Sorry to hear of the plights of both the man in the OP and the lady mentioned by Shelly. Private taxis are illegal and that too for a good reason. Many a times my sister, daughter and I have stood minutes on end waiting a Karwa, whenever my husband has been unable to give us a ride, and as tempting as it is, we politely turn down all those private taxi drivers' offers. Just too risky and against the law to boot!