Tell 'em what's doing in Denver
Cab drivers get pointers on how to treat fares at Democratic convention
By Joanne Kelley, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Linda Mcconnell / Special To The Rocky
Samson Ferda, left, and Marbhajan Singh, both drivers for Metro Taxi, perform an exercise while trainer Josh Davies watches.
A visitor's first and final impression of Denver often forms in the back seat of a taxi.
That's why tourism officials are looking to cab drivers to become the city's unofficial tour guides, especially with 35,000 people rolling into town this summer for the Democratic National Convention.
Samson Ferda counts himself among the believers.
"We can have lots of people coming, but the main thing is to send those guys home with good customer service so they'll tell people about Colorado," said the Metro Taxi driver, who moved here from Seattle and originally hails from Ethiopia.
Ferda, who drives a Toyota Prius hybrid cab, and about 35 other drivers spent an hour this week at a training session held at Strings Restaurant.
Strings owner Noel Cunningham, who dished up sandwiches and pastries for the crowd, was among those addressing the group about the importance of playing host to visitors.
"We shouldn't be doing this (training) just in anticipation of the DNC," Cunningham told them. "We should be doing it all the time. It always works out a lot better when we're putting our best foot forward."
The voluntary training program has reached about 350 drivers so far, a combination of cabbies from Yellow, Metro and Freedom companies, as well as shuttle operators and limousine chauffeurs.
"Large hotels have this sort of internal training, but the opportunities for drivers are more limited," said Robert Tschupp, a vice president of SuperShuttle's ExecuCar service.
On the job for just three weeks driving a Metro Taxi, Shanai Wade said her boss suggested she attend.
"There are some good tips," Wade said. "I can't say I know where everything in Denver is yet, but I've got my GPS - I'd be lost without that thing."
Training leader Josh Davies quizzed the drivers on Denver sites to recommend to their passengers.
When a driver offered Coors Brewery as an option, Davies seemed impressed. "And what's great about the Coors Brewery tour?" he said.
A voice from the back of the room had that one down cold: "Free beer."
kelleyj@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-954-5068
In his own words: Raymond Wayoe
'Is there one thing I can do to make your visit better?'
The future president of the United States is going to be here in Denver. He might be in my cab . . . he or she might be in my cab. I chose to come to the training today because I knew it was going to be educational. I like to meet new people and share ideas. It's been very encouraging.
I was shocked when they told the story about how the Ritz-Carlton hotel company began asking guests what they could have done better during their stays. They got a huge increase in complaints. That would bring up a lot of hidden stuff. But you can fix it, if you know about it.
I was amazed. I will change from today and ask, "Is there one thing I can do to make your visit better?" If you just say, "Have a nice day," then you won't find out what your passengers are thinking.
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May 29, 2008
6:59 a.m.
Suggest removal
vudumom writes:
Unless the cab driver is driving a huge gas guzzling, global warming, carbon foot printing SUV, he will never see one of the presidential candidates or many politicians for that matter.
Is being a hybrid driving cabbie a green job?
May 29, 2008
7:47 a.m.
Suggest removal
smith writes:
vudumom:
The job qualifies as "green" if the position is unionized.
If it is not unionized, then it is one of the low-paying jobs created by the George Bush economy
May 29, 2008
11:55 a.m.
Suggest removal
skleepit writes:
Smith- Too bad you can't be trained or educated. The President has no control over the economy. Its not his job. Congress and the Federal Reserve can do somethings, but a president can not. Historically the economy has been cyclical. So we happen to be in low point for this cycle. Quit blaming Bush for everything that doesn't work out for you. Try doing something for yourself!