Cabbies at crisis point

By Sarah Schwager
LOCAL taxi drivers have spoken out about the safety fears felt by many Melbourne drivers.
Narre Warren South’s Bahadur Singh said he no longer drove at night because of the risk.
“The night drivers are under so much stress,” Mr Singh said. “You never know who you are going to pick up.”
The owner operator said he wanted to see taxis install screens that could be pulled down during the day when there was less risk.
“Some people can get really aggressive,” he said. “We need our safety improved.”
Last Friday, hundreds of taxi drivers stopped traffic on Flinders and Swanston streets in the city demanding the State Government address their safety concerns.
The protest was spurred by the death of part-time driver Rajneesh Joga last Tuesday, 8 August.
On Tuesday this week, 400 taxi drivers met at Flemington Racecourse to discuss their issues with Transport Minister Peter Batchelor.
The government agreed to trial security screens in a dozen taxis to see if they are effective and to set up a security taskforce.
Victorian Taxi Association chief executive Neil Sach said the biggest issue to come out of the meeting was the issue of racial vilification.
“It’s not just taxis, it is society’s attitude,” Mr Sach said.
“These drivers are out there doing their job and they need to be respected for their role in helping the community.”
Mr Singh, who has worked as a taxi driver for eight years, said other security measures were needed, including a security video camera and an emergency switch that connected directly to police.
He said money was also a big issue, with many people refusing to pay, becoming violent or running away.
“In the night time, every week two or three people are not paying,” he said.
A Junction Village taxi driver, who did not wish to be named, had fewer safety concerns but said people should be required to pay upfront.
“They leave me alone because I think I remind them of their grandfather,” he said.
But he said he still had people asking where his turban was.
“Imagine what the ones who are wearing them get,” he said.
The 62-year-old said he did not think safety changes on cars were viable, unless they were built in from the start.
“As far as occurrences go, I look at it that there are so many people getting into cabs each hour. Some people are going to be in the wrong spot at the wrong time and that’s that,” he said.
“We can’t live our lives in fear.”
A spokeswoman for Mr Batchelor said L-shaped plastic safety shields separating the driver from the front and back-seat passengers would be trialed.
The government will also set up a taxi driver security taskforce made up of industry government members to look at safety measures to protect drivers.
Mr Sach said he would be happy to be involved with the taskforce.
Legal advice would also be provided, as well as a website to let the Government know of any of the drivers’ further concerns.
The Victorian Multicultural Commission is also investigating claims of racial vilification.
Depending on the severity, the Equal Opportunity Commission will step in or drivers will be counselled.
Taxi drivers will meet Mr Batchelor again in September.