Taxis as shuttle buses?

Visiting Vanuatu I, and most of the locals, caught private mini-buses around the main island for 2 Vatu (about $2 AUS – probably less) a ride. Where ever I wanted to go only $2! You had to share the buses with whomever flagged the driver along their journeys, and the mini-buses don’t have seat belts, but it was an awesome system. I didn’t mind a bit of a longer drive to pick up/drop off another person as the drivers really thought about their routes as they catered to everyone. Might not work in Canberra though as there are a lot more cars here slowing things down. Anyway I think Ricky Simatupang is onto a good idea, I wish him the best of luck.

Seekay,

Sorry you had such a drama.

I have said it before somewhere on this site,,and I’ll say it again. Forget the base. Don’t ring them. They are as useless as ,,,well,,you know.
When you find a driver that you like,,get his number. The majority of my Silver bookings now come from regular clients who prefer to speak to the driver direct than an incompetent person at the base.
Most, if not all, of the reasons a Silver cab fails to show is because Aerial have lost the booking, or stuffed it up somehow.
i.e. I have been sent to pick up a fare at 5.45pm when it was actually 5.45am that morning.

As for Silver Service and child seats. I think there is only one that actually carts a seat around with him. Takes up too much room otherwise with the gas tank being in the boot as well. I certainly don’t have one in my Silver cab,,but,,it only takes a few minutes to borrow one off another cab (Canberra Elite)

Regards

Silver Cabbie 🙂

ant said :

I saw a Tiger Airways plane beetling around on the runway recently. That sounds international.

Nope, that’s just to Melbourne.

Also Jakez, be fair, they did have 3 token international flights a week for a few months in 2004.

I’m still looking forwards to when these upgrades finish which will take the airport beyond a large shed with air-conditioning.

The only thing that makes Canberra airport better then Flinders Island Airport (last I was there) is that the runway isn’t dirt. In every other respect I can think of it is worse…

As for the oringinal thread topic, I hope that anything to improve the public transport options in Canberra goes ahead. Best of luck to ’em.

I always drive to Sydney to get on international flights. Cbr airport is just too much trouble.

I saw a Tiger Airways plane beetling around on the runway recently. That sounds international.

harvyk1 said :

I don’t get Canberra Airport. Considering that they are only one step up from a regional airport why do they consistantly make it difficult for people to get to and from? I have yet to go to another airport in Australia (or New Zealand) that treats it’s customers with the same level of contempt, (and bar Tassie, I’ve been to every major airport in Australia and New Zealand in the last 2 years).

It’s the Canberra INTERNATIONAL Airport thank you very much…

Despite not having any international flights since…when did they stop flying to Tonga? 1998?

The airport’s poor attitude to air customers is due to their irritation at having to run an airport on prime development land. it’s such a nuisence! Gets in the way of more lucrative activities.

The above is only slightly tongue in cheek.

Considering Canberra airport’s apparent desire to buy into every business they would normally not be able to get planning approval for, I am surprised that they have yet to open a series of night clubs and casinos services by a private monorail.

I fear Ricky will be quickly crushed by the inescapable red tape of the state.

I don’t get Canberra Airport. Considering that they are only one step up from a regional airport why do they consistantly make it difficult for people to get to and from? I have yet to go to another airport in Australia (or New Zealand) that treats it’s customers with the same level of contempt, (and bar Tassie, I’ve been to every major airport in Australia and New Zealand in the last 2 years).

Don’t feel too bad, seekay. The last time we booked a Silver Service taxi (heading off on a long overseas trip), it didn’t turn up. And nor did any of the taxis they sent when I called to ask where the taxi was. If it wasn’t for the generosity of a work colleague, we’d have missed our flight — and I left three hours of time in the schedule to get to the airport.

last time I went on a trip I did the usual “calculate cost of long stay parking, divide by two, and if even close to projected taxi fair, drive myself”.

Aerial Taxis Horror Story No. 999,999,999

Last week my pregnant wife and 13 month old were flying back into Canberra late afternoon and I couldn’t collect them.

I rang Silver Service more than 24 hours before their ETA. Too late. The only cab with a child seat they have was already booked. So with a heavy heart I called Aerial.

They don’t do bookings for the airport. The “concierge” there, though, would help. Pigs arse, thought I – and told them so. The “concierges” have always looked to me as if they are drivers who have clocked up too many demerit points. The idea of anyone associated in any way with Aerial Taxis providing a service seemed remote.

I rearranged my day and collected them myself. I checked on the way in and out of the terminal. There was no “concierge” there. Of course!

Combine Aerial Taxis and Canberra Airport management and you’re guaranteed a horror run. Odd that both companies are ostensibly all about providing passenger service, too.