Ballarat taxi driver robbed in Melbourne

A BALLARAT taxi driver was robbed at knife point by a passenger he had driven from Ballarat to Melbourne early yesterday morning.The taxi driver was approached by a woman at Ballarat Train Station around midnight who claimed she had missed the last train to Melbourne.Two men then approached the taxi and got into it with the woman.Ballarat Taxis Co-operative chairman Steve Armstrong said the driver followed company policy and asked for a $200 fee up-front.The passengers gave him $300 as a down payment."They told him they wanted to go to Spencer St in Melbourne to connect with another train," Mr Armstrong said."When they arrived in Melbourne the driver stopped at a red light in the city and the men insisted he drive through it."At first the taxi driver refused until a knife was produced and put to his neck.The driver pulled over in Bourke St at around 1.30am and the male passenger with the knife demanded the $300 back.After they got the money back the three exited the taxi and made their way on foot down the street.The taxi driver followed them for a short distance and asked for the fare back.They refused to hand over the money and fled on foot.The driver returned to Ballarat before reporting the incident to Ballarat police.Mr Armstrong said Ballarat Taxis placed great importance on the safety of their drivers."Most of our cars have the option for a security screen and all have safety alarms," he said.He said in this case there wasn't much the driver could do to prevent what happened or change the outcome."This was a straight forward robbery and we are pleased the driver came through it safe and sound." Melbourne detectives and Ballarat police are investigating the robbery.Anyone who witnessed the incident can call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.