For subscribers
Some cabbies avoid picking up drunk passengers, citing nasty experiences
Some drivers avoid picking up inebriated passengers altogether, fearing abuse, fare-evaders and soiled seats
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox
Of the 20 taxi drivers interviewed, nearly three-quarters said they have had nasty experiences with drunk passengers. Some cabbies said vulgarities have been hurled at them or they have been attacked. Others said their taxis have been soiled or they have encountered passengers who ran off without paying the fare.
ST FILE PHOTO
Calvin Yang
Follow topic:
He was driving in the wee hours when a young man flagged his taxi at Clarke Quay, cabby Alan T. said, recalling an unpleasant encounter a few years ago. The passenger, who looked in his 20s, reeked of alcohol. His speech was slurred and his eyes bloodshot.
Not long after arriving at the destination, the drunk passenger fumbled with the door handle, stumbled out and fled without paying his fare, which came up to about $30.
