Taxis refusing to pick me up!

[Evo20]

In the last few months I have on multiple occasions been refused licensed black cabs for… vague reasons.

Today three black cabs refused to take me (sober!), pouring rain, a couple of female friends with me. All three taxis claimed to be waiting for
other people. All drove off after id been waiting for ‘too long’ ie they could no longer justify not collecting me.

I have never had this issue until this year - and it is suddenly becoming a problem! Always alone or
with female friends - often they won’t even stop.

Am I unique in this problem? It is a real challenge in an environment where you rely on cabs, and frankly makes late evenings quite dangerous if drivers ignore you.

How far was your intended trip?

Were you going south of the river .....

Can you order a taxi on line. I always use an app to.order a taxi as they then charge my debut card

Why not just book a taxi to collect you?

Most round here in the city centre especially in a weekend wouldn't be lying if they said they were prebooked it's not financially sensible for taxis to just sit waiting in the hope of a fare. Also depending on the firm you can't just hop into a taxi here even if the intended user didn't show up as they don't take fares that haven't been booked in.

Can you clarify whether you actually booked them or were you trying to flag them down on the street?

In Glasgow there are usually taxi ranks where you need to queue. They won't just take you if they're too close to the rank. You have to get in the queue.

Are there no Ubers in your area?

All three taxis claimed to be waiting for other people.
Did you just try to flag them down in the street? If they were sitting idle whilst not at a taxi rank, they will have been booked by someone else.

All black cabs (pre booked taxis not usual), all pulled over when flagged down… but then driven off / parked nearby and refused arrived when realised a women only group.

In London and pre-booking a cab would be unusual - you can typically flag one down in a short period. Refusing to take me is new however.

Just use the gett app. It's really easy and no disappointment

Did they say they won't take you as a female group?

Isn’t that what Uber is for?

If you're in London, book an Uber

when i book a cab and see it approaching, I raise my arm so they know precisely where I am.

In London normal to flag down a cab with lights. I do it multiple times a week.

@SmalllChange Uber not really functional anymore IMO unless travelling middle of the day midweek or similar. Impossible to rely on for a few years now!

I would have this problem when I lived south of the river. I use Ubers whenever I’m in London these days and never have an issue.

Oh they knew we were there and stopped. I’m aware of how to flag a taxi.

They then refused to take us.

All black cabs (pre booked taxis not usual), all pulled over when flagged down… but then driven off / parked nearby and refused arrived when realised a women only group.

They told you it's because 'women only', or you're assuming?

It's bizarre, the only reason a cabbie would normally refuse a group is because they're pissed or rowdy.

I'm in London and always get ubers home from babysitting jobs, never been a problem to get one.

Then you are lucky - Uber has been very inconsistent in central London for a long time!

was about to add the same myself😂

Found this on the official Visit London website:

If the yellow taxi sign on the front is illuminated, the cab is available for hire. Black cabs are legally obliged to take on any job for journeys up to 12 miles (20 miles for cabs at the Heathrow Airport taxi ranks) or up to one-hour duration.

https://www.visitlondon.com/traveller-information/getting-around-london/london-taxis

Sounds like they acted illegally if their yellow taxi signs were switched on. Were they?

I don't use them loads - maybe every couple of months or so, but never have a problem or wait more than a few minutes with Uber (central London).

I've also never had a problem getting an Uber any time of day or night in central London!

Take a note of their licence and speak to the council