Taxi driver's fare offer gives girl the fright of her life

The girl, a grade-eight student, said she took a taxi from the taxi rank near the front entrance of Dubai Festival City.

• By Bassma Al Jandaly, Senior Reporter
• Published: 00:00 March 7, 2010
• 

Dubai: A taxi driver told a young passenger he would take part-payment for the ride if she agreed to kiss him in lieu of the remainder of the fare — which came to Dh10.

The 13-year-old Uzbek girl told Gulf News that she had gone with a group of her friends to Dubai Festival City on Thursday.

"I went with my friend in his mother's car and she accompanied us," the little girl said.

The girl said she and her friends were regular visitors to Festival City, often going out to play and dine there on Thursdays and Fridays.

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The girl, who lives in Sharjah, said she was at Festival City until around 10pm. "I told my friends I cannot stay longer as my mum said I had to come back home although my friends wanted me to stay," she said.

"I asked my friends, who are all of my age, with some being a year older or younger than me, to wait with me until I take a taxi home."

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The girl, a grade-eight student, said she took a taxi from the taxi rank near the front entrance of Dubai Festival City.

"I was not afraid and I thought it was safe for me to take a taxi from the mall," she said.

She said she took down the name of the taxi company and the cab number. She said she will approach the police to file a complaint.

She said the mother of her friend, who drove them down, had insisted she not return alone by taxi.

"I told her it is fine and I am used to that and my mum will wait for me near my house," she said.

The girl said when she reached home in Sharjah, her mother was waiting anxiously for her on the balcony of their flat.

"My friend's mother gave me Dh50 to pay for the taxi. I handed the driver the money but he took only Dh40 and he asked me to give him a kiss instead of the rest of Dh10," she said.

The girl said she almost froze in fear.

"I was scared to the point that I could not breath. It was around 11pm and no one was in the street around me," she said.

"I was sitting inside the car. I started screaming at the driver hysterically. I have no idea how I opened the door and started running home," she recalled. "I will never ever take a cab either alone or with friends."

The mother of the girl said they will report the matter to police in order to prevent recurrence of such incidents.

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Comments (25)

