Price gouging by out-of-towners pains local taxis

Gisborne Taxis general manager Tikei Bell with a pile of items left in taxis by passengers here for the Rhythm and Vines festival. Bank cards have been returned to the respective banks, while mobile phones and other property items have been taken to the police station. Picture by Paul Rickard

A Gisborne taxi company has confirmed out-of-town operators were caught price gouging at the Rhythm and Vines festival and is urging people to “keep it local”.

Gisborne Taxis general manager Tikei Bell said people were “rolling the dice” if they went with “shark” operators.

Mr Bell said one disgruntled passenger who took a chance on an out of town taxi was charged $199.10 for a journey from the festival site to Wainui. That was almost double what Gisborne Taxis would have charged.

“We get loads of complaints and we keep telling people it’s not us. If you want to take a risk you go with them, otherwise come with us; we have a complaints system.

“You are rolling the dice if you go with those guys and we have to clean up after them.

“Next time you go out, keep it local.”

Mr Bell yesterday also wanted people to know he has a pile of lost property, including bank cards, keys and about 20 mobile phones left in his taxis over the festival weekend.

Bank cards could be collected from Gisborne branches, while the rest of the property could be claimed by contacting the Gisborne Police station.

“We locals pick up the waste — that’s another service you don’t get with the out of town taxis.”