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What is it with the cost of black cab taxi’s in Edinburgh nowadays?
I just got one from the High street to Blackford and it cost eleven quid! That was with a bare minimum tip as the driver didn’t take cards.
I’ve been in Glasgow a bit recently and Black cab taxi’s seem to be far cheaper. Never really partaken with the likes of Uber in Edinburgh but surely they’re cheaper?
(Don’t think it helped my mood this was right after today’s game!)
I stopped using any sort of taxi around three years ago. I simply refuse to line the pockets of drivers. Bus or night bus for me every time I need transport now. Its a no brainer.
I’m currently driving for Uber for a couple of months works out around half the price of a black cab.
Use them all the time myself the app works great.
Don't use them or don't tip them if you feel ripped off. I can't remember the last time I used a taxi.
I would only use a black cab in exceptional circumstances. I would do my best to avoid the worst drivers on the road, mini cabs and I'd never use UBER.
J-C and a few other posters will be along soon. :greengrin
I use black cabs regularly, I like the experience of being taken to my destination safely via the quickest route without having to act as navigator, I have the City Cabs app on my phone.
The last time I got a taxi it cost me nearly £30 from the East end of princes st to Musselburgh, I think thats outrageous, I've used the night bus since then.
Taxis are notorious the world over. Ive been threatened in Morrocco, ripped off in every country Ive used one really. Of course there are many genuinely nice cabbies but the chancers and con men who take tourists on outrageously circuitous routes taint the whole profession. Uber has many faults but I'll use them if I have to.Quote:
Originally Posted by Hermit Crab
Same for me. I live in a new build and the postcode doesn't always come up on sat navs. Almost every black cab driver has known where it is or worked it out after a simple 'it's just off.....'.Quote:
Originally Posted by Scouse Hibby
Watching the PHs go into full on panic mode when the sat nav fails them is amusing but you then end up getting taken on a tour of Edinburgh as even the most precise directions confuse them.
I always use a black cab if I can. There's a good reason for them being a bit more expensive than a PH or Uber.
I’ve actually had more problems with black cab drivers not knowing where a destination is and they don’t have a sat nav to fall back on. This becomes a problem when you don’t really know where it is either.Quote:
Originally Posted by Pretty Boy
My worst experience was when I lived in Bruntsfield and arguing with a black cab driver who insisted Leamington Place was in South Queensferry. Eh, I think I know where I live, thank you.
That was like last week when I was at Newhaven going back to Blackford. The first thing the black cab driver asked was “what way do you think I should go?!” You tell me!!Quote:
Originally Posted by overdrive
£30!!! I went to Munich last year and my flight there cost £35!Quote:
Originally Posted by Hermit Crab
If it wasn’t for the cold and the fact my son had Been taunted by the Aberdeen fans as we walked past Easter Road after the game I would have walked to a bus stop. In fact I would have carried his twelve year old arse back home!
No way it should be that price.Quote:
Originally Posted by Hermit Crab
Sometimes there can be options depending where you are. It's not always a linear route. Saying that he'd be better asking if you had a preferred route. Also there's plenty people want you to go a certain way and are not shy in telling you.Quote:
Originally Posted by LustForLeith
I remember when I first started I was nervous as hell about going the wrong way and getting the inevitable "Eh where you going pal?" :greengrin
I will add that when I talk about the excellent service and knowledge of black cab drivers I am generally talking about the drivers I encounter regularly through City Cabs. I have experienced totally the opposite in severally black cabs either hailed or off a rank, these have generally been cash only street cabs with no affiliation to anyone.
I should point out a positive story regarding black cabs. A couple of years ago we were going on holiday and got a black cab to the airport. Came back from holiday and my ex wife went to unlock the front door and couldn’t find her keys. She reckoned she had left them in the hotel safe. A couple of weeks later, the doorbell rang and here was the cabbie that too us to the airport with our keys. They had fell out her pocket in the taxi.
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Originally Posted by BroxburnHibee
I swear, I was out with the Mrs and we got a cab home, it was something like £28.40 and I handed over £30. Couldn't believe myself.
It would be that much mate - extortionate. My brother in law says it’s cheap compared to other cities though (which doesn’t help me!)Quote:
Originally Posted by Hermit Crab
It’s pretty normal to pay more for your taxi either side of a flight than for the flight itself these days.Quote:
Originally Posted by LustForLeith
I have a deep dislike of Edinburgh black cabs. It may be unfounded but they are over expensive and very tourist driven.
