Nothing fair about this fare

It has been a little while since I have publicly opened the Shithouse File, though in my house it is constantly opening and shutting.

To bring those unfamiliar with the term up to speed, a group of my friends created a Shithouse File to throw everything that rocks our apple cart into. From being cut off at the lights, to standing in dog poo. All those things that annoy you, and instead of getting mad, we throw it all into the file and usually bring it up at a dinner party or gathering and have a good old laugh about it.

Having such a file also pushes you to resolve those issues that bug you and really clear your chest. It is a personal thing and some may agree or disagree with your file.

Well I am opening it publicly to throw in taxis! I know that you can jump into a cab from time to time and get the nicest driver ever, making it a dream to get from A to B, and I will leave a good tip in gratitude, but then there are the others.

One point I have been pushing for many years with safety is never walk home by yourself, and even if it is only a $5 cab ride, spend the money with the guarantee you will be safe.

It is no wonder gay boys and girls are forced to walk home with wait times being up to 90 minutes on a Friday and Saturday night.

We have all been programmed to forget about getting a taxi at the standard change over time of 3am but it seems that now, if you’re on Oxford St, you can kiss goodbye to catching one from midnight to as late as five in the morning.

I stood out the front of the Midnight Shift for over an hour at the weekend, watching vacant cab after vacant cab pass by, lights usually on, but the driver not even looking like stopping -“ just whizzing past all those desperate to get home.

When I thought my luck had changed and a car slowed down, I was met with the driver telling me he wouldn’t accept my fair. Isn’t this illegal?

And let’s not start on other taxi desperates that think its ok to walk past you a few metres and push in.

Am I being ignorant or is there a taxi shortage? Is there a rule that says a taxi has to pick you up if they stop? Or is there a pool of taxi drivers just circling around, waiting for that huge paying job?

I understand that drivers have an extremely difficult and taxing job, transporting intoxicated patrons around, but isn’t it the service industry they are in?

As someone who lives in the city and without a car I rely on taxi’s most days. I am always polite and appreciate politeness in return.

I congratulate all those who stop for us even if it is just around the corner, or whisk us from job to job, using all the shortcuts you know and those who help us with the numerous bags and accoutrements we lug with us.

With every good there is bad, but the bad definitely goes into my Shithouse File this week.