Taxi drivers in Dunfermline, located just 17 miles northwest of Edinburgh and 40 miles from Glasgow, are facing a growing epidemic of abuse and fare dodging that is driving experienced professionals out of the trade and sparking alarm throughout the industry.
A local taxi firm owner has spoken out about the worsening situation, describing how repeated verbal and physical assaults, coupled with unpaid fares, are pushing drivers to breaking point.
“We don’t get any respect in society because we’re taxi drivers. It’s as if someone with a certain job title can say whatever they want, and we just have to shut up and take it,” he explained.
With many seasoned drivers walking away from the profession due to constant mistreatment, the industry is facing a major retention crisis. “So many good drivers just don’t have the stamina to put up with it,” he added.
The operator underlined how essential taxi drivers are to society—especially during late nights when no other transport is available.
“Without taxi drivers, good luck when you’re drunk and you need to get home. We’re working, paying tax, and yet treated like dirt. And that’s with cameras in the cars. Imagine if we didn’t have them.”
But the abuse doesn’t end with harsh words. Over the years, drivers in Dunfermline have faced increasingly violent passengers. One horrifying case saw a drunk passenger attempt to choke a driver while the vehicle was travelling at 70mph. Another involved a driver who suffered a cardiac arrest after being attacked with a knife.
“Most of us have thick skin,” the owner said, “but when someone puts their hands on you, that’s where it ends. Enough is enough.”
Despite these dangers, fare dodging remains the most common and infuriating problem. According to the taxi firm owner, police support is virtually non-existent, leaving many drivers out of pocket and feeling powerless.
“I’ve reported around ten incidents, and I’ve never had a penny back. The police always say they can’t find the person. You just have to swallow it.”
He went on to highlight that the situation has worsened since the pandemic, hinting at wider issues within the police force.
“I don’t know whether it’s staffing or priorities, but before COVID, there was at least some help. Now, nobody turns up. You call, give a statement, and then it’s phone call after phone call—nothing happens.”
Police Scotland have recently confirmed they are investigating an alleged assault on a taxi driver during a journey from Dunfermline to nearby Rosyth, reflecting the scale of the problem.
The issue isn’t confined to Dunfermline. Across social media, drivers from other parts of Scotland and the UK are sharing similar frustrations. Comments range from Lancashire to Dundee, with drivers claiming police often dismiss fare dodging as a “civil matter”.
“Police told me it was civil. I might as well fill a supermarket trolley and walk out without paying – wonder what they’d say then,” one frustrated driver posted.
Others pointed to the need for cash-up-front policies, while some called on Police Scotland to get tougher on fare dodgers and abusive passengers.
With trust in the system eroding and safety risks mounting, many within the trade are asking: Who is protecting the drivers that keep Scotland moving, especially late at night when others won’t?
Thanks for visiting DM News!
If you’ve got a question, story, or anything you’d like to say, head over to DriverMatty.com — I’d love to hear from you! And while you’re there, don’t forget to check out my other websites and social media channels.
