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Taxi for...
IN our latest Capital of Courtesy report we look at the taxi service across the city
Davy Liver Cabs
We ordered our private hire cab from Davy Liver for the journey from city centre to Liverpool JLA. Things didn't look so good when, 10 minutes after it should have arrived, we were still sheltering from grey afternoon drizzle waiting for our ride.
But when the car did arrive a few minutes later, the driver was full of apologies.
He explained the delay was caused by traffic backing up to the Kingsway tunnel due to police checks on vehicles along Islington.
Conversation flowed easily as the driver bemoaned the Big Dig, which he successfully negotiated and took the direct route along the picturesque Riverside Drive - a pleasure even on a miserable Merseyside day.
The Mondeo cab was clean and tidy and displayed a no smoking sticker on the dashboard. Our driver wished us a good trip on our arrival at the airport after a safe and effortless journey which no visitor to our city could surely have found fault with.
Village Cabs
We booked a private taxi from Village Cabs in Garston from Aigburth to Lime Street at 6.30am to catch a 7am train.
The car arrived right on time and the driver rang to say he was actually outside. In the warm and comfortable cab he asked if we were going anywhere exciting and proceeded to tell us about his forthcoming holiday in America, saying how he was glad to get away from the miserable weather we were having.
When he realised that we didn't feel like chatting any more, he put on the radio which was most welcome.
He got us to the station in plenty of time and thanked us for our tip, wishing us a good day and saying he hoped we would use his company again. The fare too, at £4.50, was very reasonable.
A well-mannered and professional driver. It was a good way to start the day and cut out all that unnecessary stress of waiting for your cab to turn up.
Black Cab
On a Saturday night in the city centre, it's as easy to get a black cab as it is to get a happy hour pint.
But at 7.40am on a weekday there were none to be seen driving around the city streets.
Eventually we were lucky and hopped in for a short trip from Mount Pleasant to Old Hall Street.
The cab was clean with a clear no smoking sign - so there wasn't that awkward moment when a driver lights up and then asks whether you mind.
Our cabbie had been in the job since 1988 and had the classic cabbie gripes - the price of diesel, roadworks, the new city layout.
And while he was complaining, he was taking us round a long route.
Instead of going through the city centre down Dale Street which we believe would have been a quicker route, he went out via Leeds Street.
It took about 10 minutes in all and the bill was £4.80, giving us a gripe of our own.
Delta Taxis
Travelling from Old Hall Street to the National Express coach station on Norton Street first thing in the morning is no easy feat - so we didn't expect the driver to look delighted when we told him where we were going.
But we were pleasantly surprised by the welcome we were given by our friendly taxi driver.
His taxi was clean and the radio played quietly in the background while our taxi driver chatted pleasantly.
He took a straightforward route along Leeds Street and past John Moores University and waited for six minutes while we went inside to collect our tickets. He then took us quickly back to Old Hall Street where he dropped us off with a smile - all for a charge of just £4.50.
The service was practically perfect. He was polite, friendly and pleasant. We couldn't really complain about anything.
Phoenix Radio Cars
Sometimes you've just got to be on time. No excuses.
So a morning commuter dash is a bit of a gamble, given the weekend Merseyrail "essential engineering" hand-backs from Rail Track, which can delay things.
Which is why we decided to use Phoenix Radio Cars to take us from Formby to Liverpool.
We were delighted to be greeted with a comfortable vehicle, driven with efficient haste (not the same as speed).
Our 13-mile commute was accomplished at ease, with the driver being friendly but not overly so, while understanding the need for both chat and silence at 7am.
The journey left us feeling relaxed rather than frazzled on arrival at work.
The cost was £15.50 - not something you'd want to spend every day, but the pain of paying was offset by the pleasure of the trip.
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IDFIMH
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