Regina cab drivers worried about safety after driver was sent to hospital

After an incident that put a 31-year-old cab driver in a coma, taxi drivers are now worried about their safety.

“We’re worried to work. We’re supposed to drive everybody home, but what about our safety? We’re not safe,” Khushdeep Singh told Main Street. Khushdeep is a cab driver in Regina and a friend of Iqbal Singh Sharma, who is in a coma after being attacked on Nov. 24, 2016.

Police said an altercation took place within the cab and three men were taken to hospital.

Cab companies have taken measures in recent years, including having cameras installed in all cabs, but according to Daljit Singh, president of Co-Op Taxi, the change hasn’t brought down crime.

“Not much different with the camera or without the camera, it’s the same thing.”

Daljit said the GPS is effective in allowing companies and police locate the cabs if an incident does occur.

Daljit also said drivers are taught to not argue with the customers over fare.

According to Daljit, a partition in the vehicles is a possible solution, but said it would have a negative effect on customer service and would cause drivers to limit customers to the backseat.

While Daljit said a major incident such as this is rare, drivers to have to deal with small issues, such as people not paying their fares, almost daily.

A 20-year-old Calgary man has been charged with attempted murder following the incident.