Taxi Driver Online

Took ages to get this on here - hope it's all here, and hope it's worth reading...

Actually, most of it isn't. Interesting enough stuff, but drones on a bit about various incidents, and then there's the boilerplate from the HCAs, then same from police and council

Which is all very well, but the most important point - what's actually going on here with the court action - is just brushed over.

But it sounds like some sort of private prosecution or civil action, because police won't take action. But it's not explained at all, really, except to the extent it was successful.

(Actually, it must be a criminal rather than civil case, because it says she was found *guilty*, was *fined*, and was given *community service* in the *sheriff court*, which all points to criminality.)


Edinburgh taxi drivers call for more action on fare dodgers following taxi fraud court case

https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/ ... se-7293349

Court conviction prompts calls for more action to tackle ”growing issue”

Edinburgh black cab taxi drivers are calling for more action on fare dodgers, following a taxi fraud court case this week.

A recent survey by Edinburgh Taxi Branch union estimated that fare dodging is costing around £40,000 a year for the city’s black cab drivers.

We spoke to Edinburgh cabbies to get their views on taxi fraud, following a conviction for an incident in the city last summer.

Emma Margaret Brown was found guilty of taxi fraud on Tuesday at Edinburgh Sheriff Court, and given a £280 fine, a compensation order to pay back the fares and 30 hours community service for two incidents, in Edinburgh and Glasgow, including dodging a £24 fare in Stenhouse in May last year at around 1.30am on a weekday morning.

The taxi driver who took the Stenhouse case to court, and asked not to be named, was delighted with the outcome this week.

He said: “This was the first of three individual cases I’m bringing to court. This is not a victimless crime, all these skipped fares add up and cost us taxi drivers. We are trying to make an honest living after all.

“In this incident a woman and two other people get in for a wait and return fare, on the return they jumped out the taxi, and left a butcher’s hammer in the back.

“I contacted the police, who said they couldn’t send the hammer to forensics as it would cost too much, so that’s why I decided to pursue court action.

“The woman now has to pay the fare and a lot more, including having to do community service. It’s a brilliant outcome, as it sends a clear message to those that want to fare dodge.”

The cabbie believes taxi fraud in Edinburgh is on the rise, but he does have a solution in mind.

He said: “I feel this is problem that is rising. As some people believe that the police will not do anything about dodging a fare for say just £15-£20, and they think taxi drivers wont pursue it.

“But all these unpaid fares add up, with a survey last year estimating it’s costing Edinburgh taxi drivers at least £40,000 a year, that’s a lot of money.

“I had two incidents last year and one this year already. These incidents make you very suspicious of most fares, particularly at night. You have got to make a judgement call on each journey.

“I have since had cameras installed in my taxi at considerable cost to myself. I feel safer, as I feel the cameras act as a deterrent to potential fare dodgers.

“Ideally every taxi cab would have cameras, but it cost me £300 and I have to pay an annual fee, as well as the installation fee. It all adds up. It would be great if the council could maybe subsidise these cameras in all Edinburgh taxis.”

Baz Collins, who’s only been a taxi driver for two and a half years, believes taxi fraud in Edinburgh is getting worse, and called for a clearer message to be sent to would be culprits.

He said: “I have experienced quite a lot of taxi fraud incidents in my short time in this job. And the thing that surprised me is that it’s a 50/50 split between men and women fare dodging.

“You get to know the areas to avoid. I have stopped picking up from A&E at night as it has happened to me there.

“Over the past year I’d say it has cost me about £100. The last fare was £24, taking a guy from the hospital to Tolbooth House and he never had any money.

“And you’ve got to remember that each instance is taking me away from an actual fare, when I’m wasting my time on a journey and then arguing with the passenger to pay. So it’s a waste of time and money.

“Sometimes, because we can lock the doors, I have driven them to the police station. Sometimes I have just called the police and they have spoken to the culprit on the phone, and suddenly they are able to pay me.

“However, this problem seems to be getting worse, it happens quite a lot to all taxi drivers. I think the police could do more to help us. Nobody wants to get the police involved, but sometimes you have no choice.

“There needs to be a clearer message out there about what happens when people do this. That’s why it was good to see that case in court this week, to show people that there are consequences.”

Linda McHale has been an Edinburgh black cab taxi driver for nine years, and has been a victim of taxi fraud on numerous occasions, particularly since she works nightshift at weekends.

She said: “I think this problem is happening quite regularly. It’s happened to me on a number of occasions. And I just don’t know what we can do about it, other than maybe switch to a payment before pick-up like Uber and private hires, but then we also pick-up off the street.

“Our trade is on a knife edge just now, and I don’t want the public turning against us, thinking we are greedy. We are just looking for a bit of protection. People think we set the fares but it’s the council that does that.

