Cab-jackings prompt safety discussions

Winnipeg taxi drivers say they need more protection after a rash of cab-jackings.

A violent attack in January left a Duffy’s taxi driver with permanent brain damage after he was pepper sprayed and beaten up in the 1800 block of Alexander Avenue.

Police later found the cab, abandoned and crashed into a tree, near Portage Avenue and Home Street.

Duffy’s Taxi General Manager Phil Walding says some drivers are so frightened they’re refusing to work night shifts.

"Some drivers are choosing to avoid certain neighbourhoods and it’s resulting in slight delays," said Walding.

The latest attack on a taxi driver happened Tuesday in the 600 block of Notre Dame. A Duffy’s Taxi driver was assaulted after picking up five women in the early morning hours. His car was also stolen and found abandoned a short time later.

Duffy’s taxi has been the hardest hit with 5 incidents in the last 3 weeks alone.

"Two of them involved knives, two of them involved pepper spray and one of them just involved basic violence," said Walding.

Safety was the focus at a taxi cab board meeting Wednesday morning.

The taxi service industry says more needs to be done to keep their cabbies safe.

"What we can do is take a look at what’s out there now," said the chair of the Taxi Board Bruce Buckley.

Right now taxi cabs are equipped with cameras and a shield that protects drivers from passengers in the back seat.

"If people want to put full shields they’re more than welcome to do that," said Buckley.

Drivers say better barriers are needed.

"For me I would prefer to a have a shield that goes right across," said one cabbie who didn’t want to be named.

The taxi cab board plans to meet with members of the Winnipeg Police service within the next couple of weeks to discuss more ways on how they can work together to help protect taxi drivers.