Taxis in Amsterdam ? Think twice.

When people (=mostly friends and family members visiting the country) ask me about the eficiency of public transport, how to rent a bike, taxis etc. in the Netherlands they get very suprise about the following:

Can anyone believe I have never been into a taxi while living in the Netherlands ?
NEVER.

How's that possible ? Well, my father-in-law brings us to Schiphol airport when we go abroad. He's also there to collect us when we arrive in Dutch soil. When he also goes abroad with us and the rest of the family, we know someone with a mini-bus who will bring us to Schiphol charging a fair rate. For the rest, I will take a tram, a bus, a boat ("de Pont", for free) or ride my bike.

I am also disappointed/sick about the stories I have heard since my first day living here. For a shocking story (in Portuguese) from a fellow blogger in The Hague  read here (the taxi chauffer threatened them with an iron bar).For a full article in English click here while the link lasts. The title says all: Amsterdam taxis rank poorly in European test.
On the film below, an experienced Dutch chauffer gives a reasonable point of view. English subtitles.


Tips:
* If at all possible, avoid the Taxi Rank at Amsterdam Central Station (a taxi rank Amsterdammers refer to, without any subtlety, as the  "Gaza Strip"). If you do go there, look for a TCA taxi.
*You can also order a TCA taxi. In this case it may be best to have the taxi pick you up in front of the St. Nicholas Church — directly across from Central Station. To order a TCA taxi, call 020 – 777 7777 (7×7)
* If you are a tourist just bring nice comfy shoes and walk around. Amsterdam is a beautiful city, and most tourist attractions can be easily reached by tram.