A few interesting things about taxis ...

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By law, taxis have set territories and boundaries they work within. Anything outside those boundaries is called Out of Area Travel. Drivers need authorisation to travel out of area and must check with base before doing so. Whether or not a taxi can transport you or not depends on availability of taxis, time of day/night and distance you need to travel. Burdekin Taxis provides transport across three townships and some close by outer areas but transport to locations further out are not necessarily immediately available. While we appreciate some people like to live life spontaneously, it may not always be possible to provide the means to get there. We have a very large area to cover and are also restricted by pre-booked and contract work that we are obliged to carry out before other general public transport. So when someone has a random idea to all pile in the bus and go to the beach for a few hours, it might not be possible right at the moment you want it to happen.  Our call centre is located in Adelaide (as with a lot of call centres which are not located locally) and they work with us by referring bookings for Out of Area travel to the local office to see what can be arranged. Keep in mind, we are a small business covering a large area, doing the best we can. We are as flexible as possible but sometimes journeys just might not be able to happen.  The people to see about charter trips is Burdekin Service Cars. They can look after groups but again, bookings are essential so make enquiries in plenty of time.

BOOKING A TAXI - When you call 131 008 to book a taxi, your call will be answered by the folks in our call centre which is located in Adelaide, S.A. We'd like to have a local call centre too but sadly, that's not how it works in smaller areas. 

The operator will ask you what the pick up address is. Do try to give them the actual address. If you don't know the address perhaps give them a near by landmark such as "the corner shop opposite the hospital".

They will ask the name of the person travelling, how many people travelling (if it's more than 4 then you'll need the Maxi taxi) and what your destination is. Again, if you don't have an actual address give them a ball park area such as "the main street".

Be sure to specify at time of booking, any special requirements such as if you need a Maxi taxi, or a sedan if you are unable to access the bus.

For important times such as doctors appointments etc, you can pre-book days in advance if you wish. Just be sure to specify the time and date when booking.

TAXI ETTIQUETTE - If you book a taxi then cousin Frank offers to take you instead, or if you simply change your mind and decide you're not going anywhere after all, please have the courtesy to call back and cancel the taxi. Likewise if you book from one location then walk to another spot. Call and update your pick up location. We can't see you. We can only go by what's on the booking screen. Unfortunately we spend a great deal of time chasing ghosts, particularly on busy week-end and event nights. People roll out of the pub, call for a taxi them promptly wander off to the nearest greasy spoon. Meantime, our driver gets the booking on their screen in due course and heads off to the original spot only to find the customer has gone. So much time is wasted chasing ghosts. We do try to call the customer but at that hour of the morning few people are capable of answering their phone so it's a waste of time and effort for all concerned and makes others have to wait longer for the ride.

A little consideration for others goes a long way to happy travels.

NIGHT TIME TAXI - Burdekin Taxis has the full team on duty on Friday and Saturday nights and on special events such as Race Days etc. Night time Sunday to Thursday there is taxi transport available on night duty the whole night with a spare on stand-by if need be. Finding drivers is quite difficult and having enough to have multiple drivers at night is nearly impossible. So try to be patient and we will get to you as soon as possible. Also be aware there's  a lot of people wanting to go through drive-thru for junk food and at times there can be quite a wait in the line-up. Don't blame the driver and do not ask for the meter to be paused. Time is money and if you made the decision to get takeaway then you have to be prepared to pay for drivers' time. Time sitting in drive-thru just makes it longer to get to the next customer but some people can't survive without their chippees & nuggs so everyone just  has to chill for a bit.  Our drivers would much prefer to not waste time in drive thru so if they are delayed in getting to you, don't take it out on them for taking so long.

We are aware some small towns don't have a taxi on night duty at all so we're not doing too badly here in the Burdekin.

TAXI CAPACITY - The Taxi sedans each carry a maximum of 5 (4 passengers + the driver) and the Maxi bus carries 11 (10 + 1 driver) 

THAT IS THE LAW AND NOT NEGOTIABLE. 

And yes, a baby does count as a person so if the Maxi is not available there may need to be multiple trips made in a sedan.

Due to the shortage of drivers, our Maxi bus operates 7am - 5pm on Mondays and 8am - 8pm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Friday and Saturday nights it works right through. Sunday it works until 5pm.

RESPECT IS A TWO WAY STREET / ZERO TOLERANCE

 These days, everyone demands "respect" yet so many don't practice what they preach. Taxi drivers are people too. If you are intoxicated or affected in any other way or are just not having a good day, there's no need to take it out on the driver. We have respect for all our passengers and have the right to expect the same in return. Abuse in any form will not be tolerated and driver has the right to put anyone causing distress to driver or other passengers out of the vehicle. It is a disturbing fact that some members of the public think nothing of verbally abusing drivers for absolutely no reason.

A reminder to all passengers : your journey is being recorded visually and audibly at all times and all vehicles are monitored in real time for status and location. 

And last but not least ...

THE MAXI BUS DOES NOT GO THROUGH DRIVE-THRU. Pleading with the driver won't get you anywhere. Neither will offering to buy the driver chips or to pay extra.  The gantry is too low and will break the aerial so, again, 

THE MAXI DOES NOT GO THROUGH DRIVE THRU.

Drivers must maintain a clean and sanitised vehicle for passenger comfort as best they can within time constraints. 

Each vehicle is thoroughly cleaned and sanitised at the end of each shift. Each taxi is maintained regularly (mechanical, tyres etc)

Drivers can NOT refuse service to any passenger on grounds of religion, race or sexual orientation. 

Drivers CAN refuse service to anyone indicating or displaying potential for aggression or violence, heavy intoxication or general disruptive or bad behaviour.

Generally speaking, a taxi driver is there to move passengers from point A to point B safely, preferably utilising the shortest possible route. 

Some passengers are of the mistaken opinion they can get in a taxi and drive aimlessly with no particular destination planned. Chartered vehicles provide that style of service, whereas taxis provide short term direct travel charged on meter.  Other members of the public may need a taxi urgently so we try to keep jobs moving a smoothly and quickly as possible.

Burdekin Taxis serves three townships with regular transport as well as pre-booked school and medical jobs so give yourself a little extra time if you are heading to a hospital or doctors office.