Taxi complaint - how do I make one?
 

I just got home late from work - got a taxi back. My work will always refund
me for a taxi receipt - but in this case the driver (Black cab number 86423)
refused to give me a receipt ("I've none left mate") and after me asking him
to write something on a blank piece of paper, anything - drove off knocking
my head off his open window (while I was talking to him).

So now I am left to falsify a receipt (I've got plenty of blank ones) in
order to get my money back - not something I want to do.

I do want to lodge a complaint against this driver. I have come across
drivers who have ran our of recipts before, but they have always written
*something* on a piece of paper for me rather than tell me to "**** off" as
this one did. What is the best way of soing this? The driver did not seem to
be affilited with any company (no logos anywhere).

David

Taxi complaint - how do I make one?
 

http://www.tfl.gov.uk/pco/ph_complaints.shtml
"David FitzGerald" wrote in message
...
I just got home late from work - got a taxi back. My work will always
refund
me for a taxi receipt - but in this case the driver (Black cab number
86423)
refused to give me a receipt ("I've none left mate") and after me asking
him
to write something on a blank piece of paper, anything - drove off
knocking
my head off his open window (while I was talking to him).

So now I am left to falsify a receipt (I've got plenty of blank ones) in
order to get my money back - not something I want to do.

I do want to lodge a complaint against this driver. I have come across
drivers who have ran our of recipts before, but they have always written
*something* on a piece of paper for me rather than tell me to "**** off"
as
this one did. What is the best way of soing this? The driver did not seem
to
be affilited with any company (no logos anywhere).

David

Taxi complaint - how do I make one?
 

"Graham Harrison" wrote in message
...

http://www.tfl.gov.uk/pco/ph_complaints.shtml

As the URL suggests, that is for complaints about Private Hire (i.e.
minicabs), not about Black Cabs.

--
John Rowland - Spamtrapped
Transport Plans for the London Area, updated 2001
http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Acro...69/tpftla.html
A man's vehicle is a symbol of his manhood.
That's why my vehicle's the Piccadilly Line -
It's the size of a county and it comes every two and a half minutes

Taxi complaint - how do I make one?
 

In message , David FitzGerald
writes
I just got home late from work - got a taxi back. My work will always refund
me for a taxi receipt - but in this case the driver (Black cab number 86423)
refused to give me a receipt ("I've none left mate") and after me asking him
to write something on a blank piece of paper, anything - drove off knocking
my head off his open window (while I was talking to him).

There is no legal requirement for a taxi driver to provide a receipt for
a taxi journey. Did you give the driver a tip? If not then it's quite
possible that the driver won't give a receipt as this costs him money
and he *may* have got a little upset at someone using his time without
payment. As you are getting the money back it won't cost you anything to
give him something extra.

So now I am left to falsify a receipt (I've got plenty of blank ones) in
order to get my money back - not something I want to do.

If you've got blank receipts you could take these with you, fill it in
yourself and then ask the driver to sign it. There is, however, no legal
requirement for him to do so.

Personally, if I am 'legalled' (no tip) and someone asks for a receipt I
will find the oldest bit of paper I've got and use that. I've also used
receipts which I've half filled out with wrong date, etc just crossed
out and written over the top. If these look like someone (i.e. the
punter) has tried to alter or falsify a previous receipt then it's not
my problem. :-)

From January 2005 all London taxis presented for re-plating are required
to have meters with printers attached so that receipts can be printed
showing the amount on the meter. Trouble is no one has specified the
exact format that they must have. Will they only have to show the amount
on the meter, plus extras for Heathrow pickups / radio jobs, etc. Is
there going to be some method of adding gratuities to the receipt, etc.?

I do want to lodge a complaint against this driver. I have come across
drivers who have ran our of recipts before, but they have always written
*something* on a piece of paper for me rather than tell me to "**** off" as
this one did. What is the best way of soing this? The driver did not seem to
be affilited with any company (no logos anywhere).

Why is it that you seem to find so many drivers who've run out of
receipts. Try giving them something extra and see if that works - it
doesn't cost you anything personally as your work will refund it.

On the subject of tipping, why is it that most Australians *never* give
a tip, even after the driver has gone out of his way to be helpful? I've
taken someone from T4 to one of the hotels on the north side of the
airport. Lots of heavy luggage which nearly did my back in then they
waited for the 20p change from £15 for a £14.80 fare! I can control my
anger but there are times when you feel like letting rip, believe me.

