Cabbies rush into help bashed colleague …
SIX cabbies rushed to rescue a fellow taxi driver under attack in Dandenong early on Saturday morning.
Dandenong Taxis owner Paul Smith said the incident, outside a Langhorne Street night club about 3.20am on 2 February, had rattled drivers to the point where they’d threatened to stop working.
“The drivers are very concerned about it,” he said.
“They’re saying it’s happening far too often.
“Most jobs you can do without the fear of getting punched.”
Greater Dandenong CIU Detective Senior Constable Nick Lamb said a man got into a taxi but did not have enough money to prepay his fare, as is required between 10pm and 5am.
After exchanging words the man punched the driver in the head, and a further two men attacked him when he got out of his van.
Six nearby taxi drivers then went to his aid and a fight between all parties took place.
Two local males, aged 20 and 23, have been charged over the incident but police are seeking witnesses or any information.
Mr Smith said his driver had even offered to take the customer to an ATM free of charge before being attacked, but now wore a black eye.
“It’s a dangerous caper,” he said.
“People have got to understand that drivers are out there trying to do a job.
“The drivers are pretty upset about this one.”
He said Dandenong Taxis was now trying to figure out how to make the situation safer for drivers.
“We don’t always know about incidents,” he said.
“Drivers don’t necessarily report it.”
Mr Smith suggested they could record customer details when they got into a taxi to make them less likely to cause trouble.
“Places have to provide a safe environment if they want taxi drivers to attend,” he said.
