Irish Taxi Forum

Public Area => Taxi Talk => Topic started by: Firewall on January 09, 2020, 12:55:58 am

Title: Is it really that bad?
Post by: Firewall on January 09, 2020, 12:55:58 am
Nta want door stickers, and area stickers and no one bat's an eyelid, some taxi app increases commission by 3% and evryone loses their minds.
Title: Re: Is it really that bad?
Post by: Octavia1 on January 09, 2020, 01:22:41 am
Nta want door stickers, and area stickers and no one bat's an eyelid, some taxi app increases commission by 3% and evryone loses their minds.

Dont understand why you put this up  ....since the announcement of the increase it's been  debated ever since.....
Wat clarification of the viewpoint of the  members on taxi chat do you request  or enquire firewall?
Area stickers and door stickers are required under rules laid down by government appointed legislative bodies .....whereas 15 % commission increase of commission  charges enforced by a foreign multinational are open to debate and scrutiny  ???
Title: Re: Is it really that bad?
Post by: Bob Shillin on January 09, 2020, 01:44:41 am
Nta want door stickers, and area stickers and no one bat's an eyelid, some taxi app increases commission by 3% and evryone loses their minds.
I batted both my eyelids billions of times, wrote to AK47 several times, went so far as to say I would never vote Labour again.
Title: Re: Is it really that bad?
Post by: dalymount on January 09, 2020, 03:14:14 am
I think the introduction if area stickers,and door stickers were seen as something thst was supposed to BENEFIT full time taxi drivers.door stickers we r introduced in the hope they would dissuade double jobbers from the industry,area stickers were supposed to dissuade drivers from operating in counties they were not licensed for,alas neither worked.double jobbers didnt give a damn if their neighbours knew or not,and other drivers are STILL invading counties they a are not licensed for particularly Dublin
Title: Re: Is it really that bad?
Post by: mercenary for hire on January 09, 2020, 09:26:05 am
I know yis are all maths geniuses but this is important to understand the size of the increase.Even though RC posted it the details may have been forgotten or just overlooked.Bearing in mind the exact same thing was done after the last fare increase.

Using the example of 20k app work as year a low figure. Multiply by two or three where necessary for the hard workers..or four for VD.

20000 @ 12% commission is 2400
20000 after 4% rise is 20800
20800 after 15% commission 3180

A 780 increase over 2400 is a 32.5% increase.

The 3% rise doesn't show the full effect of the fare increase.Feel free to correct my schoolboy maths.So yes it is that bad.
Title: Re: Is it really that bad?
Post by: The Liffey Lip on January 09, 2020, 09:43:00 am
It'll never happen....the commission increase. They're throwing it out there like the Dept of Finance does before the budget.

It's 15% in London...I've just been told.........apologies.
Title: Re: Is it really that bad?
Post by: The Liffey Lip on January 09, 2020, 09:48:14 am
A 50% increase in London since Aug 2019........

https://www.taxi-point.co.uk/single-post/2019/07/25/FREE-NOW-face-criticism-from-taxi-drivers-following-50-increase-on-commission-fees (https://www.taxi-point.co.uk/single-post/2019/07/25/FREE-NOW-face-criticism-from-taxi-drivers-following-50-increase-on-commission-fees)
Title: Re: Is it really that bad?
Post by: Tony on January 09, 2020, 09:50:09 am
If everyone accepts the increase thinking it could be worser then wait till this time next year rodders, you'll be paying 20% or more
Title: Re: Is it really that bad?
Post by: The Liffey Lip on January 09, 2020, 09:54:29 am
Trying to find out what it is in Germany. Didn't know they owned the Park Now franchise too.........and Share Now. Jesus, lads,,,,,,,they've money coming out their ears.

Your Now is the real name of all these subsidiaries. Getting cracking on that App lads.


Seems to be tied in with the Lufthansa Companion App. I know they have some alliance with the flight provider in Berlin and Hamburg.
Title: Re: Is it really that bad?
Post by: Tony on January 09, 2020, 10:04:12 am
Trying to find out what it is in Germany. Didn't know they owned the Park Now franchise too.........and Share Now. Jesus, lads,,,,,,,they've money coming out their ears.