This situation has got worse since TfL (or was it Ken?) decided in their
'wisdom' to get rid of the extras for extra passengers and for handling
luggage over 2ft in length. Why should someone risk injury handling
luggage when they can get exactly the same fare taking people with no
luggage?

I'm not excusing bad attitude by taxi drivers but there are times when
the 'travelling public' really make your blood boil - and you're
supposed tojust swallow it all the time.

Now if you want a taxi driver to take you to and from Gatwick or
Heathrow who will turn up at the promised time and will be dressed in
shirt and tie and not shorts and T shirt, and give you a receipt, let me
know - but it *may* cost you :-) (please note the smileys)

Mike

--
Mike Hughes
A Taxi driver licensed for London and Brighton
at home in Tarring, West Sussex, England

Taxi complaint - how do I make one?
 

Complaints about either Black ("Hackney") Cabs should be made to the
Public Carriage Office.

Address: Public Carriage Office
15 Penton Street
LONDON
N1 9PU

Fantastic! About 3 minutes walk from my front door... I think I'll pop by.

David.

Taxi complaint - how do I make one?
 

Mike Hughes wrote:

Why is it that you seem to find so many drivers who've run out of
receipts. Try giving them something extra and see if that works - it
doesn't cost you anything personally as your work will refund it.

On the subject of tipping, why is it that most Australians *never*
give a tip, even after the driver has gone out of his way to be helpful?
I've taken someone from T4 to one of the hotels on the north side of
the airport. Lots of heavy luggage which nearly did my back in then
they waited for the 20p change from £15 for a £14.80 fare! I can control
my
anger but there are times when you feel like letting rip, believe me.

Why do cab drivers expect a tip, don't they get paid by their employer or
earn enough out of their takings if self employed?

Taxi complaint - how do I make one?
 

Mike Hughes wrote:
In message , David FitzGerald
writes
I just got home late from work - got a taxi back. My work will
always refund me for a taxi receipt - but in this case the driver
(Black cab number 86423) refused to give me a receipt ("I've none
left mate") and after me asking him to write something on a blank
piece of paper, anything - drove off knocking my head off his open
window (while I was talking to him).

There is no legal requirement for a taxi driver to provide a
receipt for a taxi journey. Did you give the driver a tip? If not
then it's quite possible that the driver won't give a receipt as
this costs him money and he *may* have got a little upset at
someone using his time without payment. As you are getting the
money back it won't cost you anything to give him something extra.

Any other business taking that miserable attitude to customer service
would soon lack any customers. Do you condone driving off while the
customer's head is still inside the taxi? Sounds like assault to me.
--
Richard J.
(to e-mail me, swap uk and yon in address)

Taxi complaint - how do I make one?
 

"Mike Hughes" wrote in message
...

There is no legal requirement for a taxi driver to provide a receipt for
a taxi journey.

I didn't know that - I had always assumed there was.

Did you give the driver a tip? If not then it's quite
possible that the driver won't give a receipt as this costs him money
and he *may* have got a little upset at someone using his time without
payment. As you are getting the money back it won't cost you anything to
give him something extra.

Not a very big one - fare was £11.10 and I gave him £12. I'd normally give
£13 for that kind of fare, but (a) he had the doors locked until after I
told him where I wanted to go (isn't he supposed to go where I tell him and
not choose whether to take that fare?) and (b) I didn't have any more change
anyway.

If you've got blank receipts you could take these with you, fill it in
yourself and then ask the driver to sign it. There is, however, no legal
requirement for him to do so.

I have a stack of them - I just prefer not to use them. I'll just have to
make one up myself.

From January 2005 all London taxis presented for re-plating are required
to have meters with printers attached so that receipts can be printed
showing the amount on the meter. Trouble is no one has specified the
exact format that they must have. Will they only have to show the amount
on the meter, plus extras for Heathrow pickups / radio jobs, etc. Is
there going to be some method of adding gratuities to the receipt, etc.?

I can see great competition at work with people trying to get cabs which
don't have these machines. Already everyone refuses to use thooe Zingo cabs
which print receipts. The paper ones, due to their expense account abuse
qualities are considered handy amongst the masses at work. Personally, I
would not like to get fired for something as trivial as falsifying a taxi
receipt, but nobody has ever got caught as far as I know so it is rife.

