people who permanently rely on taxis. I'm sure not all drivers are like this; at least I pray they are not.

CW by email.

Comments(6)

bigfoot says...
1:13pm Tue 1 Jan 13

Some claim 'Elf 'n' safety others are just bone idle layabouts. You will stand a better chance of access if you use a black cab,some drivers have been trained in aiding people with disabilities.

Report this post »

bickyboy says...
4:07pm Tue 1 Jan 13

Generalisations aren't helpful.

Some taxi drivers seem to be superglued to their seats, others are only too happy to get out and help with shopping, mobility difficulties, etc. It tends to be the luck of the draw.

Report this post »

steady cyclist says...
4:12pm Thu 3 Jan 13

Taxi drivers are individyuals, some care and some dont care.

Some customers are nice, and responsive, and freindly, and some you wouldnt allow to sit in a supermarket trolley,but the latter type are allowed into a taxi.

Thats how life is now.

Report this post »

JADEE1 says...
6:18pm Fri 4 Jan 13

council rules on private hire & hackney taxis are very simple ,give reasnoble assistance to all fares,,but since most taxi drivers cant be botherd gettin a wash shave ,& dress like a bunch of vagerants,any help off them is highly unlikely,the council should force a basic code of practice on dress & public service attitude,like other european proffesional taxi drivers,,they should be happy & proud of the proffession ,they are inn,..& work to encourage people to use them more often ,after all its your livelyhood ,work to attract the public,& look after them ,after all..its not rocket science...

Report this post »

pooboy says...
1:03pm Sat 5 Jan 13

use a different firm.
money talks.
you should name and shame the taxi firms.
they will not enjoy the bad publicity.
there's hundreds of other drivers who would appreciate your custom.

Report this post »

JADEE1 says...
8:18pm Sat 5 Jan 13

simply report them in writing to the licence taxi office at wallasey town hall ,with all there details that is on the front & rear of every taxi,aswell as that, they must wear personal taxi ID badges , by law ,all though most dont bother ,or hang it off there rear view mirror,if your complaint merits it the driver can be fined,suspended for a short period,or lose there taxi licence for good ,& be kicked out of the game,so use your rights as members of the public,& allways remember what taxi firm they work for ,or nothing will ever change,,a taxi licence is issued at the discretion of the council ,& is not a automatic right,for any taxi driver .!! that is a fact..

Report this post »

click2find

About cookies

We want you to enjoy your visit to our website. That's why we use cookies to enhance your experience. By staying on our website you agree to our use of cookies. Find out more about the cookies we use.

I agree