A story from The Herald about a $160 taxi fare for a 20-minute trip in Auckland has struck a nerve, with numerous readers claiming they were also ripped off, many by the same company – Crown Cabs.
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An Elderly Woman Fleeced by Crown Cabs
A 68-year-old woman from Central Otago shared her experience of being ripped off by a Crown Cabs driver after a late-night trip from Auckland’s CBD to Mt Roskill, for which she paid around $17 per kilometer. Despite the short distance, the amount she was charged made her feel as if she had been taken advantage of.
Out-of-Town Visitors Pay Exorbitant Fares
Readers from The Herald also shared similar stories. Many of them, visiting Auckland for events like the Coldplay concerts, claimed they were charged excessive fares for short trips. Most of them were out-of-town visitors who felt they were taken advantage of by taxi drivers.
One mother shared that her son, who was visiting Auckland from Sydney, attended the Coldplay concert at Eden Park on Friday. He took a Crown Cabs taxi to Titirangi Village, a distance of 13 km, and was charged $170.
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“Something should be done about this company,” she said.
Return Fare Three Times Higher
Another customer shared the story of her husband, who was visiting Auckland from Dunedin. He took a taxi from Greenlane to Auckland Museum, a 4 km journey costing $24. However, when he returned, the fare was nearly three times higher.
“The driver immediately started driving in the wrong direction, and when questioned, my husband was told that it was the end of school, so the way they were going would be quicker,” the woman explained.
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“Long story short, the driver then charged my husband $63 for the return trip.”
Ripped Off After Coldplay Concert
Another customer said she took a Cheap Cabs taxi from Eden Park to the city center after the Coldplay concert. “I expected the price to be high,” she said. “But as we turned onto the motorway near the zoo, the meter showed $36, but by the time we got to the off-ramp towards the city, it was $86, then $93.”
“The driver was rude and honestly just ripped us off. When I told him it wasn’t okay, he responded, ‘It’s event night, lady – you should know these things.’”
Another customer said their brother, visiting from the United States, attended a concert at Spark Arena last week. “He jumped into one of the many cars waiting. He’s from New York, so he wasn’t aware of which cabs to use in Auckland.”
“The fare ended up costing $65 – from Spark Arena to Grey Lynn. Normally, it would be $11-13.”
Crown Cabs’ Response and Customer Complaints
Crown Cabs was contacted by The Herald, but the company had disconnected its phone line. This comes after numerous complaints about price gouging and driver misconduct. Many passengers have also shared their experiences on social media, reporting unfair prices and rude drivers.
Warren Quirke, a spokesperson for the Small Passenger Service Association, confirmed that he had received “multiple complaints” about Crown Cabs. He stated that the company’s drivers often target international tourists traveling to the airport and fail to understand New Zealand’s regulations.
He added, “It’s up to the driver to negotiate the fare before the trip begins, which isn’t happening.”
Waka Kotahi’s Advice on Complaints
According to Waka Kotahi, New Zealand’s Transport Agency, consumers should first contact the taxi company directly when facing overcharging issues. Most complaints about overcharging are referred to the Disputes Tribunal for resolution.
Conclusion: Immediate Action Needed
These incidents highlight the need for stricter regulations and stronger actions to protect consumers, particularly tourists, from being taken advantage of by unscrupulous taxi services. Taxi companies must adhere to fair pricing and transparency, especially when dealing with tourists who are unfamiliar with the local transport system.
This situation serves as a reminder that stronger measures need to be in place to prevent rip-offs in the service industry, especially during major events or concert nights.
