Istanbul taxi drivers fined after overcharging police who posed as tourists

Duvar English

Civilian police teams in Istanbul have carried out inspections on taxi drivers across the city, posing as Arab tourists.

During their inspections, they were asked by one taxi driver to give 500 liras for the ride between the districts of Şişli and Taksim, whereas the ride normally costs about 15-20 liras, Doğan news agency reported on Aug. 10.

For the same ride, another taxi driver attempted to charge them 50 euros.

Again for the short distance between the districts of Eminönü and Taksim, another taxi driver attempted to charge 90 liras.

Apart from trying to scam tourists, several taxi drivers were also fined for not wearing their seat belts, smoking in the vehicle, not turning on the taximeter and negotiating the price instead of charging the legal price. 

One of the fined taxi drivers, who did not turn on the taximeter, defended himself by saying he asked for 50 liras, whereas other drivers were asking up to 100 euros.

“They have come and spoken Arabic. Since I did not understand them, I told them 50 liras to Taksim and did not turn on the taximeter. Others are asking for 50 euros, 100 euros,” he said.

Both locals and tourists have been complaining about taxi drivers across the city, describing their behaviors as rude and driving skills as reckless.