Why is it that you seem to find so many drivers who've run out of
receipts. Try giving them something extra and see if that works - it
doesn't cost you anything personally as your work will refund it.

Because I make an enormous amount of journeys by black cab - could be up to
5 or 6 a day sometimes. Just a law of averages. I do always make sure to
tip - even if only a quid or so. Quite often drivers will accept the tip but
write the receipt for the meter amount. Doesn't really bother me, as it's
not an awful lot of cash ... and there's always a stash of blanks at home
anyway since a lot of the time when I ask for a receipt I just get given a
blank one.

On the subject of tipping, why is it that most Australians *never* give
a tip, even after the driver has gone out of his way to be helpful?

Probably because they are travelling and have no cash, and are surprised
about the expense of a black cab in the first place. I'm not complaining -
I'm not British and have only lived here a few years - but I have found
Black Cab drivers to be the best in the world for short journeys around town
and worth every penny. But I've got to say that a trip to the airport in a
Black Cab isn't worth the expense - a more comfortable and quicker journey
can be had for a cheaper price.

Or perhaps it's just because they're a bunch of scallies!

I'm not excusing bad attitude by taxi drivers but there are times when
the 'travelling public' really make your blood boil - and you're
supposed tojust swallow it all the time.

And there are times when a cab driver can make your blood boil, and you
still have to stump up the cash even if he's taken a convoluted route home!

Now if you want a taxi driver to take you to and from Gatwick or
Heathrow who will turn up at the promised time and will be dressed in
shirt and tie and not shorts and T shirt, and give you a receipt, let me
know - but it *may* cost you :-) (please note the smileys)

That's when I book with Tristar. ( http://www.tristarworldwide.com ) I don't
find a Black Cab comfortable for a journey out to Gatwick and they're not
quick enough on the motorway. A friend of mine recently drove to Morocco
from London in a Black Cab for a rally and came second last every leg (to a
Winnebago!)


David.

Taxi complaint - how do I make one?
 

In article , Mike Hughes
writes
Did you give the driver a tip? If not then it's quite possible that the
driver won't give a receipt as this costs him money

A tenth of a penny?

and he *may* have got a little upset at someone using his time without
payment.

Excuse me? He got paid for the journey. The initial lump in the price is
supposed to pay for the start and end of the journeys, and that includes
handling the payment and giving a receipt.

On the subject of tipping, why is it that most Australians *never* give
a tip, even after the driver has gone out of his way to be helpful?

I believe you'll find they have come from a culture that doesn't do
tipping, instead paying people for the job. I've had Kiwi colleagues who
have never tipped either.

Why should someone risk injury handling luggage when they can get
exactly the same fare taking people with no luggage?

Swings and roundabouts. You get the right to take fares, but in exchange
you take them *all*. Someone who took your attitude (not in London;
wouldn't take me because I was paying using his consortium's account
rather than cash) found that my formal complaint was the straw that
broke the licensing office's back - he lost his plate.

--
Clive D.W. Feather | Home:
Tel: +44 20 8495 6138 (work) | Web: http://www.davros.org
Fax: +44 870 051 9937 | Work:
Please reply to the Reply-To address, which is:

Taxi complaint - how do I make one?
 

"David FitzGerald" wrote in message ...

"Mike Hughes" wrote in message
...

On the subject of tipping, why is it that most Australians *never* give
a tip, even after the driver has gone out of his way to be helpful?
----------------------------------------------
S'funny about the Aussie & New Zealand cultures not tipping I had a meal in an Aussie pub recently where the Kiwi waitress hovered around for a tip even though the food was mediocre & the service was dire & I told her so as well,I suppose one shouldn't expect too much from the descendants of convicts & sheep shaggers

Taxi complaint - how do I make one?
 

David FitzGerald:
I just got home late from work - got a taxi back. My work will always refund
me for a taxi receipt - but in this case the driver (Black cab number 86423)
refused to give me a receipt ("I've none left mate") and after me asking him
to write something on a blank piece of paper, anything - drove off knocking
my head off his open window (while I was talking to him).

I'm surprised that all of the remarks posted so far have referred to
complaints to the taxi regulators for the less serious of the two
actions described. Assault is a crime, isn't it?

So now I am left to falsify a receipt (I've got plenty of blank ones) in
order to get my money back - not something I want to do.

