Posted on the 19th May 2026 in PHTM News

CABBIES FIGHT BACK AS FARE DODGERS COST EDINBURGH TRADE £40,000 A YEAR

Edinburgh's black cab drivers are demanding urgent action from the police and local council as rampant fare dodging bleeds the local trade of an estimated £40,000 every year.

Drivers warn that taxi fraud is a damaging financial blow that forces many in the industry to work longer hours just to make a living.

The scale of the problem was highlighted by a recent Unite the Union survey, and tensions have peaked following the recent conviction of a woman at Edinburgh Sheriff Court for two separate taxi fraud incidents across Edinburgh and Glasgow.

While cabbies welcome the verdict, they argue that being ripped off should no longer be written off as "just one of the hazards of the job."

Veteran driver Keith Auld, who has been behind the wheel for over seven years, revealed that late-night runs involving intoxicated passengers are the most common flashpoints for bilking.

He explained that the financial impact goes far beyond the unpaid meter. “We expect to be paid, and when that doesn’t happen, that’s time and money away from me earning, so a lot of guys are working longer hours to make a living,” Auld said. “It just sets you back and leaves a bitter taste in your mouth.”

Industry figures point out that the true cost of fare dodging is effectively double the stolen fare, because drivers waste valuable time that could have been spent picking up paying customers elsewhere.

Taxi driver Pat Egan emphasised that the crime strikes directly at the drivers' livelihoods. “They’re losing out twice here,” Egan noted.

In response to the crisis, drivers are calling on Police Scotland to simplify the reporting process for taxi fraud, while urging Edinburgh City Council to subsidise the high costs of installing CCTV cameras inside vehicles.

Drivers hope the recent court conviction will finally send a clear message to dishonest passengers. “Taxi fraud is not a victimless crime, it needs to be addressed and we’re going to work hard to get that sorted,” Auld added.

Authorities have urged drivers to come forward, with a Police Scotland spokesperson stating that "any instance of taxi fraud is unacceptable" and asking victims to report incidents.

Meanwhile, Edinburgh City Council said it is looking for ways to support the trade, noting that drivers are already permitted to install CCTV systems provided the equipment passes standard vehicle safety inspections.


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