PASSENGER behaviour in taxis has not changed much since the installation of security cameras, but drivers feel more comfortable knowing they are there.
Since the cameras were installed in August last year, some Wellington taxi drivers agree they are a deterrent, but others say passengers still act badly, especially at weekends.
The consensus among drivers is they have no difficulties with people during the working week.
People who catch taxis throughout the day are polite and do not cause trouble, even with a camera present, says Wellington Combined driver Danny (who did not want his full name published).
“They know they are being watched,” he says.
However, the weekend and late night shifts are a concern, as customers are usually drunk.
Saturday nights are considered one of the busiest times to be working, but some taxi drivers choose not to work, says Danny.
“Anything can happen and it is not unusual to have runaways or to hear about a driver who has been assaulted in some way.
“Most incidents are not reported because it takes time, which means we are not making money.”
Green Cab driver Gowry Chelliah agrees there are issues with passengers in the weekend, although he now feels safer knowing the security camera is there.
“There is still some racial abuse from rude customers and lot of other drivers would have to deal with that as well, but the cameras are worth having, just in case.”
The Taxi Federation campaigned for cameras to be installed in taxis for some time and asked the Government to legislate for them.
It was not until there some serious assaults, resulting in the deaths of two drivers, that the government acted, says New Zealand taxi federation communication manager John Hart.
“Security cameras have been used overseas and the experience is that they make a big difference.
“Drivers feel safer and passengers are more restrained.”
New Zealand taxi federation executive director Tim Reddish agrees, saying the cameras have improved passenger behaviour.
“The number of incidents, including major and minor assaults, has decreased because cameras help identify offenders.”
