Between the lines: Careless cabbies losing direction

How often have you jumped into a taxi and given the address of where you want to go only to find the driver looking at you blankly?

Urban legend? Not so.

All Auckland taxi companies recently received a letter from the police commercial vehicle investigation unit, suggesting a crackdown on the city's growing taxi industry.

We have around 3900 taxis for a population of one million, while Sydney has some 4500 taxis serving four million people.

Following complaints alleging taxi driver misbehaviour late last year, the police unit carried out random checks during the America's Cup.

The 740 taxis checked showed a 40 per cent offence rate compared with the usual level in the transport industry of just 10 per cent.

Bad behaviour included a complete lack of regard for other road users, the public in general and logbook requirements. Also alarming was the number of drivers who had either no driver licence, no "P" for passenger endorsement on their licence, or faults in their new photo licence.

The police reckon it is all driven by "pure greed." Checks since then have shown no improvement.

One property owner resorted to issuing trespass orders against taxi drivers to stop them from entering a pedestrian area. Some simply ignored the orders "to the detriment of their immediate freedom."

The Land Transport Authority does not have the resources to act, so the police are stepping in.

Drivers found breaking the rules will be referred to the Land Transport Safety Authority to have their "P" endorsement or Transport Service Licence revoked.

Previously unlicensed drivers were not charged as the police felt they were being taken advantage of by "unscrupulous" owners and companies.

The taxi company the drivers work for will also be referred to the LTSA.

Competition has heightened in Auckland since deregulation in 1993. Barriers to entry are virtually zero. A quick flick through the phone book shows a multitude of competing companies - Cheap Cabs, Choice Cabs, Citicabs, Corporate Cabs ...

Despite complaints of too many taxis on the road for fewer customers, passengers are not enjoying better service.

Most cab companies are not doing well, with increased petrol prices adding to their woes. The more upmarket companies say their revenue is up because passengers are seeking quality, or at least, civility.

Industry sources say there is an active blackmarket in selling the "P" endorsement needed on taxi driver licences. While the licensing agency, the LTSA, is aware of the blackmarket claims, evidence is hard to find.

Cab owners use the shonky licences to hire migrants fresh off the plane for as little as $5 an hour. They generally speak little English, do not know their rights, and have no knowledge of the area they are driving in.

Sound familiar?