Sussex wrote:
False fare crackdown
Bradford Council have had a crackdown on hackney carriage drivers who overcharge customers.
As a result of complaints from members of the public saying that hackney carriage drivers had failed to switch on the taximeter and had overcharged them the Hackney Carriage Unit carried out a series of test journeys on Tuesday May 31.
This involved people getting into a hackney carriage from a rank and travelling to various destinations.
Of the 15 sample journeys, five drivers failed to set the meter at the start of the journey and all five requested a fare that was more than the amount that should have been charged.
The information doesn't state the background of the drivers involved but an educated guess would put Asian Hackney carriage licensed drivers high on the list for the simple reason they make up about 95% of licensed drivers.
The complaints I've had in Manchester from disgruntled passengers who have been overcharged or who have been asked for an amount far greater than the normal fair, have mainly been against Asian Drivers.
There seems to be a culture among the Asians that overcharging is an acceptable practice. It doesn't surprise me in the least that 33% of the 15 drivers tested were found to be ripping off punters. Asian drivers are not the only ones that rip punters off but certainly in this neck of the woods they are the most frequent.
In countries such as Pakistan, Bangladesh etc the foreign office issues you with a health warning on safety and how to avoid the high level of corruption, crime and blatent ripping off. Some of the things the foreign office warn you about are..........
Armed robbery, pickpocketing and purse snatching are a threat, day or night, in areas frequented by foreigners. Thieves often work in pairs on motorcycles or 3-wheeled "baby taxis". Passengers using rickshaws and "baby taxis" are particularly vulnerable, the more so at night. You should try to avoid using such transport when travelling alone at any time. You should not wear jewellery in the street.
Passengers sometimes face harassment at Bangladesh's international airports. There are regular reports of theft and harassment at Dhaka and Sylhet airports by corrupt officials and unlicensed touts. Beware of touts offering to carry your bags - many are thieves. Arrange pick-up transport in advance with your hotel/colleagues/friends.
Unregulated taxis often overcharge and drivers have been known to rob passengers. Passport theft at Dhaka and Sylhet airports is common. Ensure your documents and any valuables are accounted for and secure before you leave the airport.
The culture of corruption and overcharging is inherent and therefore it shouldn't surprise anyone that such a large number of Taxi drivers were cought overcharging in Bradford.
It should be remembered that Bradford Taxi drivers tend to be of predominantly Asian origin so if you needed a comparison between other cultures you are going to have to undertake research which has so far never been contemplated.
Regards
JD
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