Edinburgh taxi drivers 'losing £40,000 every year to fare dodgers'

Edinburgh taxi drivers say fare dodging is costing the trade tens of thousands of pounds every year, as calls grow for more support from Police Scotland and Edinburgh City Council to tackle taxi fraud.

A recent survey estimates black cab drivers in the capital are losing around £40,000 annually through unpaid fares. It comes after a woman was convicted at Edinburgh Sheriff Court over two separate taxi fraud incidents in Edinburgh and Glasgow.

Keith Auld, who has been an Edinburgh black cab driver for more than seven years, says while most customers pay without issue, he has experienced fare fraud several times.

“I’ve had two or three cases of taxi fraud,” Keith told STV News. “Normally, it happens later at night – although it can happen during the day – some people have had one or two too many drinks, they may become difficult.

“We expect to be paid, and when that doesn’t happen, that’s time and money away from me earning, so a lot of guys are working longer hours to make a living.

“It just sets you back and leaves a bitter taste in your mouth.”

A recent survey of Unite the Union taxi driver members estimates that fare dodging is costing the city’s black cab drivers around £40,000 every year.

Last month, a woman was found guilty of taxi fraud for two separate incidents in Edinburgh and Glasgow at Edinburgh Sheriff Court.

Taxi driver Pat Egan said: “Now it’s being reported, but it has always been in the trade, and I think our members have taken this as just one of the hazards of the job.

“We’re saying that shouldn’t be the case – it’s their livelihood. It’s not just the fare dodge. As well as losing money, you could double that because these drivers could have been somewhere else getting another fare.

“They’re losing out twice here.”

Drivers are now calling for greater support from Police Scotland to make it easier to report fare dodging, while also urging Edinburgh City Council to help reduce the cost of installing CCTV in cabs.

There is also hope that the recent court conviction will act as a deterrent.

Keith said: “We welcome the verdict and hopefully that sends a signal to future cases that’s it not acceptable and there are consequences to these actions.

“Taxi fraud is not a victimless crime, it needs to be addressed and we’re going to work hard to get that sorted.”

A spokesperson for Police Scotland said: “Any instance of taxi fraud is unacceptable. We would ask any taxi drivers who have experienced this to report it to us.”

Meanwhile, a spokesperson for Edinburgh City Council added that the local authority would continue to look at ways to support the industry.

The spokesperson said: “Drivers can already install CCTV as a deterrent, as long as they can carry out the safety inspections required for any licensed vehicle to ensure the installation is safe for both drivers and their passengers.”