Taxi Driver Online

Another magnum opus on the P&J's website - in fact, this must be their longest piece yet

And there's literally 20 photos. And umpteen links to previous articles etc, which I haven't included here.

So maybe better to view the original source and see it in all its glory - I don't think it's paywalled, and readers on here may be allowed free articles, or whatever. (And think I've got all the text here, but may have missed some...)

Anyway, where to start with some of this?

Can't summon up the effort at the moment, personally

But, as usual, maybe some of these folks should look at it from the drivers' perspective.

Or the one who thinks Aberdeen needs Uber to come there


Taxi rank sex attack claims, ‘moany and rude’ Aberdeen drivers and knowledge test rage as hundreds share views

https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/ne ... y-drivers/

There are claims late-night queues for taxis in Aberdeen are dangerous, and are damaging the night-time economy – while the city's drivers come under fire from the public too.

Late-night safety concerns are again being raised due to a shortage of taxis in the city centre at peak times — as hundreds of people share their views on the state of the trade in Aberdeen.

Rules around cab licensing in Aberdeen are up for discussion presently, as the council explores way of helping more into the trade.

Local bosses accept there are four hours in the week when demand outstrips the supply of taxis in Aberdeen, early on Saturday and Sunday mornings after closing time.

But Aberdeen Taxis director Chris Douglas previously shared with us his “frustration” that those peak hours were all his industry was being judged on… as they fight for Aberdeen City Council to keep the controversial street knowledge test.

What are the headlines from the Chamber’s taxi research?

Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce has been canvassing views on the taxi trade from the public and business owners, ahead of submitting a view to the council’s own consultation on the trade, which closes later in the month.

And familiar themes — late-night dangers, taxi shortages “crippling” the night-time economy, long waits at the airport rank and taxi drivers hitting out at how they’re portrayed — have shone through.

While the survey looks to have drawn responses from the entrenched camps for and against Uber’s Aberdeen expansion, there are mixed and nuanced views too.

Many respondents acknowledged the worth of local knowledge for example, but questioned how much weight it should be given against wider availability of rides home.

Chamber chief: ‘Aberdeen taxi debate has become unnecessarily polarised’

And the chamber’s chief executive Russell Borthwick said: “This is a debate which has become – perhaps unnecessarily – a polarised one.

“It is fair to say that at many times of the week, our taxi fleet meets demand.

“However, it is clear from multiple surveys that there are peak times in the city centre, and at event and transport hubs, where there are insufficient taxis to meet demand.

“The result is often a bad first impression for visitors, and a concerning trend where fewer people are enjoying our night-time economy.”

Marketing firm True North Advisors’ recent, far-reaching, poll of 1,300 in the north-east found more than a third (36%) would visit Aberdeen city centre more often if there were more taxis or private hire cars available at key points.

Highlighting this, Mr Borthwick added: “If we are serious about creating a vibrant, accessible and welcoming city centre, then improving transport capacity at the times people need it most must be part of the solution.”

You can still take part in Aberdeen City Council’s taxi and private hire consultation here.

Late night Aberdeen taxi rank fears — and bus shortcomings driving people to the long queues

Dissatisfaction with buses, especially later into the evening was a key message from respondents to the chamber’s own survey.

Many said the “awful” service caused them to turn to taxis for a way of getting home from the city centre at night.

But given the lack of faith some of the 407 respondents shared in being able to secure a taxi home, there were a number who said they left events early to get the last bus.

“I have been going out in Aberdeen since the 80s and it has always been a nightmare getting home,” one said.

“Nothing has changed and it affects my nights out weekly.

“I will leave town early to catch the bus.”

Another added: “Although taxis are warmer and quicker than the bus, I now actively try to get bus home than stay out later and have the hassle of getting taxi.”

But far more serious concerns were shared about safety too.

‘I no longer feel safe in my own city’: After-dark fears and claims of taxi rank ‘sex attack’

Concerns for personal safety featured heavily — particularly about women waiting in late‑night queues.

Multiple respondents highlighted long waits as flashpoints, with queues stretching for an hour or more after major events.

One person, who talked up the importance of drivers having local knowledge, shared a shocking story.

The survey responses were shared with The P&J anonymously – and therefore have not been verified and have been taken at face value.

They said: “When waiting in a taxi queue on Chapel Street for an hour after an event, I was moved to Union Street to join another queue.

“After waiting a total of 90 minutes I was then sexually assaulted.

“I specifically left the event early so I wouldn’t need to wait long for a taxi and run the risk of inebriated individuals.

