Calgary Taxis - MIA??

[I-Hate-Hulse]

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.

[Barnes]

Last year was bad too. I won't rely on services like taxis, busses, c-trains, hospitals anymore if I can avoid them. This city is getting to be too much. Shopping malls are going to be a **** show this year with the lack of staff.

[Jayems]

Originally Posted by I-Hate-Hulse

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.

I think the handicapped can use the Handi-bus no? I'm not sure if thats just for hospital pickups or nursinghomes etc...

I can see a case in the courts:

Man charged in DUI pleads innocent due to lack of taxis

[Rhettzky]

I feel your pain. We called a cab company at 3 in the afternoon and asked if we could schedule one to pick us up at 6pm for the Flames game. They said no problem. We waited until 6:30 and then panicked and got a friend to drive us. About 5 minutes left in the first period (around 7:45) the cab company calls my cell and asks if I still wanted them to send a cab.

I don't even bother to call a cab after 10:30pm anymore, completely pointless. A night of drinking now entails planning around the C-train (thank god I live close to the station) or planning a ride. Cabs seem to be a lost cause.

[brownie]

I agree with everything that you said,I dont usually take a cab unless I am on the booze.Lately its been crazy like you said to even get through to someone,I have asked why and they said they dont have enough people to answer the phones.Now I just walk to a busy street and flag one down. This is pretty ridiculous,and will only get worse.I know its no excuse to drive impaired but I can see that on the rise as well.Maybe if they quit hanging out at the airport for 2 to 3 hours there would be more on the streets.

[I-Hate-Hulse]

I understand the need to regulate the taxi industry - hell, just go to Montreal where every Joe LeBeau slaps a taxi sign on top of his beater of choice (I saw everything from a 85 Cavalier to an 92 VW Passat). Consistency and standards are a good thing. But sell more licenses dammit! It'd be great to get a bit of free market competition - I'd love to not support a few cab companies in this town.... but right now you're just happy to get one period.

[Dion]

The evening news did a piece on this a few weeks ago. Taxi companies can't find enough drivers to fill their fleet of cars and vans.

One owner interviewed pointed to a bunch of cars and vans saying they'd be on the streets if they could drivers. He went on to say they have problems getting drivers to fill the second shift also. Cars and vans should be running 24/7 but they are not. The drivers they have are working longer shifts to try and make up for the lack of workers.

[troutman]

There are alternatives like Keys Please and Operation Red Nose (who drive your car home for you). These companies are probably very busy too.

Calgary needs a true metro system. The LRT should serve all quadrants of the city, and run 24 hours on weekends.

http://www.drivingalternative.com/Calgary.htm

http://www.ucalgary.ca/UofC/events/u...r25/drunk.html

[ken0042]

Originally Posted by troutman

The LRT should serve all quadrants of the city, and run 24 hours on weekends.

Or even on New Years Eve.

I recall several years ago calling CT and asking what time the last train left Anderson. (Back when Anderson was the end of the line.) I was told 11:54 pm.

When I asked what good that did me, she suggested that I should be attending the city's New Years party at Olympic plaza.

Yeah, a dry party outdoors with no friends is better than in indoor party with booze and 30 friends. Never mind the fact that if I were to attend a dry party, there would be no need for me to find a ride home.

[I-Hate-Hulse]

Originally Posted by Dion

The evening news did a piece on this a few weeks ago. Taxi companies can't find enough drivers to fill their fleet of cars and vans.

One owner interviewed pointed to a bunch of cars and vans saying they'd be on the streets if they could drivers. He went on to say they have problems getting drivers to fill the second shift also. Cars and vans should be running 24/7 but they are not. The drivers they have are working longer shifts to try and make up for the lack of workers.

Fair enough, I think we can all understand that. But why not double the number of phone lines and get some of the latest Call Management software/hardware to minimize call wait times? Hell, outsource the call center to India! Then tie that in to dispatch for better fleet usage.

At least if you knew a cab was coming in 45 minutes you'd probably hold out.

