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New rules to crack down on dodgy taxi practices

New technology is being rolled out on Wednesday, which will make it more difficult for taxi drivers to overcharge their customers. The country's largest taxi payment provider, Cabcharge, is introducing a new system which will link cab drivers' payment terminals with their meters. The move has been made in attempt to crack down on dodgy taxi practices. Under the current system the two are not connected, so dishonest drivers may disregard the distance and fee on the meter and input a higher sum on their payment terminals, charging customers more money. The crack down has been approved Australia's most extensive taxi network which includes operators such as 13cabs, Silver Service and Black & White Cabs. They are also encouraged to display a sticker that says "We proudly accept Cabcharge." Speaking to 2GB on Monday, Nick Abrahim the CEO of NSW Taxi Council said that the technology was "welcomed news", which will help strengthen customer trust. "We want people, whether they're going to a sporting event or a concert or whatever it is, not even to worry about the transport issues. We want them to go out and make sure they're having a good time," he said. "The majority of drivers are out there, they want to do the right thing they want to look after passengers, but we know there are a handful of those drivers that unfortunately think they can flout the law and get away from it... [this] sends a strong message to that handful of drivers." Image: Shutterstock

Legal

“They’re ripping kids off”: Scott Cam slams cabbies

Block host Scott Cam has lashed out at NSW taxi drivers for “ripping off” passengers by refusing to turn the meter on. Cam spoke to Ben Fordham about the issue on 2GB on Monday, saying he wasn’t aware of the issue until he jumped in a taxi with his wife on Friday. The presenter said he doesn’t often take taxis and that the driver informed him that the trip to the requested address would cost $45. When he asked the driver to turn on the meter instead, he was met with refusal. “We got out with a few choice words and we walked up the road and got an Uber for $27 to the same address,” Cam said. He added that his biggest concern was for his children and that he didn’t want his daughter to be forced to pay the price set by the driver or be “exposed” while waiting for an Uber to come home on a night out, as an example. “We’ve got to stamp this out, mate,” he said. “They’re ripping kids off. They’re ripping people off. You and I can afford to get a cab but, you know, kids can’t, trying to get home late at night and that’s what worries me.” After speaking to others about his experience, Cam discovered the issue was “rife” and one that his daughter had also experienced. “My daughter said to me ‘that happens in every cab ride,’” he said. Fordham shared a similar experience he had where a taxi driver refused to turn on the meter, before reading out other complaints he had received from listeners. “I’ve had the same issue with taxis. $40 after the races from Randwick to Coogee. We didn’t realise the meter wasn’t on until we got to Coogee,” one said. “We were asked to pay $100 from Olympic Park to Parramatta after the NRL grand final,” said another. One of the show’s producers said he paid $30 for a 2.6km trip on Sunday night after the driver refused to turn the meter on. Unlike Uber and other ride share service fares, which can be higher in different areas or after major events as a result of dynamic pricing, taxi drivers are required to use the meter during a rank and hail trip and cannot negotiate or demand a fare that is different - with the exception of applicable tolls. If drivers fail to use the meter, they could be hit with a $300 fine. In a statement shared with the show, the NSW Taxi Council said it had raised the complaint with the Point to Point Transport Commission Regulator, which has “the power to fine and prosecute drivers”. “It is unacceptable and need to work with the regulator to stop this,” the statement said. “In Rank & Hail, it is illegal for drivers to refuse a fare and they need to run the meter.” In a recent media release, the Point to Point Transport Commission said its compliance team had been out on the streets to deter this behaviour, with Commissioner Anthony Wing saying the team had been “at a number of major events in Sydney and throughout NSW” to help ”deter illegal and unsafe driver behaviour at these locations”. “My compliance team of Authorised Officers continue to have a visible presence at targeted locations throughout NSW. Since the start of October, they have inspected more than 600 vehicles (taxis, hire car and rideshare)” Mr Wing said. The safety of drivers and passengers will always be my absolute priority and any instance where drivers are not following the law is unacceptable. As we go into the festive period we will be continuing to be out in force.” Images: @scottycamofficial (Instagram) / Getty Images

