Taxi firm calls out customers over racist remarks

A taxi firm has condemned "frequent" racist remarks directed by some customers at the company's taxi drivers.

In a post on social media, Blaydon-based Local Taxis criticised the use of "unacceptable" racial slurs and requests by customers not to be assigned Asian drivers.

Dispatcher Sam Reid told BBC Radio Newcastle she often worried about the safety of her colleagues.

"It happens far more than anyone would like to imagine. It's not once-in-a-blue-moon. This is something that we find more than once a day, and the frequency is far too high, it's just not acceptable."

She said drivers had asked the firm not to sent them back to certain customers "because of what they have faced in the car, which is a really confined space".

"They are being told, to their face, that they stink; they don't speak good enough English; that they just aren't right because of the colour of their skin, because of their heritage."

Last Friday, Local Taxis' owner took to his company's social media page to post about the abuse faced by drivers at his firm.

Since then, the post has attracted thousand of likes and comments - with other taxi companies posting about similar abuse.

In the post, Local Taxis states: "Expecting a good standard of service is absolutely reasonable.

"Having a problem with a particular driver's behaviour is one thing. Having a problem with an entire race or nationality is another.

"Our drivers shouldn't have to wonder whether a passenger is going to refuse to get in their car because of what they look like."

Reid, 33, said she worried about the safety of the drivers she deploys to pick-ups.

"I feel like it's getting worse

"We have to risk-assess on the phone, based off someone's temperament.

"If they [the customers] are more aggressive or more agitated, then that plays massively into the safety of our drivers.

"There will be times where we will send a driver - the job will go from A to B - and we'll be watching the car, tracking it.

"And as soon as that customer gets out of the car, we'll ring to make sure the driver is safe."

The App Drivers' and Couriers' Union said it was "deeply concerned" by the level of racist abuse, discrimination and intimidation routinely experienced by drivers.

"The majority of our members come from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) communities and many report being subjected to racist insults, offensive comments, threats, and other forms of abuse, simply while trying to earn a living.

"In many cases, drivers find themselves in a 'their word against yours' situation when complaints are made.

"Properly regulated CCTV systems can provide vital evidence, help identify abusive passengers, support police investigations where necessary, and ensure that complaints are assessed fairly."

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