merryJim 1 Posted November 27, 2003 Share Posted November 27, 2003 Back home, taxis are a great way to get around and relatively cheap. Here, they're a nightmare. Huge amounts asked for a small journey in a smoky car. Seeing hundreds of the things lined up constantly outside the stations etc, its difficult to see how they can be doing well - there're just so many of the things. I saw a documentary the other night on J tv following the life of a taxi driver and it wasn't much fun. Most of the time hanging around, then being grumpy when someone actually gets in your car. Link to post Share on other sites
grungy-gonads 54 Posted November 27, 2003 Share Posted November 27, 2003 Taxis are Evil. Link to post Share on other sites
Ocean11 0 Posted November 27, 2003 Share Posted November 27, 2003 Taxis in NY are like walking into a video game. You come out of the airport and there's a huge black woman in a uniform jabbing leaflets at you that warn of taxi ripoffs. You then get in the taxi and the driver immediately tries the ripoff of which the leaflet warns. The taxi driver then drives like a madman through the traffic, throwing you about in the back and yelling "Go back to Jersey lady! Bitch!" as he bunny hops the car across town. Over the course of the ride you become so convinced the driver is a psychopath that you do not hesitate to tip him. Indeed, a great way to get around, if you're planning on writing a book. (We couldn't get on the bus because another enormous black woman shouted "NO BILLS!!" at us and blocked the doorway.) Link to post Share on other sites
igloo 3 Posted November 28, 2003 Share Posted November 28, 2003 Taxis here are just such a ripoff and make me angry. Link to post Share on other sites
DrEvil 0 Posted November 29, 2003 Share Posted November 29, 2003 Me too. I once had to use a cab to meet an important appointment after just missing a train and it cost me 4000 yen for the privelege. Good job they don't demans tips. Link to post Share on other sites
enderzero 0 Posted November 29, 2003 Share Posted November 29, 2003 In Bangkok, a large, cosmopolitan city, it costs no more than $3US to go just about anywhere. The 1/2 hour+ ride to the airport came to $4 for two people. The minimum in Tokyo is over $6 and it goes up so quickly you are already at double that by the next trainstop. There is certainly something wrong with the taxi prices here. Link to post Share on other sites
cute-as-a-button 0 Posted November 29, 2003 Share Posted November 29, 2003 They are outrageous here, they do not deserve the business. Link to post Share on other sites
MistaSparkle 0 Posted November 29, 2003 Share Posted November 29, 2003 Ocean: nice NY taxi story. I've been in NY cabs that have been like death rides. It's not fun when someone gets out of their car to fight your cabbie who just cut them off, either. Seinfeld talked about this in one of his standup acts, but most new yorkers passively watch the mayhem believing they are safe and secure behind the invincible plexiglass barrier. Japanese taxis, just like every other muthagrabbin thing in this country, are absurdly expensive. Link to post Share on other sites
neversummer 0 Posted November 29, 2003 Share Posted November 29, 2003 Last year Xmas night/boxing day morn I got stung 5000yen from Shinjuku 3Chome to Meidiemae. Usually cost 1800 to 2000 but we were smashed and this knob took us to Nakano before I realsied what was going on. To make matters worse, I left my watch with warranty, reciept the works, in his taxi. Never saw it again. Link to post Share on other sites
nzlegend 1 Posted November 30, 2003 Share Posted November 30, 2003 Here is a link to a previous discussion about Taxis in Japan. Quite a long thread it was. Link to post Share on other sites
AIKO 0 Posted November 30, 2003 Share Posted November 30, 2003 I sometimes want to use it, but its just too expensive. Link to post Share on other sites
Siren 0 Posted November 30, 2003 Share Posted November 30, 2003 I am impressed with the taxi service in Tokyo. It is the little things they do for you like not starting the meter until they have turned to right direction (if you are waiting on the wrong side of the road). Some drivers stop the meter if it turns out that they have taken you to the wrong road/place (most of the time due to my own fault in giving instructions). Drivers of the MK Taxi jumped out to open the door for you like a chauffer service. Some taxis in Kyoto have spare umbrellas to give away if it is a rainy day. Link to post Share on other sites