When I have had to take one the drivers seemed totally ignorant of the destination even though it was central Edinburgh at the time.
To be fair, I do understand how expensive they are to run but more expensive than Glasgow?
Uber is great value. The app is excellent and you can use it most major cities around Europe. You know the price before booking and if you let them know a better route, they take it without moaning.
For me it’s Uber first or Capital Cars with their 20% discount. Both far better value than black cabs.
I understand but unless you're talking far side of Musselburgh and kept the guy waiting for ages there is no way it should be that price.Quote:
Originally Posted by Hermit Crab
Is Capital "all the 7's"? If so, how do you get the discount, do you have to ask?Quote:
Originally Posted by Frazerbob
I've used them a few times but never been offered the discount, just the meter rate!
Quote:
Originally Posted by BroxburnHibee
Route was waterloo place, down past Meadowbank, Milton rd, A1 as far as Wallyford turnoff then through Wallyford down to the roundabout where racecourse is then a left there and got dropped off on the Pinkie rd. That will be £30 please.
Ok did you tell him to take that route as it's a much longer route?Quote:
Originally Posted by Hermit Crab
Black cab drivers are trained to take the shortest route as it's the cheapest.
The cheapest fare is to go through Musselburgh. If someone asked me to get to the far end of Pinkie by taking the bypass the first thing I'd say was it would definitely be more expensive.
Quote:
Originally Posted by BroxburnHibee
Being honest I really can't remember.
Very valid point!Quote:
Originally Posted by Frazerbob
Also, when you get a taxi from the airport back to say Blackford and the guy takes you all the way into town before cutting through and heading to Blackford?!
I'd only ever take a black cab if I was sharing.
Most folk I know feel the same.
It cost me £9.90 from Newcraighall to the Ravelston in Musselburgh recently - a distance of 1.4 miles.
Apparently there was a surcharge for "leaving the city". This was at about 5pm on a Friday.
There is a surcharge for Musselburgh but I would never put it on the meter if it was from there.Quote:
Originally Posted by Future17
Yeah, I understand the reason for it in certain circumstances...just not at that time on a weekend evening.Quote:
Originally Posted by BroxburnHibee
It is yeh. They should deduct 20% from the final fare in the screen. You do quite often have to ‘remind’ them though.Quote:
Originally Posted by speedy_gonzales
Sorry to my cab driving pals, but I use UBER when I'm abroad. It really is a good service.
You know what you're going to pay before you book a car. You know how long it will take to arrive, the type of car and the driver's name.
I've not used Uber in the UK out of loyalty to my pals, but one wrong word ...:greengrin
How much would you expect it to be? I wouldn’t think it’d be much less than £25 based on my experience.Quote:
Originally Posted by BroxburnHibee
23 to 25 sounds about right.Quote:
Originally Posted by Danderhall Hibs
Quote:
Originally Posted by BroxburnHibee
I'll bear that route in mind if I ever have to get a black cab home again.
I was told last summer price to Wallyford is usually £20-£22, uber usually £15-£17 but on that night uber quoted £62.Day and night ticket for bus a bargainQuote:
Originally Posted by Danderhall Hibs
Quote:
Originally Posted by Killiehibbie
They call that a surge price, well known for Uber drivers to all disappear at a certain time just to push the price up, then all pop back on their system to grab the extra high fares. Problem we have is peoples perception of the black taxi trade, generally brought on by being told lies. I get asked what's the difference between the knowledge and just using a sat nav, well a sat nav cannot teach you guest houses, nursing homes, pubs, restaurants, hotels, hospitals, offices, places of interest, road closures etc. I think the last list made Edinburgh around 103rd dearest in Britain, cheaper than Glasgow and surprisingly cheaper than places you wouldn't expect, also you have to take into consideration this is the capital city and things are a wee bit derer, drink in George St and you'll see what I mean, or try buying a flat/house. Said before we don't mind competition but when the market has been flooded out of all recognition, it does feel like the CEC have an agenda against black cabs.
I use Uber a lot, never had any reason to complain about it.
On Christmas day I got an Uber from my dads in Kingsknowe Court, it dropped me off at Jordan Lane in Morningside, then took my dad on to Liberton Golf Club, it cost £13.18.