Added 22:33 March 7, 2010 I really hope the police authorities are reading this article and the comments from public with mounting frustrations about the taxi drivers in Dubai. Many of the drivers are vulgar and obscene to female passengers apart from being rude. Authorities have to put a stop to this. Drivers should go through some psychological test or something before being hired if the problem is their being obscene. This can't be attributed to low salary. It's the moral values of the person. Anonymous, Dubai, United Arab Emirates Added 21:47 March 7, 2010 I am just Shocked. I cant believe this is happening out here. I was reading a few comments and then decided to just put a full stop. this shows the lack of training provided by the company. Months back i have called up and filed complaints abt the attitude of taxi drivers not only towards women but also men. i am sure there are many customers who give out suggestions for benefit of the company and to also improve the services offered but they give a deaf ear . I have also suggested to place Cameras or a small recorder, or a micro phone so that even conversations are recorded which would help companys to find out lapse, but when i called up the call center agent and gave this suggestion the reply i got was SIR, WE CANT AFFORD TO DO THAT AS SOME CUSTOMERS NEED PRIVACY. This is a kind of response a customer gets. Abosuletely unprofessional and these taxi drivers out here think that they can take customers out for a toss. they think that customers are there for them to wend their frustration but they are wrong. even if its a 12 or a 15 year old boy or a girl a customer is the one who pays them or else how do they survive? if customers stop using taxis how would the company get money. the report stated that inspite of the girl handing over the money completely the driver takes advantage. the driver has to be penalized and taken to custody. Mathew Litty, Dubai, United Arab Emirates Added 21:31 March 7, 2010 little girl should not go alone at night .lucky she is safe .So many rapes & murder is common .Beware all parents .Take care of ur children Sunny, Dubai, United Arab Emirates Added 21:28 March 7, 2010 Underaged children should not be allowed to travel in taxis. Not only girls but boys too. I never even allow my 20yr old daughter to come in taxis after dark. What if the taxi driver took her to a remote place? These are good lessons for parents as well. Anonymous, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates Added 20:19 March 7, 2010 Do u think it happens only to women it can happen even to boys. Anonymous, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates Added 19:39 March 7, 2010 This is not a rare occurrence at all. The biggest problem is, the cab number and company are not written within view inside the cab. They're stuck outside, and most of the time, we're in too much of a hurry to get away to actually look. If we could see the number and name as soon as we get in, it would save us a lot of trouble. It'd be easier to issue complaints, and even the cabbies would think twice before making a move. I've stopped counting the number of times I've been asked for my phone number. The worst was when one cabbie told me that since he knew where I lived, he'd just come look for me. Words cannot express the terror I felt... Mariam M, Dubai, United Arab Emirates Added 19:36 March 7, 2010 I agree with all the comments above,also to add that the taxi company must expel the driver from his job and also whoever faces such problems must not hesitate to report. Anonymous, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates Added 19:30 March 7, 2010 People should not waste their time complaining to RTA because they are the least bothered from my experience. JUST CALL THE POLICE. I feel that these taxi companies are there for profit; and not with safety and customer service. From lewd to intimidating to arrogant taxi drivers, the list is endless. Dubai will never be synonymous with customer service as long as we have such wild taxi drivers all over Dubai giving its residents and visitors a taste of their horrible behavior. Ben H., Dubai, United Arab Emirates Added 19:04 March 7, 2010 all the comments posted are true as i had experience almost every time i took taxi. either dropping me far to my destination and reasoning out or if its traffic they impatiently murmured with his own language. the worst when i told him to bring me to Sh. Zayed Rd. and then i remembered i have an appointment with my doctor in Bur Dubai so i informed him just 2 mins when i get in, he started to nag at me and asked "are you cheating me?" i didnt argued, i just kept quiet and he started to drive recklessly and murmur in hindi language then still he's going to Shiek Zayed Rd. i lost my patient when i asked him and he argued with me i told him dont go anywhere drop me to police station so we can discuss there. he said to me, ok report to RTA anyway i'll be fined for only 500 dhs. as a female i'm afraid to encounter these kind of people as they might become criminal once you provoked them, hope the authority will do something for this Anonymous, DUBAI, United Arab Emirates Added 18:21 March 7, 2010 I think the authorities shall seriously impose on taxi agencies to ply certain percanatge of pink taxis all over UAE, driven by Ladies drivers. Also such taxis shall be made available not only at crowded malls, but also at remote places like festival city and throughtout the time. Muneer, Dubai, United Arab Emirates Added 17:01 March 7, 2010 Kudos to this brave and lucky young girl. and Thanks for highligting