A trip of just 3.5 kilometers near the OC Nivy shopping center in the capital cost two students from eastern Slovakia €42.50. The young people had come to Bratislava for a concert, but traffic jams delayed their bus, and they began to run late. Their attempt to hail a ride through the Bolt mobile app was unsuccessful due to a lack of available cars.
How the conflict unfolded near the station
Upon seeing a black Audi with a checkered pattern on the roof parked near the station entrance, the students decided to ask about the fare to the Tegelne Pole neighborhood. The driver replied with a smile that he would use the meter, but the amount would be small.
However, just a few minutes after they started moving, the meter displayed €40. When the passengers began to protest, the driver started acting aggressively. He drove a few meters, after which a new figure appeared on the meter—€42.50. According to the victims, the man threatened to continue the ride and call the police if they refused to pay.
The students were forced to pay, but the driver flatly refused to give them a receipt. Since they had no receipt, the young people decided to file a complaint with the Trade Inspectorate. The Slovak IA channel provides more details on the situation.
A series of similar incidents at the same location
This incident sparked widespread outrage on social media. Local residents immediately recalled two previous high-profile scandals that occurred near the same shopping center:
- In the first case, a driver demanded €82 from a teenager for a 9.7-kilometer ride.
- In the second, a young woman was charged €45 for a 3.1-kilometer trip.
After analyzing the situation, online investigators speculated that the same driver was involved in all three cases. Such incidents once again highlight the risks of using random street taxi drivers instead of verified services. If you’re planning trips around the city or looking for reliable transportation, always try to book rides through official mobile apps, where the route and fare are confirmed before the trip begins.
