Taxi Part II December 10, 2008

So it seems that I am not the only one out there that has the feeling of being fleesed when it comes to getting home at night and not wanting to wrap my car around a telephone pole. 
I think it needs to be pointed out that this time of year the RCIP are out in full force and the traffic stops will be in abundance. This is a good thing! This is an important thing.

As the creator of this forum, I have access to this forum. I get to see the statistics on visitation; what links are been clicked and how long people stay etc etc. Well, needless to say, the visitation went through the roof. Again, this forum is not to sell a product. This forum simply started as a blind review that people may be able to get some good honest insight to places and things.  When I post a good honest point of view about the taxi system, in such a  time of year, it seems that the masses are in agreeance. 

We cannot allow the financial rape of the paying public to occur. It is simply not on. Where are the meter’s? This has been on the table in some Govermenment for some time now. Back in 2007 the Government hiked taxi rates 20+% (article) and the picture of the hierarchy with Pilar Bush at the top was one of satisfaction – no doubt!

Now, I am not the only one that thinks there are issues. Though I am considerate enough to thank Taxi Drivers for what they do – there are many issues out there – and I am not the only one that has had enough. Cayman Juice writes very strongly about the whole issue of the cayman taxi service and after further reading and rereading – I am hesitant to say a little too strongly and very unconstructive. 

Whats the answer? We can sit here all day and moan and moan. Well, the Department of Public Transport needs to regulate the service. Simple. I’d love to have a public copy of that little binder with all of our fares in it. I’d love to know where in regulation does it stipulate, if you are a tourist you are charged by the head and not by the journey. Tourists are paying $40 and $50 round trips PER PERSON depending on where they are heading. That is simply a crime! Not only a crime of theft but a crime against the tourism society we strive so hard to develop. Comments, suggestions et al are welcome. Please, the more opinion, from either side of the fence, the more we can open people’s eyes.

Taxi! November 9, 2008

There are a few things that I don’t understand about the transport available to the Cayman Islands. It all boils down to economics. And frankly economics suck!!
Whilst I applaud the Cayman Island Government for their crack down on the drink driving in the Cayman Islands, I wonder, am I left no choice. Zero tolerance has to be applied in this day and age of power drinking, shot culture and hurried hydration as a result of the early closure of the licensed premises here. For the most part we abide by the rules given to us in return for us to living on this land. I want to make sure my friends are safe as well. Why though am I charged twice for a taxi fare because I want to make sure my friend gets home safe and doesn’t drink and drive? It makes no logical sense to me. Maybe I am missing the point? Don’t get me wrong. If I am going an opposite direction; going out of my way to make sure I get my companion home safe. Charge me. Taxi drivers have a living to make as well. However, if I am dropping my friend on the road on the way to my house – why am I being charged one fare for him and then one TOTAL fare from the point of origin to my house???

It infuriates me that an advantage is being taken of those who are trying to do the right thing. By abiding by the law, taxi drivers are making sure that every last penny I have from the being out that night is left with them. There was one incident when I questioned why I was being charged twice the driver decided to swear at me; threaten to call the police and called me a c*nt. Sorry? I wouldn’t mind if I was twisted and i was abusive to the driver in the first place, but I wasn’t. I was actually without a car and was stone cold sober.

What should happen? Well, firstly publish the price tariff’s that is a requirement in the rest of the World. Whatever the taxi union is in the Cayman Islands should be publicly addressing the constant increase in fares; the way in which we are charged as consumers and also the way fares change after certain times in the night. There is too much ‘flexi fare’ where we sit in the back of the taxi trying to guess what number the driver is going to pluck out of the air.

Yes, the prices are ridiculous on this island. I’ll put up with them as they are what they are. I expect it. Ill even tip on top of it if I have a good conversation with the driver; they had the AC on and they didn’t stop for gas or an errand whilst I am in the cab. There are two things I wont put up with though.

1. I won’t put up with lies told to me when I order the cab. again, for the most part service is prompt. I understand there is traffic at certain times of day. Please do not lie to me though saying that it is on the way and then turn up 45 minutes to an hour later. Be honest with me. Tell me you are that busy and I’ll either make other plans or wait it out in front of the TV instead of by the door.

2. I won’t put up with the double charging and the outright abuse of the drivers in penalising me and my companians for taking the same cab home. Cayman shouldnt put up with this. Drivers with a conscionce actually don’t do it. What does that say?