Shaming

The Sunday Telegraph yesterday published follow-up news to it’s story a few weeks ago on cheating cabbies. Over the weekend police and motor transport officers were out in force around the city, especially in Kings Cross after midnight fining touting cabbies.

Undoubtedly this illegal practise has gotten out of hand, leaving late night revellers stranded for hours. Amongst drivers I've spoken with there is universal recognition of the problem and praise from all, including myself, who are sick of the cowboys giving cabbies a bad name.

Out of interest here’s how I managed my exit from the Cross on Sunday morning, as detailed previously. I've edited the raw footage for brevity to show two approaches from would-be passengers seeking a lift...

Still, I have a problem with the newspaper publishing identifying details of the accused, namely plate numbers and clear images of drivers being booked. Mainly because a fine can be challenged and thus is not proven until the appeal is judged, or the fine paid.

 

A while ago a News Limited photo editor insisted that as a general rule they avoided identifying vehicle number plates in contentious news items. However in this case the Sunday Telegraph decided to publish the number plates which I feel was unnecessary. They have surely done so to shame the accused drivers, without qualification.

If I was presented in a similar light by the media and identified as guilty before the charge could be fairly tested and proven, I would seek advice on the legality of such publication. Maybe SkepticLawyer has an opinion on my chances of redress.

Early this morning a cabbie mate recounted how a few weeks ago when the Sunday Telegraph was reporting on these cheating cabbies, he had a passenger do a runner over twenty bucks. This dope being drunk left his work pass in the cab. Ironically, the bloke works for News Limited, publisher of the Sunday Telegraph.

A quick Google confirms his destination address via Whitepages and his LinkedIn entry details his current employment with News Limited. It reads...

I have excellent interpersonal skills, as well as being a creative individual who is able to work in high pressure environments in a relaxed and articulate manner.

...except, that is, when pissed.

Of course one does not have to publicly name and shame him for the authorities to take action and recover the money. Whilst the cabbie's allegation is yet to be tested, in my view identifying him online would be legally questionable and plain spiteful.

Comments

[Dan]

The news staff Rosie Squires is a lier and a chic, he said from kx to Bondi Beach is $37 by Taxis Combined!Where he get the clue? He may think himself is a judge and police and story maker.

[Rainer the cabbie]

"I have excellent interpersonal skills, as well as being a creative individual who is able to work in high pressure environments in a relaxed and articulate manner."

No doubt he is creative. Not too articulate when paying his bills though.
Don
The quoted fare is always the maximum, to allow for something going wrong. Be assured this came from Taxi's Combined.
Adrian
Your video failed to mention that it was taken before the real madness in Bayswater Rd. takes place.
I understand the Tele and now also Nine News getting on the case of shifty Taxi drivers. The practises employed by some are questionable indeed, but the consequences will be worn by all the good drivers.
Think drunk and angry customers who got a mandate for bad behaviour by selected newservices.
Maybe we should just boycott Kings Cross after 1.30 am on a Sat. and Sun., and leave the transport of patrons to State Transit and nightclub operators..
That would suit me fine.

[adrian]

FWIW, I carried a fare this morning from Kings Cross to Bondi Beach - $17.80.

[manly cabbie]

only a fool would pick up in the cross at that time of night on a weekend theres plenty of work in the suberbs at tha time of night without having to worry about pratty journalists and the nazi's from the ministry of transport.