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Taxi users are being told to know their rights this Christmas after an Auckland woman was illegally refused by six drivers because her journey from the Viaduct was too short.
The Taxi Federation says the entertainment district is one of the worst places in the country for drivers fobbing off
potential fares - possibly thousands of unreported cases a year.
It is illegal for drivers to reject a passenger because the trip is too short, although there are certain circumstances - including safety - when they can turn down a fare.
Penalties for refusing a fare can include a $400 fine.
Victoria Griffin left her public relations firm's Christmas party at 12.30am on Saturday. There were plenty of taxis at the rank underneath the Hobson St flyover, but six in a row refused to take her to Eden Tce.
One driver locked his back door to stop her getting in, while another told her to walk home. The ride usually costs about $15.
"I certainly wasn't drunk to the point where they'd turn me away," said Ms Griffin.
"You expect it [to happen] a couple of times. You think, 'Okay whatever,' but after five or six times, well, I'm actually a female alone in town. What am I supposed to do?"
After 45 minutes, a passenger who lived further from the city centre offered to share his taxi home. While that passerby was her hero, Ms Griffin said, it should never have come to that.
While she didn't recognise any of the big Auckland companies, she said there were "loads of random cabs, smaller companies, choosing passengers" by the size of their fare.
Taxi Federation president Tim Reddish said the Viaduct Harbour was one of the worst places in the country for cabbies refusing fares so they could wait for more valuable jobs.
He received about 20 complaints a year but many more unhappy customers didn't bother to report the problem. He estimated it would happen 10 times a night - potentially thousands of incidents a year.
The New Zealand Transport Agency is responsible for enforcing taxi regulations. Mr Reddish said now would be the perfect time for the NZTA to go "mystery shopping" and hammer cabbies who were breaking the rules.
Auckland federation president John Bryant said the section of the industry involved needed to be cleaned up before the Rugby World Cup.
"[Some taxi drivers] are like that all the time. If I was in their position and I'm the fourth, sixth in line and waiting for the big fare, well I can come back and still be the fourth in line. It's nuts."
Budget Taxi manager Krishna Lal said it was impossible to act on complaints unless cab numbers were taken down.
A spokeswoman for Discount Taxis said the situation reflected badly on the industry and internal disciplinary action was taken against drivers who refused fares. Owner Alan Webster said passengers should be direct and business-like when entering a taxi.
TRAVEL TERMS
When can a driver refuse a fare?
* When he/she considers personal safety is at risk.
* When the passenger is drunk or under the influence of drugs.
* Has food or drink.
* Is noisy or violent.
* Is accompanied by an animal which is not a guide.
* Does not have enough money - drivers can ask in advance.
* There are too many passengers.
A taxi driver cannot refuse a fare because the trip is short.
Complaints should be made to taxi firms and, if this is unsatisfactory, to the New Zealand Transport Agency.
