Taxis in Shinfield, Reading, Berkshire

Rude and disrespectful

DO NOT USE THIS FIRM! We booked a taxi to the airport and after checking, we found NO booking on their system and they overcharged us!

On the 15th of February, I was hit on and offered cocaine by one of the staff in the taxi office at joices yard. This made me very uncomfortable. He told me that his coke was the best in Basingstoke, as if that was something to be proud of. I politely declined, only to be told that if I change my mind to ask for Dan in the office. When i mentioned this to the security that managed the taxi queue, he smiled and agreed that Dan's coke was indeed the best. This has made me not want to use this service any longer as I'm not sure that everyone working there isn't high all the time!!! I am absolutely shocked that this company allows that kind of behaviour. My recommendation is that you stay clear from this taxi rank.

The taxi arrived on schedule; however, I felt compelled to give it a one-star rating due to my experience. The driver was unprofessional when I requested to pay in cash, stating that he only accepted card payments. When I informed him that I did not have a card, he reacted negatively and refused to accept my cash payment, which was 14f (I gave him 10f and two 2f coins), indicating that he would not need to provide change. Additionally, I observed that he was driving at an excessive speed and disregarded a red light. This unpleasant experience will discouraged me from using they services again.

Booked this lot for taxi to Gatwick and return pickup. Text to confirm pick had wrong post code. Driver arrived on time but not helpful in terms of luggage. Got to Gatwick on time. Return was something else. Driver was late. Contacting him proved difficult, when we did he asked if we were in the Yellow car park - there isnt a Yellow car park, then radio silence. Called yet again when someone else answered and said he would get hold of him. After more frustration he turned up in the Red car park where we were. Set of on the journey home but didnt have our address in his satnav so got somewhere close and asked if “this was it”, a random assumption. Directed him to our house where he sat in his cab, opened the tailgate so we unloaded bags and closed his tailgate for him. Useless company and useless driver.

We booked a taxi for 4 adults to take us to a restaurant & a return trip. The driver who picked us up was on time, friendly & efficient ( he deserves a very good rating). For the return journey, the company could not come up with a driver and after 50 minutes of waiting & numerous phone calls to them, we fortunately found another means to return home. Alpha cars seem to have a monopoly on all taxi firms in Basingstoke ... sadly they did no fulfill their obligation, so we would not recommend them.