Free ow Reserve Taxi

[Belker]

Is it not the same as prebook?

Yes.

[Belker]

It would be nice if they told the drivers they were doing this...

They did in the usual long protracted email just before xmas, it was well hidden in the middle of it.

FN email sent 28/12/22;

On January 11th, 2023 we will update our General Terms and Conditions (GTC’s) for passengers.  

The update concerns the following additions:

    FREE NOW has updated the way by which you can contact us if you have any enquiry. 
    FREE NOW has carried out a general overview of the terms and conditions to make things more clear and transparent.
    To improve transparency we have created a passenger fee policy which contains all the fees that FREE NOW and/or drivers charge to passengers resulting from the Transportation Services.
    FREE NOW has amended its technology fee so it will now vary depending on the booking option selected.  

This update will enable us to continue to deliver the highest level of service and product quality for passengers.  

The GTCs for passengers can be found here. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us via the FREE NOW Help Centre. 

Your FREE NOW Team. 

[Belker]

It would be nice if they told the drivers they were doing this...

They did in the usual long protracted email just before xmas, it was well hidden in the middle of it.

FN email sent 28/12/22;

On January 11th, 2023 we will update our General Terms and Conditions (GTC’s) for passengers. 

The update concerns the following additions:

    FREE NOW has updated the way by which you can contact us if you have any enquiry.
    FREE NOW has carried out a general overview of the terms and conditions to make things more clear and transparent.
    To improve transparency we have created a passenger fee policy which contains all the fees that FREE NOW and/or drivers charge to passengers resulting from the Transportation Services.
    FREE NOW has amended its technology fee so it will now vary depending on the booking option selected. 

This update will enable us to continue to deliver the highest level of service and product quality for passengers. 

The GTCs for passengers can be found here. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us via the FREE NOW Help Centre.

Your FREE NOW Team. 

The GTCs;

Technology Fees 

Free Now charges a technology fee ranging from  €1.00 to €5.00 depending on the transportation method that goes towards making sure that we can continue to invest in technology improvements that will allow us to extend our product offering for passengers. The passenger will always see the fee estimation upfront before you place your order, and also on your receipt. The Technology Fees are as followed; 

Transportation Method -- Technology Fee

Regular Taxi (4 seats) €1.00

Multi-seater Taxi (5 plus seats) €3.00

Reserve Fleet (4-8 Seats) €3.00

Premium Vehicle €5.00

[Belker]

It's all as clear as Mud !
but I'm guessing;

Transportation Method -- Technology Fee

Regular Taxi (4 seats) €1.00   is a regular saloon instant hail ?

Multi-seater Taxi (5 plus seats) €3.00  is a multi-seater instant hail ?

Reserve Fleet (4-8 Seats) €3.00  is a pre book, saloon or multi-seater ?

Premium Vehicle €5.00  no idea ??

[Octavia1]

Robbin bastards

[Jack Meoff]

New name for a pre book

[Belker]

New name for a pre book

[markmiwurdz]

So what's the difference between this and the other prebook other than taking more money off pissed off customers?

[Bob Shillin]

If you were a Hack or a Limo, it might be within the rules of "by negotiation", but no matter what you should only have to pay what's legally shown on the taximeter, and probably the only reason we're not complaining to NTA, (and FN know it) is that maybe it delays FN hitting us for more%.

[Rat Catcher]

I don't understand what you're trying to explain at all, Ken... which probably is more my fault than yours. You can see from the screenshot that "Taxi" and "Reserve Taxi" are two seperate options for instant eHail - both available in 3 minutes in the case shown - so they clearly aren't exclusive to pre-bookings. The difference in the fare starting point is clearly €10 in the case shown. Perhaps it differs from location to location (like the Halloween bonus fiasco) or at different times of the day?

I knew you'd be on the reserve fleet but I'm surprised that you seem to suggest the depot trouser the entire surcharge. Is that right? ... or, should I say, is that true?.. It's certainly not right. In fact I'd go as far as to say it's like the left cheek of many Free Now drivers' arses, it's neither fair nor right.

[Rat Catcher]

If you were a Hack or a Limo, it might be within the rules of "by negotiation", but no matter what you should only have to pay what's legally shown on the taximeter, and probably the only reason we're not complaining to NTA, (and FN know it) is that maybe it delays FN hitting us for more%.

I did enquire as to whether NTA considered the practice of firms setting their own fares over and above the national maximum set by NTA was legal. They assured me it is legal and went on to stress that taxi firms may charge "whatever they like". I posted all relevant correspondence on the forum. I had intended seeking further clarification from my local GP TD and/or Minister Ryans' office but haven't got round to that yet.

[Rat Catcher]

So what's the difference between this and the other prebook other than taking more money off pissed off customers?

The clients seem more than happy to pay. The real issue here is that Free Now have found a way to pocket 100% of fare increases while advising NTA not to increase fares to reflect market forces and, in particular, instructing NTA not to increase the booking fee despite the fact that drivers' freight has increased by 300-450% since the same was last increased.

[Jack Meoff]

Durty robbing feckers

[watty]

Maybe the 'reserve taxi' has undergone the 'bonus pay' indoctrination training and will turn up.  Whereas the regular taxi driver will probably maybe turn up as long as they don't get a street hail.



As an aside, I'm getting more and more complaints from passengers that some FN drivers are accepting bookings and basically not turning up (took a street hail instead) and the potential passenger can see the car driving away in the opposite direction!  It sounds like they're goading the passenger into cancelling the trip so the driver gets the €5 cancellation fee.  Also quite common now apparently for some night drivers to insist on revolut or they refuse the job.  Passengers are getting a bit pissed off with FN and it's reliability.

[silverbullet]

The "technology" fee appears to be a subsidy to allow FN to promote drug-dealing E-scooters. I'm sure Anne Graham is proud of herself.