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So my mom (senior) needs cabs to shop, she doesn't have cell phone. So she shops and get customer service to call her a cab. They won't answer when they see Superstore or Walmart etc...on their call display...rings 10 times or more...Customer service gal uses her cell phone ...they answer after 2nd ring..Is this the norm for customers in Brandon using cabs and they charge extremely high prices to boot?? Even a minimum charge for such treatment?

Well I have had to call several companies when it’s busy, I’ve also had to wait. As for prices it’s a fixed price usually 3.80 to start and 0.10 per 50 ft I believe. If she can’t afford it try rainbow taxi which is fixed to about $10.00 per ride.

I don't live in Brandon, so am unfamiliar with services available for seniors. Is there not a "Seniors helping Seniors" organization that she can call and an individual will pick her up drive her to the store (or Dr. Appt.) and even help her shop if necessary then drive her home. Or what about "Handi Transit" . I think a city the size of Brandon would have all kinds of services for seniors and the disabled, which would be reasonably priced.

I use taxi's on a regular basis, and I can attest that it is busy, particularly on paydays. It's a combination of the usual everyone going out at once and limited drivers operating either out of choice OR on request. So the whole fleet isn't at risk of getting ill at the same time.  
 
It is what it is.

Ill say we dont see its walmart or superstore and just dont answer, its just that busy. So many taking taxi to the vendor then to a friends house, to pick up friends and then go to another friends house to party. Happens alot right now , maybe due to bars closed ? All i can say is we running at half staff , and its really really busy lately. Everything taking longer as driver has to spray down taxi in between trips, and so many taking taxi right now to go out to friends or vendor trips. As for prices, the last time there was an increase was what 8 years ago ?? I guess some are never ok and have to complain and say its too expensive and others say its fine. Prices to run a taxi have gone up lately, but the price on the meter hasn't so to say its expensive would be the same as saying how milk is too much, why not complain about the price of hydro didnt it just go up ? Also taxi are regulated by the City of Brandon, and its law to run the meter, or the ride is free. So this other company that don't run a meter just give a set price, technically you dont have to pay as per city by-law.  
 
Edited by AutobotAL, 2020-04-23 17:38:53

Obviously these people who go to vendors and then to friends houses font know what social distancing means!!

her complaint is they don't answer the phones ....and she doesn't go out paydays. She doesn't have one only once per month (pension) and she won't shop on weekends cause of the families that bring out their children shopping or are just out to kill hours and browse and she also tried to take advantage of senior shopping hours since she has a hard time standing and waiting in these ridiculous line ups which she did one time and also froze so what's it gonna be? stand there and freeze catch a cold and drop your immune system or try to pick the best time for seniors which isn't really helpin...the girls at customer service say this is not an uncommon occurrence.

She would be better off having her groceries delivered to her home.

It sounds like your elderly mother could use some help on her shopping days from her daughter. That could possibly go a long way to helping make your mothers grocery shopping experience alot easier on her. And Im not just being a loudmouth jerk. My Dad passed away in 2009 and then my Mom in 2014. My Mom wanted to stay on the farm so I drove from Brandon to just outside Neepawa once a week for the 5 years Mom was alone to take her to town to run her errands . That's why I'm suggesting maybe you could help your elderly mother do her shopping.

Well some people dont understand that when they call they think we should instantly answer, issue is we have more than 1 line. Some will call let it ring a couple times and hang up , say we dont answer. Just let it ring, as we may be on another line taking out of town info where the pick up is or maybe on the other line with the hospital working on instructions for a delivery to winnipeg. I find some just dont have patience and wont let it ring and say they dont answer. Also we use the bathroom like everybody else and cant answer , when u gotta go ... u gotta go. Its also not just "paydays" we busy, lately is everyday.