Irish Taxi Forum

Public Area => Taxi Talk => Topic started by: Panel on January 30, 2025, 04:07:07 am

Title: Old Shitboxes then vs new Shitboxes now
Post by: Panel on January 30, 2025, 04:07:07 am
10 year age rule on cars, to those who drove a taxi before the age rule came in can it be argued that the fleet and by extension wage levels have been for the better (Wages being that the age rule forced lads off the road and thus competition).

Personally I don’t think it’s made fuck all difference. 

There was a time a 6.5 year old €5,000 Renault Fluence could buy ya another 3.5 in the game, those days are gone now too.
Title: Re: Old Shitboxes then vs new Shitboxes now
Post by: mercenary for hire on January 30, 2025, 09:26:08 am
IMO the geography test held back competition and the age rules increased our costs putting a damper on earnings.One kinda balanced out the other.As soon as they relax the geography test more we're going to be crying.

Title: Re: Old Shitboxes then vs new Shitboxes now
Post by: Rat Catcher on January 30, 2025, 02:03:01 pm
The stats tell us it's achieved nothing of significance, Panel. It might have led to a few hundred more rentals and a few dozen more "Calcutta Cabs" as men opted to do the bold thing to stay on the road and trouser a few notes from the rental while keeping future options open.
Title: Re: Old Shitboxes then vs new Shitboxes now
Post by: silverbullet on January 30, 2025, 09:17:09 pm
Parallel ranking might be the answer. One rank for old cars and one for modern cars, the punter can then decide.

It exists on the Apps already.

If you order a COMFORT or GREEN cab you're guaranteed a car less than five years old.

Perhaps you could also have a rank for heaps "That have been meticulously maintained."

If the age rule is allowed to relax, Uber will finance new cars.

Ask a punter do they want a clapped-out taxi or a new Uber.
Title: Re: Old Shitboxes then vs new Shitboxes now
Post by: Rat Catcher on January 30, 2025, 10:46:11 pm
How much of the Free Now premium services fee goes to the driver for comfort or green cars?
Title: Re: Old Shitboxes then vs new Shitboxes now
Post by: Rat Catcher on January 30, 2025, 10:53:51 pm
Would an eTron plastered with ads for Free Now Rickshaws and eBikes qualify as comfort, green or both?
Title: Re: Old Shitboxes then vs new Shitboxes now
Post by: silverbullet on January 31, 2025, 01:23:25 pm
Would an eTron plastered with ads for Free Now Rickshaws and eBikes qualify as comfort, green or both?
Contact the Free Now drivers office for details.
Title: Re: Old Shitboxes then vs new Shitboxes now
Post by: Rat Catcher on January 31, 2025, 01:34:27 pm
I think their depot closed a few years back. I don't use the Free Now client app so it's not really of any interest to me.
Title: Re: Old Shitboxes then vs new Shitboxes now
Post by: silverbullet on January 31, 2025, 01:46:15 pm
I think their depot closed a few years back. I don't use the Free Now client app so it's not really of any interest to me.
The office is in Baggot Court...when it's not on fire or somesuch.

