Taxis in Vancouver
May 21st, 2007, 07:46 PM
#1
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Taxis in Vancouver
Did I read that you can pay by credit card for your taxi?
If yes, do the drivers charge you a service charge?
Are taxis easy to hail, or should I call for pick-up?
Anything else I should know?
Thanks
If yes, do the drivers charge you a service charge?
Are taxis easy to hail, or should I call for pick-up?
Anything else I should know?
Thanks
May 21st, 2007, 10:01 PM
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'<i>Did I read that you can pay by credit card for your taxi?</i>'
Yes!
In the past they tried saying No but the Govt has cracked down-no refusing CC rides
'<i>If yes, do the drivers charge you a service charge?</i>'
If they try ask to speak to a Supervisor-that's against the law.
'<i>Are taxis easy to hail, or should I call for pick-up?</i>'
I generally do both Taxis service here is sloppy and disorganised.
'<i>Anything else I should know?</i>'
No tipping.
Yes!
In the past they tried saying No but the Govt has cracked down-no refusing CC rides
'<i>If yes, do the drivers charge you a service charge?</i>'
If they try ask to speak to a Supervisor-that's against the law.
'<i>Are taxis easy to hail, or should I call for pick-up?</i>'
I generally do both Taxis service here is sloppy and disorganised.
'<i>Anything else I should know?</i>'
No tipping.
May 22nd, 2007, 07:38 AM
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Cab drivers here are notorious for being slovenly and giving no service whatsoever-even something as simple as opening a car trunk is done grudgingly.
Couple poor attitudes with atrocious driving habits and grubby cars and you have a situation where the Provincial Govt has -<i>once again</i>-announced a <u>crackdown</u> on Vancouver taxis and their errant business methods/poor service.
Blindly tipping people who fail to provide even the simplest of courtesies/services only encourages further sloth and arrogance.
Note that driving someone from A to B is not service it's a job.
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threadselect.jsp?fid=29
Few will remember the last crackdown over a decade ago when over 40% of cabs were found to be mechanically unsound and were removed from the road-the business is poorly run and rates are high-why reward people for being less than honest?
Couple poor attitudes with atrocious driving habits and grubby cars and you have a situation where the Provincial Govt has -<i>once again</i>-announced a <u>crackdown</u> on Vancouver taxis and their errant business methods/poor service.
Blindly tipping people who fail to provide even the simplest of courtesies/services only encourages further sloth and arrogance.
Note that driving someone from A to B is not service it's a job.
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threadselect.jsp?fid=29
Few will remember the last crackdown over a decade ago when over 40% of cabs were found to be mechanically unsound and were removed from the road-the business is poorly run and rates are high-why reward people for being less than honest?
May 22nd, 2007, 10:11 AM
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I have to chime in...
Sam_Salmon is right about some of them pretending to not take credit cards - when I produce my credit card, I am ALWAYS asked, "No cash?". Sometimes I hear a bit more grumbling before they take my cc.
As for "no tipping", as always it's a matter of choice. I think the norm is to tip. I usually tip 10%. Altho I have recently converted to be one of those who believe poor service at a restaurant deserves a VERY small tip, I have never experienced such poor service by Vancouver (Lower Mainland)cabbies as to give no tip. Just another point of view.
Enjoy-la!
Sam_Salmon is right about some of them pretending to not take credit cards - when I produce my credit card, I am ALWAYS asked, "No cash?". Sometimes I hear a bit more grumbling before they take my cc.
As for "no tipping", as always it's a matter of choice. I think the norm is to tip. I usually tip 10%. Altho I have recently converted to be one of those who believe poor service at a restaurant deserves a VERY small tip, I have never experienced such poor service by Vancouver (Lower Mainland)cabbies as to give no tip. Just another point of view.
Enjoy-la!
May 22nd, 2007, 12:35 PM
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Vancouver is woefully short of taxis, so always prebook, if you can. If a cab is licensed from the suburbs, it may not pickup in the city area, hence you may see a cab, but it will not (can not) stop for you.
If you are in the downtown area, simply head to a hotel to find a cab, no problem.
Tipping...hmm. I believe that cabs in Vancouver are much better and cleaner than ever before. Drivers must complete courses and may not wear jeans. Are they perfect, no...don't compare to London or New York, but are not unlike any other North American city.
I would consider a tip, for sure, as I would in most cities. Drivers appreciate it and while perhaps some people would not tip a bellman to carry bags or a dorrman to flag a cab, I would. The service industry depends on it - and yes, I believe that taxis are in the service business and an intrical part of some tourism experiences. You can get tips on the city life, directions, suggestions and they will arrive when called. That to me is unlike a scheduled bus service.
I would think that 10% is the standard.
If you are in the downtown area, simply head to a hotel to find a cab, no problem.
Tipping...hmm. I believe that cabs in Vancouver are much better and cleaner than ever before. Drivers must complete courses and may not wear jeans. Are they perfect, no...don't compare to London or New York, but are not unlike any other North American city.
I would consider a tip, for sure, as I would in most cities. Drivers appreciate it and while perhaps some people would not tip a bellman to carry bags or a dorrman to flag a cab, I would. The service industry depends on it - and yes, I believe that taxis are in the service business and an intrical part of some tourism experiences. You can get tips on the city life, directions, suggestions and they will arrive when called. That to me is unlike a scheduled bus service.
