Complaints against Brussels taxi drivers soar
There’s been a surge in complaints from
members of the public against taxi drivers in the Belgian and Flemish
capital. In comparison with the start of
2022 complaints soared by sixty percent.
Last year there were 204 complaints. Most complaints centred on impolite behaviour
and verbal aggression.
Inge Paemen of the Brussels mobility agency
can’t stress how important complaints are taken. “Jot down the taxi’s ID number as well as the
numberplate and try to remember as many of the vehicle’s characteristics as you
can” urges Paemen.
Impoliteness and verbal aggression top the
list of complaints followed by inappropriate driving style and excessive
charging. Many passengers also reported
problems involving the taxi call centre that needs to be used to order a taxi. There
are drivers who don’t play by the rules or who take circuitous routes in order
to inflate the fare.
Brussels Mobility decides on sanctions
depending on the severity of any infraction.
In worst cases drivers can lose their licence. The mobility agency works with labour inspectors
and the police to check taxi drivers possess the correct taxi and driving licences
and to make sure they are not using drugs or are drink-driving.