On the other hand, maybe David just destroyed his own credibility by
saying he was contemplating doing so.
--
Mark Brader, Toronto | "One thing that surprises you about this business
| is the surprises." -- Tim Baker

My text in this article is in the public domain.

Taxi complaint - how do I make one?
 

In message , David FitzGerald
writes

"Mike Hughes" wrote in message
...

There is no legal requirement for a taxi driver to provide a receipt for
a taxi journey.

I didn't know that - I had always assumed there was.

Did you give the driver a tip? If not then it's quite
possible that the driver won't give a receipt as this costs him money
and he *may* have got a little upset at someone using his time without
payment. As you are getting the money back it won't cost you anything to
give him something extra.

Not a very big one - fare was £11.10 and I gave him £12. I'd normally give
£13 for that kind of fare, but (a) he had the doors locked until after I
told him where I wanted to go (isn't he supposed to go where I tell him and
not choose whether to take that fare?) and (b) I didn't have any more change
anyway.

In that case you possibly got one of the really miserable gits that are
in the trade. Every business has them, bet you can name some in yours.
Despite the common perception they really are a very small number, but
of course they're the ones that get the publicity. The good ones that do
great works of charity don't get much publicity but that's life.

If you've got blank receipts you could take these with you, fill it in
yourself and then ask the driver to sign it. There is, however, no legal
requirement for him to do so.

I have a stack of them - I just prefer not to use them. I'll just have to
make one up myself.

From January 2005 all London taxis presented for re-plating are required
to have meters with printers attached so that receipts can be printed
showing the amount on the meter. Trouble is no one has specified the
exact format that they must have. Will they only have to show the amount
on the meter, plus extras for Heathrow pickups / radio jobs, etc. Is
there going to be some method of adding gratuities to the receipt, etc.?

I can see great competition at work with people trying to get cabs which
don't have these machines. Already everyone refuses to use thooe Zingo cabs
which print receipts. The paper ones, due to their expense account abuse
qualities are considered handy amongst the masses at work. Personally, I
would not like to get fired for something as trivial as falsifying a taxi
receipt, but nobody has ever got caught as far as I know so it is rife.

Why is it that you seem to find so many drivers who've run out of
receipts. Try giving them something extra and see if that works - it
doesn't cost you anything personally as your work will refund it.

Because I make an enormous amount of journeys by black cab - could be up to
5 or 6 a day sometimes. Just a law of averages. I do always make sure to
tip - even if only a quid or so. Quite often drivers will accept the tip but
write the receipt for the meter amount. Doesn't really bother me, as it's
not an awful lot of cash ... and there's always a stash of blanks at home
anyway since a lot of the time when I ask for a receipt I just get given a
blank one.

On the subject of tipping, why is it that most Australians *never* give
a tip, even after the driver has gone out of his way to be helpful?

Probably because they are travelling and have no cash, and are surprised
about the expense of a black cab in the first place. I'm not complaining -
I'm not British and have only lived here a few years - but I have found
Black Cab drivers to be the best in the world for short journeys around town
and worth every penny. But I've got to say that a trip to the airport in a
Black Cab isn't worth the expense - a more comfortable and quicker journey
can be had for a cheaper price.

Cheaper, but are they insured, has the driver's character been checked,
do they even have a drivers licence. You'd be surprised at the number of
'minicab' drivers that don't.

Or perhaps it's just because they're a bunch of scallies!

I'm not excusing bad attitude by taxi drivers but there are times when
the 'travelling public' really make your blood boil - and you're
supposed tojust swallow it all the time.

And there are times when a cab driver can make your blood boil, and you
still have to stump up the cash even if he's taken a convoluted route home!

If you think it's a convoluted way home have you asked why he went that
way. I've sometimes gone 'convoluted' ways because I know from the radio
that there are road works/accident/march/etc that are causing delays.
Sometimes I make a mistake. No cab driver is perfect !

Now if you want a taxi driver to take you to and from Gatwick or
Heathrow who will turn up at the promised time and will be dressed in
shirt and tie and not shorts and T shirt, and give you a receipt, let me
know - but it *may* cost you :-) (please note the smileys)

That's when I book with Tristar. ( http://www.tristarworldwide.com ) I don't
find a Black Cab comfortable for a journey out to Gatwick and they're not
quick enough on the motorway. A friend of mine recently drove to Morocco
from London in a Black Cab for a rally and came second last every leg (to a
Winnebago!)