klingon 10 Posted December 1, 2003 Share Posted December 1, 2003 Are those little extras worth the exhorbitant cost?? Link to post Share on other sites
Siren 0 Posted December 1, 2003 Share Posted December 1, 2003 You can ask yourself that question again after spending a few more years in Tokyo. Link to post Share on other sites
slow 0 Posted December 1, 2003 Share Posted December 1, 2003 The MK Taxi in Kyoto is very famous. The best taxi company in Japan. I know some people have their own taxi driver like a chauffeur. When you meet a very nice taxi driver, you can ask his or her mobile phone number and always pick you up in their area. I don't like taking taxi for myself. But I feel comfortable when I'm with my BF. Most of taxi drivers like him and they are very good to him because my BF is very very polite to the drivers and try to tell direction in Japanese. You'll meet nice drivers if you are nice to them. Ne, Siren? Link to post Share on other sites
nori-chan 0 Posted December 1, 2003 Share Posted December 1, 2003 Me too, Aiko. Its too expensive. Link to post Share on other sites
Siren 0 Posted December 1, 2003 Share Posted December 1, 2003 Yes, Ms S. I like the MK Taxi, especially when I have to go home after midnight after a long day at the office. The drivers are well trained and very polite and we chat lightly which is very relaxing. Link to post Share on other sites
Ocean11 0 Posted December 1, 2003 Share Posted December 1, 2003 I saw a program about some bloke learning to be an MK taxi driver, and he had to learn by rote a huge long spiel including 'Mind if I ask your name?' so that he could then call the esteemed customer by their actual name. Nothing would irritate me more than to be constantly pestered by a taxi driver. It looked like MK had really fallen into that Japanese 'lots of talking = better service' sink hole. Link to post Share on other sites
Siren 0 Posted December 1, 2003 Share Posted December 1, 2003 It isn't like that at all in my experience. Some of the drivers know my name because I use them whenever I have a late night (they have a stand permanently under our building) and sometime I use a taxi voucher which has my name on it. They will usually just say Mr. so-and-so thank you for using our taxi again. In the car, they will sometime volunteer "it has been a long day, hasn't it?". If I am tired I will just say yes without offering any comment and they understand and we just ride in silence. Link to post Share on other sites
brit-gob 9 Posted December 2, 2003 Share Posted December 2, 2003 Are you guys kidding here? It may be all well and nice for driver dudes to be happy, but are you really into that? And do they charge the same as the normal ripoffs? Link to post Share on other sites
grungy-gonads 54 Posted December 3, 2003 Share Posted December 3, 2003 I really resent using taxis here. Are their prices fixed or something? Whats the story with them? anyone any the wiser? Link to post Share on other sites
Siren 0 Posted December 3, 2003 Share Posted December 3, 2003 Japan is not exactly a backpacker destination as you can tell. And of course the rate is fixed, in the sense that it is regulated like most places. Link to post Share on other sites
MistaSparkle 0 Posted December 3, 2003 Share Posted December 3, 2003 So MK taxis are ripoffs like normal taxis, except that while you're being ripped off you get smoke blown up your ass? Link to post Share on other sites
Markie 0 Posted December 3, 2003 Share Posted December 3, 2003 Quote: Originally posted by Siren: Japan is not exactly a backpacker destination as you can tell. Better not tell Enderzero that. He practically backpacked Japan for the whole winter and most of spring last year and he's doing it again this year! I suppose having the inheritance of a wealthy uncle helps! Oops! I think I promised him I would keep that a secret. Link to post Share on other sites
Siren 0 Posted December 3, 2003 Share Posted December 3, 2003 Quote: So MK taxis are ripoffs like normal taxis, except that while you're being ripped off you get smoke blown up your ass? Couldn't put it better. Japan is not cheap that is a fact. Link to post Share on other sites
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