A taxi driver has been fired after a travel vlogger accused him of stealing by charging $31 for a seven-minute ride without the meter on.
American travel influencer Christian LeBlanc landed at Brisbane Airport on Sunday evening and hailed a taxi to the nearby Ibis Hotel.
He claimed that his driver did not turn on the taxi meter and that he asked for $31.50 after they arrived at the hotel after the short ride.
Mr. LeBlanc refused to pay and instead asked the hotel manager if the rate was correct.
He and the taxi driver argued, but the taxi driver changed his tune and charged $21 for the fare instead. He claimed the meter had been on the entire time.
Mr. LeBlanc went outside to film the taxi's license plate, but the driver lunged at the vlogger and said, “I'll fuck you.”
American travel influencer Christian LeBlanc landed at Brisbane Airport on Sunday evening and hailed a taxi to the nearby Ibis Hotel. He claimed that his taxi driver tried to steal from him by not turning on the meter
Share the video with his TikTokMr. LeBlanc said the experience was one of the worst he had ever had during his travels.
At the beginning of the video, Mr LeBlanc and the driver were seen arguing over the price, before the vlogger accused the taxi driver of trying to steal from him.
“He insults me for not paying his illegal fees and prevents me from speaking to the hotel by holding my bags,” Mr. LeBlanc said.
Mr. LeBlanc asked hotel staff what a reasonable rate would be from the airport and said his driver had not used the meter.
The receptionist said this was illegal. The driver denied that he had not turned on the meter and said he only charged Mr. LeBlanc $21.
“I followed the road with the meter on, this man doesn't have the money,” the driver said.
The taxi driver has now been 'removed from the 13cabs network', a spokesperson said
The taxi driver told Mr. LeBlanc, “Don't bother me.”
'Not nonsense? Yeah, don't pay for your damn taxi. You little thief,” Mr. LeBlanc said.
“Yeah, go ahead buddy, your company is going to see all about this.”
Mr. LeBlanc eventually paid the $21 fare and followed the driver outside to film his license plate.
The vlogger closed the trunk of the taxi so he could see the license plate, but was then threatened by the driver.
“Why the fuck are you touching my car, brother?” the driver said before trying to knock the phone out of Mr. LeBlanc's hand.
“I'll destroy you,” he shouted before getting back into the taxi and driving away.
A spokesperson for 13cabs said the matter has been investigated and the driver has been removed from the 13cabs network.
The company has made it clear to drivers that the meter must be used for all work involving high heels.
“All relevant information has been passed to the Queensland regulator for their consideration and action,” he said.
Mr LeBlanc said that after sharing his video, which has been viewed more than 2.8 million times, 13cabs gave him a $50 voucher.
Mr LeBlanc said that after sharing his video, which has been viewed more than 2.8 million times, 13cabs gave him a $50 voucher