Not quick enough? My cab does 70-75 comfortably. Are you suggesting that
you want a driver that breaks the law by speeding?


--
Mike Hughes
A Taxi driver licensed for London and Brighton
at home in Tarring, West Sussex, England

Taxi complaint - how do I make one?
 

"Mike Hughes" wrote in message
...
In message , David FitzGerald
writes
I just got home late from work - got a taxi back. My work will always
refund
me for a taxi receipt - but in this case the driver (Black cab number
86423)
refused to give me a receipt ("I've none left mate") and after me asking
him
to write something on a blank piece of paper, anything - drove off
knocking
my head off his open window (while I was talking to him).

There is no legal requirement for a taxi driver to provide a receipt for
a taxi journey.

Yes there is, a Taxi ride is a Vatable supply and VAT rules require
receipts to be issued.

tim

Taxi complaint - how do I make one?
 

Mike Hughes wrote:

On the subject of tipping, why is it that most Australians *never* give
a tip, even after the driver has gone out of his way to be helpful?

Because it is expected that being helpful is a standard part of the job.
Perhaps the question you should be asking is why the English accept such
poor levels of customer service that they feel obliged to tip when they
receive anything above that.

--
Replace 'tolb1' in the address with 'newcross' otherwise it goes to
the great spam bucket in the sky.

Taxi complaint - how do I make one?
 

On Sat, 11 Sep 2004 13:18:09 +0100, "Clive D. W. Feather"
wrote:

I believe you'll find they have come from a culture that doesn't do
tipping, instead paying people for the job. I've had Kiwi colleagues who
have never tipped either.

Not just those from abroad; as I recently posted in
uk.transport.buses, I personally dislike the concept of financial
tipping, and would far rather that a fair, listed price was charged.
If that price is higher than that currently charged, fine - but I
don't see why a tip should be "expected" for normal service - I'd
consider it something I would give for *exceptional* service.

What I mean by that is that if the current level of taxi fares does
not provide a living wage for taxi drivers, they should be increased
so that they do. It should not be necessary for taxi drivers to live
off tips.

(Incidentally, I had a meal in a restaurant this evening with a large
group, and said restaurant had a policy of adding 10% "gratuity" for
such groups. I wasn't the organiser, so I didn't fuss - but had I had
anything to do with it, I would have been tempted to zero it; if it is
expected, it should be included in the listed prices.)

Neil

--
Neil Williams in Milton Keynes, UK
To e-mail use neil at the above domain

Taxi complaint - how do I make one?
 

"David FitzGerald" wrote in message
...
I just got home late from work - got a taxi back. My work will always
refund
me for a taxi receipt - but in this case the driver (Black cab number
86423)
refused to give me a receipt ("I've none left mate") and after me asking
him
to write something on a blank piece of paper, anything - drove off
knocking
my head off his open window (while I was talking to him).

As a black cab driver myself, I'd say that the problem with the receipt,
while annoying, should just be chalked up as one of those things, especially
as you have a supply of blanks. I doubt that a complaint about this would
lead to anything anyway.

However, if he drove off, presumiably in anger, and caused you injury in the
process, I sincerely hope you do complain, as his behaviour reflects on the
trade as a whole.

Taxi complaint - how do I make one?
 

In message , Mike Hughes
writes
There is no legal requirement for a taxi driver to provide a receipt
for a taxi journey.

Which is strange, as it would make them the only people trading who
refuse to issue a receipt. As someone suggests above, taxi journeys are
VAT-rated (although it might be 0%, it can still be VAT-rated) in which
case you should be automatically issuing receipts along with your
business name and address.

Did you give the driver a tip? If not then it's quite possible that the
driver won't give a receipt as this costs him money and he *may* have
got a little upset at someone using his time without payment. As you
are getting the money back it won't cost you anything to give him
something extra.

Ah - requesting payment for a receipt (or not supplying one unless
tipped). Now, that is an offence, although I'll have to dig deep into my
references to find the exact details.

