ComfortDelGro to discipline driver who threw passengers' wheelchair in family dispute
"The incident was a personal dispute involving the cabby and her own family members."
Disciplinary action will be taken against the ComfortDelGro taxi driver who was caught on camera tossing her passengers' wheelchair to the ground, the transport operator told Stomp.
Several Stompers alerted Stomp to a dashcam video of the incident posted by SG Road Vigilante on July 19.
The incident took place at a zebra crossing in front of Block 71 Redhill Road on July 18 at 1.30pm.
In the video, the doors on the left side of the stationary blue ComforDelGro taxi were already opened and something in a red plastic bag was thrown out.
As a passenger alighted to pick up the bag, the cabby got out, opened the boot to grab the wheelchair and tossed it onto the pavement.
Another passenger then alighted and the first passenger went back to retrieve something from the taxi. The cabby slammed the doors shut and forcefully pulled the passenger out of her way.
The driver then slammed the boot shut before returning to the vehicle.
The video caption read: "Not to put her job at risk, but her attitude towards them was truly unacceptable. The old lady was crying, by the way."
Stomper Nora commented: "As a private-hire vehicle or a taxi driver, you were taught not to overdo things with your passengers, much less to throw them out like that and also their things, no matter how bad the situation is with the passengers. You can always bring the matter to the nearest police station."
In response to a Stomp query, a ComfortDelGro spokesperson said the company was aware of the video circulating online.
"The well-being and respectful treatment of all our passengers is paramount," said the spokesperson.
"The actions of the cabby are unacceptable and do not reflect the professional standards we uphold."
The spokesperson added: "Our investigations reveal that the incident was a personal dispute involving the cabby and her own family members, who were being ferried in the vehicle at the time. This incident did not involve fare-paying passengers.
"That said, we take a serious view of any misconduct by our cabbies.
"We will be addressing this matter internally with the cabby concerned and will take appropriate disciplinary action in accordance with our company policies."