Navigating Taxicard Bookings: A Comprehensive Guide

Booking a taxi, particularly through a specialised service like Taxicard, can sometimes feel like a complex process. However, understanding the system can significantly smooth your journey. This guide aims to demystify how Taxicard bookings function, providing you with all the necessary information to make your travel as hassle-free as possible. From what details to have ready to how advance bookings are handled, we've got you covered.

Making a Taxicard booking is straightforward, but requires specific information to ensure accuracy and efficiency. When you call the designated contractor, be prepared to provide the following details:

• Your Name and Taxicard Number: This is crucial for identification and linking your booking to your account.
• Pick-up Address: Be as precise as possible. Instead of just the street name, try to specify a particular exit from a large venue like a supermarket or theatre. This helps the driver find you quickly.
• Exact Destination Address: Clearly state where you need to go.
• Wheelchair User Status: This is vital for allocating the correct vehicle.
• Assistance Needs: Inform the contractor if you require help getting into and out of the taxi.
• Contact Phone Number: Providing a contact number allows the operator to reach you if there are any issues with your booking, such as a delay.

The operator should confirm all the details with you before ending the call, ensuring your booking has been recorded accurately. It's always a good idea to listen carefully during this confirmation.

Travelling Companions

Your Taxicard allows you to travel with up to four companions. However, if you are a wheelchair user, the taxi may have less space, potentially limiting the number of companions to three. It's always wise to confirm this when booking if you anticipate travelling with a full party.

Types of Bookings: Immediate vs. Advanced

Taxicard bookings are managed similarly to standard taxi bookings. For immediate travel, the contractor will begin searching for a taxi as soon as you request it. For advanced bookings, even if made well in advance, taxis are typically not allocated until approximately 15 minutes before your scheduled journey. This is a common practice in radio-controlled taxi circuits to ensure flexibility and efficient allocation.

It's important to note that if a taxi is found quickly and is nearby, it might arrive earlier than expected. Please be ready for this possibility, as waiting times or sending a taxi away can incur extra costs and may cause further delays in finding a replacement.

We recommend considering the following when booking:

• Immediate Travel: For immediate bookings, aim to book at least 30 minutes before your desired travel time.
• Important Journeys: For critical journeys, such as connecting with onward transport (trains, coaches) or attending important appointments and events with pre-booked tickets, allow extra time.

However, it's crucial to understand that taxis, by their nature, are not ideal for journeys where arriving at an exact, critical time is essential. Flexibility is key.

Return Journeys and Repeat Bookings

If you require a return journey, you can book this at the same time as your outward journey. Make sure to inform the contractor if you won't be able to be contacted at your destination for the return pick-up.

For those who make regular journeys on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis, repeat bookings can be made in advance to save you the effort of phoning each time.

Availability of Taxis: What to Expect

While every effort is made to supply a taxi, there may be times when it is difficult to find one, or when taxis arrive late. In exceptional circumstances, none may be available. This is due to the fluctuating number of available taxis throughout the day. High demand can easily outstrip supply, leading to potential difficulties.

Situations that commonly lead to reduced availability include:

• Rush Hours: Increased demand during peak commuting times.
• Poor Weather Conditions: Slower traffic and more street hails can impact availability.
• Special Events: Major sporting or state occasions can restrict taxi movements or deter drivers from working.
• Holidays: During Christmas and New Year, fewer drivers may choose to operate.

When No Taxi is Available

If a taxi cannot be provided, the contractor may not be able to inform you until shortly before your requested arrival time. The operator will attempt to contact you to ask whether you wish them to continue searching or if you would prefer to cancel and make alternative arrangements. This highlights the importance of always providing a contact number if you are not at home.

Wheelchair Users and Assistance: Important Considerations

All licensed taxis are wheelchair accessible, and drivers are legally obliged to accept wheelchair users. The law also mandates that wheelchairs must be properly secured inside the taxi. Drivers are responsible for this, and you should prompt them if they fail to do so. Please ask for their assistance.

It's important to be aware that some electric wheelchairs and scooters may be too large to be accommodated by a standard taxi. The contractor can advise you if this is the case with your specific mobility aid. Similarly, some larger wheelchairs may only fit in certain types of taxis, potentially leading to a longer wait. Seeking the contractor's advice in advance is recommended.

Drivers of Taxicards are not able to offer the same level of specialist assistance as dedicated disability transport services. They are permitted to provide reasonable assistance when you are getting into and out of the taxi, but they are not allowed to lift passengers under any circumstances. If you require this type of specialist help, it is advisable to travel with a companion who can provide it.

Taxi Ranks and Street Hailing

You can use your Taxicard to hail taxis from designated ranks if the taxi displays the appropriate logo and you have your Taxicard with you. Drivers of for-hire taxis should accept your Taxicard.

Currently, this rank hailing service is not available for Dial-a-Cab due to technical issues. Users will be informed by the ALG TEC when this service is reinstated.

Similarly, you can hail a Computer Cab or Data Cab taxi in the street if their 'for hire' light is illuminated and you can see their logo on the vehicle. Ensure you have your Taxicard with you. As with rank hailing, street hailing is not currently available for Dial-a-Cab due to technical reasons, with updates to follow from the ALG TEC.

Understanding these procedures will help you make the most of your Taxicard service, ensuring smoother and more predictable journeys. Always communicate clearly with the booking operators and your driver to guarantee the best possible experience.

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