Ever have to bring a fare dodger to court?

[taxi1990]

I have only ever had 1 runner, years ago. Didn't have cctv then. I would definitely bring them to Court if it ever happens in future, dont care what it costs me.

[markmiwurdz]

Very hard to do I'd say without knowing who they are and I think it happens so infrequently that I just put it down to part of the job,like a milkman going to have a few burst cartons or whatever.

[Belker]

Ya gotta catch them first and as most Runners are young males and most of us Taxi drivers are a tad more senior, if you do catch them on the street, the fight odds are well in their favour.

[markmiwurdz]

And trying to get their name and address?

[Belker]

Thee most Golden rule of night time Taxi driving is NEVER LEAVE THE CAR during an incident.

I'm nearly 14 years a city night time driver,
1 in-car fight, I won.
3 street fights, 1 win, 1 loss, 1 draw.
The loss and draw were both settled financially in my favour in court, but in hindsight I should NEVER HAVE LEFT THE CAR !.

[mercenary for hire]

Ye should be getting out to check yer oil once a week ya bleeding looper.

[taxi1990]

Ya gotta catch them first and as most Runners are young males and most of us Taxi drivers are a tad more senior, if you do catch them on the street, the fight odds are well in their favour.

You don't have to catch them if you have good CCTV in your taxi.

[watty]

AFAIK, you wouldn't bring them to court.  The State would prosecute the alleged crime and you'd be a witness if the State needed your testimony.

If you've only had "1 runner, years ago", count yourself lucky.  I think the Spar-type shops assume 5% of their stock will be shoplifted/stolen each year so they just add that onto the price of all the other stuff they sell.  Runners are a fact of life in our business.  Best you can do is minimize it.

[taxi1990]

AFAIK, you wouldn't bring them to court.  The State would prosecute the alleged crime and you'd be a witness if the State needed your testimony.

If you've only had "1 runner, years ago", count yourself lucky.  I think the Spar-type shops assume 5% of their stock will be shoplifted/stolen each year so they just add that onto the price of all the other stuff they sell.  Runners are a fact of life in our business.  Best you can do is minimize it.

I don't know why I haven't had more, have often got money up front so maybe that is why, also im young so maybe they think I will run after them?

[Rat Catcher]

Possibly. Some drivers seem to attract more runners (and bother, in general) than others. I guess attitude and general demeanour have some bearing with at least some runners being opportunists who'll take advantage if they detect a nervous disposition or, perhaps, simply conclude that the driver is unlikely to give chase, break their legs, blow off their kneecaps or even smash up their motor and/or gaff.

Personally, I've had extremely few runners and, while back when I wore a younger man's clothes (Anthony Kelly's) I might have given chase and/or wound myself up about them, these days I wouldn't bat an eyelid. Pursuing them invariably costs you money and fucks up your entire shift. Rather than think of the value of the fare think of the time they were in the car i.e. it's 5/10/20/whatever minutes of your life. In any event I'm too old/disinterested to fall out with anyone over a taxi fare regardless of the circumstances.

[Punter]

Ditto

[Rat Catcher]

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