Few grumbles with cabbies

George Melrose is pleased there had been few complaints. Photo / File

A tourism leader is pleased the city's only taxi firm Rotorua Taxis has had less than half a dozen complaints lodged in the past three years.

New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) figures show there have been just five complaints lodged against Rotorua cab drivers since 2012.

The grievances related to driver behaviour, speed, overcharging and customer service. From the complaints, two drivers were prosecuted relating to their behaviour and one had their passenger licence revoked.

The other three cases were ruled unfounded by NZTA.

Rotorua Taxis chairman George Melrose said there were sometimes fractious interactions between taxi drivers and the public, but the company sought to resolve issues immediately.

"There's a lot more than you realise, but I think we do a pretty good job. It's pretty hard dealing with some people, but we don't leave it hanging and don't let it go any further."

Rotorua Taxis has a 33-car fleet.

Rotorua Visitor Centre and i-Site manager Graham Brownrigg said the low number of complaints reflected the high standard of taxis in the region.

"The cabs here are very reliable and well trusted.

"From our point of view, they serve our tourists very well and we have never received a complaint here about them."

NZTA spokesman Andrew Knackstedt said it was hard to judge if the figures had risen or fallen.

"The figures are very small ... and with numbers that small there is little value looking for trends."

Information provided by NZTA said passengers could expect drivers to be orderly and civil, and give a receipt if asked. All complaints to taxi companies are inspected by the NZTA.

In Tauranga, there were eight complaints about taxi drivers in the past three years.

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