the core of the problem Do the taxi companies never bother to cross-check how their drivers behave with women passengers or otherise any regular passengers, just a surprise check so that they can be sure their reputation is not at stake and the drivers are buillding up goodwill and providing passenegrs safe and qucik transport. I am triple your age girl, but looking at all above comments, I am very hesitant to take a cab. Dubai Police should take a immediate step by creating a toll free helpline and also taking prompt action against these silent criminals Khushii Pavan, Dubai, United Arab Emirates Added 16:10 March 7, 2010 He has to be punished by law for if he is let away easily, then these taxi drivers will keep making such vulgar and pathetic demands from their passengers . The taxi company has also to take strict action against this driver. Alroyd, Dubai, United Arab Emirates Added 15:49 March 7, 2010 This has happened to me so many times within the span of 10 years. And it does not only happen in Sharjah. Most taxis I've experienced this in have no medallion number inside. It's hard to tell before riding a cab if they have it, especially when you're in a hurry. So whenever they start harassing me, I keep quiet and call someone up on the phone and talk to that person I'm calling in my own language describing the taxi driver. Just calling someone, is enough to scare them off. I don' t think taxis are safe anymore, which is why I took driving lessons. I'd rather spend so much on buying a car and gas than be in danger. Francesca, Dubai, United Arab Emirates Added 14:29 March 7, 2010 yes, misbhaviour against women passenger by taxi drivers are on the rise. I was unfortunate to experience something similar and had to cut short my journey. Women have to be careful not to provoke them by getting angry. i had called the taxi agency after noting the number but did not hear from them as they had promised, for taking action against the driver. Some divers keep on yapping and throwing not-so-safe glances. All i can say is let's be cautious and keep on our guard, keep a cell handy and do not engage in a conversation with the driver however sweet he might seem to be. Do not let them choose the route, but give them directions instead. even if you may not know the exact location, try to find out landmarks to sound educated about the place. Let us better be safe than sorry Sameera, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates Added 14:29 March 7, 2010 I am sure RTA has received numerous calls from customers about the ill behavior of the taxi drivers and yet have done NOTHING to prevent mistreatment of passengers, especially to young passengers. I have a sister of the same age and as much as possible I drop her to where she needs to be, if there is no choice but to take a taxi, i take down the taxi plate no. or car no. and wait on call from my sister if anything did happen. Numerous times I would get into an argument with a taxi driver, if I have no choice but to take a taxi. And also, do they have the right to have preferences wiyh passengers? Whether they should be European or Asian? Whats the difference? We are paying them, regardless, that is why there is a meter in every taxi so as to be all fair to the taxi driver and the passenger. I am not alone on this. Nobody likes taxi drivers. It is very rare that you find a decent taxi driver. Anonymous, Dubai, United Arab Emirates Added 14:12 March 7, 2010 I agree to the above comments. According to me, what we are paying as a taxi fare now a days is a good chunk of money from our pocket. Gone are the days it used to be cheap. There should be steps taken to reduce such instances by either employing people over the age of 35-40 years or hire decent people by giving them some more commission or salary. Unitl these or other steps are not taken we will keep on hearing about such cases not only in Sharjah but whole of UAE. I hope the government will take strict actions and if possible to install a microphone/small camera in each taxi to record the conversation or the route taken by each of them. I am sure the government has enough money to do these things. Anonymous, -, United Arab Emirates Added 13:56 March 7, 2010 I also had experienced from some misbehaving taxi drivers. It was late night and i just came from work. I held a taxi and sits on the right side at the back. The driver start to ask what is my name and what is my nationality, i just ignore coz i was txting with my friend. by then, i just noticed that he lifted up a little of his right leg and start playing his down sensitive part. I was so shocked and looked at the rear view mirror just to found out that he was also looking at me and he asked me "nice?" I didnt argue just to reach home safely. So I just stopped the taxi, paid and get down. I hope that the authorities and taxi management will look and take an action into this matter as many lady are facing problems from rude taxi drivers. Anonymous, Dubai, United Arab Emirates Added 13:43 March 7, 2010 Please please please ... its a request to government / RTA or who so ever authorized to take strict notice of these issues...... If the Taxi drivers are frustrated why should women living in dubai ( nationality doesn't matter) suffer. UAE is considered as a fantacy and safest place to live in, but why this new culture of murders, harrasments......????? RTA should not hire drivers unless finding their character good enough for women to trust them and travel with them. and if you scold them for their bad behavior then they threaten you that i will do so and so to you.PLEASE PLEASE