Yet Another Argument with a Tourist
Roy December 5th, 2009
The Scenario:
It’s raining heavily, a couple of tourists decide to get a Taxi from St Stephens Green to their hotel, the Conrad Hilton on Earlsfort Terrace. (just on the far corner of the Green)
Off I go, taking a right off the Green down Dawson Street, then a Right on to Molesworth Street, right again on to Kildare Road taking me back to the Green exactly to the spot where I picked them up. I then pass a bus lane which would take me directly to their hotel and head into heavy traffic on Merrion Row.
At this point after a fair bit of fidgeting in the back seat the gentleman reminds me that we’re going to the Conrad hotel, I appologise for the round-about nature of our trip and tell him it’s not my fault that it’s to do with the one way system that is in place. He argues that Taxis can take the bus lane and I try to explain the rule regarding contra flow bus lanes with little success.
A tense atmosphere develops in the car but I continue on down Baggot Street, taking a right on to Pembroke Street, all the while listening to grunts and grumbles from the rear seat, eventually we turn on to Leeson Street and arrive at the junction of the Green, at the far side of the Bus lane that began all the hassle, just as a Taxi passes through after traveling down it.
The passenger argues that the Taxi had used the Bus Lane, therefore proving beyond all doubt that I am ripping him off , I countered that the driver was risking a fixed €50 fine and a penalty point which I was not willing to take, the passenger was having none of it and insisted he was going to complain about me, I appologised for the misunderstanding and asked him would he please confirm my reasoning with the Gardai prior to doing so.
His wife paid the fare and gave me a €1.50 tip!
I have done this same trip many times before and the above scenario is a regular feature.
Either we should be allowed use contra flow Bus Lanes (what is the reasoning behind the rule?) or passengers should be made well aware that we are not allowed use them (ie No Taxis allowed sign)
- back seat gossip
- Comments(12)
People just taking advantage of everything, I never complain, it’s always about something, one of many reasons that I give up taxi. If I was you Roy I would gently stop the cab and say ok so please leave the taxi that you are not satisfied and take another one. Simple as that …? cheers?
If I was in your situation, I would have explained the road layout and given them the option of walking before I started the meter. Or, maybe, go into the Conrad with them and get the receptionist to tell them the route?
I agree with you though. It would be nice to be able to drive up that side of the Green.
I emailed the Traffic Corps about this and Northbound on Earlsfort Tce towards the Green.The reason we cant use it is coz its just for vehicles that are entitled to call themselves buses!! ie private BUSES,miniBUSES.Neither of which are public hire vehicles!!Wasting our time arguing about it.
@Roy pity you didnt meet a cop on your journey who could have explained it to your passenger.
Jaysus Roy, no wonder they gave out to you. Going via Crumlin (Kildare Road) is just taking the piss!!!!
Just kidding. 
It is a common problem and yes, I think the sign SHOULD read “no taxis” or something to that effect.
I had the same problem and, after many arguments on severfal occasions with my fares, one day decided to chance it.
Waiting at the lights before crossing Leeson street: a tap on the window. A motorbike cop, ordering me to stop at the Conrad (not my destination).
My passengers tried to intervene on my behalf. That always makes things worse. The cop curtly told them that he was dealing with me, if they did not like it they could get out and hail another taxi. When my fares still protested they were threatened with arrest under a section of the Public Order Act. When I feebly mentioned that I had been following a bus lane (regularly used not only by taxis but also motorbikes and private cars) he sneerred that if I did not know the rules he might pull my PSV licence and force me to study them properly.
It ended with a fixed fine and a penalty point, so beware !
Will ya ever shut up Roy-If they put up no “taxi signs” you can be sure that Cathleen will be ordered to re-coup the expense from the pockets of penniless taxidrivers.!
500 Euros to renew your driving licence next time around??
Maybe “Bus Only”. That way Dublin Bus would have to pay.
Try going anywhere up there from the Westbury !
Robbing taxi driver . Do you think I stuppid ?
You could get old thinking about it.
Roy, You are a great man with the camera, video, etc. Why don’t you record the many private cars using that contra flow bus lane, also their reg. plates, and then pass it along to the Gardai? If they don’t fine them, why should the Gardai fine you?
@Ralph, I can’t afford to ask them to leave (they’d probably report me for that too)
@watdub, I’ve never successfully explained why 5 minute a walk of 500m becomes a 20min 1km drive
@dec what makes a minibus driver better skilled to use/more in need of a contra flow over a Taxi driver
@tirnanog, huh?
@Stephen, I don’t think it’s an issue
@john, The one ways around there are a joke
@Paddy, I couldn’t bring myself to rat anyone out
Paddy,
The idea to take a camera and record other offenders is a fine idea. It will not make any difference.
On a regular basis I have near head-on collisions with cars driving down the contra-flow on the Sarsfield Road between Inchicore and Ballyer.
Not only is this violated on a VERY large scale, but they do not give way when driving through the constriction at the railway viaduct.
It is clearly marked with a “yield” sign AND a triangle painted on the road surface.
Recently three cars flew through without even slowing down. I just managed to slam on my brakes. A pedestrian who witnessed it told me that he is sick of it as one day someone will get killed. We had the reg of the last car, I had a witness.
Gardai reaction ? “We cannot act on road traffic violations reported to us by the general public !”
The same reaction can be expected when anyone brings in photos of offenders driving down the bus lanes (confirmed by the Gardai !).
And, PS, taxi drivers do the same thing. One guy (who should not be driving a taxi !!!) kept going in the same contra-flow lane even though I was already under the viaduct. We nearly scraped the paint off the side of our cabs. When I made a remark about it it was met by the kind of language now heard in the Dail !
Bus lanes, active or not, make very convenient filter lanes. Often a bus lane leading up to a junction is full of cars hundreds of yards before the interrupted markings indicating the proper filter for the turn-off.
Gardai are usually displaying total apathy when it comes to these offences. And our authorities are no better. It has happened on a number of occasions that the announcement was made on the radio that all buslanes were open to all traffic to alleviate traffic congestion. This invariably turns congestion into total gridlock but the …….s in charge will repeat this blunder time and time again, as it gains them votes in the popularity stakes.
Have a good day !
Stephen,
That “buses only” sign is there already. Funny enough, it is legal for PRIVATE coaches to use them but not for small PUBLIC service vehicles.
I suppose Kathleen has already charged us for the signs!