Travel Trouble

Run errands the easy way with 13cabs

As Australia starts to open again, running errands is becoming a lot more like pre-covid times. If you want to run errands with ease and avoid crowds, you can do it by leaving the car at home and travelling with 13cabs. Luckily, <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.13cabs.com.au/" target="_blank">13cabs</a>, Australia's biggest taxi network with 10,000 vehicles, ensures that getting around is safe and affordable. 13cabs vehicles have plenty of space for walkers and wheelchairs, and drivers are trained to work with vision and hearing-impaired passengers. To help you choose the right travel choice, here are some benefits to choosing 13cabs. 100% Price Guarantee 13cabs offers a <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.13cabs.com.au/app/#price-guarantee" target="_blank">100% price guarantee</a>. While typical ride-sharing apps may provide convenience, they can’t guarantee the price. Depending on the time of day, the traffic and the wait time, the cost of your trip can escalate quickly. The price guarantee is a fixed price set at the time of booking within the <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.13cabs.com.au/app/" target="_blank">13cabs app</a>. This price is the final price you pay after getting from point A to point B. There are no hidden fees or surcharges once you book. Now, when you need to get to a doctor’s appointment, you can sit back and enjoy the ride without having to check the meter every time you arrive at a red light. Plus, it gives you certainty while comparing prices when making travel decisions. Choose a vaccinated Driver With so many businesses adding an extra layer of protection for their customers, 13cabs is doing the same. Now, passengers have the option to choose a vaccinated driver or disability service driver. This program is in addition to their industry-leading ride-sharing sanitisation program, which includes mask-wearing and a supply of Aqium hospital-grade hand sanitiser in every vehicle. In addition, booking a vaccinated driver doesn’t cost extra. Plus, all drivers are professionally trained, uniformed and NDIS qualified, and the 13cabs app gives you the ability to save your favourite drivers using MyDriver. That way you can book them again in the future. On-demand courier service Recently, 13cabs have introduced <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.13cabs.com.au/services/parcel-delivery/" target="_blank">parcel delivery</a>. The feature is like having your own on-demand courier service. So, if you have something you need to get somewhere fast, such as a gift for a loved one, you can organise a parcel delivery on the website. Furthermore, you can also schedule 13cabs to pick up parcels for you. For example, they can pick up scripts on your behalf from the chemist. All you need to do is give the chemist a call to let them know a 13cabs driver will be arriving to collect your parcel. Keep in mind, 13cabs parcel delivery service will deliver almost anything door to door, if it can easily fit inside a large sedan SUV or a MAXI TAXI. In addition, the service is available 24/7, and they don’t charge for priority delivery, so prices never surge. Fixed price Finally, every cab in the 13cabs fleet comes with multiple built-in GPS tracking devices. These are monitored 24/7 by the Australian-based contact centre for both you and your driver's safety. So, no matter where domestic travel takes you, trust 13cabs to get you there and never pay more than you need to. This is a sponsored article produced in partnership with 13cabs.

Domestic Travel

“Completely drunk”: Woman banned for life from Disney World after attacking taxi driver

Walt Disney World has taken action against an intoxicated woman for slapping a cab driver as well as kicking a police officer. Ellen McMillion, 53, from Florida slapped unsuspecting cab driver Adel Mahmoud after she asked him for a cigarette. When he said he didn’t smoke, she slapped him several times. “A minute or two after I told her I don’t have a cigarette, she hit and slapped me,” Mr Mahmoud told <a href="https://au.news.yahoo.com/drunk-florida-woman-banned-from-disney-world-for-assault-130639643.html">Yahoo Lifestyle</a>. “She didn’t have control, she was completely drunk, out of her mind.” Disney security guard Barbara Somoano observed the assault and said to police that McMillion caused a disturbance at the Hollywood Studios entrance. An Orange County police officer stationed at Disney World told Ms McMillion to sit down, but she became “verbally belligerent...She had bloodshot eyes, an unsteady gait, was slurring her words, and had a strong odour of alcohol emanating from her facial area. She also verbally stated she was drunk multiple times.” After McMillion was asked for her driver’s licence, she threw her small black purse on the ground and said “HERE”. She was also yelling profanities as families passed by and was led into a squad car, where she kicked a female officer in the leg twice. She was charged with battery on a law enforcement officer and disorderly intoxication. The police report obtained by Yahoo Lifestyle said that Disney Security asked for McMillion to be banned from all Walt Disney World Properties. A Disney spokesperson tells Yahoo Lifestyle, “We have no tolerance for violence.”

