English Phrases - Taxi

English for Taxi Drivers

Welcome

• Hi / Hello
• Good morning
• Good afternoon
• Good evening
• How are you today?
• Hi. I can take 4 passengers.

Destination

• Where can I take you?
• Where are you going?
• What's your destination?
• I don't know that place. Do you have a map?
• Can you show me on this map?
• Are you in a hurry?
• It is very close.
• It is pretty far away.
• It will take about 15 minutes.
• It takes about one hour to get there.
• It is faster to take the expressway but you have to pay the toll.

Understanding the passenger

• Speak slowly, please.
• Sorry, I don't understand.
• Yes, I understand. I'll take you there.
• Please ask someone to write it in Thai / Chinese / etc.
• No problem.

Special instructions / requests

• I'll put your luggage in the boot / trunk.
• Put on your seat belt, please.
• Is it okay if I open a window?
• Is the air-conditioning okay?
• Please don't eat in the car.
• No smoking, please.
• Do you want me to wait?
• I have to get some gas.

Traffic conditions

• It's rush hour.
• There's a traffic jam.
• The traffic is bad over there. You'll get there faster if you walk from here.
• I think there's been an accident.
• I'll try a different way.

Fare and fees

• The total price is $10.
• Thank you for the tip.
• Do you have smaller notes/bills?
• I don't have any change.
• The customer pays for the expressway, OK?
• You in a hurry? Take the expressway?
• There is a tollway fee. You pay the fee, ok?

Goodbye

• Watch out for motorcycles before getting out!
• Don't forget your things.
• Thank you for your business.
• Hope to see you again.
• It's been nice chatting with you.
• Enjoy your stay in Thailand / China / etc.
• You're welcome.

No service

• Sorry, that is out of my boundaries.
• I can't go there. I would have to come back without a fare.
• Sorry, I don't go to the airport.
• I'm all done for the day / night.
• I have to return the car on time.
• My car needs servicing.
• I'm sorry. Have a nice day.
• I can call another driver / company for you.

Small talk

• Have you been here before?
• Are you from around here?
• How do you like Bangkok / Beijing / etc?
• Are you here on business?
• Are you staying long?
• Good weather, huh? Not too hot, not too cold.
• I hope the weather gets better for you.

Things a passenger could say

• Can I get a ride?
• How many people can you fit?
• How long will it take?
• Please wait for me.
• You can keep the meter running.
• Do you have a flat fee to the airport?
• I'm in a bit of a rush.
• Can we get there by 10 o'clock / noon / 4pm / etc?
• Could you slow down, please?
• Is this the quickest way?
• Do you take credit cards?
• Do you have change?
• Keep the change.
• Thanks for the ride / lift.

Wordchecker

• passenger: person travelling in car, bus, train (not the driver)
• destination: place where you want to go
• map: diagram or picture showing streets and roads
• in a hurry: rushed; need to go fast
• expressway / motorway: fast road
• tollway: fast road with fee
• toll: charge; fee
• boot / trunk: box at back of car for luggage, cases etc
• seat belt: strap to hold somebody in their seat in a car or airplane
• accident: crash; a car hitting another car or a person
• fee: price; charge
• note/bill: paper money
• boundaries: limits
• fare: price for taxi; passenger
• flat fee: fixed price
• in a rush: in a hurrry; late; want to go fast
  
  Source: http://www.englishclub.com