Call to end Perth taxi dispute

Dec 1 2009 by Johnathon Menzies, Perthshire Advertiser Tuesday

A CALL has been issued for Perth taxi drivers to stop a bitter dispute that has caused thousands of pounds-worth of damage.

Several local operators contacted the PA recently to say cars have had chemicals poured on them after being left unattended on the Fair City’s streets.

Graeme Gorrie has been ferrying passengers throughout the streets of Perth for 17 years.

He says having his vehicle vandalised twice over the last few months has left him fearing for his safety.

Mr Gorrie said: “There are three or four other people who’ve had their cars damaged. Between us all, I reckon the repair bill could come to about £20,000.

“Not having your car on the road is a big thing. During the time it took for it to be repaired, I could have earned £1500.

“I don’t know for sure who’s doing this.

Mr Gorrie is part of an association who receive a steady flow of passengers from Perth’s railway station.

More lucrative work arrives if a train has been delayed or cancelled and transport operators allow potentially-disgruntled customers to take a taxi to their destination by way of compensation.

Changes in the number of cars allowed to park outside the station – as well as legislation to stop people smoking in the immediate vicinity – appear to have increased the tension.

Mr McFarlane said: “My car was vandalised at the start of October. Toxic liquid was poured over it.

“I only had to pay for the excess on my insurance policy but, as a whole, the bill came to around £3000 – it had to be stripped all the way down to the metal.

“It’s not a nice thing to have to go through. I’ve been in the business for ten years and never experienced anything like it,” he said.

Tayside Police Chief Superintendent, Craig Suttie, stressed vandalism is not a common occurrence throughout the Fair City.

He said: “We are aware of small number of incidences that have taken place between taxi drivers over the last few weeks.

“They appear to have stopped now. Our officers work hard to resolve this kind of thing quickly – anyone caught committing an act of vandalism will be dealt with in the appropriate manner,” he said.