Taxi Driver Online

Uber driver ejects Jewish camp leader and child from car at 3am after ‘questioning them about Israel’

https://www.thejc.com/news/uk/uber-driv ... l-q0r760nu

A child and a Jewish camp leader were thrown out of an Uber on a country road in the middle of the night following a discussion about Judaism and Israel that the driver initiated, it has been claimed.

The incident took place just after 3am on Friday in Staffordshire. The passengers, a Bnei Akiva camp leader and a young camp participant, were on their way back to camp after visiting a nearby hospital.

Following a conversation initiated by the driver about religion, the driver left the pair on the side of the road, according to Staffordshire Police.

In an email sent to parents later that morning informing them of the incident, Bnei Akiva said: “During the taxi journey back to site from the hospital, a conversation was initiated by the taxi driver regarding Judaism and then Israel. After some time, the driver asked the staff member and participant to leave the vehicle and left them on the side of the road. They were able to return safely shortly afterwards with support from Bnei Akiva staff.

“In response to this incident, we are working closely with our security provider, CST, and Staffordshire Police to review what happened and to implement additional security measures and procedures for the remainder of Machane [camp]. The safety and wellbeing of our participants remains our highest priority, and we are treating this matter with the utmost seriousness.”

CST and Staffordshire Police confirmed that the incident was reported to them on the same day.

Staffordshire Police said of the alleged incident, which took place at approximately 3.10am on Ashbourne Road, Cheadle: “A taxi driver ... asked the man and a child to get out of a taxi following a conversation about religion. Enquiries are ongoing.”

CST said: “This was a disgraceful incident, in which a child who had been taken to hospital was thrown out of an Uber on their way back to camp … CST has provided the camp with reassurance and additional security advice and are in close contact with Staffordshire Police. We will be reporting this incident to Uber”.

An Uber Spokesperson said: “What’s described is unacceptable and our specialist team are urgently investigating this matter.”

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IDFIMH

Disgraceful behaviour from the driver but can’t see what, if any, criminal offence has been committed?

The driver placed them at risk so potentially it could be deemed criminal but i'd be surprised if this goes anywhere.

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lack of modern legislation is the iceberg sinking the titanic of the transport sector

The journey was paid for but not completed…

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Former taxi driver

Obtaining money by false pretences.

I would have thought that would be a civil matter as service was provided but not completed anf I would imagine ufail would reimburse the customer and not pay the driver

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lack of modern legislation is the iceberg sinking the titanic of the transport sector

Defo a civil matter if money had been paid.

A licensing matter if the driver had voiced iffy words.

Not sure the mere fact of dumping them on the street is anything else, but can see Uber binning off the driver if the complaints are substantiated.

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IDFIMH

Doesn’t state anywhere that they were charged. Not 100% how poober works but can the driver cancel the job mid ride and the passenger not be charged?
I’m sure if they were charged poober would have refunded them as soon as this story surfaced.

Not sure if it's a specific criminal offence of any kind, but certainly a few instances over the years of the authorities taking a dim view of passengers being dumped at the roadside, particular if it's late at night, 'vulnerable' passengers, a busy road, or whatever.

And our old friend the North Wales Coroner springs to mind here

But maybe the police involvement is more to do with what was said in the car, and thus any hate crime or similar angle...

And, of course, even if police not particularly interested, they'll have to go through the motions of appearing interested, even if they don't pursue anything.

But there's always the licensing dimension as well, and to that extent police might pass the buck in that regard

...and at a rough guess I'd say the fare isn't the main issue here.