I would think that 10% is the standard.
May 22nd, 2007, 01:34 PM
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Hello Wallace,
As 6069holland says, if you are staying in downtown Vancouver you can easily walk to the nearest hotel and hail a taxi. No problem.
I've only ever paid cash and so can't comment on the credit card question. Also, I've only ever taken taxis during the daytime or evening (up to about 9 p.m.), but the service I've had as always been good. No bad temper - at worst, just silence during the drive, which is fine with me because I'm not chatty anyway.
The taxi drivers I've had have always got out of the cab and helped to load or unload luggage, and carry it to my door. I do tip them for that, naturally.
It's hard to give more specific answers without knowing where you're staying (downtown? suburbs?), where you're going to, and what time of day you're travelling.
Actually, the only time I've ever encountered a rude taxi driver was in London. The service in Vancouver has always been fine for me. I do hear people complaining about being unable to get a taxi very late at night, however.
As 6069holland says, if you are staying in downtown Vancouver you can easily walk to the nearest hotel and hail a taxi. No problem.
I've only ever paid cash and so can't comment on the credit card question. Also, I've only ever taken taxis during the daytime or evening (up to about 9 p.m.), but the service I've had as always been good. No bad temper - at worst, just silence during the drive, which is fine with me because I'm not chatty anyway.
The taxi drivers I've had have always got out of the cab and helped to load or unload luggage, and carry it to my door. I do tip them for that, naturally.
It's hard to give more specific answers without knowing where you're staying (downtown? suburbs?), where you're going to, and what time of day you're travelling.
Actually, the only time I've ever encountered a rude taxi driver was in London. The service in Vancouver has always been fine for me. I do hear people complaining about being unable to get a taxi very late at night, however.
May 22nd, 2007, 08:04 PM
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Vorkuta,
I'll be staying at West 14th Ave ... as far as where I am going, I have no idea. I was asking in general terms only. I am semi-disabled, so I assume I won't be able to walk all the time (and I might not be able to take the bus all the time)
Thanks for every one's help/advice
I'll be staying at West 14th Ave ... as far as where I am going, I have no idea. I was asking in general terms only. I am semi-disabled, so I assume I won't be able to walk all the time (and I might not be able to take the bus all the time)
Thanks for every one's help/advice
May 23rd, 2007, 08:34 AM
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Hello Wallace,
From West 14th I think you will do just fine for taxis. Since that's a residential street and taxis don't generally cruise along residential streets, you won't be able to hail a cab but you can ring ahead (say, 30 minutes in advance)and ask one to come straight to your door. If you sometimes use a wheelchair to get around, you can ask for a taxi/mini-van that can accommodate wheelchairs. Many of Vancouver's buses (especially those that run along West Broadway, just five blocks north of West 14th) can also accommodate wheelchairs and BC Transit runs "Handi-Dart" vehicles which are geared specifically towards people with mobility difficulties.
Hope some of this helps.
From West 14th I think you will do just fine for taxis. Since that's a residential street and taxis don't generally cruise along residential streets, you won't be able to hail a cab but you can ring ahead (say, 30 minutes in advance)and ask one to come straight to your door. If you sometimes use a wheelchair to get around, you can ask for a taxi/mini-van that can accommodate wheelchairs. Many of Vancouver's buses (especially those that run along West Broadway, just five blocks north of West 14th) can also accommodate wheelchairs and BC Transit runs "Handi-Dart" vehicles which are geared specifically towards people with mobility difficulties.
Hope some of this helps.
May 26th, 2007, 07:49 PM
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I recently caught a cab downtown and as soon as I jumped in the car I said I was paying by credit card. While we were driving he got the authorization started, etc., so as soon as we stopped, I just had to fill in the total, sign and jump out.
The other poster is correct about some cabs not picking up even if you flag them down....they might not be allowed to pickup because they are suburban cabs.
I generally do tip or just round up to the next dollar sort of thing. I find the cab drivers are not rude per se, just quiet....although if I am catching a cab late at night from downtown to home (in the suburbs) I generally have good conversations with them - but I'm a chatty person.
I would generally call for a pick up if you have enough time, but if not, then going to a hotel to get one would be your next best bet.
The other poster is correct about some cabs not picking up even if you flag them down....they might not be allowed to pickup because they are suburban cabs.
I generally do tip or just round up to the next dollar sort of thing. I find the cab drivers are not rude per se, just quiet....although if I am catching a cab late at night from downtown to home (in the suburbs) I generally have good conversations with them - but I'm a chatty person.
I would generally call for a pick up if you have enough time, but if not, then going to a hotel to get one would be your next best bet.
Jun 15th, 2007, 12:25 PM
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I haven't had problems with rude taxi drivers. Some of them might be silent (which I like) or might talk on the cellphone the whole ride, but if they're curteous and get me to my destination directly, then I will tip.
They'll accept credit cards. If I call for a cab, I advise that I'll be paying by credit card, or if I hail a cab, I ask before I get in the cab if credit card will be okay. I've never been refused.
I think it's the same with most service industries - if you're kind and respectful to them, they'll be kind and respectful back.
They'll accept credit cards. If I call for a cab, I advise that I'll be paying by credit card, or if I hail a cab, I ask before I get in the cab if credit card will be okay. I've never been refused.
I think it's the same with most service industries - if you're kind and respectful to them, they'll be kind and respectful back.
