Upsetting episode with Taxi driver

I have just complained about two taxis in the space of a morning, they kept tail gating me and the other tailgating another member of the public. The RTA rung took down the details and rung me a few days later telling me the drivers had been spoken to accordingly. A friend of mine has been in a serious car accident with a taxi driver too. Epileptic fit his foot hit the accelerator straight into a lamp post a few years ago.

Being sent for training means he can't drive on the days he's training, which will hit him in the pocket: Where it hurts most. So he will learn from it though it seems like something very small!

Ive learnt to be quite firm and outspoken with taxi drivers. When i know he shortest route, this is easy. He other day he driver said left or right, i said right and he proceeded to take me left! This was going to result in me paying an extra 10 dhs in the fare. I immediately said why did u go this way? I told you go right. He tried to argue with me, i told him i get a taxi everyday and it costs me 10dhs. So when the meter reached 10dhs i told him to turn it off. He wasnt happy! He tried to refuse. I told him im not paying more so youd better turn it off, and if i get to the bus station late, youre going to take me to my childrens school free of charge as i cannot be late. He swiftly pulled over and turned the meter off :). I know they do this on purpose, hinking westerners wint argue. Well ive learnt different! The trick is to speak up as soon as u know something is not right. Dont sit there fuming and then try to argue for a discount at the end. I learnt this the hard way :-D I cant be bothered editing this, spelling mistakes due to ipad keyboard! <em>edited by Ginnee on 28/01/2013</em>

I think you have to pursue the complaint. My worst experience was similar to MP's. I lived at the Ranches when it was still a new development 6 years ago and most cabs didnt want to 'drive so far' LOL! Got a cab from Deira, regular fare was about aed 70 odd. Cabbie decided to take me round back where it was (then) derelict and the road ran out too. Fare came to AED 125. I had asked before I got in cab if he knew where to go and he said he did. I was fuming by the end and the journey was an extra 30 mins on top of norm too. Assuming they don't earn very much (and goodness knows what training they get before becoming 'qualified') I decided I would dock him AED 5 for the major inconvenience without paining him too much. I had warned him that I would complain but feeling pity accepted that here (+ ONLY HERE!) even cabbies can get lost and was prepared to let it slide. He however decided that a lone female in back of his cab was an easy target and became verbally abusive did some hand gesturing and to add insult to injury said it was my fault. That decided it for me. I called RTA and complained with his details; cab no.,registration and the journey destination and start end times. (receipts weren't standard then, it used to be a scribble on some paper without any of the driver details). The operator was very understanding. It was followed up by them and I was called back after a few hours to say he apologised for his behaviour but he would be docked 3 days pay and would go on some training before he could resume his duty again. I asked for them to not dock his pay but that he definitely needed to learn some manners and not pick up people claiming to know where to take them when he clearly didn't. The decision was final. I think he may well have rued taking an AED 5 hit rather than losing 3 days wages but he made his choice. Please complain, nothing changes unless you do when these things happen. If you want better service for yourself and others not to be taken advantage of in the same way make some noise with the right people. Good luck.

We had an incident a couple of years ago with a Taxi Driver. He picked my FIL up in the Lakes and was supposed to take him to Emarat Atruim Building SZR. He took him to Sharjah and my FIL flipped out and called me. I spoke to the Taxi Driver to guide him back to SZR. He finally managed to do a U-turn in Sharjah and drive my FIL back to the Metropolitan hotel and then back to the Lakes. My FIL was in a state!!!! Didn't even reach his destination. Then the Taxi driver wanted almost 200 AED for the trip. I called the police and they told me to pay and get a receipt then lodge a complaint with the RTA. So I did but the RTA never did anything. Also theTaxi driver insulted me because I was a woman and I was challengng him. Next time, I won't blo*dy pay at ALL! edited by derien on 28/01/2013 <em>edited by derien on 28/01/2013</em>

Ive complained twice about taxi drivers to the RTA. They will register a complaint and send you a sms with a complaint number. They will then call you and tell you the outcome of the complaint. Both times, the deemed the taxi driver as responsible and he was fined ! you then get a SMS saying that the complaint has been resolved. the first time it was because a taxi driver decided to park right outside the car park exit to our building and drop somone off.. he could have drove a tiny bit further and it would have been right outside the entrace of the building but no ... right infront of the car park exit .. he then left his door open and decided to shake hands with the taxi driver infront and chat to him whilst counting the tip he has recived ! when I flashed and beeped my horn he looked and ignored and carried on chatting ! I then opened my window and asked him to move his car further and he can continue talking to which he held up his hand and signaled 1 minute and muttered something in his language and wafted his hand .. he was fined when i complained to the RTA. 2nd time, I was unloading some suitcases from the car ( no help from the taxi driver as the fare came to 98.50 aed and I gave him 100 aed so I think he was miffed by the 1.50 aed tip) he started driving off with one of my bags in the boot ! i started yelling at him and ran after him and banged on the boot ! his response ' quickly quickly ' and he was revving his engine whilst im trying to take this bag out in the middle of the road with cars driving past and making sure my child doesnt move from the pavement ! again he was fined as well when I complained

When we get a taxi back from DXB airport back to the marina, the fare can be anything from 70-90 aed depending on the route the taxi takes as DH always gives the driver 100 aed and does not expect any change,therefore any taxi driver taking a longer route (one actually turned into Media City had to go up to a roundabout to do a u turn and then get back to where he had turned in from) is only doing himself out of a bigger tip. Personally I always query if they take an alternative route to what I am expecting but that's usually too late as they are already committed to the route they have taken, if I know there are a few choices of routes to where I want to go I often given the taxi driver my destination and the route I want them to take i.e. Al Sufouh Rd from Souk Madinat Jumeriah to the marina rather than their preferred (quicker!!!!) route - Umm Suqeim and SZR then down onto Al Sufouh.

