Taxi service

Press, 15 August 1978, Page 16

Taxi service

Sir, — To be sure of continuing with a clear driving record we decided to taxi to

and from the Winter Garden on Saturday night. The taxi ordered to get there was only 10 minutes late, which is quite acceptable for 7.30 p.m. However, we ordered a taxi at 12.15 a.m. for 1 a.m. to return home, our name being taken by the company and also recognised by the company as having had a taxi to get there. After waiting threequarters of an hour for a taxi in our name we ended up sharing one with another couple. Taxi-drivers took anyone, regardless of bookings. This led several people who were waiting to say that next time they would take their cars. Surely, under the drinking driving blitz the taxi companies could be a little more organised. One couple decided at 1.35 a.m. to telephone home at Hoon Hay to get someone to come and get them. Hopefully, we won’t have to use a taxi at weekends such as this again in the winter and have to wait in the cold. — Yours, etc., M. WEBER. July 29, 1978.

[Mr M. J. Malone, general manager, Blue Star Taxis (Christchurch) Society, Ltd, replies: “I have to advise that the taxi industry has been fully committed particularly in relation to the blitz on drinking drivers. With functions closing between midnight and 2 a.m. some of our orders were unable to be completed on time. We regret the inconvenience caused.”]