Guest Contributions – Page 22 – Taxi News & Road Warrior News

Toronto traffic

Submission to Toronto’s Vehicle for Hire By-law Review by Neil Robert Shorey

October 10, 2021 Guest Contributor

Driver Training: After eliminating 50 years of consumer protections in the original Vehicle for Hire By-law, we now see an endless wave of consumer complaints about dirty or mechanically unfit vehicles; the general public is unaware of who really is behind the wheel of their vehicle for hire; and the public wonders why some rides cost more than others for the exact same ride?

I could go on and on. There used to be mandatory twice per year DOT inspections. There used to be sealed meters. There used to be a clear system of identification for who was driving. There used to be a 3-week taxi training course for drivers run by the City of Toronto. These are all gone.

Guest Contributions Opinion/Column

Being sent to the Facebook gulag

October 3, 2021 Guest Contributor

I am counting down the days, or perhaps only hours, until I get sent to the Facebook gulag. I don’t really care.

I first joined the Facebook club back around 2007 out of curiosity; I had already been blogging for some years. After toying around with Facebook for a while, looking for old acquaintances, “poking” people, and getting digital Tim Horton rims from strangers I decided to move on. This type of nonsense wasn’t for me.

Guest Contributions Trucking

Helping each other like we were all Old School…sure would be nice

September 26, 2021 Guest Contributor

It’s a Mexico truck with a non-English speaking driver. I had seen this guy sitting there in the middle of the parking lot 5 hours ago. Made a mental note and went about my day.

When I came back, he’s still there. Except this time, I see him tying logistic straps to his tow hook. I thought, “Ok, something up and nobody’s helping him.”

Guest Contributions Opinion/Column

Wall-to-wall propaganda and fraud

September 19, 2021 Guest Contributor

So, I started asking questions in “class.” The instructor answered my questions in exactly the same manner as Justin Trudeau answers questions about Climate Change or COVID-19; after a while, I could tell he was getting annoyed with me.

I don’t remember how long I attended these “training” sessions – two or three days, but on the last day I had made my assessment. The unit might be effective at filtering the air, but there was absolutely no evidence that it would get rid of dust mites, nor reduce severe outcomes for children with asthma. It was a con job. I could not see myself preying upon desperate parents with sick children. I quit.

Guest Contributions On the Road with Mike Murchison

Away from home, avoiding trouble

September 19, 2021 Mike Murchison

There is, and always has been, the open invitation go get into trouble. It lies there in waiting, just around the corner for the unsuspecting Driver away from home.

Guest Contributions On the Road with Mike Murchison

I stay behind

September 12, 2021 Mike Murchison

Even when I had the truck with more horses, more power. When I had the lighter loads, I stayed behind.

When I had the faster wheels, or had to be there at my pickup or delivery point before her, I stayed behind.

Feature/Profile Guest Contributions Ride Hailing news Taxi industry news

A very New York 9/11 memory

September 11, 2021 Guest Contributor

ost of the city, what came to be called “Ground Zero” was unapproachable, it’s goings on left for our imaginations to provide some semblance of reality. I certainly have my personal recollections but the one that sticks is simple and personal. Around 6:30 p.m., one our friends there in the center there told us hundreds were gathering for prayers and readings and just spontaneous moral support. He suggested we go as well and do “what we do;” ie, chant the Hare Krsna Mantra.

Guest Contributions On the Road with Mike Murchison

On Labour Day, thank you for your labours

September 5, 2021 Mike Murchison

I watched an elderly fellow hobble across the parking lot to his truck. Curious about his trailer, I walked over and asked how much he could pack into that wagon.

Montana says "good night." Mike Murchison

Feature/Profile Guest Contributions On the Road with Mike Murchison

Up where the clouds can bump your hat off

August 29, 2021 Mike Murchison

Because the elevation is up there, the clouds can bump your hat off sometimes, and the stars….well…they just like to show off .

But my point is this: She’s getting cooler at night. Starting be an extra blanket kind of night. That’s okay, but soon, very soon, the frost will set in. The wind (which they call Mariah) will start demonstrating her constant ability to blow a man’s hat off much better than the clouds.