By Amanda Gillies
As young women then start stumbling into taxis, wanting to head home on a boozy Saturday night, some will have empty wallets and will offer the driver an alternative method of payment.
To put it bluntly, it is ‘sex for fares’, something that the case of a Perth taxi driver charged with rape has recently.
The driver accused was cleared but he shocked Australians with claims that young women often offer sexual favours instead of cash, and it is something that is happening in New Zealand too.
“They say driver I'm sorry can you drop me home, I can offer you any service you know. But I just refuse it. It's too risky I'm not coming out to do that sort of thing, I have to work,” says taxi driver Mika Ene, who has been driving cabs for 24 years.
Mr Ene says it makes him feel vulnerable.
“You feel shaky sometimes. All I have to do is say ‘no, I’m not taking you. That’s it,” says Mr Ene.
Another driver who did not want to be identified, told 3 News that he has been behind the wheel of his taxi for just six month and has already been propositioned a couple of times.
He, too, says the customers are too much hassle and refuses to take them.
On average, the price from the city to West Auckland on Friday or Saturday nights is about $60, to the North Shore, around $50.
Nearly all taxi drivers that 3 News spoke to confirmed they have either been propositioned themselves by a young drunk female, or know of another driver who has been, with all but one of the driver saying they said no.
3 News spoke to the managers of Auckland taxi companies who were unaware of the sex for fares propositions and Transport Minister Gerry Brownlee say he has never heard of it either.
3 News