Travel Trouble

"Complaining has done nothing": Why taxis continue to refuse to take short fares

The NSW Taxi Council wants to take a tougher stance on drivers who refuse to take passengers short distances which result in short fares, but people are saying that the taxi council are part of the problem. Many readers shared their experiences with <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.news.com.au/finance/business/other-industries/uber-vs-taxis-taxi-drivers-refuse-to-drive-passengers-short-distances/news-story/5efe0d3c9a80699254f0318127489328" target="_blank">news.com.au</a> with drivers refusing to take passengers short distances. “Few weeks ago, I tried to get a cab at 2 am in the city to Leichhardt (in Sydney’s inner west) and two drivers wouldn’t open doors and then drove off,” Scott Rhodie wrote. “I called the cab company, but they didn’t care.” The NSW Taxi Council wants to help deal with the problem and is aware that it’s an issue that faces the industry. “It is definitely an issue within our industry and it’s something we take quite seriously,” the body’s deputy chief executive Nick Abrahim told <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.news.com.au/finance/business/other-industries/taxi-industry-accused-of-refusing-to-act-on-drivers-refusing-short-fares/news-story/e71d64b42a4990771bc7bcbef1561454" target="_blank">news.com.au</a>. “We want to tackle it head on and try and deal with it … because it’s not in the interest of good customer service.” Some people say that the Taxi Council is a part of the problem. “The ‘Taxi Council’ is actually a huge part of the problem,” said one reader. “Did absolutely zero for years — them and their partners never disciplined drivers. As an owner I can tell you that there are drivers working for the biggest Sydney taxi company who have multiple complaints.” Another reader said, “The moral is the taxi industry has no shortage of feedback on what needs to change for them to remain competitive, but they refuse to act.” Despite the Taxi Council being aware of the issue, readers are annoyed nothing is being done. “People have been complaining about this for years and been raising it with the taxi industry,” another reader said. “You know what, you didn’t care then so what’s going to be different now? “The only difference now is that there is a better model that you DON’T want to compete with because you're a lazy expecting industry.” Abrahim is trying to let people know that there are procedures in place in order to stamp out the behaviour that leaves passengers stranded on the side of the road. Any driver whose reported for avoiding short fares would be pilled in and given a counselling session if they were a first-time offender whereas repeat offenders could face instant dismissal. Abrahim admitted there were issues that needed to be faced but said that “everyone in the chain needs to do their part”. This is because complainants used to be able to complain directly to the NSW government but now have to complain straight to the taxi company. “The rules of the game have changed with regards to how a customer makes a complaint,” he said. “It’s a tighter and more informal process.” “Everyone in the chain needs to do their part,” he said. “The accountability needs to happen on all levels. The message needs to get through that we want to stamp out this behaviour and, in some cases, we need to get tougher.”

Travel Tips

Never get ripped off by a taxi again: Google Maps’ clever new alert

Google Maps is testing a new feature in India that allows you to be warned if a taxi driver is taking you off your intended course to increase your taxi fare. These new “off-route alerts” will send a notification to your phone every time you get side-tracked from the intended course by 500 metres. The feature has been developed by XDA-Developers and was designed to help ensure drivers do not stray too far from the route. You simply choose the “stay safer” button that’s located at the bottom of the screen on Google Maps where you would enter your destination for directions. After you’ve selected the button, Google Maps offers the ability to “share live progress with friends” as well as offering the “off-route alerts”. According to <a href="https://www.9news.com.au/technology/google-maps-feature-will-alert-you-if-a-taxi-is-taking-you-offroute-to-increase-the-fare/b2993178-88c3-494f-b8ab-f99b6665c231">9News</a>, the feature isn’t yet available in Australia or New Zealand as it is only being tested in India at the moment. Google Maps is also aiming to introduce speed limit indicators as well as speed camera locations to its navigation technology. The maps app will warn you when you approach a fixed speed camera location as well as allow you to submit the location of mobile speed cameras to alert other drivers.

