Cabbie ‘extortion’ ruined our night
A FUMING Gold Coast Cabs customer is alleging driver “extortion”, saying she was kicked out for not agreeing to an overpriced un-metered fee upfront.
Pacific Pines mother Kerry Brammer and husband Shane hopped in a taxi van at The Star casino rank at 11pm Saturday, requesting a trip to their car parked in Main Beach.
She said the driver asked those in the taxi queue if anyone else was going to Main Beach and four people jumped in, agreeing to split the fare.
“The driver departed the casino without starting the fare meter,” Mrs Brammer claimed, adding he suggested $10 each, or $60 in total.
“We all told him ‘No’ and asked repeatedly for him to put the meter on,” Mrs Brammer said, knowing the fare was typically about $20.
The driver then said he would do it for $50 or take them back to the casino taxi rank and they again refused, she said.
“He said it was either $50 or we could get out.”
The driver, who was a few blocks into the trip, did a Uturn and took them back to the casino cab rank, asking them all to get out.
Mrs Brammer said she was furious, having waited for 15 minutes in the queue only to find herself at the back of it once more.
Mrs Brammer and her husband eventually caught a different Gold Coast Cabs car to their destination, costing $20.70.
“This was only the third time we’ve been out for dinner since our daughter was born two years ago,” she said. “Thanks to this driver, it ruined our night.”
Mrs Brammer has complained on the phone and in writing to Gold Coast Cabs.
A spokesman for the company said it was investigating the allegation.
The driver had been “spoken to” but not stood down.
“Gold Coast Cabs want to point out they see it as a plus a customer can call directly to complain,” the spokesman said.
But Mrs Brammer wasn’t satisfied with that either – when she called to complain she was put on hold for six minutes with no music before being asked by an automated service to leave a message.
No one called back. She plans to download Uber’s app.
Cabbies are obliged to use the meter but can negotiate a fare with customers if both agree. A Gold Coast Cabs spokesman said the practice was not encouraged.