How much money are you talking about?

I think he shouldn't have paid, but if the cops tell you to do so, do it. But then, if he refused to give the receipt in order for you to get the money back, don't pay. Let him call the cops again. edited by Marroosh on 27/01/2013 Agreed. This would have been the best course of action I really hope you get it sorted. It is absolutely unacceptable behaviour. I agree you should also log a complaint with the police. People need to think before they act aggressively towards others and this driver needs to feel the consequences of his actions. Also, it should be made an example for other taxi drivers.

We were horrified by the behaviour and attitude of 3 taxi drivers during a 10 day visit to Dubai at Christmas when we were staying with our DS. One even got out of his taxi and threatened our DS. The taxi driver under cut us so he was in the wrong but raging because our DS wouldn't pull back to let him as it would have been too dangerous. The idiot backed off when he saw me taking his pic and taxi number with my mobile. DS contacted the taxi company but has heard nothing. My friend got out of one and was getting her bags out of the boot when he started to drive off She was screaming at him to stop so he slammed his brakes on, reversed and nearly ran her over Struth!! That's one thing that I found while living in Doha. The private car firm I used for most journeys were brilliant and I didn't really have a bad experience with the Karwa cars (apart from the hair raising driving!!)

I'm sure each taxi will have a log of the journeys they have taken and the cost. Get DH to call the RTA with all the taxi details including journey pick-up/drop off and route destinations and the time/date. They should be able to retrieve all the costs and act on this. Tell them you will also log a complaint with the Police (Iwould threaten, even if I don't bother to go that far). Personally, I would!

If you've got bags in the boot then I always leave the passenger door open till I've retrieved my bags. This prevents the driver from speeding off before i've got my bags. He actually opened the boot when he stopped by attempting to drive off whilst his boot was still open. Probably never heard of mirror, signal, manouver

Hubbie had a similiar experience in that he was taken a long way round and felt the fare being asked was too high given that he'd told the taxi driver to stop earlier. Police were called who I believe told hubbie to pay and then take it up with the RTA. He did and initally got a call back from the RTA to find out more details but never heard anything else. I don't really believe the RTA care. FFx

If you've got bags in the boot then I always leave the passenger door open till I've retrieved my bags. This prevents the driver from speeding off before i've got my bags.

We were horrified by the behaviour and attitude of 3 taxi drivers during a 10 day visit to Dubai at Christmas when we were staying with our DS. One even got out of his taxi and threatened our DS. The taxi driver under cut us so he was in the wrong but raging because our DS wouldn't pull back to let him as it would have been too dangerous. The idiot backed off when he saw me taking his pic and taxi number with my mobile. DS contacted the taxi company but has heard nothing. My friend got out of one and was getting her bags out of the boot when he started to drive off She was screaming at him to stop so he slammed his brakes on, reversed and nearly ran her over

We were horrified by the behaviour and attitude of 3 taxi drivers during a 10 day visit to Dubai at Christmas when we were staying with our DS. One even got out of his taxi and threatened our DS. The taxi driver under cut us so he was in the wrong but raging because our DS wouldn't pull back to let him as it would have been too dangerous. The idiot backed off when he saw me taking his pic and taxi number with my mobile. DS contacted the taxi company but has heard nothing.

Nooo you MUST go and make the complaint! Wat if everyone just thinks it's not worth the hassle? Then these guys will get away with their behavior and then nothing will change. I and some friends have made complaints for several reasons and RTA has always take the issue seriously and acted. So please don't think it's not worth it, because it is. We are all entitled to good service while taking a taxi and not be taken for a ride (literally). I think he shouldn't have paid, but if the cops tell you to do so, do it. But then, if he refused to give the receipt in order for you to get the money back, don't pay. Let him call the cops again. edited by Marroosh on 27/01/2013 I have complained twice and the RTA do take it seriously One taxi refused to take me as the trip was too short apparently. SZR to Tecom short and the second one nearly took me out on a pedestrain crossing. He was speeding and did not stop The RTA were great please do complain and let us know how you get on Thanks

Nooo you MUST go and make the complaint! Wat if everyone just thinks it's not worth the hassle? Then these guys will get away with their behavior and then nothing will change. I and some friends have made complaints for several reasons and RTA has always take the issue seriously and acted. So please don't think it's not worth it, because it is. We are all entitled to good service while taking a taxi and not be taken for a ride (literally). I think he shouldn't have paid, but if the cops tell you to do so, do it. But then, if he refused to give the receipt in order for you to get the money back, don't pay. Let him call the cops again. <em>edited by Marroosh on 27/01/2013</em>

A taxi took my daughter from madinat to AR via green community roundabout and taxi called the cops when she complained and refused to pay full amount. Cops came and also said either both to station to file a complaint or pay the metered fare. We took the lesser of 2 evils, not worth the hassle of complaint, but I think they play on this too. Cops told us to make complaint with taxi company but we did have receipt. Just couldnt be bothered wasting time. Only consolation was taxi lost an hour waiting for cops to come. <em>edited by Cherry ripe on 27/01/2013</em>