Taxi Driver Online

A study has revealed that 70% of Edinburgh’s taxi drivers feel unsafe at work.

Drivers reported fare-dodging and abusive passengers as their main causes for concern, with 94% of cabbies in the capital claiming to have been physically or verbally abused by a passenger under the influence of alcohol.

The national survey, carried out by Edinburgh Napier University student Moira Weir, also highlighted taxi drivers’ fears that members of the public would damage their cars.

One participant recalled: “There was one guy who refused to pay the fare. On his way out he booted in the door. That is really bad as it means the taxi has to come off the road and I can’t make a living”.

Research unearthed some of the shocking behaviour carried out across the country, including a Glasgow driver who had a gun held to his head and another who had to put up with drunk and abusive teenage girls in Dundee.

Moira, an MSc Transport, Planning and Engineering student, interviewed 75 taxi drivers in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dundee, Aberdeen, Inverness and Fort William for the study.

She said: “Taxi drivers are the white knights of the city and play a vital role in the night time economy, but the vast majority of those I spoke to said that they felt most vulnerable in the evening or at night.

“I found it shocking to hear how frequently taxi drivers have to deal with threatening behaviour or fare dodging which directly affects their work and ability to make a living. No-one should have to put up with that kind of behaviour at work.”

Central Taxis’ Chairman Bill Purnell said: “Our drivers can suffer intimidation and violence, especially when working the night shift. These types of behaviour will not be tolerated and as such, we are working with Edinburgh City Council’s Licensing Department to explore the possibility of installing CCTV across the fleet.

“All workers deserve to feel safe at work. We believe that installing CCTV in our taxis will offer a practical option to ensuring our drivers safety.”

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IDFIMH

Is the correct answer.

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IDFIMH

Quite correct, but only so long as there is driver choice, & not to be rail roaded into expensive anti tamper systems favoured by many councils for snooping on the driver.

It's the wrong question.


For the most part, the only worry drivers have is the council. They may be concerned when picking up unsavoury punters. They might even fear attack, but they worry about being reported to the council. The real fears kick in when have to explain their actions to a parcel of rogues that hold their lively hoods in their hands.

Yeah, confronted by an aggressive gay, you call him a [edited by admin] and he reports you to the council.

Yopu're under attack, they take your licence from you. Because you have to be civil at all times.

I'm sorry, but zero tolerance in mty cab means that when you fall below the standard there are no standards. End of.

last night I spoke to a cabby who was confronted by another aggressive cabby. One thing leads to another. This scumbag reports him like tthe playground sneak. Like 541 ||Young he squeals like a pig when he is drawn up for his bad behaviour and clipes.

That's what our trade has come to. And councillors who have no idea what its like opwerating with the pressure of the sharp end, sit behind their comfy table, lording it over all and dispense draconian sentences.

The Skull's spat was effectively a fine of 6 grand.

That's why councillors are scumbags. becuase they don't exercise common sense, the just strikve to assert their autghority.

And that's why no councillor will ever be allowed into my taxi.

Of course I'll cite public safety. Theirs.