Meet Radovan, he's been driving Londoners for 20 years in his cab
Radovan Milinkovic says while the job is flexible, it can come with hardships
Cabbie Confidential is a CBC London series that asks the men and women who know our city streets the best to "tell all" about what they see on the roads, who they meet and some of their hopes for this city.
Radovan Millinkovic came to Canada with his family more than 20 years ago from the former Yugoslavia. After working a few jobs in the hospitality sector, he started driving a cab and hasn't stopped. Reporter Sofia Rodriguez hopped in to find more. Here's part of that conversation:
How did you end up driving this cab?
When I got here, we didn't have time to go to school. I was already 28 and when you have family, you just think about what the fastest way is to make a living.
Why did you come to London?
We came through the refugee program. I feel safe here. I don't feel anyone looks at me differently because I'm from somewhere else. Here you feel that nobody will take your freedom and that was the main thing we lost and why we moved.
- Favourite street to drive on: King and Queen Streets.
- Least favourite street to drive on: There's not much flow on any street. I changed the name of Wonderland Road to Wonderland parking lot because there's more stopping than driving in the afternoon.
- What's the one thing London drivers do that annoys you most? They're always on their cellphones and not paying attention to the road. You just never know what can happen.
What was it like living in Bosnia?
It was a nice country before, but then all the problems came. War started and I didn't ask for it, but I paid the price.
In that region, every generation of my family had an experience with war and I didn't want my kids to have that. I wanted to give them freedom, a chance for a good education and just not to worry about the things I had to worry about just to make a living.
What's the worst customer experience you've had while driving this cab?
I had an attack from a few young boys at Western University. They broke my rear window with no reason, just because I couldn't take five people in the same cab. I get scared now. The only reason they didn't beat me is because I'm a big guy and I can protect myself. After that, I only drive during the day.
If you could change one thing about London what would it be?
Mental issues is a big problem. There should be more concern to help people because mental health and drug abuse is taking a big toll on this community. I see it all the time. I don't know how much this government will do, but it's a big issue.
What's your favourite thing about driving a cab?
That I can take care of my kids and my family whenever I need to. If I need to take my kids to school, I can. You know I started this just to be able to do that because we don't have anyone besides me and my wife here.
London cabbies have a lot to say! Get to know them here:
