So I was in an overpriced Taxi in London last week when I saw this …
It’s bad enough they charge an extra 10% for using one of the most widely used and accepted cards in the UK [which is at least better than the US, where they sometimes charge more for using cash!!!] however to say it is a ‘convenience charge’ is a bit much because if anything, it’s an inconvenience charge, except I don’t know if that’s more from the perspective of the cabbie or the passenger.
And while I’m ranting, why are London cabs still so expensive?
I know cabbies go through years of hell learning what is called ‘the knowledge’ – but now a driver can be instructed turn-by-turn – thanks to cheap and readily available satnav – to pretty much any destination in the UK, regardless of driving history, how come they are still charging premium prices.
OK … OK … so satnav or not, cabbies still have to undertake what must be one of the toughest tests out there … but given technology has pretty much taken away the need to have a great memory, why are passengers expected to pay to maintain a tradition that is increasingly losing its value and purpose?
Alright, part of me actually loves that ‘the knowledge’ still exists.
At a time where so many companies are reducing their standards to make way for technological ease, it’s pleasing to hear of an organisation that wishes to maintain their rules, regulations and process … however as charming as the London Cabbie story is, there is a limit people are willing to pay for their dose of nostalgia which is why if I was the London Taxi service, I’d be inclined to ban the use of satnav because that has the potential to undermine their value almost as much as their huge everyday costs and ridiculous card charges.