Taxi drivers --- do u look at them to decide whether to take the cab or not?

Hi Janey, Here during rush hours, there is no time to choose for taxis. They are very scarce and there are lot of passengers. I just hop in whatever is available for me. I always sit at the back, too. I haven't ever been seated next to him. At the back, I am able to observe him. And if things become dangerous and bad for me, I know I can easily shout for help or get out using the door at the back.

Wow, started mauling you? Why could he do that to you? That is unthinkable for drivers to do. At the first opportunity, I will surely report him to the police. Good nothing serious happened to you.

I once had a bad experience with someone who I thought was a taxi driver but now I'm not too sure! He sped off before I could take a good look at his vehicle. I wasn't raped or anything nasty like that, he just started mauling me a bit, but because I screamed and even tried opening the passenger door to distract him he eventually let me out the car, at Mum's house. I did report him but - like I said, I don't even know if he was a proper taxi driver (I'm afraid I was rather drunk when I got in the car) but I was warned by the radio guy NEVER to get in the front passenger seat of a taxi, even reputable ones...and I never have...and the incident happened way back in 1989 lol.

You are right. That is why in our place, they are intensifying their efforts on this area. Sometimes, they do surprise check on certain points of the city. They inspect vehicles and check pertinent papers.

Yes, they should be apprehended if they are illegal, but the law is not almighty that it can monitor everything of illegal behavior. As a taxi passenger only, I supposed we can do nothing except for having a sharp judgment.

Hi Triplejazzm51, It is always better to be safe than sorry, as is said. There aren't many dilapidated taxis in our city. They have slowly been phased out. I like the taxi units going around the city now. There are really nice and new units. There are metered-SUVs running as taxis. They are so fit for one who has lots of heavy things to carry. Taxi drivers here have their IDs hanged in the front portion of the taxi. It is so visible. I usually write the name of the driver, plate number, taxi company on my cellphone and send a text message to my daughter. I want one person to know my whereabouts --- things are badly different now and we can't just be confident with the situation.

Hi Myzire, That is the good thing in your country. I have a friend who has visited your country and he was all praises for the discipline and cleanliness that the people exhibited. We have some bank auditors before from Singapore and who were really "straight" and fine people. I admire your country and the people.

Hi Rharish, Yes, women should be vigilant and cautious in taking taxis especially at late hours. My daughter who works as nurse has my instruction to text me the plate number, taxi body number, taxi company and taxi driver's name that she takes in going home. Last night, they were so busy and finished at past 12 midnight. I was so worried and prayed that she was taking a taxi with a very kind-hearted and courteous driver. She is also instructed to be vigilant. There was one time that I had to talk to the driver because my daughter texted that she was not feeling comfortable with him. I just wanted to let the driver know that I know my daughter was taking the taxi he was driving. I pretended to be a police officer when I spoke to the driver, lol.

Hi Kaka, I know the feeling. I know how it is to be inside a car alone with the driver. It would not make us comfortable especially if you spot the driver looking at you from his mirror. It really scares me. What I do when I become suspicious of the driver, I copy the name of the driver from the ID that hangs in front, plate number of the taxi, taxi company and taxi unit. This I send to my daughter through text. That way, they know I took that taxi, in case bad something happens to me.

Hi Cream, We know that looks can deceive us. But it is sometimes how one appears that makes us create an impression and judge them, especially taxi drivers. In taking a taxi, there is little time left to observe if they are "good" taxi drivers. We base our judgment on what we see. So, we feel scared looking at poorly-dressed taxi drivers. Sometimes, there is not many taxis around and I don't have the liberty to choose, so I take whatever is available for me.

Hi Daliaj, That is bad. I wonder if your government is aware of this? If government officials know about this, what have they done to correct this thing? Well, those who are "robbing" passengers should be caught and fined. Better yet, their licenses revoked. Here, if drivers ask double, we can always call the Land Transportation Commission and lodge a complaint against the erring driver. Taxis are really convenient when we are in a rush and yes, if we have lots of heavy bags to carry.

Hi Vivianchen, Well, that is a very good way to go to work. I know in China most of you ride your bikes. It is not only cheap to go that way but it is a very good way to exercise. There are a few buses in the city where I live. What we commonly have here are passenger jeepneys. Because of a threat on my life in the past, I have refrained from taking jeepneys but take a taxi cab to and from work. It is a good way to go especially if we are really in a rush.

Hi Roysudeep, That is a good thing with your taxi drivers. It is always neat and clean to have taxi drivers in their uniforms. We had that before but some taxi drivers, though in uniforms, wear dirty and unwashed ones. Our taxi drivers are generally friendly and helpful, too. They always know where to go. But there are always exceptions.

Hi Lugajia, That is right. If there is an abundance of taxis and we have plenty of time, we have the liberty to choose taxis. But if we are in a hurry or if it is during a rush hour where it is so difficult to take a taxi, then any would do for me, too. Just be vigilant and keep an eye of the driver if you are suspicious then.

Hi Chazzief, Something should be done to these unlicensed and illegal taxi drivers and their operators. They should legally register their business and pay proper taxes. In my place, I cannot choose taxis during rush hours. Passengers beat each other in getting taxi cabs. In other times of the day, though, there are a lot of taxis you can choose from. I always choose the newer models of cars.

Hi Vigneshindian, I do that, too, if I have time. I always pretend that I am not waiting for a taxi cab if what comes earlier is an old, dilapidated taxi cab. I choose taxis and not quite the drivers (whom I cannot see from afar as I hail the taxi). If taxi unit is new, I hail it at once. It is comfortable taking a new taxi with a very good smell and good air conditioning system.