Taxi drivers in Inverness have been left feeling that they have no other choice but to abandon night shift work due to fears for their safety.
Inverness – known as the capital of the Highlands – has expanded rapidly in the past 20 years. However it seems that this northern powerhouse of growth is also experiencing growing pains in terms of city centre violence.
Problem areas identified by cabbies include the Academy Street and Castle Wynd taxi ranks. There has been an increase in reports of threats, vandalism to black cabs and attacks on drivers even after six stewards were provided at peak times by the Inverness Business Improvement District (BID).
Cabbie Michael Ogg, who no longer works nightshift, said: “People come to the rank and they have no respect. I stopped working nights because I didn’t think it was safe anymore. When people get a drink in them they’re capable of all sorts. I’m not willing to put myself at risk every Friday night.”
Action Required
The Inverness Taxi Driver Alliance will meet with Highland Council this month to discuss what action should be taken in order to improve the wellbeing of cabbies. The Alliance has said it hasn’t ruled out strike action if the Council doesn’t take effective action but is hopeful it won’t come to that.
Andrew MacDonald, vice-chairman of the Taxi Drivers Alliance, said: “Security at the rank is one of the items on the agenda so I can’t say too much. I can’t comment on whether a strike will take place but we will be discussing the contribution made by the taxi marshals because there seems to be a lack of direction.”
Unsafe Working Environment
Cabbies in the city have been voicing their concerns for several weeks, with many revealing that they feel completely unsafe at work.
A driver who wished to remain anonymous commented: “You get people jumping the queue and running at the car. If you tell them to get out and wait, they react with violence.
“I’ve had people throw punches at me and threaten to kick my head in if I do not take them somewhere. In my opinion, marshals just make the problem worse. There needs to be a police presence. The rank is not a safe place to be at all.”
Retired taxi driver, Norrie Donald, has experienced first-hand the abuse that cabbies are put through. He said: “Are taxi ranks dangerous in Inverness? Absolutely. It’s got much worse and alcohol causes a massive problem.
“A passenger once held a knife to my throat and were it not for my army training I don’t know what would have happened. I think the problems start in the pub but the police don’t seem to listen.”
Now a Highland Councillor, Mr Donald aims to fix the problem once and for all. He added: “Drivers should refuse to work weekend nights until safety measures are put in place. A strike might be the only way”.
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