Martin

PS Whenever I asked for a receipt from a taxi-driver, they usually
thrust a collection of unfilled receipts into my hand and made off with
a shouted "fill it out yourself". And let's face it, that care-free
attitude is what makes the taxi-drivers of London an individual breed:
their inability to carry an A-Z because they've passed the Knowledge so
know anywhere worth knowing, except where you want to go; the drivel
communicated to you throughout your drive, much of it bordering on
neo-fascism while most it is just from Planet Stupid; the reckless
driving, speeding and overtaking coupled with a complete disregard of
any other road-user or pedestrian.


--
Martin @ Strawberry Hill

Taxi complaint - how do I make one?
 

Not quick enough? My cab does 70-75 comfortably. Are you suggesting that
you want a driver that breaks the law by speeding?

90 in the fast lane on the way to Heathrow suits me :)

Taxi complaint - how do I make one?
 

I'm surprised that all of the remarks posted so far have referred to
complaints to the taxi regulators for the less serious of the two
actions described. Assault is a crime, isn't it?

Of course - however it's not like I got a concussion from it. Making the
report to the police, and all the fuss along with it is more trouble than
it's worth.

So now I am left to falsify a receipt (I've got plenty of blank ones) in
order to get my money back - not something I want to do.

On the other hand, maybe David just destroyed his own credibility by
saying he was contemplating doing so.

Well, I don't want to be down on money for no fault of my own. I've since
found out that I can self-certify expenses up to £100 a month without a
receipt at work, so I am pleased I can do it that way, not have to fake a
receipt and still be reimbursed.

D.

Taxi complaint - how do I make one?
 

"Spicknspan" wrote in message
...

As a black cab driver myself, I'd say that the problem with the receipt,
while annoying, should just be chalked up as one of those things,
especially
as you have a supply of blanks. I doubt that a complaint about this would
lead to anything anyway.

However, if he drove off, presumiably in anger, and caused you injury in
the
process, I sincerely hope you do complain, as his behaviour reflects on
the
trade as a whole.

In that case, I might just do that. Really not interested in getting
involved with any assault proceedings with the police - but a quick visit to
Penton Street (it is only around the corner from me!) should be in order.

David.

Taxi complaint - how do I make one?
 

The Only Living Boy wrote:
Mike Hughes wrote:


On the subject of tipping, why is it that most Australians *never* give
a tip, even after the driver has gone out of his way to be helpful?


Because it is expected that being helpful is a standard part of the job.
Perhaps the question you should be asking is why the English accept such
poor levels of customer service that they feel obliged to tip when they
receive anything above that.


Absolutely true.

I travel on business fairly regularly. By far the best levels of service
come in countries where there is no tipping culture. Go to New Zealand,
Singapore or the Netherlands (you can tip there but it is not expected)
and you will find everyone polite and helpful. Go to the USA and get the
most annoying and overbearing service on the planet. In London, where
taxi drivers expect a tip, you generally end up with a surly old Nazi
who can't use his indicators and has psychotic tendencies towards
pedestrians. OK, that may be a little unfair, but is an unfortunately
common experience.

It comes down to attitude. Where there is no tipping culture, you tend
to be treated as an equal. Where someone needs a tip to pay the rent, it
really isn't much different to begging.

A

Taxi complaint - how do I make one?
 

"Usenet" wrote in message
...
In message , Mike Hughes
writes
There is no legal requirement for a taxi driver to provide a receipt for a
taxi journey.

Which is strange, as it would make them the only people trading who refuse
to issue a receipt.

Try getting a receipt next time you use the Dartford River Crossing. I had
some jumped up pillock try to tell me that you didn't get a receipt in a
pub. When I pointed out to him he was wrong he threatened to tow me off the
road other such unpleasantness when I continued asking.

Taxi complaint - how do I make one?
 

"David FitzGerald" wrote in message
...
I'm surprised that all of the remarks posted so far have referred to
complaints to the taxi regulators for the less serious of the two
actions described. Assault is a crime, isn't it?

Of course - however it's not like I got a concussion from it. Making the
report to the police, and all the fuss along with it is more trouble than
it's worth.

As an individual incident, you're probably right. But if it goes unreported
then how do we get the standard of service inproved?

Taxi complaint - how do I make one?
 

In message , tim
writes

"Mike Hughes" wrote in message
...
In message , David FitzGerald
writes
I just got home late from work - got a taxi back. My work will always
refund
me for a taxi receipt - but in this case the driver (Black cab number
86423)
refused to give me a receipt ("I've none left mate") and after me asking
him
to write something on a blank piece of paper, anything - drove off
knocking
my head off his open window (while I was talking to him).