Technology

Never get ripped off by a taxi again: Google Maps’ clever new alert

Technology

Flying taxis in Paris may only be a few years away

When you’re visiting Paris today, it can take up to 90 minutes by bus or train from Charles de Gaulle airport to the city. However, travellers may expect an enticing alternative to become available in a matter of years: Autonomous flying taxis. Airbus, Aeroports de Paris (ADP) and the Paris Transport Authority said they are aiming to have the new transport option up and running by the 2024 Paris Olympics. The service is expected to see the taxis take off every six minutes, allowing visitors to save time on their trip. “In 2010, for the first time, more than half of humanity was living in urban zones and we think we shall surpass 60 per cent by 2030,” said Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury. The time has come to explore the “<a href="https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/paris-flying-taxi-olympics-intl-scli/index.html">third dimension</a>” of local commutes – that is, air – Faury said. “If we have the conviction that in the next five, 10, 15, 20 or 30 years low altitude is a space to be conquered we have to put in place the conditions today,” said ADP Group’s executive director general Edward Arkwright. A feasibility study will be launched into “vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) vehicles”, including traffic management, urban integration, maintenance, and design and production. As the manufacturer, Airbus already has two prototype models – the single-seat Vahana and the four-seater CityAirbus. ADP has to pick a site for a flying taxi hub around Paris by the end of this year. The plan is to have the venue ready in 18 months, but it will require an infrastructure investment of €10 million, ADP executive director general Edward Arkwright said. Some concerns need to be addressed before the flying taxi service is launched, according to Jean-Louis Rassineux, head of aeronautics and defence issues for <a href="https://au.news.yahoo.com/paris-aims-beat-olympic-traffic-flying-taxis-032930014--spt.html">Deloitte</a>. Apart from ensuring that the battery power and anti-collision detection are up to par, issues surrounding air traffic and compatibility with existing regulation and transport systems should also be considered. “There remains some way to go before a flying vehicle becomes integrated into urban transport,” said France’s transport minister Elisabeth Borne. Airbus is not the only company planning to release air taxis. Uber is expected to start testing its UberAir VTOL vehicles in 2020 with the aim of making commercial flying taxi trips available in 2023. The trial will take place in <a href="https://www.engadget.com/2019/06/12/uber-flying-taxi-test-melbourne/?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZW5nYWRnZXQuY29tLzIwMTkvMDYvMjMvcGFyaXMtZmx5aW5nLXRheGlzLWF0LTIwMjQtb2x5bXBpY3Mv&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAABHkV89Q7E-DqeYHYzJE2Fb535M4GKf_7fmeVtHy7LNOj0CJFS0wBMd4Z_fLmbUNGQBevSRhsp__r3hOAnc7nrf85Db3p8xSafYFoLFbvIiooYLZqSuLFzH38Pd4czJa8fReD8lUXpRAHedhfhNeq4eiEaMiNibAjJh7Zj1EfJ9I">Melbourne as well as Dallas and Los Angeles</a>.

