Do You Have a Gripe?

[Matheous-2]

The thing that irritates me-and my neighbours are TAXIS (private hire) who sound the horn regardless of the time of night or day to attract their customer.
What's wrong with doing what the black cabs do and ringing the landline or mobile in advance? I would mind, a little less if they had a decent twin tone horn- but the majority have that annoying 'beep' type!
There are among you private members of the public who do the same thing- pack it in will you!

[sunny-dave]

... and then sit outside with a diesel engine grumbling for as long as it takes the person to arrive. TURN IT OFF ... it will start again ...

[ummmm]

Dave, that drives me mental. OH gets picked up by his Dad in a transit....sometimes he's out there for 10 minutes with the engine running. This is usually before 6am!!! Grrr

[albaqwerty]

Don't get me started...

You phone for a taxi, they say it'll be with you in 5-10 minutes. Why can't folk get their jacket on and wait at their front door?? It would help to cut down on the beeps and rumblings.

[Snafu03]

as a taxi driver I find it amazing how many people dont turn up on time. I was waiting 20 minutes outside a venue the other night. They dont want to pay for that inconvenience either. Another driver had to cover my next job meaning I'd lost money.

They wouldnt adopt that attitude if they had to catch a train home! They think they have the god given right to mess you around!

With private hire a time is agreed so as per Alba, why cant they be ready? Personally I dont bib the horn after 11pm - think thats in the highway code.

[aelmpvw]

It is against the law but unfortunately highly unlikely to be enforced.

[Matheous-2]

Why can't taxis ring back and hang up before an answer?

[Matheous-2]

The diesel thing bugs me too! SWITCH OFF YOUR ENGINE!

[Toureman]

No, there's to many perfect drivers with them

[Thewhitemiester]

As an ex private hire operator, ours and most local authority licensing conditions state that you can not make your presence known to your client by sounding your horn on arrival at the collection address. If you have a repeat 'Horn Blower' take a note of the company, car, reg number and contact your local licensing department to complain....

[JonnyBoy12]

Are there such things as twin tone horn? If so then they should be on all vehicles, not just taxis.

[joko]

all the private firms round here ring when outside.
i havent heard of any that dont.
never known a black cab ro ring

[SpikeyBush]

Take a leaf out of Peter Kay's book and just give three rings, that way you don't pay for the call. Unless the silly bugger picks up after only two rings.

And when the driver is late and you ring up, why are you always told "He's at the top of your street now, luv" when he could in fact be on the outskirts of Newcastle, and you booked him to collect you from Shepherd's Bush.

[excelsior-1]

there are two large private hire companies in my town.

it's not just the noise at night, it's the aggressive driving - they have no road manners, and are always breaking the speed limit. not to mention failing to indicate their intentions at junctions.

if i'm driving within the limit and one of them comes up on me fast from behind then starts tail-piping me, i find a place to pull over and let them pass.