Christmas is a special time of year, especially for those who are in Inverness City. Everyone coming to the city will enjoy the busiest time of the year as they go shopping, wandering around the Christmas Village, admiring the lights in the City Centre, ice skating, or watching festivals happening on the streets. There’s just so much going on there and for sure, everyone will be out again.
However, this also means tight competition in getting taxis in Inverness.
Locals may have their cars and would bring it since they already know how expensive and difficult it can be to be in a taxi during this season. But for travelers or students or those who chose not to bring their services will face the stress of hailing one from the roadside.
It’s not just the bars, restaurants and shops which fill up during the festive period. Taxis all over Inverness City will do too. Many shops and restaurants take on extra holiday staff during the Christmas and New Year period – but taxi firms can’t as drivers need to be specially licensed.
But you don’t have to join in the scramble just to secure a taxi. Inverness Taxis has a couple of tips for you on how to get a cab during Christmas.
Inverness Taxis on Securing Taxi Rides on Christmas
Given where and when they work safety and security have always been paramount to Inverness Taxis. We understand the potential hazards of being out on the streets for too long during winter. And if one is not cautious enough, especially during such a busy period, it can be really dangerous.
Inverness Taxis would like to help the public ensure they have a happy and safe holiday season.
Taxi firms can struggle to allocate their taxis to people wanting to get home at the end of a night. There’s just so much of them outside and the Inverness City taxi numbers aren’t enough to drive them all at the same time. There needs to be a schedule and there needs to order.
Taxi drivers want to spend their Christmas with their families too. But they are obliged to work the times that we know people will be there wanting a taxi.
Taxi ranks will be everywhere and tons of firms will be lining up there apart from the regular city taxis. But even if the taxi queues look long, they do go down quite quickly.
Despite the temptation to walk home instead, the safest option is still to wait at the taxi ranks or prebook an Inverness taxi service. This is much better and safer than walking through town in the early or late hours. The longest you will wait is 20 to 30 minutes.
Most drivers work overtime during this season most especially during the night before Christmas. Even the 24th will be jam-packed with people doing their last-minute shopping. But it’s worth getting a taxi even if it’s a bank holiday – and the fare won’t cost you an arm and a leg. You’ll only need to prepare some extra bucks for the ride as taxi flat rate goes up to £2.50.
Friday and Saturday nights are busier too during the winter and as we head to Christmas where there are more people out for Christmas parties and events.
Again, the best way to guarantee a taxi was to book in advance. Inverness Taxis has developed its app, meaning you can book taxis electronically. Here, you can schedule your ride so you have to estimate at what time you’ll want to go home after a party or shopping. Otherwise, you’ll have to rebook again and this time, wait for a couple of minutes. So plan your activity and make sure of the time you set in the app.
And to help you stay safer outside here are some ways you can take care of yourself in the mid of the partying crowds in Inverness:
5 tips on how to stay safe during Christmas
1. Plan your night out and tell your family where you are going and when you should be back. Leave all the details so, in case of emergency, they know where to find you.
2. Never walk alone at night. Thieves know that people have a lot of money with them during this season so they take advantage of this fact and work double time. Remember, safety in numbers. If you have no other option, walk in well-lit areas. Send an SMS to your family members back at home too to let them know where you are headed. If you pre-booked an Inverness taxi service, wait for your driver in a safe place like in front of the mall or a restaurant or anywhere that employs security.
3. Take care when carrying your handbag, smartphone or tablet in crowded areas. Keep them in a safe location, within view.
4. Take care of your Christmas shopping and never leave it unattended, especially in your car.
5. Never drink and drive, and if you are celebrating over Christmas be careful as you might still be over the limit the next morning.
Staying safe during Christmas isn’t a difficult task when you know what to do.
All Inverness Taxis are fully vetted, insured and licensed. We are open for longer hours during Christmas and New Year. We have a digital booking system our taxis are installed with in-car computers to ensure efficiency in giving rides to people during the season. The app can be downloaded too so when you think you’re going to be out late on or before Christmas, pre-book a ride and go home safe and sound to your family.