From now on only quality taxi at Amsterdam Central Station

Puffin13 · Post by **Puffin13** » Thu 6th Mar 2008 06:04 am

From now on only quality taxi at Amsterdam Central Station

published: Monday, March 03 2008, 6:19PM

Starting today, only quality taxis are allowed on the taxi rank at the Central Station in Amsterdam.

To be able to use the taxi rank at Central Station, taxi drivers must have a special pass. To get the pass they must follow a special course.

The most important requirements are:
- the driver mus have knowledge of the streets in Amsterdam
- the driver must be able to speak Dutch and at least basic English
- the driver must wear a suit
- the taxi can not be older than 6 years, and must be clean
- short rides can not be refused
- the driver must be courteous and help with luggage
- rates must be clearly visible in the taxi

In addition, the taxis must have a TX-keur. The TX-keur is the official quality trademark in the Dutch taxi industry. It stands for comfort, safety and reliability.
The trademark is shown below.

The new rules for quality taxis were made because there were many complaints about taxis and taxi drivers, particularly after the total liberalization of the taxi market some years ago.
Tourists, who often have to go to hotels in the city centre, were refused short rides.

Central Station has been chosen as the first taxi rank, as this rank is often the first entrance to Amsterdam (and to the Netherlands) for visitors.

Through strict, 24 hour enforcement of the new rules, the policy makers want to make a new start. After evaluation the plan is to let other important taxi ranks follow.

Source

Twichaldinho · Post by **Twichaldinho** » Thu 6th Mar 2008 07:06 am

the first and LAST taxi I took in amsterdam cost 58 euros!!!!!

Never again!

EdinburghBoy · Post by **EdinburghBoy** » Fri 25th Apr 2008 09:56 pm

Glad to see they are making an effort with the taxi drivers at Centraal Station. In April 07 my wife and I were charged 45 euros for our trip to the Tulip Hotel in the Apollolaan district. When we got there the concierge said the fare should have been only about 20 euros

LinwÃ« · Post by **LinwÃ«** » Sat 3rd May 2008 11:39 pm

Twichaldinho wrote:the first and LAST taxi I took in amsterdam cost 58 euros!!!!!

Never again!

Wow! How far did you get for that price?

I was hoping to use a Taxi to get back to Schipol from amsterdam central the morning we leave..now I'm not so sure..

NirvanaEJ · Post by **NirvanaEJ** » Sat 3rd May 2008 11:53 pm

"I was hoping to use a Taxi to get back to Schipol from amsterdam central the morning we leave..now I'm not so sure.."

Ive always used the shuttles from schipol to the centrum and back, they are cheap, safe, and relatively quick

Twichaldinho · Post by **Twichaldinho** » Sun 4th May 2008 12:15 pm

Linwë wrote:
Twichaldinho wrote:the first and LAST taxi I took in amsterdam cost 58 euros!!!!!

Never again!
Wow! How far did you get for that price?

I was hoping to use a Taxi to get back to Schipol from amsterdam central the morning we leave..now I'm not so sure..

From the Taxi rank at Schipol to the doorstep of centraal coffeeshop, funny thing is the driver had his foot to the floor when we were on the motorway, to the point where cars in front were pulling out of the way. As soon as we got into the city we just hit the lights! Women wi prams were moving quicker than we were

As I had always taken the train I had no Idea of the directions we were going, the first time I knew where we were exactly was as we took a left and parked up outside centraal

Although exspensive it was split between 3 people and a new experience to me, I saw parts of Amsterdam I hadn't before.