Local Taxis, a Blaydon taxi firm, has criticised customers who use racial slurs and ask not to be sent an Asian driver. The BBC reported on 21 October 2026 that the owner posted on the company's social media page last Friday, 16 October. The post drew thousands of likes and comments, on the BBC's account, and other taxi firms have posted about similar abuse. The BBC does not name those firms. The thousands are the BBC's description, not an official count.
The firm gives its office as Office 2, Blaydon Business Centre, Cowen Road, Blaydon-on-Tyne, on its about page.
The post
The post gives examples of what callers still say. One is a racial slur, "Don't send me a paki." Another is "I don't want one of those foreign drivers." These are the firm's examples. If the colour of a driver's skin, or where they were born, decides whether a passenger will get in, Local Taxis is not the company for that passenger.
"Expecting a good standard of service is absolutely reasonable. You should expect your driver to be polite. Courteous. Helpful. To know the area and use sensible routes wherever possible."
A passenger who has had a bad experience with one driver should still report it. The firm will look into it. After a genuine disagreement, that passenger and that driver can be kept off the same booking. That is a different matter from refusing a whole race or nationality.
"Having a problem with a particular driver's behaviour is one thing. Having a problem with an entire race or nationality is another. And we're not going to pretend those two things are the same."
The overwhelming majority of the drivers are from the area, on the post's account. That is the firm's description, not an official count. Being born in Blaydon is not treated as a requirement. Drivers of different backgrounds, nationalities and religions are welcome when they learn the area and treat passengers properly.
"Our drivers shouldn't have to wonder whether a passenger is going to refuse to get in their car because of what they look like. Our staff shouldn't have to listen to racial abuse down the phone. And nobody working with Local should feel that we'll tolerate it just to keep a booking.
We have zero tolerance for racism. Not when it's directed at our drivers. Not when it's directed at our staff. And not when somebody tries to dress it up as a harmless preference.
If you've got a genuine problem with the service, I'll listen. If one of our drivers has done something wrong, I'll deal with it. But if your only complaint is the colour of their skin or their nationality? You can take your business elsewhere."
The owner would rather lose the fare.
"Local is for everyone. Racism isn't welcome here."
Dispatch
Sam Reid, 33, dispatches the cars. She told BBC Radio Newcastle that she worries about the drivers' safety. On her account, this comes more than once a day. That is her figure, not an official count.
"It happens far more than anyone would like to imagine. It's not once-in-a-blue-moon. This is something that we find more than once a day, and the frequency is far too high, it's just not acceptable."
Drivers have asked not to be sent back to certain customers because of what they have faced in the car. Reid called the car a confined space. Passengers have told drivers, to their face, that they stink, that they do not speak good enough English, and that they are not right because of the colour of their skin and their heritage.
"I feel like it's getting worse.
We have to risk-assess on the phone, based off someone's temperament.
If they [the customers] are more aggressive or more agitated, then that plays massively into the safety of our drivers.
There will be times where we will send a driver - the job will go from A to B - and we'll be watching the car, tracking it.
And as soon as that customer gets out of the car, we'll ring to make sure the driver is safe."
The union
The BBC also reported a comment from the App Drivers' and Couriers' Union, which is deeply concerned by the racist abuse, discrimination and intimidation that drivers routinely experience.
"The majority of our members come from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) communities and many report being subjected to racist insults, offensive comments, threats, and other forms of abuse, simply while trying to earn a living.
In many cases, drivers find themselves in a 'their word against yours' situation when complaints are made.
Properly regulated CCTV systems can provide vital evidence, help identify abusive passengers, support police investigations where necessary, and ensure that complaints are assessed fairly."