More people in Fredericton are speaking out about the way they have been treated by cab drivers after requesting a drive back to the city's northside.

Jason Malone and Vanessa Paesani say they were rejected by at least four cab drivers last weekend — one even cursed them out — after they tried to get into taxi cabs that refused to drive three kilometres away to their northside home.

When they asked a driver to relay their request to dispatch the driver angrily refused.

"He was rude. He swore," said Malone.

"My point to him was if you don't want to take us that's fine but I've been calling your dispatch for half an hour, 40 minutes, and I'm not getting an answer from your company or the other companies, can you please radio your dispatch and ask them to pick us he blatantly refused to use his radio to call his dispatch to send a taxi to pick us up."

Malone said he tried 28 times to call a cab company to request a taxi drive home, but could not get through to any company.

"That was frustrating," said Malone.

"It's less than a 10-minute drive."

Jason Malone and Vanessa Paesani say they were rejected by at least four cab drivers last weekend after they tried to get into taxi cabs that refused to drive three kilometres away to their northside home. 0:49 At around 3:30 a.m. the couple did manage to hail a cab willing to take them home after almost an hour after their first attempt.

"And when I told the driver how long it took us she said that's very common when you're going to the northside," said Paesani.

"And then she said it's a good thing you're not going to Oromocto because no one would stop and drive you there."

"So I think it tells you there's a problem with the system," said Paesani.

She and other people CBC News spoke to felt the most likely explanation for being denied drives to the northside revolves around money. They believe cab operators probably make more money in less time by completing multiple, shorter, trips closer to the downtown core.

Malone complained about their treatment to a manager of ABC and Trius taxi companies.

"I was pleased with his response," said Malone.

"He seemed to care and said he was going to talk with the city about what to do."

ABC and Trius did not respond to a request for comment.

Not alone

Several Fredericton residents have told CBC News that many cab drivers will refuse to drive them home if they live too far from the downtown core. (Shane Fowler/CBC) Paesani and Malone are just a few of several people who have recently come forward to voice their objections to cab drivers screening and rejecting potential passengers attempting to get home to the northside.

Early this week Fredericton resident, Karen Pinchin, also claimed several cab drivers refused to drive her home, which was eight minutes away.

Pinchin said she only got home after slipping into a cab that was emptying and standing her ground after the driver cursed at her to get out because he refused to travel to the northside.

City investigation

Fredericton Mayor Mike O'Brien has promised city staff is looking into the issue of taxi drivers refusing to take residents to the northside. (Daniel McHardie/CBC) Fredericton Mayor Mike O'Brien has promised city staff is looking into the issue.

Earlier this week in response to Pinchin's complaint, he stated there would be an investigation.

"This was very concerning, and I have followed up with the individual and have since received a formal complaint. Staff is now investigating the incident," said O'Brien.

According to the City of Fredericton's bylaw that regulates taxis there are four reasons a person may be refused service.

They include, if in the driver's opinion that person is intoxicated, if that person is indebted to the driver or taxi business, if the person is unable to pay for the ride, or if the person requests baggage or an animal, other than a Seeing Eye dog, be transported.