“We don’t seem to have any back up at all. Last Saturday I had a really drunk guy who I felt sorry for. When he went to pay he was mucking about with his phone and bank card when he went to pay, so I had to get out of the cab to take payment.

“He then attempted to run away without paying but he was so drunk he didn’t manage. I handed in his wallet he’d dropped to the police, so I ended up getting paid, but there was potential for a sticky situation there.

“As I work nights at weekends, it happens a lot, particularly with drunks. Sometimes I just give up. There is no protection for us really, and the police have not got the time to deal with this.”

While, fellow cabbie Gregor MacLean is glad he switched to working a day shift after the Covid pandemic.

He said: “One of the two reasons I stopped doing night shift was I had been bumped a dozen times for a fare. It’s only happened once since I’ve been on the day shift.

“When you are dealing with the public there are people that think they can do as they please, but the majority are fine. It’s probably only one per cent that chance their arm and don’t think they have to pay.

“I got bumped for about £13/15 one night by a guy going down to Craigmillar. He left his wallet and a college pass. I went to St Leonard’s Police Station and told them what had happened the night before.

“The guy on reception said ‘what do you want us to do about it?’ I told him I can’t just go down to the guy’s house, but the police can. He said it was a civil matter, not one for the police!

“It was real pain. But luckily I spoke to a policewoman who was lovely and she helped me. That was a good few years ago, but I always remember that.

“Taxi fraud goes with the job unfortunately, but it’s heartbreaking when it happens. Whether it’s £3 or £33, it’s still annoying.”

Commenting on the court case this week, Unite the Union Edinburgh Taxi Branch said in a statement: “This ruling is an important step in recognising the seriousness of offences that are too often dismissed or overlooked. We stand fully behind our member, whose persistence in bringing these cases forward has helped secure accountability.

“Their actions reflect the reality faced daily by drivers across the trade, fare evasion is not rare, and it is not harmless. Taxi fare evasion is not a victimless crime. It directly impacts drivers’ income, places additional financial pressure on working people, and undermines the integrity of a vital public transport service.

“Every unpaid fare is money taken from someone trying to make an honest living. This case should serve as a clear message: offenders will be pursued, and there are consequences.

“We now call on police forces and enforcement bodies to take note of this outcome and respond with greater consistency and urgency when drivers report fare evasion.

“Stronger enforcement and visible action are essential to deter repeat offenders and protect those working in the industry. Our union remains committed to supporting members who come forward, and we will continue to press for the recognition of fare evasion as a serious and enforceable offence.”

While, The Association of Hackney Carriage Drivers of the City of Edinburgh added: “Failing to pay a taxi fare is not a trivial matter, it is a criminal offence. While often misunderstood or downplayed, deliberately avoiding payment constitutes fraud and is treated as such within the legal system.

“Taxi drivers provide a vital public service, working long hours to ensure passengers travel safely and reliably throughout Edinburgh. Incidents of non-payment directly affect drivers’ earnings and undermine the professionalism of the trade.

“There is no such thing as a free ride. Choosing not to pay your fare is fraud. These incidents are reported and, where appropriate, pursued through the proper legal channels.

“The vast majority of passengers respect the service provided and pay their fare without issue. However, where incidents do occur, drivers are encouraged to report them, and the Association will continue to support efforts to ensure they are taken seriously.”

Police Scotland is calling on taxi drivers to report this “unacceptable” crime to them.

Superintendent Kathryn Fairfield said: "Taxi fraud is unacceptable. I would ask any of the taxi drivers who have experienced instances of this nature to come forward and report it to us. This can be done by reporting online via the Police Scotland website, or by calling 101 or 999 in an emergency.”

The City of Edinburgh Council’s Transport and Environment Convener, Councillor Stephe Jenkinson said: “Taxi fraud is a serious issue which leaves many honest and hardworking drivers out of pocket.

“We’ll continue to work with Police Scotland on enforcement and to support the industry in combatting this practise.”

In fact, wasn't it in Edinburgh years and years ago when someone in the trade asked the Crown Office/prosecutor or whatever for some sort of statement on this, and it came out in the trade's favour? Or was that about locking the doors and taking the miscreants to the station?

Anyway, all this was something that was quite a big debating point years ago, but don't read about it quite so much now. But I remember one in the Dundee press about 15 years ago, and the police statement was basically that they couldn't do anything and it was up to the trade to sort it themselves. That was in the first edition of the evening paper. But by the last edition someone had obviously realised that they'd made a gigantic booboo by basically greenlighting runners via the local press, and another statement was issued. And was the total opposite of the initial statement. And, in fact, probably similar to the official statement provided by Edinburgh police above.

But all total BS, obviously