Taxis combined is just about one of the most frustrating and customer service lacking businesses I have dealt with. Apart from finding that their drivers regularly pick which fares they do and don't want to take when I've flagged them down on the street. On the occasions I've booked, I've found they can be next to impossible.
Recently I booked a job to go two suburbs. I would have walked but i had equipment. It took 45 minutes and six phone calls to finally get a cab... and this is in Surry Hills, in the inner city. It would seem none of them like to take short fairs. Whilst that's annoying, what makes it a particularly frustrating experience is that the operators continually told me they weren't far away.
I'd rather be told they're not going to take the fare and try someone else than be made to wait 45 minutes.