“I no longer feel safe in my own city centre. With small changes and improved services we could encourage people into the city, boost the local businesses and make it a safer.”

Taxi rank waits ‘unsafe’

Others shared their concern for safety at Aberdeen’s late-night taxi ranks, which trade chiefs say are designed to steer people from the danger of dark back streets.

But one woman said: “As a lone female going home after 10pm I would not go near the taxi ranks in the city centre now, having in the past spent up to 90 minutes waiting for a taxi surrounded by drunk people.”

“Late night taxi queues continue to be a terribly long wait,” another person added.

“My girlfriend especially feels unsafe waiting for them, even with me there.”

One respondent, who says they have organised events in Aberdeen for more than 20 years, warned that the “unsafe” situation is “unacceptable for a modern city”.

They write: “Hospitality and event staff are regularly forced to walk long distances home late at night due to a lack of taxis.

“This disproportionately affects women and creates avoidable risk.”

‘My son was forced to leave Aberdeen due to lack of accessible taxis’

Some of the most emotive responses focused on accessibility — and direct comparisons with Edinburgh and Glasgow.

A respondent claimed their son, who uses a wheelchair and relies heavily on taxis, was effectively forced to leave Aberdeen because of the lack of accessible vehicles.

“He had to move to Edinburgh because of the very poor access to wheelchair taxis in Aberdeen. Just shocking.”

Others described Aberdeen as lagging far behind comparable cities, pointing to Edinburgh’s mix of black cabs, private hire and ride‑hailing apps as offering consistent availability and choice.

Across these responses, the comparison with other Scottish cities was stark, with Aberdeen repeatedly described as out of step, overly restrictive and failing people who depend on taxis the most.

Lack of private hire ‘killing’ the city centre, as event-runners abandon Aberdeen

And business owners within hospitality, nightlife and events were particularly blunt about the impact the current supply of cabs is having.

Some said the lack of taxis is directly reducing footfall, with customers unwilling to attend events unless they are confident they can get home safely.

Some even described scaling back or relocating events to Glasgow and Edinburgh — where late-night transport options are “more reliable and competitive”.

In an essay length response, the same events organiser as above claimed they have “never known the taxi situation to be as poor as it is today”.

The Queen’s Cross resident added that the current “lack of taxi availability” is having a direct and damaging impact on hospitality businesses, events and nightlife, public safety, tourism and first impressions of the city.

Warning over new Flint market if taxi issues continue in Aberdeen

The night-time industry advocate wrote that hospitality, events, and nightlife businesses in Aberdeen are all suffering reduced footfall – as “customers are unable or unwilling to travel into the city centre”.

“Many operators are now at risk,” they add, “and this is contributing to the wider decline of Aberdeen’s night-time economy.

“The upcoming Flint Market development will also rely heavily on accessible transport, due to its limited parking and restricted vehicle access.”

They say they surveyed more than 1,100 customers two years ago and 94% of them had struggled to get home, while 79% felt unsafe due to a lack of cabs.

‘Anti-competitive’ street knowledge test hitting turn-out

Another, with 10 years’ experience in the events sector, added: “In my mind, the lack of transport is the number one reason my event attendance has been declining for the past four years.

“I’m told time and again by customers, friends and industry peers that they would come to our events but they know they won’t be able to get home or will have to wait hours in the cold for a taxi so it’s just not worth bothering.

“The anti-competitive street knowledge test is completely outdated and should be scrapped so that we have as many Uber cars as possible.

“As a business owner in the nightlife and events industry across Scotland, I can see first-hand how the lack of private transport is killing Aberdeen city centre.”

Criticism of Aberdeen’s ‘moany’ drivers

Others turned their frustration directly on the taxi trade itself.

“Taxis drivers are often very rude and abrasive,” a respondent raged.

“So not only are you waiting for a taxi, then waiting for another that will accept card, you’re then spoken to like you are worthless!”

A recurring complaint was that drivers appear unwilling to work evenings and weekends — with several saying it can be impossible to get a taxi even at relatively early times.

One said waiting more than an hour for a cab at 7pm on a Tuesday was “completely unacceptable”.

“Too many Aberdeen taxi drivers seem to think it’s a 9-5 job – obtaining taxis outside of these hours has been a long-term problem,” they added.

‘Rough Aberdeen taxi drivers belittle visitors to our city’

Respondents also criticised customer service, describing drivers as unapproachable or disengaged, and said they were often forced to guide drivers to well‑known locations despite them passing the street knowledge test.