DRIVERS RESPECT LADIES THEY ARE JUST OF THE SAME GENDERS YOU OWN MOTHERS AND SISTER ARE Anonymous, Dubai, United Arab Emirates Added 13:09 March 7, 2010 This is the absolute fault of the girl's parents. First of all how can the parents send their 13year old daughter from Sharjah to Dubai on a weekend (which is the most crowded day) past 10pm with the same aged friends of whom there were male friends as well. No adult parent of the girl was there to accompany. Therefore anything can happen anywhere especially at this age. Just think if there was an adult acompanied her at that time, would anything like this have happened? Acturally no one should be blamed except for the girls parents. We should take precausion whithout pointing the fingure at someone else. Riyaz, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Added 12:49 March 7, 2010 this is hapening mostly in private taxi agancies,, i doubt it could hapen in RTA cars,, so look into HR system of those private agancy ( hiring, wages , leaves, treatment, benifits, training, assesments....,,) you will find the answer, why such person set behind a weel for a taxi which suppose to be our safer transportation. Anonymous, Dubai, United Arab Emirates Added 12:36 March 7, 2010 This is not a rare occurrence at all. The biggest problem is, the cab number and company are not written within view inside the cab. They're stuck outside, and most of the time, we're in too much of a hurry to get away to actually look. If we could see the number and name as soon as we get in, it would save us a lot of trouble. It'd be easier to issue complaints, and even the cabbies would think twice before making a move. I've stopped counting the number of times I've been asked for my phone number. The worst was when one cabbie told me that since he knew where I lived, he'd just come look for me. Words cannot express the terror I felt... Mariam M, Dubai, United Arab Emirates Added 11:33 March 7, 2010 Though I agree that there are several taxi drivers who are so sincere to their profession, I am still not at all surprised at such kind of events taking place. Gone are the days where taxis were considered to be a mode of convenient and safe transport. The reality is that a lot of the taxi drivers are desperate and forced bachelors and many attempts are made by them in revealing their frustrations to their women passengers. I am sure many women must have undergone such troubles with the drivers but they are all remaining clandestine in their hearts due to some fear - internal or external. Anonymous, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Added 10:36 March 7, 2010 I really appreciate the courage shown by the little girl in this tricky situation. I should like to point out that this is not a stray incident but a very regular happening in Sharjah. It has happened with my friend on more than one occasion but she did not bother to take down the taxi number or company name though she is twice as old as this little girl in this news. Though sharjah has the image of being a very conservative state still such problems keep happening inspite of the anjad being so vigilant. This courage is only shown by the taxi drivers. Once my friend had taken a taxi from al nahda to rolla at night 10pm . Since the route is very long my friend waited for a long time for bus but buses in sharjah never turn up on time, and it did not on that fateful day forcing my friend to take a taxi. Halfway through the journey the taxi driver got talking to her. My friend told me that the driver was on look for a GIRLFRIEND. My friend knew well about the patans because she has heard of them misbehaving with many women before. So she knew she has to handle the situation well. She did not fight with the taxi driver but remained quiet. That did not stop that cheeky fellow to ask her unwanted questions like" do you have a boyfriend? Can i have your number" etc. Then what really shocked my friend was the taxi driver asking her " CAN I HAVE A KISS"" Not wanting to fight with the guy cos she was alone, she remained silent. As soon as she reached rolla she paid the money and ran for her life not even bothering to note down the taxi number. It happened a second time too! This time she just had to cut her journey short and get down much before her destination and wait for bus. What will young women in sharjah do, who have to work late at night? I humbly request the authorities, the police and the taxi agencies to take a serious look at this matter before many more women like this young lady are humiliated abused or threatened. Having a helpline number should help. But the police should take very stern action against these taxi drivers as they are giving a bad image to tourists about sharjah, a sober conservative islamic state with very high regard for morality and sharia. If such criminal taxi drivers are let lose more women will face problems. its time to wake up! Tomorrow another young girl may not be as lucky as this young lady to run home to safety. Anonymous, Dubai, United Arab Emirates Added 09:58 March 7, 2010 this is very unsafe with the passengers the authority must take strick action against them how can they offer? all our daughters and sisters travelling with taxis are unsafe , we request authority to take strict action. Shams, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates Added 09:41 March 7, 2010 People won't beileve in any taxi driver if such incidents are going on , Police should take a serious action against these people so that it may be a lesson for others . Syed Abdullah, Dubai, United Arab Emirates View more comments