sadly, i agree on the Passat , even sadder, the cab of choice around oxford is the passat....
the standard of Taxi drivers behaviour around here is appalling....
(no offense Al, I used to have a Hackney/Joint operator license in Wycombe District, so not just taking a poke at Taxi drivers in general.. )
and I cannot remember seeing a cab driver, locally of , shall we say, Non ethnic background?? (that covers a LOT of territory) in the last 8 or so years.... many of whom, i can't believe passed a UK test..... the way they drive is something out of a reality TV horror series...
(20-25 years ago, when i held a Hackney license, it was about 50/50 )
Mind you, i recently got a bit of "satisfactory pay back" (not really a totally accurate term, but the best i could think of offhand)
round the back of our studio , there is a cab office.... and despite repeated requests and "warnings" not to do so, they keep parking in our designated (and paid for, sign posted and clearly marked.... ) parking spaces.....
last week, We finally had one towed away.
(all required notices have been on display , prominently , for ages.... and they have been warned in writing on more than one occasion, both on car windscreen , and to the office directly.... )
an "interesting " discussion followed with the cab company owner.... during which, I persuaded him to try to lift a few of the cases and amps we have to move around on a regular basis.... then introduced him to the subject of the compensation levels our lawyers would be instructed to consider him liable for..... in the event that any of us were injured and unable to work due to them being in our designated space and having to carry 1/2 a tonne of equipment further than necessary as a result
apparently, he has now issued a directive that informs all their staff , drivers and office, that parking in my space will be considered an act of immediate resignation.....
I await developments with interest..... but, to be fair, the space has been clear all week..