Cabbies still refuse trips

Photo / Bradley Ambrose

Taxi drivers are still illegally refusing short fares, despite a warning from one of the city's top transport officials.

A cabbie refused to take Caroline O'Neill, 26, and her partner 600m from the Viaduct to their Victoria St apartment near SkyCity in the early hours on April 9.

When the couple refused to get out he called police.

"I went up to the window and asked if he was free," said O'Neill. "He said 'yes'. We hopped in and my partner said we were going up by SkyCity and he said, 'No you've got to get out, I'm busy.'

"I asked to see his name on his card ... but he covered it. I said, 'It's illegal for you to refuse our ride because it's such a short distance.' I went to the front and started to take his rego number."

Minutes later an officer arrived and told the driver to fulfil the fare.

"The police officer said, 'We are sick of this, we always have this issue with you guys [not taking passengers]'," said O'Neill.

The driver dropped them off without charging them the $4 fare. "It's usually about $3 or $4, but we always give them $10 because we know it's a hassle," said O'Neill.

It's illegal for drivers to refuse fares unless they fear for their safety or the passengers are drunk. But a Herald on Sunday survey almost a year ago revealed most wouldn't accept short fares in Auckland.

Reporters approached 20 drivers at popular ranks on a Friday night and asked to be taken 1km. Fifteen drivers said the trip was too short.

Auckland Council transport committee chairman Mike Lee said he was surprised drivers were still breaking the law.

He called for taxi companies to resolve the issue in December last year. "I gave them a verbal blast, which should have been picked up by the industry, but what I really need, to do something meaningful, is get the details - the cab number, and company - and we will take it up on behalf of the affected citizen," he said.

Lee said council-controlled Auckland Transport was reviewing the industry to bring companies "up to scratch" before the Rugby World Cup.

"What worries me is that you have young people wanting to get home, and if they are refused a ride that makes them vulnerable in the early hours of the morning."

New Zealand Taxi Federation executive director Tim Reddish said a small number of drivers were damaging the industry's reputation.

He said the New Zealand Transport Agency, which monitors the industry, was under-resourced.

"As long as there is no fear of doing it, or consequences, sadly it will continue to happen."

NZTA national commercial operators manager John Doesburg said some companies had resolved the problem with a surcharge for short distances, which had to be clearly displayed in the taxi.

The agency has had four complaints this year about drivers refusing short journeys.

Upset passengers should get details from the driver's ID card and the name of the company.

Drivers who refuse short fares face $400 fines or a $2000 penalty if the case goes to court.