Taxi driver almost running over customer's foot among complaints made to watchdog
Another grievance detailed the disparaging remarks allegedly made by one driver. File picture: iStock
A taxi driver accused of nearly running over a potential customer's foot was one of several bizarre complaints received by the National Transport Authority in the first quarter of this year.
The organisation recorded 21 complaints in the Cork area issued between January and March. Many arose from drivers refusing to accept card payments despite being required to since September.
The gained access to specific complaints through a Freedom of Information request.
One incident dating back to March 20 concerned a driver’s erratic behaviour. The complainant flagged down the taxi on Grand Parade in the city.
“I told him my destination and his first question was 'how much money do you have?'. I said '€35'. He asked for all €35 before I even got into the taxi. I know the fare should be less than €20. I denied and he then accelerated nearly driving over my foot.”
The driver was subsequently issued with a fixed payment notice.
Another grievance from February 26 detailed the disparaging remarks allegedly made by one driver.
“He rolled down the window to ask the details of my journey,” the complainant said. “When I told him I was going to Togher he requested cash as 'Togher is a dangerous place'.
"I told him I only had card and he spent a few seconds making his mind up at which point I declined the service because he was looking for an excuse to not take the fare. I believe the taxi number I provided is correct although I cannot be certain as he drove off around the corner in a hurry.”
Action was not taken on this occasion due to a failure to respond on the part of the complainant.
In a separate incident, a taxi driver was issued with advice after a heated exchange with a passenger that resulted in a call to Gardaí.
“I was picked up from the taxi rank in the airport shortly after midnight,” the complainant said. “He had no idea where to go and even tried going down a closed road with a no entry sign. He started giving out about the roads and I said that 'as a taxi driver you really should know where you’re going'.
"He started shouting at me that I was disrespectful and aggressive to him. He slowed down and I thought he was going to throw me out on a deserted back road. Further down the road we needed to turn left and I had to tell him twice to turn.
"At this stage I looked around for his licence and couldn’t see one displayed.
Things escalated further from there. The person spotted the driver's licence hanging off the mirror behind other items. When they asked to take a picture of it he removed it and put it on his side of the car and demanded payment. The person said they would not pay until they got a picture of the licence. The driver then accused them of not paying and called the gardaí.
The driver then put the meter back on and told the customer they would have to pay.
The complainant said: "He woke all the people around that part of the estate up. When the Guards came I was allowed take a photo of his licence and I paid him the amount I owed him."