“When getting into a taxi it is often the case that we have to advise the driver where we are going — even to the extent that we have had to guide the driver all the way,” one said.

On this same thread, many argued current drivers’ reliance on satellite navigation was undermining the taxi trade’s own argument for the street knowledge test

The tone of parts of the feedback was blunt, with a number branding Aberdeen’s taxi trade defensive, or resistant to change — particularly around competition from app‑based services like Uber.

“They are the worst I’ve experienced,” one respondent said.

Another added: “They are the most moany and miserable folks and I understand they pay a lot for their vehicles and insurance but that’s their choice.”

Another, who doubts Aberdeen’s “serious tourist destination” credentials due to the state of late-night transport, said Uber’s driver ratings would root out bad eggs in the city trade.

“Most drivers are good but there are some terrible individuals who would not survive.

“I have had a driver consume a large Greggs sausage roll on one journey, another made homophobic comments about the owners of a big house we were passing, a hard of hearing driver constantly turned round [to hear me] and not look at the road, and another turned up in a flash BMW with faulty seat belts in the back.”

Another, who prefers using Uber when elsewhere, claimed international work colleagues “say they they feel intimidated or belittled by ‘rough’ Aberdeen taxi drivers more often than not”.

Others said they would accept the end of the street knowledge test requirement for private hire drivers, if it meant people better able to speak to customers and help elderly and infirm passengers got behind the wheel.

Taxi drivers strike back

Not all responses were critical of the trade.

Drivers appear to have flocked to have their own say – and question the legitimacy of the survey.

“I can see by this survey that you think that we have a taxi/private hire issue that is somehow affecting the city,” one raged.

“Most drivers are good but there are some terrible individuals who would not survive.

“I have had a driver consume a large Greggs sausage roll on one journey, another made homophobic comments about the owners of a big house we were passing, a hard of hearing driver constantly turned round [to hear me] and not look at the road, and another turned up in a flash BMW with faulty seat belts in the back.”

Another, who prefers using Uber when elsewhere, claimed international work colleagues “say they they feel intimidated or belittled by ‘rough’ Aberdeen taxi drivers more often than not”.

Others said they would accept the end of the street knowledge test requirement for private hire drivers, if it meant people better able to speak to customers and help elderly and infirm passengers got behind the wheel.

Taxi drivers strike back

Not all responses were critical of the trade.

Drivers appear to have flocked to have their own say – and question the legitimacy of the survey.

“I can see by this survey that you think that we have a taxi/private hire issue that is somehow affecting the city,” one raged.

Echoing the stance of the bosses of Aberdeen’s biggest taxi firms on the late-night rank queues, they added: “And to be 100% honest, the only time you may wait for a little longer for a cab home would be from the hours of 3am until 5am into a Sunday morning.

“That’s one day out of seven that has always been an issue in every city regardless of what taxi or private hire company is licensed there.”

Taxi driver: ‘Very upsetting to be asked for my postcode instead of my address’

Another respondent could well be a driver as they used industry language referring “yellow or red plates” (which indicate whether a car is a taxi or private hire).

In capital letters, they called for all new drivers to have to pass the knowledge test.

They also shared a “VERY UPSETTING” incident in a taxi, where the driver asked for their post code – “not my address” – for the drop off.

Others also apportioned blame to the local authority, adding: “People should enjoy going to Aberdeen, but it feels like everything is done to make people put off.

“No buses, no parking, no access to city centre by car, no taxis. I often hear ‘use it or lose it’, and I’m left thinking ‘what is there to use?’.”

One put simply: “Aberdeen as usual is lightyears behind competitive cities and I believe it’s an embarrassment.”

A tale of two Don Streets: Drivers and loyal punters defend street knowledge test

Some respondents — including more drivers — strongly defended the importance of local knowledge, particularly given Aberdeen’s never-ending roadworks, bus gates and similarly named streets.

They argued sat nav cannot always be relied upon, especially late at night or during disruptions.

“I would not trust anyone who has not taken the time to know the job in hand — and this goes for every job.”

Others said a driver who knows the city instils confidence, especially when travelling late at night.

Another, who put forward balanced views on the positives and negatives of the Aberdeen trade, cast doubt on the use of sat nav without local knowledge too.

“Just relying on GPS can be unreliable especially when there is more than one street [with the same name].

“When someone is dropped off drunk in the middle of the night at Don Street, they could be at the wrong one.

“So knowing things like the area is important. Don’t think it’s as important as it used to be though.”