[Dion]

Why don't people elect someone to be the designated driver. It's something my friends and I have done for years when it comes to parties and bar outings. It's alternated between us and have served us well.

[Dion]

Originally Posted by I-Hate-Hulse

Fair enough, I think we can all understand that. But why not double the number of phone lines and get some of the latest Call Management software/hardware to minimize call wait times? Hell, outsource the call center to India! Then tie that in to dispatch for better fleet usage.

At least if you knew a cab was coming in 45 minutes you'd probably hold out.

I wonder if the operators are spending too much time explaining to callers why they don't have enough drivers.

Call management software would be a good idea.

[ken0042]

I was a DD at a buddy's stag once.

Next stag we took cabs. There's some nights when it's more fun to have everybody on the same level of intoxication.

(Somebody please insert the Simpsons "Duff Man" quote on Designated Drivers.)

[Sparks]

I recall several years ago calling CT and asking what time the last train left Anderson. (Back when Anderson was the end of the line.) I was told 11:54 pm.

It's absolutely ridiculous that the C-train doesn't run at least until 3am on New Years. A couple years ago, there was quite a large crowd of us waiting for the train a little after midnight in Shawnessy.

Of course, a couple of trains go by, but none stop. They announce over the intercom that there are no more trains. People were so angry and drunk that many of them jumped on the tracks in front of the train to get it to stop. The train, obviously, couldn't get through.

I'm sure that many of the people drunk enough to jump on the train tracks drove home that night.

I know how much it sucks to work over new years, but we seriously need transit to operate so people can get home (especially with the cab situation as I-Hate-Hulse brought up). If they can't run the train because of safety concerns, the city should pitch in to offer alternatives for people to get home.

[Flames_Gimp]

Originally Posted by Jayems

I think the handicapped can use the Handi-bus no?

you have to book it 2 days in advance, and alot of the time if it's just a personal trip, you still can't get a bus.

aparently there are about 18 accessible taxi's liscened, yet there are days where not even one is on the road. Cab drivers are self employed, they choose when to come in.

[Vulcan]

I know a little bit about the cab industry. The lack of drivers is due to the lowering of real wages for the driver and the increasing dangers of the job. This has happened because of the cab companies and owners wanting a bigger share of the pie due to the high price of taxi plates and greed. Also when trips get backed up the cabbies wages go down because he is chasing old calls that are no longer there, so the cabbie stops taking calls and starts taking flags only.
Opening up the cab plates to whoever wants to buy [like it used to be] should solve a lot of the problem but the cab companies and the owners who've paid huge amounts for their plates will fight this.

[Flames_Gimp]

there was a plate lottery a month ago, and 100 new plates were awarded. They are supposed to be on the road in Dec.

[Cube Inmate]

There's something wrong with a system where a person has absolutely no options for travel in certain circumstances.

A less regulated market would quickly fill the void by starting up a "premium" taxi service for a premium price. Maybe charge double the fare, but provide a service and availability guarantee?

There are enough affluent people out there getting drunk who would happily pay twice the price (or more) for this kind of service. Or would this start a slipperly slope towards two-tier health care?

[Top Shelf]

Funny you mention this, I've really noticed crappy service in the last month or so. My company has corporate account with Checker, which includes Yellow and Red Top cabs as well, so if i'm working late, then i'm pretty much stuck with the Checker Group unless I want to pay out of pocket.

There service is so bad right now though. Once you finally get to a recording, after hitting re-dial 25 times (no joke), the response time to actually get a cab isn't too bad.

But for real, can't they put a call in queue at the least?

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by Cube Inmate

There's something wrong with a system where a person has absolutely no options for travel in certain circumstances.

A less regulated market would quickly fill the void by starting up a "premium" taxi service for a premium price. Maybe charge double the fare, but provide a service and availability guarantee?

There are enough affluent people out there getting drunk who would happily pay twice the price (or more) for this kind of service. Or would this start a slipperly slope towards two-tier health care?

I don't know a lot about it but there are limosine services in Calgary. This doesn't mean you'll get a stretch limo, often just a well maintained newish sedan. From what I understand this is the way many American cities are going for address pickups.