Light on service

I was excited to hear that last weekend Oxford St saw the kick-off of secure taxi ranks. I have lost count of how often I have risked it and walked home due to no taxis or empty taxis slowing down, then whizzing past me.
Living at the bottom of Crown St but also working shift work, I fall into a category taxi drivers avoid. I’m a small fare and I usually want taxi services at their changeover, so this secure taxi rank was like gold to me, reducing my time in the line of fire and getting me home safely after a full night’s work.
Friday was one of those rare nights. I walked out of the Colombian and got straight into a vacant cab. My journey, although short, was pleasant. I even had a good old chinwag with the female driver.
Due to a large number of bags and safety reasons, I catch cabs two to three times a day when I’m working. When I’m not working, I rely on public transport or walk from A to B, but dressed up, even just with make-up and boys clothes, walking home puts me in danger of violence.
This is why Saturday night pissed me off so much. I refuse to let abusive or rude taxi drivers slide.
It was about 2.40am. I had finished work and was sneaking a sausage roll from Pie Face. Hands full, I left the shop and met a taxi with its light on, meaning it was vacant.
I put my bags in the back seat and jumped into the front seat.
What are you doing? I’m turning, you have to get out. I’m finishing in 15 minutes, so get out. I was dumbstruck.
I just want to get home safely, your light was on and you indicated you were free. You have to take me, I said, refusing to get out of the cab.
I was driven home, copping an earful of abuse. I sat relatively quietly.
Is that what it has come to? This is not the first time this has happened. I was furious and stormed into my home and called Taxis Combined, but do we have to complain every time?
Taxi drivers, if you don’t want to pick us up, don’t drive down Oxford St with your light on.
Taxi drivers provide a service. If you think they haven’t delivered, their number is usually on the dash or number plate. You would complain if your meal wasn’t done to your liking. What’s the difference?