No more taxi calling

[giantsean]

So apparently now the desk can no longer call taxis for residents. Makes sense as it results in zero cost savings but takes away a major convenience for residents.  Bet this was instant and unannounced while asking the MO to do the simplest of things is like pulling teeth.

[Chejai]

Are you serious?  Was this just a grumpy desk attendant who told you that or some sort of announcement as I haven' seen anything.

[charles]

maybe they decommissioned the non working cctv recording devices so our lobby attendants now have something to actually look at!

for blue taxis just use 2984 1368
others I use tung chung express 9809 6687 (but I'm sure there's a lot of others)

[garyhk]

Oh please... just do that sort of thing yourselves; we don't live in a hotel or serviced apartments.

I just wish we could prune all the costs back - I know this development may not be a cost issue but it is suggestive of the sort of nannying that people seem to expect from expensive MO.

[JEFF LAM YUET]

I aware of this issue from the last DOC meeting which MO suggested to stop this extra services due to the following 2 major reasons:

1. extra workload to staff
2. received a lot of complains from drivers and taxi companies when a certain number of bookers didn't turn up at all, or can't turn up in time

A leaflet with several major taxi companies' calling numbers has been given to residents instead, encourging residents to contact the taxi comapnies directly.

[giantsean]

Yeah silly me... I should learn to appreciate the MO more and just be glad they keep wreaking havoc with the budget while slowly degrading the service.  But hey, now the overworked desk people have more time to stare at the unnecessary guards staring into space guarding

When THIS joint gives you something which adds value, you're damned skippy that I'm going to relish it while it's here and moan when they take it away... it's not like it's an uncommon practice in HK for deskpeople to do this for residents.  The MO listens when taxi companies (who mean nothing to the MTR) complain, but ignore the feedback of it's own residents (aka the customers and reason for it's existance).  I guess that's all par for the course at this lovely seaside resort of ours.

[giantsean]

Oh please... just do that sort of thing yourselves; we don't live in a hotel or serviced apartments.

I just wish we could prune all the costs back - I know this development may not be a cost issue but it is suggestive of the sort of nannying that people seem to expect from expensive MO.

But yeah to your point... agree if they actually pass the cost reduction on to us.  However we all know there's no incentive to do that.

[charles]

extra workload for staff?? maybe it was an extra income for the lobby supervisor ?

[CCCL]

I aware of this issue from the last DOC meeting which MO suggested to stop this extra services due to the following 2 major reasons:

1. extra workload to staff
2. received a lot of complains from drivers and taxi companies when a certain number of bookers didn't turn up at all, or can't turn up in time

A leaflet with several major taxi companies' calling numbers has been given to residents instead, encourging residents to contact the taxi comapnies directly.

When was this leaflet given out??? I didn't see one.

The best thing about having the desk call is it avoids language issues. I've found that the people who answer most taxi numbers are usually not very good in english (sadly the only language I speak). It really helps having a canto speaker do the calling.

What, exactly, are they doing on the front desk that gives them an onerous workload? F-A is what.

[Chejai]

Whilst it was probably not in their job description and not in the management terms of what they will provide to the resident, I am sure this kind of service would fall under some sort of miscellanous duties.  Hence if you start to erode that, then we should also see a reduction in management fees.  You can't have one without the other.

And totally agree that it is a bulls**t excuse to say that they stopped the service as Taxi's complained..... what about complaints from the residents who are paying that MO Fees!

[CCCL]

I did a quick survey around the office. Every single person I asked said their lobby desk will call a taxi.

Why is it such an imposition for CC staff to perform this service for residents? We are paying for 'Premier' service - something like this should be included.

And on a point of logic - how will not allowing the lobby desk to call for a taxi have any effect on whether CC residents turn up for their bookings or not? And why should MTR Corp care one way or the other?

[giantsean]

Maybe a petition is in order.

[JEFF LAM YUET]

I understand residents' concern here. I will check with MO to see if there is any way to include/improve the services.

[garyhk]

Jeff,

As long as whatever the MO agrees to is NOT a cost increase.  We have far too much in the way of costs at CC.  Be careful, OK?

[giantsean]

Come on Gary dont be so cheap.  How much could it cost? One... maybe 2 million a year off the budget? Minus MTR's take of course...