Yes sometimes there is surge pricing, but it's pretty rare in my experience.
Arranged an uber pickup to go the airport, price sitting at £20, by the time it arrived it had surged to £50...what the f???Chad no option but to get it.
Uber prices don’t change once you have confirmed it.Quote:
Originally Posted by Wembley67
It’s demand that puts the surge up certainly not anyone logging off!Quote:
Originally Posted by J-C
The nav has all you have listed on it I’ve nothing against the black cabs but things have moved on the youth nowadays get Uber’s not taxis.
Well mine did, I had never used Uber before so maybe I didn't do something right...personally I think the driver was at it, he knew he was collecting from a prestigous area for a early morning flight so I never had an alternative option - lesson learned from myself :)Quote:
Originally Posted by patch1875
There seems to be a lot of mythology surrounding Uber.
I use them almost exclusively when I'm abroad and I've always been very satisfied.
The app tells you how much the fare is going to be, how long it will take to get to you and roughly how long the journey will take.
On one occasion the app told me that they were busy so normal so prices were higher than usual. Even then the fare wasn't extortionate, but I decided against using them on that occasion.
I don't understand how that could have happened.Quote:
Originally Posted by Wembley67
Did you use the app? It gives you the price and you pay in advance. No money is given to the driver. Even tips are paid via the app.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Wembley67
You must have checked the price and not confirmed then gone back in later and it could have had a surge the driver has no control of the prices.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Hibbyradge
It was on the app, absolutely no idea what I did but whatever it was I clearly screwed it up :greengrinQuote:
Originally Posted by patch1875
Was it a Rolls Royce or something posh?Quote:
Originally Posted by Wembley67
Uber has a luxury car option which is more expensive.
You will have got an email receipt. It should tell you what you booked.
I'm inordinately interested to find out! 😁
I’ve paid £50+ back to Haddington numerous times 😭Quote:
Originally Posted by Hermit Crab
Quote:
Originally Posted by .Sean.
**** that, you ken theres a night buses down that way now?
https://eastcoastbuses.co.uk/nighthawk/
Back around 15-20 years ago I lived just round from Murrayfield stadium and worked in Bonnyrigg. Didn’t drive in those days and very occasionally I had to taxi it, usually if I had gone out after work or slept in and missed the bus. Back then it was 20-25 quid easy, with one of the two big black cab firms. Doesn’t sound like it is too much more expensive nowadays which is a surprise.
Re a previous post, I’ve nevertheless always found Glasgow far, far cheaper for a cab. As for Uber I’ve used them in English cities and found them spot on. In Leeds in particular they were clean, reliable and efficient whereas the one black cab we used was a bit dirty and definitely took a long way for a short cut. I think the council in Leeds is quite strict on enforcing standards for private hires which maybe explains that.
Would always use Uber over a black cab. Used Uber fairly frequently for over a year now in numerous cities in the UK and abroad and had next to no issues. Probably saved myself a small fortune as well.
In the south of France it also gave me the option of a helicopter :greengrin
That apostrophe is doing my head in.
:top marksQuote:
Originally Posted by grunt
Mine anaw.Quote:
Originally Posted by grunt
You shouldn't of rote that mateQuote:
Originally Posted by lapsedhibee
Theres going too be a plefora off bad speling poor gramma and a lak of puntuashin now
True. Corrected now.Quote:
Originally Posted by Hibbyradge
I rarely use Uber at home as our local private hire is pretty reliable, but we used Uber a few times when in Bristol a few weeks ago and couldn’t speak highly enough of them. One of them turned up literally within 30 seconds of ordering (bearing in mind we were near the football ground and not actually in the city centre) whereas the taxi numbers given to us in the pub were all going to be a 30+ minute wait.Quote:
Originally Posted by Hibbyradge
Return flights to Bergamo - £30
Return taxi to airport from Drum Brae - £30/
Still wouldn't use uber or the taliban taxi's as I believe the black cab driver's call them.:greengrin
You're going to the big fire. :cbQuote:
Originally Posted by HappyAsHellas
If something’s too good to be true, it usually is. Or in Uber’s case, the convenience and cheapness comes at a cost in other areas.
Once corrective action is finalised, you won’t see Uber for dust and they’ll simply operate in countries who’s rules regarding workers rights are a little more ‘relaxed’.
It’s a shame as a happy medium would benefit everyone.
