USD 5000 ride gives Australian cabbie fare of his life
Melbourne, December 12 (ANI)
A taxi driver from a city in Australia accepted the fare of a lifetime after taking a half-naked passenger 1500km home to Tennant Creek, it has been revealed.
The man in his 20s, who wore nothing except for a pair of silken boxer shorts and thongs for most of the 17-hour trip, hailed a cab outside Tom's Tavern on Nathan St on Thursday about noon.
He was carrying a small bag filled with money, and a carton of beer.
Veteran taxi driver Mike Caldwell, who has been driving taxis in Townsville for 30 years, was more than happy to oblige after his passenger paid 4900 dollars cash up front for the drive home to the Northern Territory.
It is understood that the man, who is a well-known local, then withdrew more cash to take another taxi adventure.
The 68-year-old described his passenger as a talkative bloke, who may have suffered a long-term mental disability.
"He did all the talking," News.com.au quoted him as saying.
"He told me he was once in a bad accident on a motorbike.
"Occasionally we would stop periodically for him to have a smoke," he said.
After taking a pit stop for breakfast at the Three Ways Roadhouse in Tennant Creek, the pair encountered a pair of police officers who recognised the passenger instantly.
They told him a friend had feared he had gone missing, and was relieved he had returned home.
Caldwell, who will receive 50 percent of the fare, described the trip as a unique experience, being able to drive across the Outback and be paid for it.