https://www.free-now.com/ie/driver-centres/ (https://www.free-now.com/ie/driver-centres/)
Title: Re: Old Shitboxes then vs new Shitboxes now
Post by: Rat Catcher on January 31, 2025, 02:10:45 pm
As per the second sentence, I'm not really interested. It was just idle chat on a forum. I use Uber or Lynk when I'm looking for a cab.
Title: Re: Old Shitboxes then vs new Shitboxes now
Post by: silverbullet on January 31, 2025, 02:14:20 pm
As per the second sentence, I'm not really interested. It was just idle chat on a forum. I use Uber or Lynk when I'm looking for a cab.
The last time you posted your FN earnings, it was circa €750. Biting the hand that feeds ya?
Title: Re: Old Shitboxes then vs new Shitboxes now
Post by: Rat Catcher on January 31, 2025, 02:19:16 pm
No. I just don't use them when I'm looking for a cab, the fares are too expensive. I must have paid  €108 odd commission on that figure, I'd say they're happy enough with that but if it bothers them that I don't travel with them I guess they can sack me. I work for Bolt as well, I occasionally use them if I'm up above in Dublin.
Title: Re: Old Shitboxes then vs new Shitboxes now
Post by: silverbullet on January 31, 2025, 02:21:06 pm
No. I just don't use them when I'm looking for a cab, the fares are too expensive. I must have paid  €108 odd commission on that figure, I'd say they're happy enough with that but if it bothers them that I don't travel with them I guess they can sack me. I work for Bolt as well, I occasionally use them if I'm up above in Dublin.
Download the CAB2K app for punters, we don't bite.
Title: Re: Old Shitboxes then vs new Shitboxes now
Post by: Rat Catcher on January 31, 2025, 02:28:39 pm
Do you discount? Uber fares are generally a pleasant surprise... riders pay significantly lower fares than Free Now charge and the driver gets paid more than Free Now pay us.
Title: Re: Old Shitboxes then vs new Shitboxes now
Post by: Rat Catcher on January 31, 2025, 02:52:10 pm
Wrong thread.
Title: Re: Old Shitboxes then vs new Shitboxes now
Post by: silverbullet on January 31, 2025, 06:30:28 pm
Do you discount? Uber fares are generally a pleasant surprise... riders pay significantly lower fares than Free Now charge and the driver gets paid more than Free Now pay us.
I use FN/Uber/BOLT/CAB2K. I don't generally pick up on the street.
Title: Re: Old Shitboxes then vs new Shitboxes now
Post by: Rat Catcher on January 31, 2025, 06:37:12 pm
I didn't mean you, personally. I meant you as in C2K in response to your referring to yourself in the plural when advising me to try that firm.
Title: Re: Old Shitboxes then vs new Shitboxes now
Post by: silverbullet on January 31, 2025, 06:41:54 pm
10 year age rule on cars, to those who drove a taxi before the age rule came in can it be argued that the fleet and by extension wage levels have been for the better (Wages being that the age rule forced lads off the road and thus competition).

Personally I don’t think it’s made fuck all difference. 

There was a time a 6.5 year old €5,000 Renault Fluence could buy ya another 3.5 in the game, those days are gone now too.
Were it not for the 10-year rule, the saloon fleet would be as decrepit as it was in the first decade of the century.

Most of the fleet is well-kept and modern [even some of rentals]. Covid knocked back quality for a few years but it should find its own level.

I think subsidizing the purchase of powerful speakers for Krippelwagens should be encouraged. The result is twofold. One, you can't hear the moaning punter, and Two, the punter can't hear the rattling.


p.s I saw a terrible car crash this afternoon...It was a Skoda. 8)
Title: Re: Old Shitboxes then vs new Shitboxes now
Post by: silverbullet on January 31, 2025, 06:46:07 pm
I didn't mean you, personally. I meant you as in C2K in response to your referring to yourself in the plural when advising me to try that firm.


I referred to we in the collective term. Sure, you might even meet old mates that you thought had expired.
Title: Re: Old Shitboxes then vs new Shitboxes now
Post by: Rat Catcher on January 31, 2025, 06:48:12 pm
Yes and I asked you in that collective sense. Do you (C2K) give discounts a la Uber?
Title: Re: Old Shitboxes then vs new Shitboxes now
Post by: silverbullet on January 31, 2025, 06:59:26 pm
Yes and I asked you in that collective sense. Do you (C2K) give discounts a la Uber?
That is something Ebbs is currently promoting with his resurgence of captive drivers and the 8202020 old Castleknock cabs brand.

I don't know if Anto does discounts. I, as a commission-only driver, don't.
Title: Re: Old Shitboxes then vs new Shitboxes now
Post by: Rat Catcher on January 31, 2025, 07:02:02 pm
I'll stick with Uber then. There's usually some discount applied to the fare with no need to ring or put voucher codes in or any of that bullshit. Are C2K drivers paid more than Uber drivers?
Title: Re: Old Shitboxes then vs new Shitboxes now
Post by: Rat Catcher on January 31, 2025, 07:11:22 pm
10 year age rule on cars, to those who drove a taxi before the age rule came in can it be argued that the fleet and by extension wage levels have been for the better (Wages being that the age rule forced lads off the road and thus competition).

Personally I don’t think it’s made fuck all difference. 

There was a time a 6.5 year old €5,000 Renault Fluence could buy ya another 3.5 in the game, those days are gone now too.
Were it not for the 10-year rule, the saloon fleet would be as decrepit as it was in the first decade of the century.