There is no legal requirement for a taxi driver to provide a receipt for
a taxi journey.

Yes there is, a Taxi ride is a Vatable supply and VAT rules require
receipts to be issued.

WRONG A taxi ride is not *usually* a VATable ride as most taxi drivers
are self employed and do not take enough to break the VAT threshold.
Therefore a receipt is not legally required.


--
Mike Hughes
A Taxi driver licensed for London and Brighton
at home in Tarring, West Sussex, England

Taxi complaint - how do I make one?
 

"David FitzGerald" wrote in message
...
Complaints about either Black ("Hackney") Cabs should be made to
the
Public Carriage Office.

Address: Public Carriage Office
15 Penton Street
LONDON
N1 9PU

Fantastic! About 3 minutes walk from my front door... I think I'll
pop by.

David.

Also amusing to pick up, if you are there, is the booklet about the
routes you have to know to pass the "knowledge of London"

I have an old one. Did I hear the Ken Livingstone changed, i.e.
relaxed, the requirements?

Jeremy Parker

Taxi complaint - how do I make one?
 

On Sun, 12 Sep 2004 13:20:16 +0100, Mike Hughes
wrote:

WRONG A taxi ride is not *usually* a VATable ride as most taxi drivers
are self employed and do not take enough to break the VAT threshold.
Therefore a receipt is not legally required.

Perhaps. However, is is or is it not good service to offer one in all
circumstances, given that many users are on expenses? A piece of
paper costs next to nothing, while the time taken to write a price on
a receipt is minimal. It could easily be done while the passenger is
sorting out their payment.

Neil

--
Neil Williams in Milton Keynes, UK
To e-mail use neil at the above domain

Taxi complaint - how do I make one?
 

In message , Jeremy Parker
writes


Also amusing to pick up, if you are there, is the booklet about the
routes you have to know to pass the "knowledge of London"

I have an old one. Did I hear the Ken Livingstone changed, i.e.
relaxed, the requirements?

The number of 'suggested' routes that have to be learned has been
reduced from 400 to 320 which at first seems like it has been made
easier BUT The new routes now cover all the boroughs and several of the
overlaps in the previous system have been removed. In addition there is
now a requirement to pass a written test which includes a possibility of
any 5 maps from at least 640.

The blue book runs are only a framework. The knowledge student has to
learn far more. In fact because the knowledge examiners can now also be
cab drivers (previously they were not allowed to hold a badge *and* be
an examiner) they now find new 'points' (buildings, clubs, hotels,
restaurants, etc) quicker than the previous half-day out on the road.
This makes it more difficult for the students who must have a fully up
to date knowledge.

--
Mike Hughes
A Taxi driver licensed for London and Brighton
at home in Tarring, West Sussex, England

Taxi complaint - how do I make one?
 

In message , Neil Williams
writes
On Sun, 12 Sep 2004 13:20:16 +0100, Mike Hughes
wrote:

WRONG A taxi ride is not *usually* a VATable ride as most taxi drivers
are self employed and do not take enough to break the VAT threshold.
Therefore a receipt is not legally required.

Perhaps. However, is is or is it not good service to offer one in all
circumstances, given that many users are on expenses?

Most taxi drivers do - I usually do

A piece of
paper costs next to nothing,
Not strictly true, but almost so.
while the time taken to write a price on
a receipt is minimal.

Try writing one out in the middle of the night while you have irate
motorists blasting their horns when you're dropping off in a narrow
road.

It could easily be done while the passenger is
sorting out their payment.

Not if the passenger wants you to give a receipt for the full amount,
including gratuity.

Neil


--
Mike Hughes
A Taxi driver licensed for London and Brighton
at home in Tarring, West Sussex, England

Taxi complaint - how do I make one?
 

"Barry Salter" wrote in message
...
On Sun, 12 Sep 2004 10:43:23 +0000 (UTC), "Piccadilly Pilot"
wrote:

Try getting a receipt next time you use the Dartford River Crossing. I had
some jumped up pillock try to tell me that you didn't get a receipt in a
pub. When I pointed out to him he was wrong he threatened to tow me off
the
road other such unpleasantness when I continued asking.

Hrmm...If you use the Dartford Crossing for "business purposes" on even
a semi-regular basis, it may be worth registering for a "DART-Tag",
which gives you a 7.5% Discount on the Cash price (okay...That's only 7p
for a car, but still...) and you get an itemised Statement each month.


