GMB’s Garelick calls for ‘no-ride list’ for troublesome and violent passengers

GMB Regional Organiser Steve Garelick has called for the introduction of a ‘No- Ride List’ similar to the No- Fly Lists used by airlines, in a bid to ban disruptive or violent passengers from taking cabs.

He said: “We are all accustomed to seeing ‘we will not tolerate abuse towards our staff’ signage in hospitals, doctor’s surgeries and retailers. So why is it that some individuals believe they can act with impunity towards those providing their personal transportation?”

“Over many years I have witnessed theft, including bilking (non-payment), assault, murder and bullying. In some cases, London taxi drivers communicate details of known bilkers and the locations they travel, to warn others, but this is not an exact science and many drivers still get caught out.”

He said some known troublemakers use assumed names or get friends to book for them, but those friends could also see themselves added to a ‘no-ride list’.

Garelick said: “I am proposing a register to warn and advise drivers and operators of individuals who may pose a risk to drivers. For those who book on behalf of others would find themselves added to the no-ride list under my proposals, just as certain addresses that continually show as high risk to drivers.”

“Such a list would be available to drivers and operators. Just as the insurance industry holds a database of drivers to compare claims and driving history, I believe this is quite a reasonable notion.”

He said GMB surveys revealed that many drivers do not bother to report assault, non- payment, or other criminal behaviour because they do not want to lose time and money waiting to report crime, and even if they do the police say it is difficult to prove.

“I am not entirely sure where administration would sit for such a database, but the discussion must start and a solution would be of value to all. Drivers deserve to be as safe as anyone going about their daily work.”