Rumour is thats its 6% in Germany, dunno how true that is
Title: Re: Is it really that bad?
Post by: The Liffey Lip on January 09, 2020, 10:07:56 am
Think it might vary. They seem to work alongside Lufthansa...you fly with them and the rate is part of your fare...some loyalty yoke the drivers absorb as a hit.
Title: Re: Is it really that bad?
Post by: Firewall on January 09, 2020, 10:08:27 am
The reason I put this up, was to highlight the fact that there is more of an issue of some multinational company increasing their commission charges, for an app that you can uninstall at any time. Drivers are not dependant on it, can work without it, or install another app with lower commission rate(however, I don’t think any other company can give as much work).

 

If drivers are naïve to think that FN weren’t going to increase their commission at some stage, then they signed up without doing some research first. All taxi app companies have increased charges, including FN outside of Ireland, so it was bound to happen at some stage.

 

While I mentioned area stickers, door stickers(and forgot to mention insurance), these are extra costs that the government/NTA has forced on drivers. Area stickers while a good idea on paper makes no difference at all, as you can have no area sticker on your roofsign and no one cares(except the regulator, who you might see you twice a year if you’re unlucky), and it’s still worth the fine if you get one.

 

Ask any driver if they like having stickers on their doors, and I bet everyone of them will say they hate them. While it might deter double-jobbers, the downside is that your car is a beacon to scumbag thieves. Take your roofsign off(when the car has no stickers), and it looks like every car on the road. Driving a taxi is nobody’s business except your own, but go to a funeral/wedding or dropping the kids to school, and you still have people coming up to you asking if your available.

 
Title: Re: Is it really that bad?
Post by: dalymount on January 09, 2020, 10:14:55 am
It done nothing to stop double jobbers,there are more double jobbers now,then ever before
Title: Re: Is it really that bad?
Post by: Rat Catcher on January 09, 2020, 10:54:54 am
Ya could be right, FW. For most drivers it's only an extra €200-€300 per month. If NTA told us to spend 2 and a half grand on card reading / processing technology we wouldn't bat an eye lid. If our insurance went up by 2 and a half grand a year we'd just pay it... what's all the fuss about?
Title: Re: Is it really that bad?
Post by: Rat Catcher on January 09, 2020, 10:57:13 am
It done nothing to stop double jobbers,there are more double jobbers now,then ever before

Commission based freight is great for part-timers and double jobbers... it's the full-time professionals that need the job to feed their families anall that are subsidising them with freight of up to €400/week. Jeez, I remember when you'd pay less to work for an Irish dispatch firm for a month and you could work as much or little as you wanted.
Title: Re: Is it really that bad?
Post by: mercenary for hire on January 09, 2020, 11:12:08 am
I'd just like to mention that Firewall even though he may have good intentions is not a taxi driver.He admitted he didn't want to be a taxi driver due to the high costs and having to drive a miniwat.

As a limo driver he has no choice but to pay extortionate fees as that's the path he chose.My problem is lads like him accepting the increase is undermining any form of taxi protest by virtue of the fact he can only get app work and has no roof sign.No offence Firewall but limos aren't taxis.Even though you are covering taxi work.So it does matter to us.
Title: Re: Is it really that bad?
Post by: Rat Catcher on January 09, 2020, 11:22:08 am
There doesn't seem to be much appetite for protest or any appetite for including freight in the taxi cost index. I haven't heard anything from any of the unions. Our own survey suggests that 50% of drivers will delete the app so, as tensions decrease and reality hits, that'll probably equate to less than 5%. Drivers may use it less but that probably won't last and the work will be covered by those on a mission to cover 100+ jobs so they can benefit from the 10% rate for jobs 61 - 100+... at least until April.
Title: Re: Is it really that bad?
Post by: mercenary for hire on January 09, 2020, 11:26:55 am
Yeah I'm sure it will die off but that's just the caliber of driver we have now.

