If you read my blog on Monday, youll know that my hubby and I got very ripped off by a taxi driver in Tbilisi. He charged us 150 laris (£47.95)for a journey that should have been no more than 15 laris (£4.79). Ive been annoyed at myself for letting him get away with it.
So when I saw him in Meidan Square this morning, chatting with another driver, I plucked up the courage to confront him and Glyn followed me close behind. I took taxi drivers photo and one of his number plate before he realised who I was. Obviously he tried to fob me off, with more nonsense about being a tourist taxi driver and there being traffic (theres always traffic in Tbilisi). Now I knew he was lying but recently had this confirmed on a TripAdvisor forum where I was advised to call the police if I found him.A lot of arguing ensued and he eventually offered to give us 50 lari when I said Id call the police. He said that I could call the police as hed done nothing wrong.I didnt know the police number and pretended to phone them, so he offered us 50 laris. He
found another taxi driver whose English was better and he translated that the taxi driver was offering 50 laris and a free lift to the airport when we leave. However, he had ripped us off at least 132 laris and had even tried to charge us 175! The trip to the airport would be less than 20, so Glyn and I just werent having it. Also we have a transfer already booked and I did not trust that driver to stay true to his word. Plus I did not want to sit in a car with him driving for any amount of time.I demanded 130 laris back and the taxi driver feigned horror at this amount. He made a show of digging in his pockets to find 50.A police car drive by and having had enough of the situation, I flagged it down. The car was on an emergency call, so told me to call 112. I was put through to an English speaker, it was tough going describing what had happened and where we were, but eventually I was told a police car driver guy suddenly finds a wallet in his pocket and gives Glyn a 100
lari note. Weve not even seen one of those before! He says if the we get nothing. Glyn pocketed the note but pointed out Id already called the police. Taxi driver is puffing hard on his cigarette and babbles angrily to some other drivers who were gathered around. It was ok, we were in a huge tourist area with plenty of people listening, and taxi driver wasnt doing himself or the other taxis any favours.The English speaking driver asks if 100 laris is enough and I agree, just to get this over with, so they ask me to call the police to say they are no longer needed. I dont know if that is possible but the police arrived at this point.The two formal but understanding policemen listen to my story and ask if its resolved and I said yes. It must happen a lot as took my word for it without any evidence. One of the police advises me to use the Bolt app in future, which Glyn had already downloaded and used yesterday.Although its resolved, theres paperwork. I have to show them my passport and give the address of our guesthouse. Taxi Driver has
to show his ID and he wasnt happy. We both had to sign and it was almost funny, the driver signed like a stroppy child would, as though he was trying to make it a scribble rather than his signature. If hed only ripped us off a little, I would have let it go, but that amount was not on. Plus, hopefully he wont be so quick to do it again to other people.All sorted, we left and didnt look back. We actually needed a taxi at this point, but decided to order one with the Bolt app from another location.Despite the heavy traffic, our Bolt driver takes us to the Chronicle of Georgia for around £5. The monument is beside the reservoir, on a hill and created in 1985, although not It has 16 pillars that are around 35 metres tall with bronze reliefs of old royals, various heroes and Jesus stuff. It is quite impressive and theres also good views of the city and the reservoir, also known as the Tbilisi Sea.