International Travel

Meet the world's most eligible royals who are yet to marry

Even though Prince Harry has officially been off the market for a while now, since marrying his forever love Duchess Meghan in May last year, there are still plenty of eligible royals that have not yet tied the knot yet – including Princess Margaret's grandson Arthur Chatto and Princess Diana's niece Lady Kitty Spencer. These eligible royals are still bachelors and bachelorettes and looking for their prince or princess. From the attractive prince who just landed a modelling contract to the newly-single princess looking for love, we reveal the most eligible royal members who haven’t walked down the aisle yet. Scroll through the gallery above to see some of the world’s most eligible royals. Prince Nikolai Prince Nikolai of Denmark is the eldest son of Prince Joachim and Alexandra, Countess of Frederiksborg. He is the nephew of beloved Princess Mary and is the sixth-in-line to the Danish throne. In 2018, the 19-year-old was signed with a modelling agency and has shown his skills by walking the catwalk for Dior and Burberry. Lady Amelia Windsor Lady Amelia Winsor, from the UK, is 23 years old and is a distant cousin to Prince William and Prince Harry. She is the granddaughter of the Queen's cousin who is the Duke of Kent, Prince Edward. The royal is the 37th-in-line to the British throne and on occasion works for Dolce & Gabbana as a model. She was once deemed the “most beautiful royal” by Tatler, a British tabloid, and it’s not hard to see why. Lady Marina-Charlotte Windsor Lady Marina-Charlotte Windsor is 26 years old and is the eldest sister of Lady Amelia. She is not included in the line of succession for the throne as she is Roman Catholic. Prince Abdul Mateen The prince is the fourth son of the Sultan of Brunei and the 27-year-old is certainly one of the world's most eligible bachelors. He is currently doing a master’s degree in international diplomacy at SOAS University of London and has an Instagram account with over 1 million followers. Crown prince Al-Hussein Bin Abdullah II<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BnIos_yFZZV/"></a> The crown prince is the eldest child of King Abdullah II and Queen Rania, and he is the first in line to the Jordanian throne. The 24-year-old prince shares images to his Instagram account which has amassed over 1.8 million followers. In June 2018, he made headlines around the world after posting a picture of himself and Prince William watching the World Cup from his bachelor pad in his palace in Jordan. Viscount Althorp Louis Spencer, who holds the official title Viscount Althorp, is the eldest son and fourth child of Princess Diana's brother Charles Spencer, and his first wife Victoria Lockwood He is the first cousin to Prince William and Prince Harry and is Prince Diana’s nephew. Louis, 24, will inherit the Althorp estate as his oldest sister, Lady Kitty Spencer, is unable to due to British primogeniture law. Lady Kitty Spencer Lady Kitty Spencer, 28, is the named UK ambassador for the luxury jewellery brand Bulgari. She has modelled for a number of fashion magazines and walked down the runway for Dolce & Gabbana. She is the eldest child of Princess Diana's brother Charles Spencer and his first wife, Victoria Lockwood. The royal is regularly seen attending events, including Prince Harry’s wedding to the Duchess Meghan in May 2018. Hamdan bin Mohammed Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum is the heir to the Dubai throne and 36 years old. The Crown Prince is an intellectual political figure and is known to mingle with his ‘people’ frequently by dining at local restaurants and driving his own car through the streets of Dubai. Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana The 32-year-old princess is the daughter of the current ruler of Thailand, King Vajiralongkorn. Princess Sirivannavari is a fashion designer and attends some of the world's biggest fashion shows regularly. She famously played professional badminton winning gold with her team at the 2005 Southeast Asian Games. Princess Elisabeth Princess Elisabeth of Thurn and Taxis is a member of Germany’s defunct nobility and has been a style editor-at-large for Vogue in the UK since 2012. She usually goes by the nickname TNT. Albert con Thurn und Taxis Albert von Thurn und Taxis is the 12th prince in his family line. Although Germany no longer rules under a monarchy, the noble families continue to use and pass on their titles. His family is worth an estimated US$1.6 billion and is a champion race car driver. Arthur Chatto Arthur Chatto has made headlines for his topless Instagram posts, constantly posing shirtless as he travels the world. He is the 20-year-old grandson of the late Princess Margaret, Queen Elizabeth’s sister. He is the son of Princess Margaret's daughter Lady Sarah Chatto and her husband Daniel Chatto. Princess Alexandra of Luxemborg Princess Alexandra from Luxembourg is from one of the most prominently wealthy royal families in the world. The Grand Ducal Family of Luxembourg is worth an estimate of US$4 billion. She is 24 years old and is the only daughter of Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa. For now, she is the fifth-in-line to the throne – just behind her two older brothers and her niece and nephew. Prince Constantine-Alexios. Prince Constantine-Alexios of Greece is 20 years old and currently attends Georgetown University in Washington D.C. The prince’s grandfather, Constantine II – the last King of Greece – is a close friend and second cousin to Prince Charles. King Constantine II is Prince William’s godfather. Prince Constantine-Alexios is the son of Crown Prince Pavlos Greece and Crown Princess Marie-Chantal. Princess Iman and Princess Salma 18-year-old Princess Salma recently celebrated her completion of a commissioning course at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, which her brother, the Crown Prince attended. Her older sister, Princess Iman bint Abdullah, is the second child and eldest daughter of the king of Jordan, King Abdullah II and Queen Rania. She is 22 and is currently studying at Georgetown University in Washington D.C. Do you recognise any of these royal members? Let us know in the comments below.