I'm still occasionally protesting on me own about the 10%>>>12% increase six years ago.I don't trust any of the staff on Mount street and some I know over 20 years.I remember them working during the taxi strikes way back with their roof signs off.Back when I was a courier.
Title: Re: Is it really that bad?
Post by: Rat Catcher on January 09, 2020, 11:37:58 am
There was generally some legitimate cover during strikes for patient transfers, blood runs - before the bikers stole that work - and such like. I can't speak for all the drivers that covered that work but I know a couple of Blue Cabs men who donated the fares to Temple Street.

I guess if there was enough of a reduction in cover Free Now would have to rethink the policy, like the PUC... but then based on a 50 hour week without working beyond midnight (save a couple of hours of a Sat night) and without covering any pre-bookings, hospitality jobs, airport pickups, pub jobs, match jobs or Hal0 For Business jobs and without picking up south of Collins Ave or west of Ballymun Road (save one or two jobs with destinations north of Collins Ave and east of Ballymun Rd) PUC would equate to c.€140 whereas the increase in freight would only be around €40. Jeez, I remember when €40 was half a week's freight with C2K and we could cover as much or little work as we wanted with bribery costs and all included.
Title: Re: Is it really that bad?
Post by: Firewall on January 09, 2020, 11:42:03 am
Ah, everyone in here knows I drive a limo, but I’m stating the obvious which you can all agree on. You’re right, I didn’t want to be a taxi driver based on the costs(high insurance not in my name, renting a plate, renting a car, etc) funny though these costs were not the cause of by a multinational company. I didn’t want to drive a Miniwat either cause I hate the look of them.

 

As a limo driver I don’t have a choice but to use the apps(Uber Commission 20%, FN Commission 15%), however since using the apps I have had no runners, no one getting sick, I get paid everytime, and very few people not showing up. I am also making more money than I did with the apps(driving a taxi).

 

FYI, I don’t cover any taxi work anymore, none. All my work is FN Exec and Uber Black, and my own customers.

 
Title: Re: Is it really that bad?
Post by: mercenary for hire on January 09, 2020, 11:54:45 am
We've lots of guests this week so not every reader has a memory like mine.It's important to say who is who to get some context so when the threads are being read a misrepresentation of actual taxi driver opinions doesn't happen.

Your insurance company is most likely a multinational Firewall but that's a separate issue.

It's only recently that you stopped covering taxi jobs.As soon as the economy slows limo work will be like January twelve months a year.Premium(expensive)services always get the boot so you'll be back covering our work fairly soon.I hope it doesn't go that way TBH.

Back to the WAT and how much you don't like them that's just a bit weird.I've a saloon plate and I'm giving serious thought to buying a wheely Van.I don't care what anyone thinks it's a work vehicle and it has a 15-year licence.
Title: Re: Is it really that bad?
Post by: Rat Catcher on January 09, 2020, 11:55:57 am
WA work is commission free with Free Now.
Title: Re: Is it really that bad?
Post by: mercenary for hire on January 09, 2020, 11:57:17 am
I never said I was looking to pick up the spas...
Title: Re: Is it really that bad?
Post by: Rat Catcher on January 09, 2020, 12:06:58 pm
Crushed nuts, Christy?...
Title: Re: Is it really that bad?
Post by: mercenary for hire on January 09, 2020, 12:16:28 pm
Is that a line from Christy Brown or something?Purely accidental on my part.I probably should think before I type.Maybe next year..
Title: Re: Is it really that bad?
Post by: The Liffey Lip on January 09, 2020, 12:57:18 pm
What about all those guests?
Title: Re: Is it really that bad?
Post by: mercenary for hire on January 09, 2020, 01:02:41 pm
Good point.Definitely my 2021 resolution.
Title: Re: Is it really that bad?
Post by: The Liffey Lip on January 09, 2020, 01:03:55 pm
Reckon we're all going to be dead by then anyway.
Title: Re: Is it really that bad?
Post by: stonethecrows on January 09, 2020, 03:58:40 pm
I never said I was looking to pick up the spas...
Not Politically correct MFH, i have a Downs Syndrome relation who might not be too impressed
Title: Re: Is it really that bad?
Post by: Bob Shillin on January 09, 2020, 05:27:25 pm
I know yis are all maths geniuses but this is important to understand the size of the increase.Even though RC posted it the details may have been forgotten or just overlooked.Bearing in mind the exact same thing was done after the last fare increase.