I don’t think anyone has described Uber as “too good to be true”, just some people believe they can be better than using black cabs.Quote:
Originally Posted by Pete
The apostrophe fire of doomQuote:
Originally Posted by CropleyWasGod
Why are people comparing the price of a taxi with the basic price of a flight? Budget airlines are more comparable to a bus, no?
Can anybody tell me how much of the fare Uber creams off in this country? I've read about them taking 60-70% of minimum price hires in some places.
25%Quote:
Originally Posted by Killiehibbie
You could be right, and although I hope it doesn't happen, it looks to me like black cabs are more likely to disappear than Uber.Quote:
Originally Posted by Pete
And remember, if we leave the EU, there won't be many countries with more relaxed workers than the UK.
Is that regardless of fare? I've read they take $2 and percentage of $4 minimum fares in US, can't see them settling for 80 odd pence on £3.50 minimum Edinburgh fare.Quote:
Originally Posted by patch1875
I certainly wouldn't have been in business for very long paying booking office 25% of all the hires I got when driving a taxi and even less if they take as much as i've read about.
Yes doesn’t matter what the fare is the £3.50 fare you get 2.62.Quote:
Originally Posted by Killiehibbie
The base fare need to be higher Uber works great for me as I only do it for 2-3 months through winter made a lot of money in December much quieter since although it’s picking up now.
Not sure I’d want to make a living full time from it.
All very good if you want to "make" a few quid on a Saturday night. Takes a lot of £2.62's just to pay the council for your licences and remember you're competing against guys who are trying to earn a full time wage with full time overheads.Quote:
Originally Posted by patch1875
Thank you for your service.Quote:
Originally Posted by patch1875
You only probably do 2-3 a day at that price but it’s a 5 minute job been out since 6.30 this morning averaged £20 an hour home now might go out again later.Quote:
Originally Posted by Killiehibbie
It’s good fun for me I put all the money aside and it pays for the summer holiday only got the car for another couple of weeks then back to my business.
Your welcome!Quote:
Originally Posted by CapitalGreen
Luckily you won't have to bother about replacing your vehicle and offering sudsidised travel for much longer.Quote:
Originally Posted by patch1875
I just don't see how their business is sustainable, everything has to be paid for eventually.
Most taxi drivers are toiling these days. The costs involved in either renting/buying a taxi are just ridiculous.
The added cost of belonging to a radio cab company are just as ridiculous.
You also have to remember that the tariffs are set by Edinburgh Council and not the taxi company or drivers.
A lot of drivers are what they call jockeys and only rent the cab from the owners. The rentals are way over priced. Some as much as £300 pw. Add the cost of fuel to that and all the other stuff that comes with being self employed you start to get a picture of why the costs are so high.
My point, it’s not the drivers fault.
Plenty of cabbies not toiling at all and making a good living out of it, they are working long hours though.Quote:
Originally Posted by Weegreenman
Most of them need to work long hours to make a living. It’s one of them jobs, if you were to only work a normal working week.....say 35-40hours pw, then if you were to average it out over a year, you’d be lucky if they made minimum wage.Quote:
Originally Posted by Scouse Hibee
A lot depends on what times you work and where. My mate does fine, chases the work, flight times etc, good concierge contacts, positioning. Never find him sitting on a rank. Experience is invaluable.Quote:
Originally Posted by Weegreenman
Quote:
Originally Posted by Weegreenman
Not going to turn much of a profit working 40 hours per week.
I make a decent living but you need to put the hours in and the early months of the year can be tedious.
What's decent for me might be rubbish for others though. :greengrin
Reading this thread I’ve noticed a lot of people saying taxis are cheaper in Glasgow, they’re not anymore. Edinburgh is 66th in the table of UK fares with Glasgow around 30th. Edinburgh comes in the top 10 for every measure of cost of living there is, yet taxi fares are 66th. People will go out shopping or drinking and happily pay the over inflated Edinburgh prices, but complain about the taxi fare that is underpriced. There will be a rise in fares shortly as the independent company that deals with this recognises the disparity that exists.