A useful tip, but I only used the DRC a couple of times. On other occasions
I managed to avoid it.

Taxi complaint - how do I make one?
 

In article , Mike Hughes
writes
In message , tim
writes

"Mike Hughes" wrote in message
.. .
In message , David FitzGerald
writes
I just got home late from work - got a taxi back. My work will always
refund
me for a taxi receipt - but in this case the driver (Black cab number
86423)
refused to give me a receipt ("I've none left mate") and after me asking
him
to write something on a blank piece of paper, anything - drove off
knocking
my head off his open window (while I was talking to him).

There is no legal requirement for a taxi driver to provide a receipt for
a taxi journey.

Yes there is, a Taxi ride is a Vatable supply and VAT rules require
receipts to be issued.

WRONG A taxi ride is not *usually* a VATable ride as most taxi drivers
are self employed and do not take enough to break the VAT threshold.
Therefore a receipt is not legally required.


You can only issue a VAT receipt if you have a VAT number. If the driver
(or their employer) isn't VAT registered and issues a *VAT* receipt then
he or she is breaking the law. No requirement to issue a cash receipt
though.
--
Andrew
Electronic communications can be altered and therefore the integrity of this
communication can not be guaranteed.
Views expressed in this communication are those of the author and not
associations or companies I am involved with.

Taxi complaint - how do I make one?
 

In article , Mike Hughes
writes

Try writing one out in the middle of the night while you have irate
motorists blasting their horns when you're dropping off in a narrow
road.

Then do what I do, just sit there!
--
Andrew
Electronic communications can be altered and therefore the integrity of this
communication can not be guaranteed.
Views expressed in this communication are those of the author and not
associations or companies I am involved with.

Taxi complaint - how do I make one?
 

In article , Piccadilly Pilot
writes

"Usenet" wrote in message
...
In message , Mike Hughes
writes
There is no legal requirement for a taxi driver to provide a receipt for a
taxi journey.

Which is strange, as it would make them the only people trading who refuse
to issue a receipt.

Try getting a receipt next time you use the Dartford River Crossing. I had
some jumped up pillock try to tell me that you didn't get a receipt in a
pub. When I pointed out to him he was wrong he threatened to tow me off the
road other such unpleasantness when I continued asking.


I've had problems there too - but totally the opposite on the new M6
toll road.
--
Andrew
Electronic communications can be altered and therefore the integrity of this
communication can not be guaranteed.
Views expressed in this communication are those of the author and not
associations or companies I am involved with.

Taxi complaint - how do I make one?
 

On Sun, 12 Sep 2004, Neil Williams wrote:

On Sat, 11 Sep 2004 13:18:09 +0100, "Clive D. W. Feather"
wrote:

I believe you'll find they have come from a culture that doesn't do
tipping, instead paying people for the job. I've had Kiwi colleagues who
have never tipped either.

(Incidentally, I had a meal in a restaurant this evening with a large
group, and said restaurant had a policy of adding 10% "gratuity" for
such groups. I wasn't the organiser, so I didn't fuss - but had I had
anything to do with it, I would have been tempted to zero it; if it is
expected, it should be included in the listed prices.)

The cunning restaurateur will therefore call it a 'service charge'.

tom

--
Who would you help in a fight, Peter van der Linden or Bill Gates?

Taxi complaint - how do I make one?
 

On Mon, 13 Sep 2004 17:47:18 +0100, Tom Anderson
wrote:

The cunning restaurateur will therefore call it a 'service charge'.

Perhaps. It's still cheeky, however, and should be included in the
prices - or at the very least made obvious in large print on the menu;
it's normally hidden in 6pt font at the bottom. It's not as if the
restaurant aren't already making a packet on a large group.

Neil

--
Neil Williams in Milton Keynes, UK
To e-mail use neil at the above domain

Taxi complaint - how do I make one?
 

Mike Hughes wrote:
Personally, if I am 'legalled' (no tip) and someone asks for a receipt I
will find the oldest bit of paper I've got and use that. I've also used
receipts which I've half filled out with wrong date, etc just crossed
out and written over the top. If these look like someone (i.e. the
punter) has tried to alter or falsify a previous receipt then it's not
my problem. :-)

What a miserable attitude.

#Paul