Using the example of 20k app work as year a low figure. Multiply by two or three where necessary for the hard workers..or four for VD.

20000 @ 12% commission is 2400
20000 after 4% rise is 20800
20800 after 15% commission 3180

A 780 increase over 2400 is a 32.5% increase.

The 3% rise doesn't show the full effect of the fare increase.Feel free to correct my schoolboy maths.So yes it is that bad.

Jaysus, so of the €800 turnover increase, FN get €780, we get €20 !!!! Something has to be done about this.
Title: Re: Is it really that bad?
Post by: markmiwurdz on January 09, 2020, 05:45:00 pm
I know yis are all maths geniuses but this is important to understand the size of the increase.Even though RC posted it the details may have been forgotten or just overlooked.Bearing in mind the exact same thing was done after the last fare increase.

Using the example of 20k app work as year a low figure. Multiply by two or three where necessary for the hard workers..or four for VD.

20000 @ 12% commission is 2400
20000 after 4% rise is 20800
20800 after 15% commission 3180

A 780 increase over 2400 is a 32.5% increase.

The 3% rise doesn't show the full effect of the fare increase.Feel free to correct my schoolboy maths.So yes it is that bad.

Jaysus, so of the €800 turnover increase, FN get €780, we get €20 !!!! Something has to be done about this.

Turn off the ap from Monday onwards.That's the only weapon at your disposal.
Title: Re: Is it really that bad?
Post by: Tony on January 09, 2020, 05:50:39 pm
I know yis are all maths geniuses but this is important to understand the size of the increase.Even though RC posted it the details may have been forgotten or just overlooked.Bearing in mind the exact same thing was done after the last fare increase.

Using the example of 20k app work as year a low figure. Multiply by two or three where necessary for the hard workers..or four for VD.

20000 @ 12% commission is 2400
20000 after 4% rise is 20800
20800 after 15% commission 3180

A 780 increase over 2400 is a 32.5% increase.

The 3% rise doesn't show the full effect of the fare increase.Feel free to correct my schoolboy maths.So yes it is that bad.

Jaysus, so of the €800 turnover increase, FN get €780, we get €20 !!!! Something has to be done about this.

Turn off the ap from Monday onwards.That's the only weapon at your disposal.

Exzakkery
Title: Re: Is it really that bad?
Post by: Rat Catcher on January 09, 2020, 05:57:21 pm
There's no appetite for any form of action as far as I can ascertain, BS. I guess the increased expense will be taken into account during the 2022 fare review process as part of the taxi cost index.
Title: Re: Is it really that bad?
Post by: markmiwurdz on January 09, 2020, 05:59:48 pm
We all at least owe it to ourselves to try work without it,you know what----if enough of us do it punters will have no choice but to come back out on the strasse and you're back getting 100% of the job.
Title: Re: Is it really that bad?
Post by: Bob Shillin on January 09, 2020, 06:00:38 pm
There's no appetite for any form of action as far as I can ascertain, BS. I guess the increased expense will be taken into account during the 2022 fare review process as part of the taxi cost index.

Taxi fares are dear enough for the lone traveller, I don't see why the travelling public/Joe Soap/you and I, should have to pay for these gougers.
Title: Re: Is it really that bad?
Post by: Rat Catcher on January 09, 2020, 06:04:56 pm
Won't happen, MMW. The FN ambassadors will be working overtime to get on the 10% rate.

