Riga Rooster

There are many new small hotels springing up all over Riga. Some are not perhaps in the most desirable locations.

As the old saying goes - Let the Buyer Beware !

One local newspaper just issued a strong statement on a new hotel South of the Central Market. A couple of days later a different newspaper issued a glowing report on the same hotel ... whimmm just wondering... yea ...

This Rooster is simply chicken when it feels the heat of the Sicilian BBQ ... so we have decided to change the wording of this POST to be as neutral as possible but still send a message of beware about of the location before you choose your hotel. 

Better to be safe than suffer the fate of the infamous DoDo bird.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dodo


During the day some of these locations may be quite safe and even large shopping centers are located closeby. However after sundown and with a few too many drinks in my tummy (not thinking too fast and clear) I might be a little more worried about some of the areas outside of the central city center. 

Riding public transport can risk having your pocket picked during daylight hours; but the riders of the trams at these later hours may not be the knd of people you would want to invite into your home. This worrys me some too. So a taxi is probably recommend over a late might Tram or bus ride and for sure I would not be walking in some of these locations by myself late at night. 

There are many possible hotels in this category and I won't name them as I don't believe it is my place to do so. So as a visitor, consider the location carefully and ask a lot of questions. 

So the 100 Ls question (US$200) is do you risk something happening to save 100 Ls on a 3 night stay? Subtract 30 Ls of potential taxi fares during your stay and you are down to a 70 Ls savings over walking to a central city center hotel at a higher price.  (30 Ls for taxis  is 10  trips at 3 Ls per trip - that's 3+ trips a day for 3 days)

Oh yea, almost forgot to mention, some hotel owners have made special arrangements with taxi companies for special fares from the hotel to popular locations around the city. There is just on simple problem with these relationships and that is the GREED on the part of those involved in calling for the taxi for the client. Sometimes a different taxi company is called than the one which should be and someimes the extra fare charged to the client is shared with the person that called the taxi. 

Oh yea, another issue is how do you get back to the hotel without paying the special much higher fare of the taxi driver hailed on the local street corner  .. it's know to happen around these parts.

... be careful is all we are saying

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Today is a very sad day in Riga especially around the airport taxi queue.

The world famous for excellent customer service, relative safe driving skills and fair prices TAXI COMPANY no longer has an official dispatcher and office at the airport.

Read the positive comments on the Trip Advisor website:
http://www.tripadvisor.com/SearchForums?ff=1134&geo=274967&scope=2&q=red+taxi&returnTo=%2FShowForum-g274967-i1134-Riga.html

Since 1999, we have had an excellent relationship with the company Rigas Taxi Parks http://www.rtp.lv

Their management has be willing to build a relationship; to listen to our concerns and the concerns of clients and to make significant changes in how they operated their business; treated workers; set higher and higher expectations; improved driver safety and demanded that drivers not cheat clients.

I am sure we will never know what has really happened. But thank you Riga City Council for this funeral event today!

So in the vernacular around these parts - caveat emptor -- lie, cheat, steal, rob

Let the arriving client buyer BEWARE of taxi overcharging and unsafe drivers !

Again another complaint about taxis overcharging in Riga. This has been an ongoing issue with no apparent action from the city or state government as long as I have been living here since 1999.

Do taxis overcharge?

DO chickens click, do fish swim, do roosters crow?

Silly you, of course Taxis overcharge everywhere in the world.

The issue here is does anyone care. Not in Latvia.

The really only honest taxi company in Riga is the company that operates RED Renaults and small Ford cars. www.rtp.lv

But, rumor has it that city council is about to make a very stupid decision and either replace the RED taxi company at the airport with the "not so good" company or add the "not so good company" and let the buyer beware. The decision is due to be made 9 April.

All we can do it try to make our voice heard; but, no confidence on my part that anyone cares.

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As with any city these days, Riga is not without some issues facing visitors and in some cases locals as well.

There are several issues that are somewhat concerning and worth highlighting.

1. Pickpockets - they are good and fast and have some tricks. They have spotters at shopping centers like Stockmann and they watch you at the register and notice where you put your credit cards and wallets. They will then call by cell phone to their associate on the street and tell them about you the target. Be very careful in the under street tunnels and in crowded places.

2. Purse snatchers - have been working in the Old City and will come up behind ladies walking in the small streets. They grab the purse strap and run like crazy.

3. Taxi overcharging - avoid white and black colored taxis. They even overcharge the locals. Taxis leaving the LIDO Krasta center especially are bad.

If you can always take a RED TAXI with the number 800-1313 printed on them. Red Renault cars may be found at Hotel Reval, Hotel DeRome, Hotel Metropole and at the airport. You may call 800-1313 and order a taxi to pick you up.

4. Lithuania money SCAM - there are two versions now:

+ One - the taxi gives you change for a Latvian bill in Lithuanian money which is worth a lot less than Latvian money.

+ Two - A well dressed usually male approaches you on the street and asks for change so he can park his car. Gives you Lithuanian money in return

5. Free - drink offers in clubs - avoid these like the plague!!! It is a license to lock the door and take all you have. Can be serious trouble - BEWARE!

6. Latvia is raciest! If you are a person of color or dark oriental skin color, be very careful. Suggest you have someone with you especially at night.

There is a special hot line number that you can call if you are a victim Call: 2 - 203 - 3000

English speaking - 24 hours

The hot line will listen to complaints by tourists who have been cheated or have had crimes committed against them in clubs, restaurants and other tourism services in Latvia. Managed by the Latvian State Tourism development Agency.

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