Relationships

Karl Stefanovic taxi scandal: Driver records private conversation with brother Peter

Karl Stefanovic can’t seem to <a href="http://www.oversixty.com.au/entertainment/tv/2018/03/karl-stefanovic-and-jasmine-yarbrough-exchange-vows/" target="_blank">shake the spotlight this week</a>, with reports suggesting a taxi driver has recorded a private phone conversation between the Today host and his brother Peter and is trying to shop it around to media networks. The allegations were first made by veteran Australian entertainment reporter Peter Ford, who teased the story on social media over the weekend. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Could a Sydney taxi driver who recorded the private drunken conversation of a famous passenger be about to destroy a TV partnership? There will be tears before breakfast time. Next week across Australia & NZ. — Peter Ford (@mrpford) <a href="https://twitter.com/mrpford/status/972284863616229376?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 10, 2018</a></blockquote> “Could a Sydney taxi driver who recorded the private drunken conversation of a famous passenger be about to destroy a TV partnership?” he tweeted. “There will be tears before breakfast time. Next week across Australia & NZ.” Ford was one of the guests on the Kyle and Jackie O show this morning, where he elaborated on his allegations to the two morning radio hosts. “They have a very frank and full conversation; talk about lots of people. The driver is in the front seat recording the whole thing, and is now shopping it around. How low is that? “You can’t use it, because it’s an illegally recorded conversation. Any media outlet out there wouldn’t be able to quote from the conversation,” Ford said. “They talked about jobs, about life, a bit of bitching and a bit of moaning. But I think most people would think, there but for the grace of God go I,” he continued. Ford claims to have had the phone call transcribed to him, and argues that while the contents weren’t “earth shattering” there was a bit of “bitching and venting”. “Obviously I was talking about Georgie Gardner,” Ford said, explaining his earlier cryptic tweet. “I don’t know that it would destroy (their partnership), but it certainly would cause... it’s an unusual relationship between those two anyway, you just wouldn’t want any grenade thrown into the mix.” What are your thoughts? Do you think this is a case of where there’s smoke there’s fire? Or is it too early to cast judgement on the situation before hearing the recording.

Technology

4 tell-tale signs your taxi driver is trying to scam you

Do a quick check before you load your bags in the boot. 1. They weren’t waiting at a designated rank In many airports, train stations or popular tourist sites around the world, people will approach you and ask if you need a taxi. They might sound legit and even have a printed card or flyer with their details on it, but be skeptical. They could just be opportunistic drivers who prey on unsuspecting tourists. To be certain you are in a genuine taxi, always get one from a designated rank. 2. There’s no meter in the taxi Meters for calculating the fare are now found in taxis all over the world, so look out for it as soon as your cab pulls up. Even if you have agreed on a set fare (as is common in many places for standard trips from the airport) there should still be a meter inside, albeit turned off. Once the cab starts, make sure the meter is turned on and ticking over at a reasonable speed. 3. The driver seems unsure of your destination In most cities, official taxi drivers have to go through training and be familiar with the common destinations in the city. This should include airports, train stations, cruise ports, major hotels and popular tourist sites. Before your journey begins, make sure your driver knows where you are going. It is a good idea to write down the name and address of your hotel so you can show them – they should be able to look it up on GPS or an old fashioned map. Don't start the journey if you don’t feel confident about where you’re headed. 4. Safety features are non-existent No seatbelt? Then no go. Even though many people seem happy to drive around foreign countries without the standard safety features they have in their own cars at home, we don’t recommend it. Some major foreign cities have shocking road statistics, so you don’t want to put yourself in danger. Authorised taxis should always have seat belts. <a href="http://www.oversixty.com.au/travel/travel-insurance/?utm_source=over60&utm_campaign=travel-insurance&utm_medium=in-article-banner&utm_content=travel-insurance" target="_blank"><img src="http://media.oversixty.com.au/images/banners/Travel-Insurance_Website_GIF_468x602.gif" alt="Over60 Travel Insurance"/></a>

