Threatened by taxi driver

[Hidehi2026]

I took a cab yesterday. I asked the driver to go a certain way (the cheapest) he didn't like it, but went. We got to a crossroads, when we were on top he asked which way, I didn't have time to answer so he went straight on. I said oh we are. Not going the cheapest way. He then turned and said don't threaten me, I can turn nasty when provoked. We then had an argument, I said drop me as soon as you can. I then had a 10 minute walk to my destination. I have a bad heart. And I am. 76. Not old these days but still not young. I'm. Not going do pretend that I am a sweet innocent. I then called him a f###### moron. But I was shaking, and he frightened me. What would you have done?
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It would help if I understood what "when we were on top" means.

Not going do pretend that I’m a sweet innocent

What does that mean?

It sounds like you were up for confrontation and that is exactly what you got.

Next time I would probably ring and ask for a fare price in advice, or use a taxi service like uber where you know the cost up front.

I am not a great fan of taxi drivers having been ripped off many times in the past, esp in different countries. I do tend to pick my battles though. A short journey going a different route costing a couple of quid I would be pretty meh about though. A 20 mile additional trip via the wrong way around a ringroad I would be less accommodating.

However, it is worthwhile knowing that sometimes taxi drivers know something about the route that you don't, eg roadworks or traffic jams.

If I was dictating the route, I would have given decent directions

This is why driverless taxis will be a good thing in many ways.

Sounds like you were the moron in this story

You didn't have time to answer? What else were you doing?

Complaining about a walk when you made him stop and let you out is ridiculous.

I wouldn't call someone who I was frightened of and threatened by a fucking moron while I was alone in their car. But he sounds very unyielding and rude.

You should complain to his company or your councils transport department. Like in London they're governed by TFL I think. If it was a black cab?

Do you have Uber in your area? Or any other rider apps? Or use firms where you know the fare in advance.

Sorry that happened and you were scared. It's not right to talk to clients that way as a driver.

if you cannot provide timely directions where you want to go then you have to put up with the way he went.

yes he was probably trying to rip you off but perhaps he genuinely didnt know the way.

it would be scary when he threatened you. i dont know how you saying youve gone the wrong way could lead to him thinking you had threatened him though.

so i imagine there was more to this conversation that would make him react like that. for example you may have forgotten that you threatened to tell his employer that he deliberately didnt go the cheapest way or something, at which point he got angry and accused you of threatening him etc. That would make sense.

make sure you do not use that cab company again. as others have said a fixed price prior would help ensure you are happy with the cost.

im sorry he scared you. that’s horrible of him.

You didn’t have time to reply when you were telling him the way?!! Nothing worse than being told how to do your job by someone else, especially when they do half a job. You sound hard work.

If you want to give directions then you give them in advance of the turning.
You don’t sound very scared if you’re ok abusing the taxi driver.
You can’t complain that you had to walk when you told him to let you out.
You sound like you were spoiling for a fight from the start. You’re in the wrong.

Get an uber next time.

I don't know why you think he was going the long way round on purpose. I find they want to get your job done so they can pick up someone else asap.

You sound irritating.

How do you know he wan't going the cheapest way? If I am picked up by a driver taking me to a destination with a couple of options, I tend to think that they know what they are doing and if they avoid a certain route it is because there are roadworks or an accident or something like that. Remember the driver has probably already driven that route a couple of times that day.

Certainly if you are going to request a different route, you need to be able to give timely directions.

Fixed price , however uber drivers must follow the prescribed route so won’t take directions

What kinds of taxis are these? Black cabs?

I thought mini cabs agree the price beforehand so the route doesn't affect the price?

Same with Uber?

I would have walked. It's the cheapest way.

If I couldn't walk then I would have trusted the taxi driver had local knowledge, and would know the best route. I would have asked him to give me an idea of the fare before I got in.

So let me get this right.

You get a taxi. Tell the driver you want to go a certain way. Fail to direct him on the route you've chosen. Then get arsey when he makes a decision (because you haven't) and demand to stop... which he does. Then moan your not where you're supposed to be and have to walk

Am I missing something. You've decided to go your way. He agrees but you don't tell him your way? And he's wrong???

So you said to him
"We're not going the cheapest way"
and his response was
"don't threaten me" ?

I'd definitely want to hear the other side of this one!

Outside of London (gee mn is very London centric). The hackney licensing authority (part of the local council) prescribe a price per mile within certain radius of the city centre, slightly more outside and a whole lot more if outside of the area. They are the only ones permitted to be flagged down or wait at taxi ranks. They are called Hackney cabs.

Private hire vehicles or mini cabs must be booked in advance and it's usual to agree the price in advance.

Uber etc are an extension of private hire vehicles.

All need a licence.

JFC these replies!

@Hidehi2026 I know what it’s like to feel intimidated in this situation.

It’s one of the reasons I’m not thrilled about my elderly mum taking taxis on her own, it doesn’t really happen, but it happens occasionally.

I wouldn’t use that taxi firm again, but I also wouldn’t complain.

just in case some people genuinely don’t understand, she couldn’t tell he was going the wrong way until they were literally on top of the crossroads - I don’t know what there is to not understand about that - and then he went the wrong way to what had previously been agreed.

Report him to your local authority. Who will have issued him with his licence to drive. Even if you do not know his car details, try your very best to describe how he looks, the car and where you started the journey from.
If you booked from a company or from a rank. Either way, do phone and register a complaint.
He should have his licence revoked. No question. Get someone to help if you need it for moral support !

Thats exactly what i concluded she says 'I have a bad heart' and then complains about the driver being rude. First off dont start something and expect sympathy !

If I was dictating a certain route, I'd have been paying better attention to the upcoming turnings.

"Next turn on the right coming up please."

Not waiting until he's right on top of the junction.

Yeah. I feel sorry for some cabbies and taxi drivers. 🙄

I let them run then when they say how much l bring it up,l pay and he is not expecting a tip and you haven't been threatened.