Most of the fleet is well-kept and modern [even some of rentals]. Covid knocked back quality for a few years but it should find its own level.

I think subsidizing the purchase of powerful speakers for Krippelwagens should be encouraged. The result is twofold. One, you can't hear the moaning punter, and Two, the punter can't hear the rattling.


p.s I saw a terrible car crash this afternoon...It was a Skoda. 8)


The average reg year of saloon taxis as at the end of 2014 was 2007. As at the end of 2024 it was 2018. Pretty insignificant improvement for 10 years of the 10 year rule.
Title: Re: Old Shitboxes then vs new Shitboxes now
Post by: silverbullet on January 31, 2025, 07:12:41 pm
I'll stick with Uber then. There's usually some discount applied to the fare with no need to ring or put voucher codes in or any of that bullshit. Are C2K drivers paid more than Uber drivers?
I'm not privy to that information. It's between them and the taxman.
Title: Re: Old Shitboxes then vs new Shitboxes now
Post by: Rat Catcher on January 31, 2025, 07:29:08 pm
You don't know what they pay you or you've yet to get a job from one or other?
Title: Re: Old Shitboxes then vs new Shitboxes now
Post by: C5 on January 31, 2025, 08:13:50 pm
The age rule is completely stupid, a well maintained car can look good at any age, the ones that go to the scrappers for spare parts should be not be rewarded of keeping a taxi on the road over 8 years old then guys that look after their taxis it should be open ended with a strict NCT and visual inspection if it passes rock on.
Title: Re: Old Shitboxes then vs new Shitboxes now
Post by: Rat Catcher on January 31, 2025, 08:25:24 pm
Absolutely. Our cars are subject to test after test. If a man's willing to present his car every 6 months that ought to suffice. Furthermore, the stats prove that the 10 year rule has achieved nothing in it's decade of application.

Does anyone know the age limits applicable to aircraft or buses or trains?
Title: Re: Old Shitboxes then vs new Shitboxes now
Post by: silverbullet on January 31, 2025, 09:23:49 pm
Absolutely. Our cars are subject to test after test. If a man's willing to present his car every 6 months that ought to suffice. Furthermore, the stats prove that the 10 year rule has achieved nothing in it's decade of application.

Does anyone know the age limits applicable to aircraft or buses or trains?
You're not writing to Mick O'Leary, are you?
Title: Re: Old Shitboxes then vs new Shitboxes now
Post by: Rat Catcher on January 31, 2025, 09:30:22 pm
No, Minister Canney... in due course.
Title: Re: Old Shitboxes then vs new Shitboxes now
Post by: silverbullet on January 31, 2025, 09:47:26 pm
No, Minister Canney... in due course.
One of his minions will prescribe these, don't take them all at once.


(https://i.postimg.cc/76TqhcHW/CUNT.jpg) (https://postimages.org/) 8)
Title: Re: Old Shitboxes then vs new Shitboxes now
Post by: Rat Catcher on January 31, 2025, 10:16:03 pm
I'm not being miserly. I just don't want to have to increase my working hours merely to cover increased expenses and I feel hard done by on account of being denied an age extension for the two years I lost to COVID '19 an all while the majority of my competitors got such an extension. A level playing field is all I desire.
Title: Re: Old Shitboxes then vs new Shitboxes now
Post by: Panel on January 31, 2025, 11:19:18 pm
Absolutely. Our cars are subject to test after test. If a man's willing to present his car every 6 months that ought to suffice. Furthermore, the stats prove that the 10 year rule has achieved nothing in it's decade of application.

Does anyone know the age limits applicable to aircraft or buses or trains?

Afaik no age limits to operate buses (that said CIÉ have a age limit of 20 years on buses for schoolwork)

Most of Aerlingus’ fleet are 20+ years old, some widebody A330’s are coming upto 30 years old when they replaced the incumbent B747 from EIs fleet

Trains I dunno.

Title: Re: Old Shitboxes then vs new Shitboxes now
Post by: C5 on February 01, 2025, 09:24:39 pm
I see the orange and black trains on the go sometimes now pulling freight, they were built in Canada, fully steel not like the plastic trains they get from south Korea.
Title: Re: Old Shitboxes then vs new Shitboxes now
Post by: Octavia1 on February 01, 2025, 09:57:01 pm
I'm not being miserly. I just don't want to have to increase my working hours merely to cover increased expenses and I feel hard done by on account of being denied an age extension for the two years I lost to COVID '19 an all while the majority of my competitors got such an extension. A level playing field is all I desire.