Travel Insurance

4 things you should do before stepping into a taxi overseas

In some destinations, taxis are the only conceivable way to get from point A to point B making this mode of transport a necessary evil. And don’t taxi drivers know it. From over-charging from trips, to dropping you off in the wrong location and even more-sinister occurrences, taxi driver scams are far too common an occurrence. But what can we do to protect ourselves? Well, asides from having the appropriate level of travel insurance<a href="https://elevate.agatravelinsurance.com.au/oversixty?utm_source=over60&utm_medium=content&utm_content=link1&utm_campaign=travel-insurance" target="_blank"></a>, we’ve put together a simple guide to make sure you avoid a taxi scam. Follow these tips and you should arrive on time, and with the contents of your wallet intact. Here are four things you should do before stepping into a taxi overseas: 1. Have an idea of how much the fare should cost How will you realise you’re being overcharged if you have no idea what a fare is supposed to cost? Do a little research before you hail the cab, so you have a realistic expectation of what a fare is worth. <a href="https://www.taxifarefinder.com/" target="_blank">Taxi Fare Finder</a> is a useful online resource that provides the average fares for taxi rides in many popular destinations. 2. Carry a card with the hotel address and a map Nowhere is a language barrier more prevalent, than when you’re trying to give directions to a taxi driver who doesn’t speak English. Make sure you’re always carrying a card with the address of your destination, or a map that makes it easy to point out where you need to go. This might just be the difference between you being dropped off at the front of your hotel, or being dropped off in front of a tip 10kms down the road. 3. Ask the taxi driver to use the meter In the end of the day, the only part of a taxi keeping most drivers honest is the meter. Rather than letting your driver estimate the fair, ask them to use the meter and keep an eye on it. If you’re halfway into your trip and the numbers don’t seem like they’re adding up, don’t be afraid to question your driver, or get out entirely. 4. Make sure they’re a legitimate taxi driver Anyone can claim to be a taxi driver, but when it comes to overseas scam artists the devil is in the detail. Fraudulent drivers often don’t use official taxi parking areas and often don’t have vehicles with official markings. Keep an eye on little details like this and go with your gut. If it doesn’t feel right, it’s not worth the risk. Have you ever had an issue with taxi drivers overseas?

Travel Tips

Taxi driver gives free ride to a family of ducks

Taxi driver Urga Adunga was making the rounds through Calgary, Canada, last week when he spotted a family in need. On the road, near a busy intersection, was a mother duck with nine little ducklings in tow. “I jumped out of my cab and I motioned for the oncoming traffic to pull over so I could get the animals to safety,” Adunga told Global News. “Several drivers got out of their cars and signalled everyone to stop. Other drivers used baby carriers to hold the ducklings and put them gently into my cab with their mama.” Adunga then drove the displaced ducks to a nearby river. It was a fare that would have normally cost around $20 but Adunga waived the charge as ten grateful bills were payment enough. “It was amazing and I was happy to serve them,” Adunga said in a statement from his employer, Checker Yellow Cabs. “As a human it is our responsibility to protect those animals, and nature and the environment. I could do it again too. Not only the animals, humans too. We have to rescue each other, we have to help each other.” Related links: <a href="/news/news/2015/06/benefits-babies-with-ipads/">New study suggests that babies should be given iPads “from birth”</a> <a href="/news/news/2015/06/james-harrison-blood-donation/">Meet the man who has saved the lives of over 2 million babies</a> <a href="/news/news/2015/06/abs-results-aussies-veggies/">A survey found that Aussies aren't eating enough veggies</a>

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New rules to crack down on dodgy taxi practices

“They’re ripping kids off”: Scott Cam slams cabbies

Run errands the easy way with 13cabs

“Completely drunk”: Woman banned for life from Disney World after attacking taxi driver

"Complaining has done nothing": Why taxis continue to refuse to take short fares

Never get ripped off by a taxi again: Google Maps’ clever new alert

Never get ripped off by a taxi again: Google Maps’ clever new alert

Flying taxis in Paris may only be a few years away

Meet the world's most eligible royals who are yet to marry

Karl Stefanovic taxi scandal: Driver records private conversation with brother Peter

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