Cabbies in crisis

BY: LUKE PARKER

HUNDREDS of taxis formed a motorcade yesterday as the body of slain cabbie Hiren Mohini was driven to Waikumete Cemetery for a midday funeral service.

Mr Mohini, a 39-year-old father-of-two, was stabbed repeatedly before crashing into a tree and dying at View Rd in Mt Eden on Sunday about 1.30am.

His killer remains at large and the taxi industry is questioning its future as police attempt to track the culprit down.

Te Atatu-based Choice Cabs manager Bobby Naidu says five of his drivers haven't come to work since the slaying.

"I've told them we are looking at security but we can't make them come in," he says. "Life is involved and they've all got families."

Mr Naidu, who had an employee assaulted on the job two weeks ago, says the company runs 40 taxis around the clock and is considering security measures to keep its drivers safe.

Options include the installation of surveillance cameras.

"But at the end of the day, what's a security camera going to do if somebody wants to kill someone?" he asks.

"It would be much better if the government brought in a law similar to London and Australia where drivers are separated from their passengers by a screen."

Western Cabs runs 35 owner-operated taxis and general manager Barrie White is urging the government to take legislative steps towards improved driver safety.

"However, regardless of its decision, we will be making our own moves to ensure the safety of the fleet," he says.

Mr White says the company will supply and support drivers' choices regarding new security measures.

"These may include screens, cameras, flak jackets or other protective clothing."

Western Cabs already has panic buttons in its vehicles as well as global positioning systems allowing dispatchers to pinpoint exactly where taxis are.

"Effective immediately, we are also introducing new procedures for night bookings so that drivers are not required to get out of vehicles to let the customers know they are there," Mr White says. "Instead customers will receive a call from the company's call centre when their taxis arrive."

- © Fairfax NZ News