As the hunt for the killer of Auckland cabbie Hiren Mohini intensifies, the Taxi Federation has called for a loan system to help drivers install security cameras.
Mr Mohini, 39, died after being repeatedly stabbed by a passenger and crashing his car in View Road, Mt Eden, about 1.20am on Sunday. Police described it as frenzied attack and said yesterday a knife was found at the scene.
The Taxi Federation wants security cameras to be installed in all taxis, but has said the cost could be too prohibitive for some drivers.
So it has suggested the Government help with a loan scheme and hopes to talk with Transport Minister Steven Joyce in a couple of weeks.
"A lot in the industry..are leading a hand-to-mouth existence and they don't have the funds available to do it, so hopefully in these discussions with the minister we may be able to organise some sort of loan guarantee scheme," federation executive director Tim Reddish told Radio New Zealand's Checkpoint programme.
Mr Joyce said yesterday taxi safety did need to be looked at again and one of the challenges was getting those in the industry to agree on what mandatory measures needed to be taken.
"The Taxi Federation feels very strongly that cameras would have a deterrent effect ... and there are taxi drivers who feel very strongly that the only safe option are screens."
Screens could limit the number of passengers a taxi can hold and the cost about $1,000-$2,000 to install, he said.
There was also a responsibility by taxi owners and companies to provide a safe workplace, "and ultimately this will have to be borne by the taxi industry".
Prime Minister John Key, however, did not rule out Government funding yesterday and said all options would be considered.
Mr Joyce is due to meet transport and labour departmental officials within the next fortnight.
Police said was possible more than one person was involved on the attack on Mr Mohini.
"I would urge the offender or offenders to come forward, or anyone who knows them, to tell us about it. Obviously they would have been covered in blood to some extent, and would be acting differently to normal," Detective Senior Sergeant Hywel Jones told reporters.
The man seen fleeing the scene was described as slim, dark-skinned in his mid to late 20s, about 1.74m tall, possibly with a limp. He had long, greasy wavy or curly hair, which was swept back from his forehead.
He was wearing dark jeans, black shoes, a long-sleeved shirt and carrying a black bag with a strap.
Mr Mohini died at the scene as the result of multiple stab wounds inside his car, Mr Jones said.
"It was a particularly vicious, brutal and frenzied attack."
NZPA