An Edinburgh hackney taxi driver could have his licence suspended for a second time after a series of new complaints about his conduct, including an alleged verbal outburst at an elderly passenger.
Baris Eroglu, whose taxi licence was previously suspended in 2024 following multiple complaints, is once again under scrutiny by the City of Edinburgh Council’s Licensing Sub-Committee.
His licence was originally revoked in May 2024 after three separate incidents over a three-month period, including one in which he allegedly told a council officer to “watch your f***ing words.” However, it was reinstated in December 2024, after Eroglu claimed he had resolved personal issues and was fit to return to the trade.
Despite this, further incidents have since been reported, prompting licensing officers to recommend another suspension on the grounds that Mr Eroglu may no longer be considered a “fit and proper person” to hold a taxi licence.
In January 2025, it was alleged that Eroglu drove aggressively near a cyclist and shouted at them. According to an email submitted to the council, the cyclist claimed he nearly struck their pannier bag while overtaking and stated that the driver shouted that “cyclists are not considered vehicles and should not use the middle lane.” Eroglu has disputed this, claiming the cyclist made a racist comment toward him.
The most serious recent complaint was made in May 2025, when a woman in her 70s alleged that Eroglu followed her into a funeral home after his card reader failed and she was unable to pay the fare immediately. The woman, who was grieving and attending a funeral, claimed she experienced a “verbal assault” during the journey and said the driver had “no people skills.”
“I pointed out that all his abusive behaviour was not going to make cash appear in my purse,” she wrote in a statement to the council. She said she offered to pay the fare at an ATM near her original pickup point after her appointment.
Eroglu admitted entering the funeral home but insisted he remained calm and was only seeking to arrange payment. He claimed the passenger was abusive toward him and later returned to the Cameron Toll taxi rank in an “aggressive manner”, forcefully handing over cash, which scattered onto the floor.
Council officers said this latest complaint raised further concerns about Eroglu’s behaviour, especially after he had previously been given a written warning and had assured officers there would be “no more complaints.”
A council report reveals a long history of issues with Mr Eroglu dating back to August 2023, including allegations of kerb mounting, aggressive language, bluntness with passengers, and dress code violations. In October 2023, he was found during a routine spot check without proper insurance documentation and wearing white trainers, in breach of licensing rules.
In November 2023, another passenger reported him for acting aggressively and failing to provide a receipt. When officers attempted to contact him for an interview, he reportedly told a council official to “watch your f***ing words,” adding that he was out of town and unsure when he would return to Edinburgh.
During a follow-up interview after the January 2025 incident, Eroglu explained that his previous behaviour was due to personal issues, and he had only appealed for his licence to be reinstated once he felt ready to resume work. He maintained that he is now a “fit and proper” driver.
The Licensing Sub-Committee is due to consider whether to suspend Eroglu’s licence again at its upcoming meeting, which will be held remotely on Monday, 21 July.
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