Action Line 80916 - base taxis

  • Published
  • By Anonymous
  • 39th Air Base Wing public affairs
INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey --  Complaint:

I have only been at Incirlik about six weeks and my car is not here yet, so I am relying on the base taxi service for most of my transportation needs.

I have spent many years overseas, so I am not new to dealing with foreign nationals or exchange rates. 

Most mornings I catch a taxi from home to work, and it is the same route every time, so I am having difficulty understanding why it costs a different amount every trip. I also do not like that there is not a set exchange rate so each driver makes it up as they go. Couldn't they just set one weekly or monthly and post it in the vehicles for the customers to see too? 

Also, whether you pay in dollar or New Turkish Lira, they never have change. They just look at you and expect to keep it. What kind of business is that? It is not mandatory to tip a taxi driver, so why am I being forced to tip because they have no change. I honestly don't have an issue with tipping, but the fact they don't even offer you the change and just expect to keep it really irritates me. What is even more irritating, it is not just a few offenders, it is 98 percent of the taxi drivers and I take about 10 taxi rides a week. It is almost as if it is an accepted practice here. Is it? 

I understand we are from different cultures, and because this is not an Army Air Force Exchange Service, 39th Services Squadron, or United States Government contract, I am not sure what can be done about it, but truly, this just seems wrong.

Response:

Thanks for forwarding your concerns about the base taxis. We continue to work with the taxi company to handle complaints and ensure fair business practices are followed.

The taxi service is operated and priced in YTL; therefore, the taxi drivers are required to have change in YTL, but not in dollars. The offer to accept dollars for payment is a courtesy but do not expect the drivers to know the exchange rate, which fluctuates. Therefore, pay in YTL; that way, they will have change and you don't have to worry about the exchange rate.

If, however, the driver doesn't have change in YTL; get his name and taxi number but do not pay your bill at that time. Call the company or go by and explain to the manager your issue, he will resolve it. We have had problems with this in the past as well...if people give in they will continue the practice so please do not relent.

If you need a taxi and don't have YTL, the you must rely on the taxi driver's estimate of an exchange rate, and must accept the fact that they are not required to carry change in dollars. This will often result in an unexpected 'tip' or a poor exchange rate...if this is a problem for you, then avoid paying in dollars.

Base taxi fares are set based on the distance traveled. There is a variance between day and night fares, but the fare (the meter calculates the fare in YTL) should not change from day to day if you are traveling to the same place. We have requested a standard fare rate chart from the base taxi. The chart, hopefully wallet-sized, will be available to the community by the New Year, and should eliminate disputes regarding the appropriate fare. Bottom line is you owe the amount on the meter which is shown in YTL.

Thanks for writing.