Discussions

This discussion is to talk about whether or not you feel safe in a taxi.  
 
Do women feel safe in taxis when they/you are the only passenger? The whole point of a taxi is to pay for a service that takes you to your destination safely, do you call a specific driver and ask if they can take you to your destination based on good experiences with their service?  
 
Some taxi drivers don't seem to be cautious drivers, isn't the point of their drivers license to confirm they're certified to drive a taxi?  
 
What do you think about taxis in other cities compared to here?

I have not used Brandon taxi services and really prefer not to ever have to. I've followed too many years of them on our city streets and find the driving a bit disturbing in too many cases. I have used taxis in WInnipeg and had no complaints with the driving. Do I feel safe in a taxi? Not especially. (An Uber wouldn't be my thing either.) On a side note, I do carry a window breaker tool in my purse and I wouldn't get into a taxi or Uber without it.

I’ve never felt unsafe getting in a taxi. I’ve taken united, 4-way… few others. No concerns

Given everything I've witnessed on the road I would never, ever take a cab in this city unless it was an extreme emergency. Last night alone I saw a taxi driver with his face mask under his chin while there was an unmasked passenger in the front seat. On Friday I saw a cab do a u-turn at Park and 10th.  
 
Edited by Gussins, 2021-11-28 06:03:25

I don't take them often but I've had zero issues. Do I see cabs do ridiculous things on the road? Yes, but probably no more than other drivers (and no more ridiculous).

I've had issues with my taxi drivers not wearing masks. Ive reported two drivers. The company takes it seriously at least, however some of the drivers don't.

I can't say I have ever felt unsafe in a taxi. But I am also not a female.  
 
I can say that if you feel threatened, know that at least the 2 largest companies know where all of their cabs are at any one time since they are tracked by GPS at the office (ABC, 4 Way). If a driver gives you issues, you can also have them added to your do not send list for any reason.  
 
As for the driving skills of the taxi drivers . . . they do tend to be a scapegoat in this town. I'm sure that there is absolutely NO racial connotation to that assumption. RIght?  
 
Having dealt with that elephant in the room, however:  
 
1.) At least ABC runs 12-hour shifts for most of their drivers (I am a regular). It has occurred to me that this could potentially cause safety concerns, but that is less something to take up with drivers than it is something to take up with the company and law makers.  
 
Since truckers can drive up to 13 hours a shift in Canada, however, I doubt anything is going to change.  
 
2.) Having been in my fair share of different taxis, I am almost always less fearful of them than I am of the rest of you.  
 
For starters, the City of Brandon ensures on an ongoing basis that all taxi's on the road are no more than 10 years old and always in good running order. And if passengers notice problems with vehicles, they will respond and pull the taxi licence until the issue is fixed if necessary. Unlike MANY of the average person-owned vehicles I've been in or seen, you won't see cabs running around with red ABS warning lights or entirely rusted out vehicle frames.  
 
As for the skills of the drivers . . . some are indeed better than others. But frankly, the same goes for the rest of the general population. And as much as people love to blame taxi's for bad driving, almost all the almost accidents I've seen (from inside the taxi!) were caused by other drivers.  
 
Of course, I can't speak for every company in this city. But if in doubt:  
 
1.) Ride in the back seat so you can keep an eye on the driver. It's mandatory now, but keep doing so if it feels safer. Call for another driver if the one that arrives refuses  
 
2.) Get help if the driver doesn't take you to the destination. Starting with the company itself, then escalating if necessary.  
 
3.) Remind about masks, and if they don't listen, tell the company.

I was a Taxi driver for 10 years  
I was in 3 collisions and had 6 MPI claims in my years. And none were deemed my fault. A lot of bad drivers in Brandon  
But the taxi is the one that gets noticed because of the light on the roof and the decals.  
Now when I get into a taxi  
The first thing I do is find their taxi permit.  
Issued by the city. It must be displayed at all times. And take note of the permit number.  
If you have an issue and need to report it this is the number you need.  
Second thing.  
A blue tamper lock on the meter.  
This means that the meter has been verified by the city to charge you the proper rate. If this is missing, you have the right to refuse to pay.  
And if I do have an issue then the car number.  
If you need to file a complaint the best place to go is the company first. Then if nothing is done go to city hall and to the taxi board. Give them the information and they will take the proper steps.  
And will help you with the police if needed.

I am female and only use a taxi when drinking. For that reason I think the taxi driver needs to worry more about me than I do about him or her.  
 
Just saying.