Taxis unlawfully flag shorter trips at peak times

Most drivers would not take a passenger for a 1km journey. Photo / Herald on Sunday

Three-quarters of Auckland taxi drivers are unlawfully refusing to take short fares during peak hours, a Herald on Sunday poll has found.

Reporters approached 20 drivers at popular nightspots on Friday night and asked to be taken 1km.

Fifteen said the trip was too short and they were waiting for a passenger going to outer suburbs.

Several others claimed they were booked even though their vacant sign was lit.

Another driver laughed in a lone female reporter's face and left her stranded.

One who was waiting at the front of the rank sent a reporter to the last car, who also refused - saying the first driver was obliged to accept the ride.

Those prepared to take the fare tried to negotiate a set price - $8 was the average rate.

Reporters polled taxi drivers' attitudes to short fares at three inner-city night spots, the Viaduct, Kingsland and Ponsonby Rd - where police have warned a sex predator is targeting young women.

Two women who had spent the night at local bars were followed down side streets before being attacked. One was forced into a car before escaping, the other was raped.

Urgent Cabs was one of the worst at refusing fares. Auckland manager Zakir Yaswen admits he is concerned about staff refusing rides.

"It all comes down to one thing, greed. It's a personal issue with the driver. They can make money off short trips, but they aren't thinking like that."

Sunshine Taxis, which refused a fare, had never received a complaint about such an offence from a passenger, according to manager Ranjit Singh.

According to the New Zealand Transport Authority a driver cannot refuse a passenger unless they feel threatened or the passenger is intoxicated, consuming food or drink or in a "filthy condition".

Taxi Federation president Tim Reddish acknowledges there is a problem with drivers refusing to take passengers for short distances.

"It's an unfortunate practice, it's absolutely illegal and does the industry no good. Taxis have an absolute responsibility to get people home safe. That's what they are hired to do."

He believes the problem is with companies at the bottom end of the market.

"They don't have radios or work coming from bookings, so they tend to hang around at city stands."

Reddish recommends upset passengers note a driver's number plate and complain to the NZTA, which can hit drivers with a heavy fine.

NZTA spokesperson Ewart Barnsley confirms drivers can be fined $400 for refusing a short trip - but he adds there is trouble enforcing the rules in practice.

"The hard part is proving these things."

* 15 drivers refused a fare of 1km.

* 5 accepted the fare.

* 7500 taxi drivers registered with the Taxi Federation.

- additional reporting Paul Stenhouse and Moniquea Frear