Cab drivers can be fined for refusing service: City official
Posted Apr 19, 2016 5:54 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
City of Calgary officials say, if a cab driver refuses to pick someone up because the trip will not be long enough, the driver could face a severe fine.
This after a woman’s complaint that she was refused taxi service late Saturday night for this reason.
Jenna Leniczek posted her story on Facebook, saying she didn’t want to walk alone downtown, so she tried to get a cab to take her six blocks.
However, the driver kicked her out, saying the trip wasn’t worth his time.
Mario Henriques, Chief Livery Inspector with the city, says refusing a trip based on distance is not allowed.
“Taxis in the city of Calgary do eight million trips a year,” he said. “We get about, on average, thirty trip refusals complaints a year. So it’s not a lot we receive. We treat each one very seriously.”
“With respect to trip refusal, the length of trip is irrelevant. Taxi drivers are prohibited from refusing a trip because it’s too short. The fines and penalties are actually quite severe for refusing a trip,” he added.
Cab drivers can be fined $700 for a first-time offense.
Leniczek’s post has been shared on Facebook more than 600 times. The city is looking into the latest complaint.
