Call to widen blitz on greedy cabbies refusing passengers

A CRACKDOWN on greedy cabbies at Melbourne airport who dump passengers in pursuit of more lucrative fares is set to be expanded as police vow to stamp out the “rampant” offending.

A CRACKDOWN on greedy cabbies at Melbourne airport who dump passengers in pursuit of more lucrative fares is to be expanded as police vow to stamp out the “rampant” offending.

A mum who was turned away with her sick child from a taxi outside a hospital is among the passengers calling for the blitz to be widened amid a flood of complaints of drivers refusing fares.

CAB DRIVERS MAY SOON SET THEIR OWN FARES UNDER NEW STATE LAWS

VICTORIAN TAXI FARE HIKE FEARS UNDER RADICAL INDUSTRY SHAKE-UP

The Sunday Herald Sun tested taxis at the airport and were booted from one out of three cabs after the driver refused to go to Gladstone Park.

He stopped the car, saying to walk the 4km instead.

A taxi rank at Melbourne Airport Picture: Nicole Garmston

It comes after undercover police posed as passengers during a sting at Tullamarine, where a third of cabbies illegally refused to take them or became aggressive.

Fawkner Highway Patrol Sgt Dean Pickering said passengers had called triple-0 after they were thrown out with their suitcases on the side of the busy Tullamarine Freeway.

“That’s criminal behaviour — it’s dangerous and absolutely unacceptable,” Sgt Pickering said.

“We’ve got tourists arriving in Melbourne and their first impression might be a taxi driver who refuses and abuses.”

Residents in Melbourne’s northern fringe said they’re often turned away at the airport — or cabs booked for early morning rides from home just never show up.

Rita and Vince Magnano regularly fly interstate for work and said they’ve even been yelled at by drivers who refuse to take them 12km to Greenvale.

“It’s just ridiculous — we’ve even offered extra money just to get home,” Mrs Magnano said.

Rita and Vince Magnano at the taxi rank at Melbourne Airport. Picture: Ian Currie

Complaints to the Taxi Services Commission showed the problem was widespread.

Special needs passengers were among those left stranded, including one blind woman who was still holding onto the taxi when an irate driver sped off.

Cabbies even faked car trouble to turn people away before greedily picking up others nearby.

Sgt Pickering said some drivers at the airport felt a “sense of entitlement” because they lined up for up to three hours for a fare. But, he said, it was their choice and if they didn’t like it they should go elsewhere.

“It’s out of control and inexcusable,” Sgt Pickering said. “We will definitely be back ... taxi drivers need to stop their ridiculous games.”

Offenders can be fined $396.

TAXI REFUSED ME AT HOSPITAL, MUM SAYS

A MUM who was turned away from a taxi with her chronically sick son outside a hospital says the driver reached a “new low” for what should be a service industry.

Carla Brunsdon said authorities must act on rogue drivers refusing short fares, to stop other passengers being left stranded like she was outside the Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne.

“The experience was very upsetting,” Ms Brunsdon said.

“In general, it (refusal) is disgusting but in front of a hospital it’s even worse.”

The Cranbourne mum makes regular trips into the city to take son Connor, 10, who has autism and suffers from chronic illnesses, to hospital appointments.

Carla Brunsdon and her son Connor were turned away by a taxi outside the Royal Children's Hospital because the fare was too short. Picture: David Crosling

She said she was ejected from a cab after telling the driver they needed to travel from the hospital to the CBD, a 5km trip, where her car was in all-day parking

The driver pretended his meter was faulty, the mum said.

“We had had a lot of appointments, procedures — my son was exhausted,” Ms Brunsdon said.

“I waited, knocking on the window.”

She said she stood by the car being ignored by the driver for about 15 minutes before another cabbie approached and agreed to take her into the city.

“He just left us there,” Ms Brunsdon said.

“It was absurd — obviously, there are parents with sick children trying to get a lift.”

She said she hoped police would continue to monitor the taxi drivers’ behaviour.

“They need to make them aware they can’t get away with it,” Ms Brunsdon said.

[e-mail]

@AndieHamblin