I’ve never complained about the cost of a taxi. Not that I use them much these days but when I do, it’s usually because I want to get to were I want to go ( usually home half pissed ) safely and as quick as possible. I know taxi drivers are grafters and don’t have an easy job, so they are worth every penny and a nice wee tip. Usually get a great wee bit of banter for free anaw
Your support is very much appreciated mate.Quote:
Originally Posted by Weegreenman
Very true.Quote:
Originally Posted by Weegreenman
I've never understood why folk give cabbies grief, for me they are my white knight taking me home, if you are going to moan then make other arrangements to get home!
My Black Cab app is well used, I very much appreciate the service I receive from taxi drivers, even if most of them recently have been Jambos!
Is that based on the total cost of the fare paid or the actual charges? If it's based on the fare paid Glasgow is likely to be higher as it's a far larger city so trips are likely to be longer resulting in a higher charge.Quote:
Originally Posted by lord bunberry
If you take the exact same length of journey in both Edinburgh and Glasgow which is cheaper? In my experience Glasgow taxis are far cheaper, though it has been around 2 years since I've been in a Glasgow cab so may have changed.
According to the report below Glasgow is currently £6.50 for a 2 mile journey and Edinburgh £6.35. Glasgow has had 2 fare increases in the past 18 months so if Edinburgh is due a rise as you suggest then it will make a journey more expensive in Edinburgh very shortly.Quote:
Originally Posted by lord bunberry
If the fare increase is 10% or more then it will make Edinburgh about the same as East Lothian and the most expensive place in Scotland to hire a cab.
https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/news...for-fare-rise/
Meanwhile Uber still haven’t increased in nearly 4 years.
I always use Uber. Got numerous Uber’s in Glasgow at the weekend and they were about £4 or so every time. And two of them were in a 5 series BMW. I know how I’d prefer to travel.Quote:
Originally Posted by patch1875
Yes it’s based on a 2 mile journey. The fare increase here won’t be anywhere near 10% it will be a small increase. You also have to factor in that Glasgow has a party tariff for the weekend where fares increase to a level much higher than Edinburgh, the meter at these times starts at £5.70 compared to Edinburgh at £3.60.Quote:
Originally Posted by Since90+2
Uber increase their fares every week when it’s busy. I took a couple from the west end to clermiston on Saturday, the fare was £12, Uber were charging £28.Quote:
Originally Posted by patch1875
Edinburgh also has a higher cost of living so I'd agree taxi drivers here are probably due a rise. My fear for your trade is that Uber will ultimately take over , I hope it doesn't as I will always use black cabs over Uber personally.Quote:
Originally Posted by lord bunberry
Uber taking over is definitely a possibility, but it wouldn’t be good for the city as once they’re in control the amount they charge will be completely unregulated.Quote:
Originally Posted by Since90+2
Obviously a busy time regular Uber fare would have been about £7 seemed busy at the weekend as I couldn’t get one must be all the students coming back.Quote:
Originally Posted by lord bunberry
I use Uber a lot when I'm over in California. The service there is exceptional, and there are a lot of drivers (as it's an easy way to top up income in a place as expensive as the Bay Area). I've yet to have a bad experience over there using Uber.
However, I do so with the understanding that the cheap price is due to Uber not valuing their employees properly, with many working in pretty **** conditions.
Your not an employee your self employed.Quote:
Originally Posted by Sylar
I’ve said earlier in the thread I wouldn’t want to rely on it as a source of income but some do ok out of it.
I do it occasionally and it’s pretty good fun for the time I do it the flexibility makes it great for me just log on and away you go.
Isn't that the problem? Certainly in California, the drivers have no rights to any kind of medical insurance etc despite being affiliated to a registered company.Quote:
Originally Posted by patch1875
I'm comparing the UK system to the American system here, which isn't fair as I don't use Uber here in the UK (not on any moral stance - I just don't have a need for taxis here) - but there's been a massive furore in California by both Uber and Lyft drivers who aren't eligible for many of the state benefits of minimum wage, overtime pay etc because they're viewed not as employees but as external contractors.
I found them pretty upfront about it all. There are some benefits here I’d you drive regularly (accident cover, paternity pay etc) but the end of the day I also run my own other business and get nothing either.Quote:
Originally Posted by Sylar
I know this doesn't scan across, but I just had a 17 mile Uber journey to Rio airport which took 55 minutes in rush hour traffic.
It cost less than £10.20.
My standard taxi journey to my hotel a week ago took 30 minutes and cost £27.
I feel guilty recommending Uber because I have friends who drive black cabs, but it's a great service to use when abroad.