They won't have to, BS. eHailing is a premium service which they can choose to use or not. It's becoming a very expensive way of dispatching work hence it ought to become a very expensive way of requesting a taxi. If diesel went up by 25-306% it'd be taken into account in a similar manner.
Title: Re: Is it really that bad?
Post by: silverbullet on January 09, 2020, 06:14:49 pm
I average 60 jobs a week, but will quite happily reduce it to 36 seeing as there's no difference really between silver/gold status.
The App is busy when the streets are busy.
Street equals 100% of the fare.
Title: Re: Is it really that bad?
Post by: markmiwurdz on January 09, 2020, 06:24:13 pm
Won't happen, MMW. The FN ambassadors will be working overtime to get on the 10% rate.

They won't have to, BS. eHailing is a premium service which they can choose to use or not. It's becoming a very expensive way of dispatching work hence it ought to become a very expensive way of requesting a taxi. If diesel went up by 25-306% it'd be taken into account in a similar manner.

I am honestly going to try working for the week without it,I'm prepared to go out a bit earlier and stay out a bit later and look at the scores on the doors at the end of the week (this week shite so shouldn't be hard to beat) and take it from there,hopefully some punters will be flushed back out onto the kerbside.
Title: Re: Is it really that bad?
Post by: silverbullet on January 09, 2020, 06:46:21 pm
On pub jobs, a la Beaumont House, particularly with a bed logo, simply enter an Unable to contact passenger when you see the punter emerging.
An idea overheard recently.
Title: Re: Is it really that bad?
Post by: watty on January 09, 2020, 06:57:49 pm
FN have unfettered access to your phone (it seems to me).  If they wanted to check, they'd (a) see you parked outside the pub and (b) see you didn't call the passenger.  Esp now all calls go through their number.  I suppose if you did it often enough, they could suspend/ban you off the app?
Title: Re: Is it really that bad?
Post by: silverbullet on January 09, 2020, 07:30:23 pm
FN have unfettered access to your phone (it seems to me).  If they wanted to check, they'd (a) see you parked outside the pub and (b) see you didn't call the passenger.  Esp now all calls go through their number.  I suppose if you did it often enough, they could suspend/ban you off the app?
I wouldn't consider it, although that doesn't bother some.
Title: Re: Is it really that bad?
Post by: Bob Shillin on January 10, 2020, 08:44:22 am
I know yis are all maths geniuses but this is important to understand the size of the increase.Even though RC posted it the details may have been forgotten or just overlooked.Bearing in mind the exact same thing was done after the last fare increase.

Using the example of 20k app work as year a low figure. Multiply by two or three where necessary for the hard workers..or four for VD.

20000 @ 12% commission is 2400
20000 after 4% rise is 20800
20800 after 15% commission 3180

A 780 increase over 2400 is a 32.5% increase.

The 3% rise doesn't show the full effect of the fare increase.Feel free to correct my schoolboy maths.So yes it is that bad.

Jaysus, so of the €800 turnover increase, FN get €780, we get €20 !!!! Something has to be done about this.
Sorry that split should be €720 FN €80 us.
Title: Re: Is it really that bad?
Post by: mercenary for hire on January 10, 2020, 09:52:55 am
Still pretty serious numbers all the same.Sad part is most of the fleet will never sit down and do the sums...all they think is another 3% means very little.
Title: Re: Is it really that bad?
Post by: mercenary for hire on January 10, 2020, 10:22:48 am
Also considering the time off work and fees to recalibrate and reseal the meter it will take two years before the driver(20k example) realises any tiny gains from the fare increase.
Title: Re: Is it really that bad?
Post by: silverbullet on January 10, 2020, 11:05:56 am
Leaving the App on after one reaches their target can assist drivers looking for live street work.
A la the 3 Arena, Grand Canal theatre etc.
Saving drivers 15% commission per job.
Title: Re: Is it really that bad?
Post by: Octavia1 on January 10, 2020, 11:08:56 am
I know yis are all maths geniuses but this is important to understand the size of the increase.Even though RC posted it the details may have been forgotten or just overlooked.Bearing in mind the exact same thing was done after the last fare increase.

Using the example of 20k app work as year a low figure. Multiply by two or three where necessary for the hard workers..or four for VD.

