[Mal]

Originally Posted by JohnK

Unless I am totally confused I have never paid $11 to book a silver service taxi. The flagfall is something like ~$4.20 and the booking fee, whether by phone or internet, is ~$1.80. The taxi fare from my place to SYD T1 and vice versa is ~$25 and that is all I have ever paid even when I have booked a silver service taxi.

In Sydney, Silver service:

Current Fares - Effective From 1 July 2008
Hiring Charges:

$3.10
Distance Rate:

Tariff 1:
$1.85 per kilometre Between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. daily

Tariff 2:
Tariff 1 + 20% Between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. daily
Radio Booking fee:
$2.00 surcharge in addition to the fare.
Waiting time:
$48.00 per hour (80c per minute - less than 26 KPH)
Toll and ferry Charges:
The hirer must pay all road, bridge, ferry, tunnel and airport tolls that apply to the journey.

For Brisbane:
Where a Silver Service vehicle is requested when placing the booking, a $11 fee applies on top of the standard taxi meter rate.

For Canberra:
A customer placing a booking with Silver Service will be charged an $11 booking fee, as well as the taxi meter rate. This $11 fee provides for the luxury vehicle and Silver Guarantee.

So it all depends on the state etc.

[JohnK]

Originally Posted by Mal

So it all depends on the state etc.

Great. Now if only NSW remains surcharge free for Silver Service taxis....

[straitman]

Thanks everyone.

An interesting read for the likes of me who did not know this type of service existed.

[bambbbam2]

Slightly OT, but notice how if you are at Macquarie Centre in the morning, it is impossible to NOT get a silver service?

[munitalP]

I use a limo service - have done for 5+ years very frequently...

I lived in Glen Waverley (VIC), I now live towards Geelong (in the bush!) and my fare hasn't changed, it's $99 + GST regardless of time (or waiting time) from home to the airport.

My driver is one of two brothers, both have nice cars (Caprice and Fairlane) and my fares are billed monthly. Some weeks I will use the service 5 or 6 times, some weeks nothing, however, in the height of the footy season if I return on a Friday night and my teams playing, I will get dropped at the TD or the MCG with my luggage safely returned to my home without me...

I have used my service to drop tenders across town due knowing it is going to be placed in the tender box, and I also use my service for private affairs such as pick ups from the casino or dinner / functions and once the Grand Prix.

I would not go back to a regular cab (I did at one stage have a cabby in a local group) as you are still in the same car as some drunk who's vomited in the back (yep, been there done that) or get screwed with the before 6AM (or whatever time it is) penalty which throws a home to airport fare over the $110 mark.

I refuse to take my car to the airport except for one day trips, then I use QF valet for parking, I hate to think my beema convertible being damaged due to a VN holden driver parking too close or reversing into it... (yeah I know, stereotyping)

I have also just purchased a new XR8 and the tall poppy syndrome applies where idiots freely damage something they cant afford themselves... it happend to me at the long term where someone keyed my new nissan navara a few years ago...

Anyway, Limo is the way, normal business hours, it costs a bit more, outside of the taxi hours, in my case slightly cheaper, no waiting in a rank, not relying on QF to provide a "good" car and you get to know your drivers very well. Another added bonus is that most of the good drivers have a "circle" and if I'm going somewhere unusual for me such as Canberra, I get my driver to organise a car for me when I get there.

Mr!

[Skyring]

For longer trips, a limo/hire car service is definitely the way to go. I get to see a lot of the hire car drivers around the airport and they take a good deal of pride in their uniforms and cars. They know what's what, they have years of experience, they are the First Class of the taxi world.

I guess with Silver Service, I'm Business Class. I aim to deliver my passengers safely, comfortably and cheerfully. Happy passenger = happy cabbie, in my book.

For regular taxis, it's a mixed bag. I hear a lot of horror stories of drivers who can't find Parliament House, who routinely go a longer way if they passenger is from out of town, who try to maximise the red lights, who won't help with the luggage, etc. etc.

And I know some of the regular cabbies are superb drivers, who love the job, have high standards, years of experience, a book full of loyal customers.

Bottom line, if you find a cabbie you like and trust, ask for his card and try to establish a relationship. He'll appreciate having regular customers - generally a friendship develops which makes trips pleasant for both - he'll get to know your preferences, he'll aim to make you happy.

Alternatively, if you are at a rank, you don't have to take the first car. It's good manners to do so, because that driver has been waiting longest, but not obligatory. My rule of thumb for picking a cab is to go for the cleanest. The driver will have higher standards than the rest.