A GLASGOW woman has spoken out following a ‘traumatic’ experience at the hands of a private hire driver.
Kimberly Mitchell, from Shawlands, was travelling in a private hire car, owned by Southside Radio Cars, on Saturday night after dropping her workmates off at various addresses in the area.
She said the driver demanded a fare of £25 for a journey which normally costs around £11.50, and locked the car doors to stop her from leaving when she said she did not have enough to pay the inflated price.
The 23-year-old said he then began shouting at her, saying that she couldn’t leave until she paid the increased amount or that he would take her to the police station.
After demanding that she be taken to the Aikenhead Road station, she said the driver called his boss at the private hire firm who confirmed that the price was half what was being requested.
The shocked young girl was eventually released from the car and returned home in floods of tears.
Speaking after the incident, Kimberly said: “My work friend booked the cab on her phone after our shift.
“The driver had no idea where he was going after each of us telling him more than twice – he put in a destination so that the satnav voice was going off but it was saying directions that weren’t the route we were taking.
“He asked us every two minutes where we were going.
“He seemed impatient as if he assumed we were drunk but really we had all just finished a busy shift in the pub. It’s far too common for taxi drivers to lock you in their car when they feel like it. So many girls I know refuse to get cabs alone due to this kind of behaviour. It’s disgusting.
“He has been reported and I hope he loses his licence to make sure he can’t make anyone else feel like I did.”
Southside Radio cars said they have launched an investigation into the incident.
Manager Margaret Smith, said: "Southside Radio Cars have started a full investigation into this incident.
"We have spoken to the family and they have assured us that they are speaking to the Police and the Licencing Enforcement Unit.
"We will deal with the authorities regarding this incident and pass on the information that we have regarding the driver, job and complaint."
Heather Ritchie faced a similar ordeal in a private hire car travelling from Sauchiehall Street to Hamilton after being quoted £55.
The driver bumped the fee by £20 and refused to let the woman out until she paid.
After an argument, the man demanded she “pay with something else”, forcing her to threaten to phone the police.
Heather posted the ordeal on social media to warn others, stating: “It was only after he left I realised there was never a meter running, he had no ID and nothing other than some advertisement stickers in the windows to prove he was actually a taxi driver.”
As previously reported by the Evening Times, another young woman was left terrified after she was threatened by a private hire driver who demanded a higher fare during her journey from Clydebank.
Zoe Webb took to Facebook to warn others of “one of the most scary situations” when her taxi driver demanded £30 fare for a Clydebank to Neilston journey – despite the City Cars office confirming it would cost just £20.
A spokesman for City Cars dismissed the driver and reported him to Glasgow City Council.
Speaking on behalf of the Glasgow Taxis Ltd executive committee, chairman Stephen Flynn said: “At Glasgow Taxis Ltd, our number one priority is to make sure the people of Glasgow are safe and can travel in the safest way possible.
“All our drivers are PVG checked, have passed a rigorous knowledge test and go through a lengthy interview process.
“Our many safety initiatives include a contribution towards manned NightZone ranks in the city centre and the Hydro, as well as a Safe Taxi scheme for students. Both of which help people get home safely from nights out.
“We believe there should be more visible enforcement throughout the city to ensure the safety of the public.”
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