20000 @ 12% commission is 2400
20000 after 4% rise is 20800
20800 after 15% commission 3180

A 780 increase over 2400 is a 32.5% increase.

The 3% rise doesn't show the full effect of the fare increase.Feel free to correct my schoolboy maths.So yes it is that bad.

Jaysus, so of the €800 turnover increase, FN get €780, we get €20 !!!! Something has to be done about this.

Turn off the ap from Monday onwards.That's the only weapon at your disposal.

+1
Title: Re: Is it really that bad?
Post by: Octavia1 on January 10, 2020, 11:37:05 am
https://youtu.be/cS9wzAjbJ24

Freenow explained
Title: Re: Is it really that bad?
Post by: silverbullet on January 10, 2020, 11:43:05 am
Allegedly the man in charge:
https://www.irishtimes.com/business/irish-chief-of-poster-firm-1.133308 (https://www.irishtimes.com/business/irish-chief-of-poster-firm-1.133308)
Title: Re: Is it really that bad?
Post by: Rat Catcher on January 10, 2020, 02:24:53 pm
Alan Fox is in charge. As of Jan 2017 the directors of mytaxi Network Ireland Ltd are listed as Alan Fox,  Andrew Batty, Michael Blüthmann and  Florian Agthe. I recall Mr O Cuilleanain being involved with Hai0 before it was bailed out by the Germans, noting that it hadn't a pot to piss in at that juncture having lost pretty much all of the money invested by O Cuilleanain, Thatcher poster boy Richard Branson and a host of other investors. It has one shareholder, mytaxi Network Ltd, with a UK address. Recent communications issued to drivers in Ireland suggest it is once again in financial trouble.
Title: Re: Is it really that bad?
Post by: silverbullet on January 10, 2020, 05:26:40 pm
Alan Fox is in charge. As of Jan 2017 the directors of mytaxi Network Ireland Ltd are listed as Alan Fox,  Andrew Batty, Michael Blüthmann and  Florian Agthe. I recall Mr O Cuilleanain being involved with Hai0 before it was bailed out by the Germans, noting that it hadn't a pot to piss in at that juncture having lost pretty much all of the money invested by O Cuilleanain, Thatcher poster boy Richard Branson and a host of other investors. It has one shareholder, mytaxi Network Ltd, with a UK address. Recent communications issued to drivers in Ireland suggest it is once again in financial trouble.
What about Bregman and Pinnington?
Title: Re: Is it really that bad?
Post by: stonethecrows on January 10, 2020, 11:32:07 pm
Leaving the App on after one reaches their target can assist drivers looking for live street work.
A la the 3 Arena, Grand Canal theatre etc.
Saving drivers 15% commission per job.
Are you suggesting "Arrive" but dont press "Arrived" ?
Title: Re: Is it really that bad?
Post by: Rat Catcher on January 11, 2020, 12:49:27 am
What about Bregman and Pinnington?

Bregman went on to launch another tech start up, something to do with flight plans / regulation for drones. I think Pinnington is back working for Carphone Warehouse.
Title: Re: Is it really that bad?
Post by: Rat Catcher on January 11, 2020, 01:19:48 am
Got this from Pinnington's CV, SB:

Quote
Led and revitalised a privately backed and failing business (Hailo) in the strategically dynamic and highly competitive ride-hailing industry through to rapid growth, a strong strategic position and a significant valuation enabling a successful exit for the venture capital backers and a strong future position for the corporate owners

Revitalised presumably being defined as losing €12,000,000 of every €62,000,000 invested. Musta learnt that from the erm!
Title: Re: Is it really that bad?
Post by: silverbullet on January 11, 2020, 03:29:46 pm
Leaving the App on after one reaches their target can assist drivers looking for live street work.
A la the 3 Arena, Grand Canal theatre etc.
Saving drivers 15% commission per job.
Are you suggesting "Arrive" but dont press "Arrived" ?
No, but you can see where the demand is without accepting jobs.
It's time to retrain Pavlov's Dog.