Wagga Radio Cabs’ “monopolistic” control of the city’s transport has been blamed for its alleged complacency and poor conduct, according to an incensed local. 

Temora resident Brandon Harpley voiced his concerns with the company when he and his companions were “angrily turfed” from a taxi on Friday night because they wanted to pay by card. 

“We all showed him our bank cards and he said he didn’t believe we had money on them and demanded we get out,” he said.

“The driver screamed and yelled at us and refused to show us his license number. He told us we could see it on the side of the car so we got out to look and he drove off and left us behind. 

“When you only have one company controlling the city, they feel untouchable and they stop caring.” 

Mr Harpley said he was later dismissed and hung-up on by an operator who he vented his concerns to. 

“The fact their customer service lady treated me like that shows they just don’t care at all.” 

Meanwhile, Melbourne resident Ryan Willard, who recently visited Wagga, blasted the company’s service when he was allegedly rudely treated by a call operator.

“Having a taxi monopoly means they have no reason to improve their customer service and so you end up with operators giving you sass and hanging up,” he said. 

“We only wanted to know the ETA.”

Chairman of Wagga Taxis John Collins said both he and his colleague, the two executives who process complaints, have been on leave and unable to investigate recent incidents. 

He said the company “treat everything with a high level of seriousness”.

“I’m not going to go off the cuff until we’re able to investigate the complaints, but if it has been lodged we will try to ascertain who the driver or operator is and find out the entire story. I cannot comment further on hearsay.”