As we approach the Xmas party season, I have to rant a bit about the state of the taxi industry in Calgary. This isn't about the quality of the cabs or drivers (which is a whole other rant)... but the simple fact that you can't @#$#ing get one nowadays easily.
I guess my biggest beef is the damn fact you can't even get through to the company. 90% of the time you get that damn "fast busy" tone telling you all lines are jammed. So you're stuck redialing endlessly, fingers dancing between send and end. Takes anywhere from 15-50 minutes... especially bad late at night and early morning....
Yes, I know about the scam known as #TAXI but that's another beef with me. First you have to pay to use the damn system (isn't it like $2.50?). Of course, since there's money to be made, #TAXI lines
get picked up quicker than if you just call the main line. So really, you're screwed either way. Not that #TAXI makes the connection immediate, nor does it spare you the next wait....
And then if you're lucky enough to get through....there's more waiting ahead. Takes another 30-60 minutes to get an operator on the line. Why can't they put in those systems where they call you back, or they tell you how much time before you're up next? Checker had a voice recognition system that would automatically send a cab to the address linked to the number but that seems to have died lately.
We had an office party 3 weeks ago on a Friday at a community center at 8:00pm. Someone here called up a cab company at 4:00 and asked for 2 cabs, preferably 2 van taxis. The Operator's response? "Honey, I can't even you get you 1 cab, let alone 2..." and hung up. Once in a while I used to take a cab to work but forget about trying to call for the work rush. Fast busy signal all the time.
So what's the cause? Many things I'm sure. I know the taxi industry here is capped at a number (1,500???) but given the explosive growth in the city I don't think the number of licenses has kept up with demand. Frankly, I think the call management and support systems used by the cab companies needs a swift kick in the arse on this one. I can't even imagine what's its like for the disabled to try and get a cab.
Bottom line, I'm seeing a lot more people drive drunk, or those that know they are borderline just drive anyways as you can't get a cab. Don't get me wrong, this is inexcusable for any reason, but go to any office xmas party / bar and you see this all the time. Make it easier for people and they'll do the right thing. I expect some killer (bad pun) xmas parties this year with this town having done as well as it has and sadly, I'm expecting DUI rates to skyrocket.
Drive safe this holiday season folks.