A Newcastle taxi driver is under investigation for telling a female passenger he hitchhiked with Ivan Milat, and then offering to turn off the meter and take her on a scenic tour.
The incident happened in June when the young woman took a taxi from Newcastle Airport to an inner-city apartment block.
A NSW Transport and Infrastructure spokesman confirmed the incident was the third passenger complaint made against the cabbie, who is still driving for Newcastle Taxis.
The spokesman said an internal investigation was held in July and the driver's behaviour found to be "unsatisfactory" and "inappropriate".
The department issued him with a warning notice and investigation details were forwarded to police.
"In regard to the nature of the driver's conversation with the passenger, in particular the reference to Ivan Milat, the information was forwarded to the NSW Police Force in Newcastle," the spokesman said.
"We are awaiting feedback from police prior to closing the matter."
Newcastle City police crime manager Detective Chief Inspector Brad Tayler said he was aware of the incident but would not comment.
Newcastle Taxis chief John Woods also declined to comment.
The Herald understands the woman, in her early 20s, mentioned to the taxi driver that she had only recently moved to Newcastle for work.
After telling the young woman he hitchhiked with backpacker serial killer Ivan Milat before anyone knew who he was, the driver suggested the woman carried a can of deodorant in her handbag to use as pepper spray in case anyone attacked her.
When they were nearing the woman's apartment, he asked if he could stop the meter and take her on a scenic tour to Strzelecki Lookout.
The woman declined and her employer made a complaint to NSW Transport and Infrastructure the next day.
The Herald reported earlier this year that 43 taxi drivers with serious traffic and criminal convictions, including assault, making false statements to police and drink-driving, were working in the Hunter.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TZxk4FWhYsY
By Donna Page
PJL 26th October 2009
Monday, October 26, 2009
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