Taxi Driver Online

Aberdeen Evening Express

March 13, 2007 Tuesday

Hark ... It's First con of the season

Well, that's the tourist season started early - or the rip-off-the-tourists season to be precise.

Barely has the better weather returned than sections of the Scottish hospitality industry turn their attention to fleecing visitors. The case for the prosecution presents a trip to a wee village outside of Oban at the weekend for a superbly brilliant wedding.

But we were shocked next morning when chums told us about their taxi fare to get the four miles from the reception hall to their hotel.

They started fishing out the £7.50 shown on the meter when the cabbie announced: "Oh, and there's a £10 call out fee, because I had to come from Oban."

But no such extortionate fee was discussed when the cab was booked. Nor was it shown on the meter. At which point the cabbie was told he was getting a tenner, end of story. If he wanted to call the police to discuss the matter, feel free.

While he was calling them my mates would take the time to call the tax office and discuss the legitimacy of making customers pay fares not shown on taxi meters.

It's time for the tourism industry to weed out these bad apples before they spoil the whole barrel.
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