This was the lead story on the Basingstoke Gazette's website this morning:
Basingstoke taxi driver 'suspended after serious complaint'https://www.basingstokegazette.co.uk/ne ... complaint/The article is simply a rehash of a statement posted on Facebook by Alpha Cars, and being a newspaper they're obvioulsy a bit cautious about what they say. So instead of the article, below is the stuff on social media about the incident and the suspension.
The incident seems first described in a Facebook post by Suzanne Yule early yesterday morning:
Suzanne Yule wrote:
BEWARE! Please if there is anyone still around in town DO NOT get an alpha taxi! My niece & her partner have been attacked by their drivers.
Tried to overcharge & when questioned the driver called 6 other taxi’s who aided in the assault & robbery.
Police are attending & this won’t be dropped but didn’t want anyone to be taken advantage of! Spoken to Alpha cars who were less than helpful or remorseful
https://www.facebook.com/suzanne.mason.7The above wasn't really directly covered in the Gazette's article, for obvious reasons, which concentrates on the statement by Alpha. The statement, posted yesterday more than 12 hours after the incident too place, reads:
Alpha Cars, Basingstoke wrote:
It has been brought to our attention that an alleged incident took place in the early hours of this morning involving one of our drivers.
We would like to assure the general public and especially our loyal customers that we are taking all appropriate measures needed, in order to resolve the matter. We take all allegations and complaints seriously and we are working hard to assist the relevant authorities in order for them to do their jobs and carry out a full investigation.
As a company we work closely alongside Basingstoke & Deane Borough council to carry out all relevant checks on our drivers in order to prevent such isolated incidences from occurring, safeguarding the public is always at the forefront of our services and we would like to reassure the public that we very rarely, if ever, receive such serious complaints of this level.
In the meantime for the safety of driver(s) and customers we have made the decision to suspend the driver in relation to this incident until a full investigation can be undertaken, which will include working with the local authorities.
At Alpha cars we are passionate about serving the community and striving to exceed expectations in customer service.
If anybody has any concerns about what they might have heard or read then we would encourage them to contact us directly at
alphacars2000@aol.comKind regards
Alpha Cars
There's more than 300 comments in response on Suzanne Yule's Facebook page, which can be read via the link above, if anyone's interested, but I haven't bothered looking because of the volume.
There's also over 70 comments in response to Alpha's statement, which I've had a brief look at, and here's some of the more interesting ones, apart from the not unexpected supportive and negative comments about the firm's drivers more generally:
Ryan Bowskill wrote:
Sounds like an argument broke out over price, best thing if the passenger thinks they're being overcharged would be to call the office while they're with the driver in the car. Most drivers have dash cams, should just make it policy to have an internal camera as well, would quickly fix these issues.
Zoe Janaway wrote:
I read more drivers turned up and got involved Can I ask What is happening about the other 6 drivers that are allegedly involved? Also are the other allegations made on the other post being looked into as well?
Erwin Rasel wrote:
Hi Zoe, I work for alpha as a driver. I can assure you if there were any valid reasons behind the allegations stated the drivers would of been reported to the council and suspended immediately. Let alpha cars do their investigation first as atm its all gossip and the chances are allegations are false in a first place. I know many alpha cars drivers personally and they are great and professional hard working individuals, only stupid one would risk losing licence and their livelihood for the sake of few pounds.
Zoe Janaway wrote:
I was only asking as if you have seen the post in question it said 6 further drivers turned up.... it may not be true but hope all the allegations on that post will be investigated, as a regular customer on airport runs the things said on that post is extremely concerning as I’m sure u can appreciate
Erwin Rasel wrote:
its a standard company policy for all available drivers to attend if any one of us feel threatened or abused. This is to make sure of safety for both driver and a passenger in case of dispute and until police arrives. Regarding the post - If police have attended the scene do you think they would not arrest the driver if fight was to take the place? Lets all wait for the facts and not judge too early.
Suzzane Yule then chips in:
Suzanne Yule wrote:
Erwin Rasel the all left the scene when 999 was called, if they were the innocent party then they should’ve stuck around to give their side. Not sure how my 21yr old, 5ft 2 niece could’ve been threatening enough to be assaulted & spend all day in hospital. How is additional drivers turning up ensuring the safety of a passenger. Buy I’m sure the police will do their job & take appropriate action against all of those involved.
Ms Yule had also posted a photo of a young female on her own page, who had obviously suffered some sort of blow to the eye.
She's also posted this in response to another commenter, but the commenter's contribution seems to have been deleted:
Suzanne Yule wrote:
Sasha Lilock as I have stated on your comment on my original post, wherever you are obtaining your information from is founded on lies. The police have dropped nothing & it’s still very much investigated. She certainly did not have a black eye before getting into the taxi. I’ve have screen shot all your comments & will be passing to the police also as I’m sure they’ll be interested to speak with someone that seems to have so much information on the case & have update before the assaulted victim! They’ll deal with it & take appropriate action with those involved
Anyway, a shed load of other stuff posted, but the above probably covers the gist of it.
However, this from another Alpha driver is probably quite sensible as regards the dangers of trial by social media and that sort of stuff:
James Waine wrote:
As an Alpha Driver it's saddening to see such bad press and allegations towards a company I drive for.
I take my job very seriously and professionally to the best of my ability.
All driver's are self-employed and we are all responsible for our own actions.
We are all licensed and checked by Basingstoke council as being fit and proper to operate as a licensed driver in the borough. It's not alpha who vet's the driver's who work for them. We are free to work for anyone with an operator's license.
It is common knowledge that Alpha are receiving bad press as they have gained a monopoly in the borough but this is the council that have allowed this to happen not alpha who have been able to grow as a result of their success.
All driver's are required to wear their license badge so for the safety of any customer can feel safe getting into a car. If you aren't happy don't get in the car. it's the same for us driver's who can refuse to allow entry to the car or demand payment upfront.
For all the allegations being posted on social media please make your complaints to the council licensing team and they will insist that any operators will have to fully investigate and report back to the council.
We're regulated for a reason and that any rogue driver's are weeded out and dealt with in the correct manor.
Constant assaination of alpha will not resolve the issue of bad driver's working in our borough.
I sincerely hope that the situation that has occurred is fully investigated, the truth comes out and the injured people make a full recovery!
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