Another ‘mind boggling’ element… taxis refusing card payments

However, they also hit out at the “mind boggling” fact that some taxis don’t take card in 2026, as well as at the uncertainty of late-night taxi numbers.

Others agreed the uncertainty over payment — combined with poor availability — actively puts them off going out at night, or leads them to book taxis far earlier than needed to avoid missing reservations.

“Recent experiences meant having to stop at a cash machine to take money out, or this weekend having to bank transfer the driver,” one told.

“I always ask if they take card and 50% of the time before 10pm they say they don’t.”

Claims knowledge test defunct due to sat nav

That confidence in the value of the street knowledge test for private hire drivers, like those driving for Uber, was something many respondents questioned.

Several said drivers are regularly using Google Maps or another navigation app in Aberdeen.

“I can’t recall the last time I was in a taxi where they haven’t been using their phone maps to navigate to the destination, so I am not sure what benefit them having passed a knowledge test brings,” one wrote.

“The least safe part of getting home from a night out is the long wait in a drunken taxi queue.

“Getting more vehicles on the road to move the queues home quicker will surely be a great benefit to people’s safety.”

Others argued that in an era of live traffic updates and GPS routing, requiring drivers to memorise streets is outdated and discourages new entrants to the trade.

A common view was that availability matters more than encyclopaedic knowledge — particularly when long queues are creating safety risks.

Some suggested a compromise — retaining a basic “local savvy” requirement focused on key routes and landmarks, rather than the current test.

“Driver knowledge does instil confidence and comfort, one said. “But I’ve used taxis overseas where they appear to use just GPS, and that was fine.”

You’ve had your chips: ‘Deliveroo manages without street knowledge test’

Another wrote that the “outdated” knowledge test was an “unnecessary barrier to entry” to driving in Aberdeen, compared to Edinburgh and Glasgow who don’t have one for private hire.

“Modern navigation technology has made such tests largely obsolete,” they wrote.

“These tools provide real-time routing, traffic updates, and efficiency benefits that static knowledge tests cannot.

“And, for comparison, app-based services such as Uber, Deliveroo and Just Eat operate effectively using GPS navigation without requiring similar testing.”

Strong support for Uber – but local scepticism remains

Views on Uber — and app‑based ride‑hailing more broadly — were among the strongest and most polarised in the survey.

Several said they regularly use Uber elsewhere in the UK and abroad, and find it reliable, safe and easy to access — in sharp contrast to Aberdeen.

“Every medium to large city has an effective Uber or equivalent except Aberdeen.”

Some respondents pointed to the transparency of app‑based services — including upfront pricing, journey tracking, driver ratings and cashless payment — as major advantages, particularly late at night.

We have asked Uber for an interview throughout the council’s consultation window.

Calls for knowledge test to be scrapped… but for the local firms’ benefit

Others argued that opposition to Uber is driven by resistance to change within the existing trade who want to protect a “monopoly”.

“The arguments against it are often from antiquated older drivers who don’t want the status quo to change,” another wrote.

However, Uber was not universally supported.

Many respondents said Aberdeen is “miles behind” comparable cities, arguing that Uber or an equivalent service is now a basic expectation for residents, visitors and business travellers.

A number of respondents favoured expanding taxi numbers by lowering barriers for local drivers — rather than opening the market to multinational platforms.

They argued that scrapping the knowledge test would allow more local people, particularly younger drivers, to enter the trade quickly.

One person, put off being a driver by the street knowledge test, urged Aberdeen City Council: “Sort it — let locals get the jobs instead of Uber.

“Scrap the knowledge test and let us young ones have a future.”

Some criticised Uber’s business model, saying it “rinses” drivers and extracts money from the local economy.

More drivers needed

Across both sides of the debate, there was a shared point of view from most: Aberdeen needs far more drivers on the road, and quickly, if the city centre, nightlife and visitor experience are to recover.

A respondent opined: “I have followed the progression of uber from very few drivers (unusable as a service) to enough to deliver a service (just).

“I also use Rainbow City’s app regularly which is just about useable but actually often cheaper than Uber.

“We just need more drivers asap to deliver an effective and competitive service.

“Get on with it and lower the ridiculous barriers to onboarding new drivers and also where the different taxi services can operate.”

Another added: “Bring in competition – Uber – so I can access a taxi anywhere anytime EASILY please.”

I'm not sure what the good people of Aberdeen actually want.

I wouldn't work those very late nights even if paid a Premier League player's wage.

Canny folks (see my Scottish vocabulary) would have a driver or two's mobile, and be willing to be a generous tipper.

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IDFIMH