Rat .... read over that .... its not good ....
Its rattle out o the pram sort o ting ....
Yur going to go electric.... that's octys prophecy..... yu just don't know it yet ...
 ::sleep
Title: Re: Old Shitboxes then vs new Shitboxes now
Post by: Rat Catcher on February 02, 2025, 09:42:39 am
I don't see wanting a level playing field as unreasonable.

Given that I've consistently said I've wanted one since I had a had a go of the one my sister had back in 2019, I guess that's an easy conclusion to draw. However, as the late Gay Byrne once remarked... my wants are simple and my needs less. Admittedly, I'll be closer to the 35k MG/BYD end of the market than the 3 figures that the eTron cost her employer. Obviously, from a business perspective (although it's hard to define the hours I do as a business!) it makes no sense to replace an asset until it needs to be replaced. In our case that need is generally determined through regulation. In any event, while I might want to replace my car with an EV when the time comes what I actually do will depend on what (if any) grants are available. The erm's sources suggest there won't be any and the Programme for Government advocates "scrappage" grants. If no grants are available or the capital element of previous grant schemes is discontinued the EV option would be unlikely.
Title: Re: Old Shitboxes then vs new Shitboxes now
Post by: watty on February 02, 2025, 04:25:50 pm
If the Govt (via the OPW) can spend almost €500,000 on a wall in Dublin 4, spending the same again (via grants) to get 10-15 shiny new EV taxis on the road shouldn't be a problem.  The EV's are a win-win for everybody.
Title: Re: Old Shitboxes then vs new Shitboxes now
Post by: Rat Catcher on February 02, 2025, 09:59:52 pm
Hopefully but there's definitely a school of thought that suggests EV grants were solely a Minister Ryan vanity project and that the only green stuff rural independents give a flying fuck about is the green diesel they pump into their clapped out tractors.
Title: Re: Old Shitboxes then vs new Shitboxes now
Post by: C5 on February 02, 2025, 10:26:29 pm
How is an EV a winer for everyone, they can't travel as far as a regular car, they depreciate faster than regular cars the big battery deteriorates as it gets older which means even less range, they take longer to refill they have a Very high chance of thermal runaway as they get older which pumps out noxious gases which can damage the nerves, they are extremely hard to extinguish and can take down multistorey carparks because they burn nearly 1000° hotter, and they are in the scrap heap in less than a decade which is not a winner for the environment at least. Plus who would buy a second hand battery car.
Title: Re: Old Shitboxes then vs new Shitboxes now
Post by: watty on February 03, 2025, 06:42:52 pm
Jesus, my eyes hurt reading that  lol
Title: Re: Old Shitboxes then vs new Shitboxes now
Post by: C5 on February 04, 2025, 10:07:40 am
I know watty reality hurts sometimes  ;D
Title: Re: Old Shitboxes then vs new Shitboxes now
Post by: mercenary for hire on February 04, 2025, 10:24:57 am
I'd buy a second hand EV if the price was low enough.Once you have the charger installed the €500 per year running costs are very hard to overlook.
Title: Re: Old Shitboxes then vs new Shitboxes now
Post by: Rat Catcher on February 04, 2025, 07:11:35 pm
Mrs Catcher is my social conscience, C5. She'd agree with a lot of what you say. The environmental cost of mineral extraction, manufacture and transport of new cars and the environmental cost of scrapping used cars tend to outweigh any perceived environmental gains, at least in the short-medium term. However, in the long term, as EVs become the norm in replacing cars that rech the end of their natural the benefits will snowball. In short, keeping an older car on the road is better for the environment but when it has to be replaced choosing an EV is the most environmentally friendly option. Grant aid schemes arguably offer benefits in accelerating the process through influencing perception as much as anything else.
Title: Re: Old Shitboxes then vs new Shitboxes now
Post by: silverbullet on February 04, 2025, 07:44:00 pm
Images like this showing job creation by Elon and such keep me going:



(https://i.postimg.cc/cLnx9Pv2/Elons-boys.webp) (https://postimages.org/)

(https://i.postimg.cc/vHj8vGZ5/MAIL.avif) (https://postimages.org/)